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Path: utzoo!linus!decvax!tektronix!tekig5!tekig4!markmo
From: markmo@tekig4.UUCP (Mark Morland)
Newsgroups: net.cycle
Subject: Re:  Samurai and Water Buffalo
Message-ID: <211@tekig4.UUCP>
Date: Fri, 9-Aug-85 21:54:12 EDT
Article-I.D.: tekig4.211
Posted: Fri Aug  9 21:54:12 1985
Date-Received: Mon, 12-Aug-85 06:26:05 EDT
Organization: Tektronix, Beaverton OR
Lines: 34

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Newsgroups: net.cycle
Subject: Kawasaki's BSA copy - not an "A1" 
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In article <743@ihlpa.UUCP> animal@ihlpa.UUCP (D. Starr) writes:
>The A-1 Samurai is a copy of the beloved BSA 650 Twin produced by 
>Kawasaki in the late 60's (around '68, I think)... I've heard
>that they ran better than the Beezers because of better quality
>control (fewer leaks, etc.).  But they were kind of obsoleted by
>the OHC Yamaha 650 twin, which you can still find today.

I briefly owned (the major pieces of) one of these machines last
year, I think it was a '68.  The correct model numbers for these
Kawasaki 650's are W1 and W2.  The W1 had a single carburetor, and
the W2 was the hi-performance dual carburetor model.

The vertical twin engine was connected to the remote gearbox by a
chain.  The large polished aluminum chain case had "KAWASAKI" cast in.
The serial number of mine began "W2-".  The carburetors were Japanese
copies of AMALs.  Unconfirmed rumors have it that some parts were
interchangeable with the BSA.

I know little else about this machine, but can refer anyone interested
to a couple of local experts.

Yours,

Mark Morland   tektronix!tekig4!markmo

P.S.  I sold it (the engine, frame, and swingarm) for $100.
P.P.S.  I have a Water Buffalo for sale for $400.
-- 
Mark Morland   tektronix!tekig4!markmo