Author Topic: Okay....... Never Heard About This Kawasaki. Have You (Read 3562 times)

bill440cars · « **on:** November 22, 2008, 04:42:37 PM »

Would you believe a Kawasaki "Square Four"? Found this over on North American Two Strokes. H2 Triple Chassis, Z1 forks & calipers? Seems emissions and the fact thar Kawasaki was pushing the Fours. Anyone know some details on this one?

Shenanigans · « **Reply #1 on:** November 22, 2008, 04:52:27 PM »

I have seen that picture a few times but no other info. A water cooled, square 4, 2 stroke is a bit 'out of the box'

Grumpol · « **Reply #2 on:** November 22, 2008, 05:00:12 PM »

http://www.buynewcars.info/bikes/750triple/

http://www.nationalmotorcyclemuseum.com.au/gallery/bikes/Kawasaki%20H2%20750.htm

mlinder · « **Reply #3 on:** November 22, 2008, 05:27:55 PM »

Quote from: Grumpol on November 22, 2008, 05:00:12 PM

http://www.buynewcars.info/bikes/750triple/

http://www.nationalmotorcyclemuseum.com.au/gallery/bikes/Kawasaki%20H2%20750.htm

Nope. The one bill showed us a square 4. You linked to the H's, an inline triple.

Uncle Ernie · « **Reply #4 on:** November 22, 2008, 05:32:36 PM »

That was one of Eric Buell's prototypes for the Buell Blast.
He kept changing things.

Grumpol · « **Reply #5 on:** November 22, 2008, 05:39:50 PM »

Quote from: mlinder on November 22, 2008, 05:27:55 PM

Quote from: Grumpol on November 22, 2008, 05:00:12 PM
http://www.buynewcars.info/bikes/750triple/

http://www.nationalmotorcyclemuseum.com.au/gallery/bikes/Kawasaki%20H2%20750.htm
Nope. The one bill showed us a square 4. You linked to the H's, an inline triple.

the image on this page is a square 4 at least labeled as one
http://www.ozebook.com/kawaaz3.htm

and the image3/4 of the way down this page is identical
http://www.buynewcars.info/bikes/750triple/
the other one was wrong, my mistake
some people try to pick holes in anything

CharlieT · « **Reply #6 on:** November 22, 2008, 06:31:17 PM »

INteresting that proto from 1971. Sure pre-dates this 2/ sq-4

bill440cars · « **Reply #7 on:** November 22, 2008, 07:49:49 PM »

Here is the one that Grumpol was showing. Makes it look as if they have had some serious thoughts about producing it. Who knows?
In that picture, it's hard to see that it's a Square Four, but it is and is identifird as such on the side cover. Sure makes me wonder how it would have performed.

Maxacceleration · « **Reply #8 on:** November 23, 2008, 05:26:30 PM »

You can't forget the KR500 square four that Eddie Lawson raced in '80-81.
Heres a pic!

No, the bike wasn't successful.

bryanj · « **Reply #9 on:** November 23, 2008, 10:08:55 PM »

2 stroke square 4--------ever hear of an RD500?

Licence looser if ever i found one

crazypj · « **Reply #10 on:** November 23, 2008, 11:13:06 PM »

RG500Gamma?
We sold both Yamaha and Suzuki (and Vespa

)
PJ

Maxacceleration · « **Reply #11 on:** November 24, 2008, 06:46:21 AM »

Yeah, thought we were talking Kawi's as they are more known for their triples...

Quote from: bryanj on November 23, 2008, 10:08:55 PM

2 stroke square 4--------ever hear of an RD500?

Licence looser if ever i found one

bill440cars · « **Reply #12 on:** November 24, 2008, 08:48:11 AM »

Yeah, I know that there's a lot about the Racing Japanese bikes that I don't know about and I appreciate all that you all are trying to do to educate me, but I was talking about a Kawasaki and it was considered for the street. I will have to say that those must have been pretty impressive bikes (the KR500 and the RG500 Gama).

Finding that Kawa Square Four Prototype makes me wonder just what all might have been considered by motorcycle companies, that never made it to the street?

Maxacceleration · « **Reply #13 on:** November 24, 2008, 10:51:37 AM »

Good point Bill. I have never heard of Kawi's square four 'till this thread.
And usually a square four means TWO cranks geared together, right?
Like twins in tandem.

bill440cars · « **Reply #14 on:** November 24, 2008, 11:19:17 AM »

Quote from: Maxacceleration on November 24, 2008, 10:51:37 AM

Good point Bill. I have never heard of Kawi's square four 'till this thread.
And usually a square four means TWO cranks geared together, right?
Like twins in tandem.

Yep, in tandem.

Not sure if it's geared or a chain

Here's an old Four Stroke Square Four that a number of folks might be acquainted with Ariel.

In fact, here's a better shot of one:

CaféElite · « **Reply #15 on:** November 24, 2008, 02:57:41 PM »

http://jalopnik.com/5098042/all+wooden-speedball-special-roadster-built-for-sale-in-st-louis

Maxacceleration · « **Reply #16 on:** November 24, 2008, 05:59:25 PM »

Now thats a woodie!

jbailey · « **Reply #17 on:** November 24, 2008, 08:22:10 PM »

I read somewhere about this bike. The way I remember, this was going to be Kawasaki's answer to the Suzuki "Water Buffalo" 750 3 cylinder liquid cooled bike. They decided to bring out the Z1 instead, and the rest is history. The square four probably would have been fast, but not very reliable or fuel efficient.

HavocTurbo · « **Reply #18 on:** November 24, 2008, 08:37:12 PM »

A lot of it had to do with emissions.

When they first arrived, Kawi triples were the fastest things on 2 wheels. Sure they smoked and made all kinds of messes wherever they went, But they were FAST!!

In the end enough people bought them that legislation had to do something about the 2-stroke motorcycles. Combine that with cars and other vehicles.... poof!!

Goodbye 2-stroke engines. It's a miracle that snowmobiles and watercraft had lasted as long as they did as 2-stroke.

News:

Author Topic: Okay....... Never Heard About This Kawasaki. Have You (Read 3562 times)