Had a 1969 A7SS, the 350 version of this bike. It was a SS Yellow tank so had the high pipes to be a scrambler. Bought it in 1971 for $325 from a guy that bought it for commuter usage and he was a novice rider. Had 600miles on it cause it was too scarey of a ride for him. Had sat in his chicken coop but luckliy was covered good. We kept it in the family till the mid 1980's. My son then decided to restore it to showroom quality. He had a friend that worked in the Kawasaki dealership and they chased parts for it for several months. Did a great job and sold it to a collector on the East coast for 10 times what I paid for it. Great little bike!!!!!!! Bob M.
Last time (only time) I saw one of these "in the flesh" was 1980. My mates older brother ran one. Rare as Rocking Horse muck here in the UK. Nice to see one resurrected, thanks for the vid, great to see the process of reviving old machines.
It's great to see these old bikes on the road again. It takes me back to my teenage years and high school. I had one myself I paid $250 for used from a friend. I ran that little bike for 3 years until I got my first car. I seldom rode it after that so I sold it to my Uncle for $100 and I never did get paid for it. He was one of my favorite Uncle's so I never said a word about it to him. Last time I saw the bike it was in his little barn accumulating dust and spiders. He said he put it up and it still was running really good but he had worn out the sprockets and chain in rear and you could tell that it was finished. That was all that was wrong with the little bike and he has passed away since. I guess it's still sitting there unless one of his boys got to it. They probably did. It was a 69 model.
I am currently refurbishing a 73 Kawasaki Bighorn 350 in original , running condition with just over 3000 original miles on the clock. It was the largest rotary valve two stroke ever marketed and featured an innovative, if not effective, adjustable front suspension. Can't wait to get the old girl running with fresh brakes, chain, and sprockets.
I bought one of those brand new! It was a fun wheelie machine. Took me a year to figure out the seal between the trans and crankcase was leaking. I'd just keep adding tranny oil but it got worse before I noticed and drew air into the combustion making it run lean and it siezed. I had cut back the trailing edge of the rotary valve which gave it more high rpm power but at a cost of low rpm torque. Then the cdi quit and it sat for a while... Good luck, it'll be a fun bike.
My Dad had a '67 350 A7SS. I rode that bike into the ground! I discovered that if I pulled the rubber carb covers up about 3", then the fuel/air mixture got MUCH better. The bike could then out-accelerate my friends' Honda CL450 and Triumph Trophy 500. They got wise and refused to race me when the carb covers were pulled up. When you fired up that 250 it all came flooding back- the sound was the same. Kawasaki 2 strokes always had great engines. My Dad's bike is likely buried under several feet of dirt at the bottom of a ravine in Lexington, Texas. I wish I would have bought it from him...
Please keep putting these videos up, thoroughly enjoyed the z1 restorations, & the h1 resto, learned a lot about kawasakis here , keep up the good work
Awesome! I had one very similar, the 175. Put knobbies on it and rode trails. Electric and kick. Ended up giving it to a new rider when I moved. Everything worked well, ran like a tank, indestructible. Like so many things, would be interesting to still have.
I really enjoy watching ur videos i grew up on honda dirt bikes n street bikes but its nice to see old bikes brought back to life no matter what kind they are great job on everything ive seen (let the good times roll or in this case roll again) lol
Nicely done, but only with the solid base you have constructed your business on. And having the foresight, the 'vision' of what you want to give a better life. Thanks for sharing.
These were a rare but hot number in the UK, the rotary valves made them hi tech and exotic, a number of them were converted for racing I would have given my eye teeth for a Samurai or Avenger back in the day.
Tail light was changed for the A1 /A7 into the same as the H1 in 69 ,first model was more rounded[ as shown ]. Also early frame had open tube rear, Seat cover was one year only 66-67 A1 only, available on E.bay [pit replica ] its essential to read the correct column in the parts manual when selecting parts[early -late] Fork gaitors are available repo ex e.bay .If you cant find A1 barrels you can fit A7 [with A7 pistons] rods the same. Carb rubber tops for 26 mm are specific but have been available as repo items.I owned one new in early 67 and presently have the A7B [71] Rebuilds are not cheap ,unless you have access to a parts stock. Thanks for preserving that one.
I owned the high pipe scrambler version, same color red, mine was owned and modified by Stan Fox's brother Bobby Fox..., I could keep up with 4 stroke 650s., 100mph! (police radar confirm accuracy @ 85mph) Gave up when couldn't find parts in mid 80s
That bike it’d be good for camping trips , ya. Put some better traction tires and get a two to one short exhaust he’ll ya. Good trail bike. Dam. Good one. Good mosquito killer. Great job guys.
Keep you eye on the transmission fluid level. My A1 Samuri had a manufacturer's recall that dealt with a poorly machined surface that allowed the tranny fluid to be sucked into the crank case. Hence the excessive smoke through the exhaust. ( I understand 'normal' vs excessive smoke.)
Hi Johnny. When i started the rebuild on my A7 many years ago, I didn't even know what the bike was and no experience with that kind of thing. I'm actually getting ( finally ) around to finishing it, and I've noticed that the threads where the large nuts ( flanges?) hold the exhaust to the cylinder - one is mostly worn away. There is probably enough there to get the pipe back on, but after that unlikely. It's my own stupidity, when I had the re-bore done years ago I didn't see it and the machinist guy never mentioned it. Shouldhave gone and found some new cylinders at the time I guess. I'm also not convinced that it will stay on once the engine is running. Love the look of yours, I would ride it just like it is ( maybe with slightly upgraded tires though ). It's awesome to see any "A" series stuff on here, there's not much out there. And now I also know where all the parts bikes have gone, looking around your garage. Thanks, Keep posting stuff. - subscribed brother! McJamie
I have an A1SS and an A7, both in better shape than this. However, a restoration would seem to be a bit intimidating. Both bikes ran, the A7 being the later version with CDI and was a real screamer. Ran up and down Hwy when I was in the Army and then from LA to Texas and then back again. Changed the counter-sprocket to get better mileage and higher top speed if needed ((1972 was 100 mph in some Western States). Any advice on getting these two back on the road? Thanks!
That bike is prime for restoration. we would have tear it down to the frame and make all brand new. we have also gone through the engine and rebuild it. then, into my collection.
hay carl i have 2 of this 1967 kawasaki 250 a1 samurai one restored and certified last year and one doner bike almost completefor parts if you are interested
I am at 5.02 and this is very interesting and i am thinking just get it running first then ok the tyres maybe and the r.mudguard and light or ,no, it is part of the bikes history , leave it as it is.get it running and ride it. anyway, back to the video......
Hell I'm cringing , old hard rubber (tires)? I'd a sand blasted the chrome off and painted it black. What's so wrong with upgrading it with a steering dampener ? Sounds like 6,000 RPMs it starts to miss and, it turns into a skeeter foger . Is that normal ? I really don't know.
Because looks can be deceiving. Parts bikes are parts bikes. The bike we ended up restoring had a lot more potential. It had matching serial numbers for one, and had not been in an accident like the parts bike(s).
The blue A1 in the photo is the bike we already had in our collection. We didn't use any parts off of the one you see in the title photo. We used two other incomplete carcasses that were in the barn.
Im currently Restoreing a mitsubishi FireHawk it starts but dont takeoff unless you have a ratchet on the gears so im puting a pin hole in the bold cuse lock tite wont work so after that some new blinkers break lights and gear cover and it should be ready
I new a guy that him and his dad spent a year restoring and painting one up to better than new about 1973. So one of the first nights out he stopped at the pool hall to show it off and this other jerk jumps on it and wheelied it over into a parked car. I felt real bad he had to take it home all bent and scrapped up.
@@Johnnysvintage well i wud but i have no book or any blinkers on the bike i will call my buddy at the kawasaki dealer he has micro fish and ma have part numbers
I am just a few miles off HWY65 in Madison Al. We had a booth last year and will this year. With Barber only being about an Hour and a half from us its great. I did the tent camping last year and had a blast. I'll try to find you this year.
STOP pulling the rim across the floor like that :-s 8:16 .. pretty please .. unless its scrap ofc .. wich i doubt it is, nice bike ofc .. just wanted to get it out of my system
Had a 1969 A7SS, the 350 version of this bike. It was a SS Yellow tank so had the high pipes to be a scrambler. Bought it in 1971 for $325 from a guy that bought it for commuter usage and he was a novice rider. Had 600miles on it cause it was too scarey of a ride for him. Had sat in his chicken coop but luckliy was covered good. We kept it in the family till the mid 1980's. My son then decided to restore it to showroom quality. He had a friend that worked in the Kawasaki dealership and they chased parts for it for several months. Did a great job and sold it to a collector on the East coast for 10 times what I paid for it. Great little bike!!!!!!! Bob M.
Last time (only time) I saw one of these "in the flesh" was 1980. My mates older brother ran one. Rare as Rocking Horse muck here in the UK. Nice to see one resurrected, thanks for the vid, great to see the process of reviving old machines.
It's great to see these old bikes on the road again. It takes me back to my teenage years and high school. I had one myself I paid $250 for used from a friend. I ran that little bike for 3 years until I got my first car. I seldom rode it after that so I sold it to my Uncle for $100 and I never did get paid for it. He was one of my favorite Uncle's so I never said a word about it to him. Last time I saw the bike it was in his little barn accumulating dust and spiders. He said he put it up and it still was running really good but he had worn out the sprockets and chain in rear and you could tell that it was finished. That was all that was wrong with the little bike and he has passed away since. I guess it's still sitting there unless one of his boys got to it. They probably did. It was a 69 model.
Nice
Johnny s Vintage Motorcycle Company
Call
thanks for putting these videos up, they are fascinating to watch, as the old Kawasakis are brought back from the dead.
I am currently refurbishing a 73 Kawasaki Bighorn 350 in original , running condition with just over 3000 original miles on the clock. It was the largest rotary valve two stroke ever marketed and featured an innovative, if not effective, adjustable front suspension. Can't wait to get the old girl running with fresh brakes, chain, and sprockets.
Brought back many bad memories of a 1968 or 1969 Kawasaki 250 Sidewinder I rode in high school!
I bought one of those brand new! It was a fun wheelie machine. Took me a year to figure out the seal between the trans and crankcase was leaking. I'd just keep adding tranny oil but it got worse before I noticed and drew air into the combustion making it run lean and it siezed. I had cut back the trailing edge of the rotary valve which gave it more high rpm power but at a cost of low rpm torque. Then the cdi quit and it sat for a while...
Good luck, it'll be a fun bike.
Really enjoy these rebuilds,great and knowledgeable mechanics.I remember most of these machines as i was a kawa boy.
My Dad had a '67 350 A7SS. I rode that bike into the ground! I discovered that if I pulled the rubber carb covers up about 3", then the fuel/air mixture got MUCH better. The bike could then out-accelerate my friends' Honda CL450 and Triumph Trophy 500. They got wise and refused to race me when the carb covers were pulled up. When you fired up that 250 it all came flooding back- the sound was the same. Kawasaki 2 strokes always had great engines. My Dad's bike is likely buried under several feet of dirt at the bottom of a ravine in Lexington, Texas. I wish I would have bought it from him...
Please keep putting these videos up, thoroughly enjoyed the z1 restorations, & the h1 resto, learned a lot about kawasakis here , keep up the good work
Awesome! I had one very similar, the 175. Put knobbies on it and rode trails. Electric and kick. Ended up giving it to a new rider when I moved. Everything worked well, ran like a tank, indestructible. Like so many things, would be interesting to still have.
I really enjoy watching ur videos i grew up on honda dirt bikes n street bikes but its nice to see old bikes brought back to life no matter what kind they are great job on everything ive seen (let the good times roll or in this case roll again) lol
Nicely done, but only with the solid base you have constructed your business on. And having the foresight, the 'vision' of what you want to give a better life. Thanks for sharing.
Would also be great to see it with the gas tank all painted up nice as it's quite an eye-sore!
you could tell when that thing got some heat on it it ran pretty good what a cool bike
These were a rare but hot number in the UK, the rotary valves made them hi tech and exotic, a number of them were converted for racing I would have given my eye teeth for a Samurai or Avenger back in the day.
lol! I had a 350 1968 mod in 1970---that was a wild wheelie bike and was so much fun!
2:40 - that SnapOn tool box is HUGE. I love it. Something about a toolbox covered in stickers from parts used just satisfies me.
Tail light was changed for the A1 /A7 into the same as the H1 in 69 ,first model was more rounded[ as shown ]. Also early frame had open tube rear, Seat cover was one year only 66-67 A1 only, available on E.bay [pit replica ] its essential to read the correct column in the parts manual when selecting parts[early -late] Fork gaitors are available repo ex e.bay .If you cant find A1 barrels you can fit A7 [with A7 pistons] rods the same. Carb rubber tops for 26 mm are specific but have been available as repo items.I owned one new in early 67 and presently have the A7B [71] Rebuilds are not cheap ,unless you have access to a parts stock. Thanks for preserving that one.
Barry Thomson I have a 66 F1. It has 380 miles on the clock need fork gaiters and a seat cover. I e tried eBay but no luck. Any ideas?
Excellent. I vote to leave the bike as it is in the video. Such a sweet old ride.
Well done for keeping at it, looking a lot better
The sound of that takes me back to the RD and GT 250 days awesome
Richard Powell Yup, nothing sounds so sweet as an RD400 pinging&panging on a first kick.🏍
I owned the high pipe scrambler version, same color red, mine was owned and modified by Stan Fox's brother Bobby Fox..., I could keep up with 4 stroke 650s., 100mph! (police radar confirm accuracy @ 85mph) Gave up when couldn't find parts in mid 80s
Man, that is loud & smokes like a chimney too but for a bike that's almost 50 years old, you did a pretty good job
It was loud and smoked on the day it was made new.
I particularly like the way you set up the headlight beam...
That bike it’d be good for camping trips , ya. Put some better traction tires and get a two to one short exhaust he’ll ya. Good trail bike. Dam. Good one. Good mosquito killer. Great job guys.
Johnny i share your enthuiasm...well done.
Good job 👏🏻
nice build,.. perfect as it is right now,..
Man preserve the patina! That paint is awesome!
Love old two smokes 🤟
Keep you eye on the transmission fluid level. My A1 Samuri had a manufacturer's recall that dealt with a poorly machined surface that allowed the tranny fluid to be sucked into the crank case. Hence the excessive smoke through the exhaust. ( I understand 'normal' vs excessive smoke.)
Great job, guys!
Very nice" Rustoration".
I like that!
Johnny s Vintage Motorcycle Company
Patina man meets NOS man and Donor man.
Please don't restore it! What a gem! It sounds as good as my '72 Hustler. Lovely job.
i relate to your comment precisely.
Hustled ,six speed better than what being restored .huh
Hi Johnny.
When i started the rebuild on my A7 many years ago, I didn't even know what the bike was and no experience with that kind of thing.
I'm actually getting ( finally ) around to finishing it, and I've noticed that the threads where the large nuts ( flanges?) hold the exhaust to the cylinder - one is mostly worn away. There is probably enough there to get the pipe back on, but after that unlikely.
It's my own stupidity, when I had the re-bore done years ago I didn't see it and the machinist guy never mentioned it. Shouldhave gone and found some new cylinders at the time I guess. I'm also not convinced that it will stay on once the engine is running.
Love the look of yours, I would ride it just like it is ( maybe with slightly upgraded tires though ).
It's awesome to see any "A" series stuff on here, there's not much out there.
And now I also know where all the parts bikes have gone, looking around your garage.
Thanks,
Keep posting stuff.
- subscribed brother!
McJamie
Thanks for subscribing, and let us know if we can help you out with anything
@@Johnnysvintage
Facebook
Awesome! Thanks for sharing.
love that smelly smoke! miss it!
I have an A1SS and an A7, both in better shape than this. However, a restoration would seem to be a bit intimidating. Both bikes ran, the A7 being the later version with CDI and was a real screamer. Ran up and down Hwy when I was in the Army and then from LA to Texas and then back again. Changed the counter-sprocket to get better mileage and higher top speed if needed ((1972 was 100 mph in some Western States). Any advice on getting these two back on the road? Thanks!
Start with the motors. Do they turn over with good compression? Then I'd go through the carbs, make sure the crank seals are good.
Johnny s Vintage Motorcycle Company
Superb!
That bike is prime for restoration. we would have tear it down to the frame and make all brand new. we have also gone through the engine and rebuild it. then, into my collection.
hay carl i have 2 of this 1967 kawasaki 250 a1 samurai one restored and certified last year and one doner bike almost completefor parts if you are interested
@@gregmcchesney7950 do you have a pics?
I wonder what this bike is doing now, in 2022?
I am at 5.02 and this is very interesting and i am thinking just get it running first then ok the tyres maybe and the r.mudguard and light or ,no, it is part of the bikes history , leave it as it is.get it running and ride it. anyway, back to the video......
Hell I'm cringing , old hard rubber (tires)?
I'd a sand blasted the chrome off and painted it black.
What's so wrong with upgrading it with a steering dampener ?
Sounds like 6,000 RPMs it starts to miss and, it turns into
a skeeter foger . Is that normal ? I really don't know.
The soundtrack to my youth . . . .
nice work
I have an a1 and am restoring it. I am desperate for a kick start leaver and would like to know if you can help out on that part. Thanks
Question: When the parts bikes look better than the bike to be restored, why not restore the parts bike?
Because looks can be deceiving. Parts bikes are parts bikes. The bike we ended up restoring had a lot more potential. It had matching serial numbers for one, and had not been in an accident like the parts bike(s).
sentimental value can play a roll too
Great stuff! subscribed.
I want a bike like that, it is my dream.
I would call it a resurrection not a restoration. Good job getting it running again tho.
why would you use that blue A1 in the barn for parts? its perfect for a restoration, like you said its complete.
The blue A1 in the photo is the bike we already had in our collection.
We didn't use any parts off of the one you see in the title photo. We
used two other incomplete carcasses that were in the barn.
ooh so that blue one that was tucked behind the incomplete one in the barn wasn't a parts bike...
Im currently Restoreing a mitsubishi FireHawk it starts but dont takeoff unless you have a ratchet on the gears so im puting a pin hole in the bold cuse lock tite wont work so after that some new blinkers break lights and gear cover and it should be ready
PS: Im only 13 this is big for me
Lots of luck you will need it.
good misquoito killer there!! ya should turn the choke off, fouls up the plugs sumthin nasty
I new a guy that him and his dad spent a year restoring and painting one up to better than new about 1973. So one of the first nights out he stopped at the pool hall to show it off and this other jerk jumps on it and wheelied it over into a parked car. I felt real bad he had to take it home all bent and scrapped up.
That runs damd good, maybe give it a full restore eh
better known as the kawasaki samurai
why cut the old wheels up they can be re chromed not every one has 6 A1 to get bits off
Old bikes, old people.
It's all about balance.
Johnny most of that will buff out right?
i have one of these do u have a 67 250 wud u have blinkers for it
We may. If you sent us part numbers that would be better. we are very swamped at this time
@@Johnnysvintage well i wud but i have no book or any blinkers on the bike i will call my buddy at the kawasaki dealer he has micro fish and ma have part numbers
Johnny s Vintage Motorcycle co
Do you have a set of rear foot pegs 1967 model for sale
Hope none of your neighbors were hanging out their laundry when you started this one up..😂
Try a 250 x6 hustled Suzuki or my bike a 1970 350 also a six speed with oil injection,both fast .
This video is sponsored and approved by the epa ... little motorcycle making unusual noise followed by a cloud of blue smoke.
una bellura
You not bad
Nice. Do you ever come down to Barbers Vintage Bike show?
Yes we can be found at the swap meet every October. In fact, my wife and I were married at the museum in 2009.
I am just a few miles off HWY65 in Madison Al. We had a booth last year and will this year. With Barber only being about an Hour and a half from us its great. I did the tent camping last year and had a blast. I'll try to find you this year.
Que grande japon motos indistrutible
I need 4 into 2 for 83 kz1100. Anybody?
White shirt! How? I only look at my bike and I'm greasy up to the armpits!
これレストアすんの？凄い！！
Great , All it wants now is restoring alot more 'cos it still looks a mess.
Patina by Katrina
Awesome bike! Don't paint a thing
My wife thinks it's art!
What makes a serial number "good"?
A serial number is considered "good" or legitimate if they haven't been STAMPED or altered.
That is kawamaha or yamasaki i guess
Some bikes are just meant to die ...
Wrong
And many more are meant to be revived.
Ну копия наш юпитер 4.
STOP pulling the rim across the floor like that :-s 8:16 .. pretty please .. unless its scrap ofc .. wich i doubt it is, nice bike ofc .. just wanted to get it out of my system
Give it back to the sea.
زیادحرف میزنی
U dont know the mean of the word RESTORATION
Sounds so bad lol
Cały filmik pierdolenie
too much SMOKE ........
Very bouring
Boring...and too long.
So boring....