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Difference between revisions of "Kawasaki W1"
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The W-series were the largest displacement Japanese motorcycles available in the mid 1960s. The W1 soon gave way to the twin carbureted [[Kawasaki W2|W2]] models in an attempt to break into the expanding American market. In 1968 the W2TT Scrambler and the W2SS Commander models also became available. The W2 engined used a 4-speed non-unit transmission overhead valve, which produced 50 horsepower @ 6,500 rpm. | The W-series were the largest displacement Japanese motorcycles available in the mid 1960s. The W1 soon gave way to the twin carbureted [[Kawasaki W2|W2]] models in an attempt to break into the expanding American market. In 1968 the W2TT Scrambler and the W2SS Commander models also became available. The W2 engined used a 4-speed non-unit transmission overhead valve, which produced 50 horsepower @ 6,500 rpm. | ||
Up to the 1960s, Japan relied on copying the leading foreign | Up to the 1960s, Japan relied on copying the leading foreign [[marque]]s. Kawasaki built its first motorcycle in 1951 and, ironically for a [[marque]] which became famous for its two-strokes, was the sole Japanese maker with serious four-stroke know-how. It had absorbed [[Meguro Works]], which had specialized in this field since the 1930s The first [[Kawasaki]]s were simply re-badged Meguros with a very British 650 twin. | ||
==Japan's Biggest Bike== | ==Japan's Biggest Bike== | ||
Meguro's first twin had been the 650 T1 of 1955, a sort of patchwork of various British designs of the period, though its engine dimensions of 72x80mm were less "longstroke" than was normal in England. It developed 23.5 hp @ 5200 rpm, could reach over 80 mph, weighed 503 lb and was for a long time the biggest Japanese bike along with the Cabton 600 twin and [[Rikuo]] 750. | Meguro's first twin had been the 650 T1 of 1955, a sort of patchwork of various British designs of the period, though its engine dimensions of 72x80mm were less "longstroke" than was normal in England. It developed 23.5 hp @ 5200 rpm, could reach over 80 mph, weighed 503 lb and was for a long time the biggest Japanese bike along with the Cabton 600 twin and [[Rikuo]] 750. | ||