The folks at Kawasaki Heavy Industries are bringing back another version of the "W" retro. Looks nice. . .but a bit rich for my taste. At $7,999 maybe they'd outsell the Trumps. . .I mean Triumph's Thruxton.
It's not the $13,000 "genuine article" so to speak but then again the attraction is in the eye and wallet of the beholder.
Kawasaki has a history in business with BSA going way back. . ..
But to answer your question my quick answer is no. . .it's not a "Desmo", or poppet type valve system.
Re: Nice. . .but the price?
Posted: Wed Nov 28, 2018 1:12 pm
by gn2
springer1 wrote:Is that a bevel drive for the cam? It isn’t a desmo is it ?
Bevel driven single cam with conventional rockers and springs.
Not Desmo.
As well as the cafe (yuck) version they're going to reintroduce the (better than a Bonnie) regular one.
Reason for pause in production was to get them up to Euro4 spec.
springer1 wrote:Is that a bevel drive for the cam? It isn’t a desmo is it ?
Bevel driven single cam with conventional rockers and springs.
Not Desmo.
As well as the cafe (yuck) version they're going to reintroduce the (better than a Bonnie) regular one.
Reason for pause in production was to get them up to Euro4 spec.
gn2 is right. The bike has been dragging on forever. Mock classic becomes classic then goes on and on and on and on.... Buy if you are old or dull.
Life has to be better than this.
Re: Nice. . .but the price?
Posted: Wed Nov 28, 2018 4:28 pm
by Old Grinner
No cam chain. . .the beveled gear helps move the cam shaft.
At about 4 minutes into this video. . .which is quite good IMHO. . .there is a nice informational segment on the engine specs and design. If you are into the history of this ride and how it seems to just keep coming back like a seasonal bird to a backyard feeder then it's worth the time to watch. As a previous Yamaha TX650A owner I can somewhat relate to the charm of the W1.
And now for the next act. . .with no further adieu. . .another bike I had and regretted buying and selling twice. . .stupid me. Oh well. . .I got my 60+ thousand miles out of it. This new Kawasaki is starting to bring back some old but fond memories. Glad someone had the sense to post this vid of a nicely restored '73. Had the same color too. Damn what was I thinking.
