1974 Kawasaki W3 650 Twin.

[carlo]

I forget who or where, but someone mentioned that they didn't think Kawasaki continued making their BSA clone overhead valve 650 into the 70's.<br>Here's a picture of one that I took a couple of years ago at the show our club puts on every May.<br><br>I believe this is a home market only model. I bought an H1 new in 1975, and had been hanging around the dealership where I bought it for a couple of years prior to that. I never say anything like this there.<br><br>http://forums.cycleworld.com/attachments/cycleworld/bikes_classic/913/1/1974_Kawasaki_W3.jpg<p>Message Edited by carlo on <span class="date_text">02-03-2007</span><span class="time_text">10:46 PM</span></p>

[UncleErnie]

<div>That kind of raises an interesting question; From what I can see, it looks like the only similarities are the same pipe and round wheels. The engine is completely different. The question- How much change can be made and still consider a model a continuaton of a &quot;line&quot;. </div><div>That's awkwardly put... but does it make sense? For instnace, the Mustang could just as easily been called a Falcon SS or something because underneath it was basically a Falcon. Is JUST styling the most important thing, or is the heart the engine? Harley changes a lines name when they change the engine, right? </div>

[carlo]

umm, and in what way is the engine completely different?<br><br>Looks a lot like an A10 engine to me.<br><br>They've possibly tinkered superficially with the contour of the timing chest, but it's still basically a BSA A10 timing chest.<br>Other than that, I don't see anything in that picture to support your statement. Not to mention, that I looked the bike over pretty carefully before I took the picture, and it looked pretty much like your standard overhead valve A10 engine.<br><br><br>Right, it must suck gettin old. Now I remember who/where that was brought up. Can't even remember what went down in a conversation that I started!<br><br><br>Here's a better view of the timing side of that engine as seen on the original W1 posted up by Monkeyshines.<br>http://render2.snapfish.com/render2/is=Yup6aQQ%7C%3Dup6%3DzqH%3AxxqUD7qRUrKxzX7BHpUUKx gXP00%3F87KR6xqpxQQ0lxne0x0QPxv8uOc5xQQQ0olJnJalol qpfVtB%3F*KUp7BHSHqqy7XH6gXP00%7CRup6Glo%7C/of=50,590,414<p>Message Edited by carlo on <span class="date_text">02-04-2007</span><span class="time_text">07:33 AM</span></p>

[carlo]

ooh, I know where you went wrong, Ernie!<br><br>Were you perhaps thinking in terms of this version of the BSA 650 engine? From that perspective, it is a completely different engine.<br><br>http://www.realclassic.co.uk/bsa03112101.jpg<p>Message Edited by carlo on <span class="date_text">02-04-2007</span><span class="time_text">07:37 AM</span></p>

[VerticalTwin]

<div>that would be me carlo, as i thought 71 was the last year of the W ( 1 &amp; 2) series.. interesting looking bike the japanese home version.. so it looks like it survived into the mid 70's...actually i kinda liked the W1&amp;2 models..</div><div> </div><div>i am sure a substancial number of models never make it to the U.S. shores which is unfortunate..</div><div> </div><div>i remember reading somewhere Honda did an anniversary edition of the CB750 some years back.. never made it to the U.S.</div><div> </div><div>i guess the japanese motorcycle companys aren't interested in exporting bikes that they precieve would produce low sales ...</div><div> </div><div> </div><div>is that your Lightning ?sweet bike..</div><div> </div><div>den/vt</div><div> </div>

[carlo]

<br><blockquote><hr>VerticalTwin wrote:<br><div>is that your Lightning ?sweet bike..</div><div></div><div>den/vt</div><div></div><br><hr></blockquote><br><br><br>I wish. Only BSA I own is a 441 Shooting Star. That was just the first picture that came up when I did a search to find an example of the A65 to show Ernie where he'd gone wrong.

[VStarMan]

<div><strong>I sure would be proud to be seen riding that BSA around town!</strong></div>

[UncleErnie]

<div> </div><div> </div><div>No- I meant the Whttp://www.ace-cafe-london.com/gif/w650.jpg</div><div>650 engine sold here in 2000 and 2001 is very different from the first W's.</div><div>Why did this sentence get cut up like this? Anyway- no this isn't my bike, but it could be if I didn't like the seat I have now... (I like looking at this one an awfull lot, though)</div>

[850-Combat]

<div></div><div>When I was a young man with a hot rod Norton Atlas in the early 70's I had a neighbor with a W 1 or 2 Kawasaki. It leaked and smoked like any old thrashed Brit bike. Worse than my Atlas by far (not a comment on the W2 in general, just that particular W2). </div><div> </div><div>I read that the W2 was built for police and escort use in Japan for many years after it was no longer sold in the US. I wonder how they handled compared to British bikes.</div><div> </div><div>As to riding an A-65, I just never liked riding mine much at all, and it was a really nice example. The new owner loves it, and uses it as a town bike instead of riding his two RE Interceptors (Clean survivor unrestored Series 1 1/2 he bought from me, and a very nice restored Series II). He commutes on a Thunderbird Sport.</div><div> </div><div>Whenever I rode it for more than 15 minuits or so I just wished I was on a Commando, Rocket 3 or Trident. Something with some legs.</div><div> </div><div>My former A65</div><p>Message Edited by 850-Combat on <span class="date_text">02-04-2007</span><span class="time_text">08:16 AM</span></p>

[carlo]

I've always liked that tank on the A65 bikes.<br><br>It's more commonly seen on the Shooting Star 441 (like mine) and the Starfire 250.<br><br>http://forums.cycleworld.com/attachments/cycleworld/bikes_classic/928/1/upload%20ready%201.jpg

[carlo]

hmm, looks like one of your fork gaiters is turning into a little stack of rubber doughnuts. That must be an old pic. When I saw the bike, I thought it looked immaculate!

[850-Combat]

<div></div><div>It was immaculate pretty much.</div><div> </div><div>I replaced the fork gaiters with some decent ones, repainted the side covers, and put on the correct (1970) side decals. Did some fiddly work with the rear brake too, can't remember quite what after that other photo was taken. That bike was an excellent example of its kind. </div><div> </div><div>It was a looker for sure.</div><div> </div><div>Those gaiters were pretty new when they fell apart. The next set was decent quality. You just don't know when you buy rubber parts sometimes.</div><div> </div><div>I couldn't see the photo when I selected it.</div><div> </div><div>Got the '68 4 door in it though! Is your 2002 ready to stand that Cortina?</div><p>Message Edited by 850-Combat on <span class="date_text">02-04-2007</span><span class="time_text">12:09 PM</span></p>