Thanks a lot for the dealership picture. I have both those bikes G3TR 90 Bushmaster and the 250 Greenstreak. I also have the G31M 100 Baby Greenstreak and G4TR 100 Trailboss. Have several 350 Bighorns and a few extra as parts bikes. I like Kawasaki from the 70's.
+Tommy Tucker Thanks. This 13 episode series took a lot of hard work to film and edit. I have a performance based Kawasaki F9 that I also did a video series on as well. You might like that.
You do great work and what a loving homage to your dad. Where would we be without our dads? I had one of these bikes when I as a kid. Don't remember what year it was but it was lime green. Had some grunt to it.
Very cool I see your passion. Mine had started when I was 5 living in apartment complex a man bought a brand new 1970 Honda CB750 I Thought that was the most wonderful magical most beautiful machine I had ever seen, I was hooked I couldn't take my eyes off of it. Then one day he asked if I wanted to go for a ride oh my god yes I screamed running home to get permission from my parent's, I thought I was dreaming. Now I am 52 with a lot of bikes under my belt starting with a Honda XL70 in 1975 to present day 2 Honda Shadow VT1100's. Still living the dream.
really enjoyed all the videos! except this one!! my man, I watch this meticulous restoration series and you spend the big reveal episode talking about literature of the bike you just built! thats mental! just show the bike in the light of day and it being ridden!
I do truly admire the effort you have gone to in creating these videos. would love to see you start it on a lovely day and give is a walk around and scenic ride. well done! I'm sure you made your father proud.
great restore....my friend had one and let me ride it often but would never sell to me. I acquired a Yamaha 360 enduro and we rode together a lot and would swap bikes.
Great video. I was impressed to see that the Bighorn used a 3 ring piston. I take that as a sign that it has a very long service life between top end overhauls. Having worked on 2 cycle engines I am aware that they sometimes have only one ring pistons.
The 3rd ring is more about heat transfer rather than longevity. The stock type piston is kind of heavy and is probably not high in silica content as a typical aftermarket one would be. This means it holds a lot of the heat and with only the piston rings for dissipation 3 must have been necessary. This is very briefly mentioned in the service manual in broken English "Please to note extra ring on F5 for extra cooling" That 3rd ring ads more frictional resistance as well. The Speed Kit installation manual notes a different 2 ring piston for better performance, but it is also mentioned just removing the bottom ring on the standard piston. Single ring pistons are designed to have less thermal expansion and thus can be made lighter for less rotating mass and quicker revving.
Just have to do a saved search on Ebay. You can try some Facebook groups. Salvage yards if you have any near, but because of age some yards just don't have much anymore. Also, be aware there are 3 different styles of carburetor covers used across the F5 and F9. They will all technically bolt up across the years, however the designs are slightly different as they improved the sealing area on the top where the cables go through as well as narrowed it a bit for the smaller more compact carburetor (30mm) carb used on the F9. The early (like mine) is the hardest to find.
I restored this back in 2010. I hoarded parts since the time I bought it for $50 back in 1995. Basically I got the parts I knew I would need before they were scarce. Also this bike was pretty complete.
I was given a bighorn f5 350 it sat for years in a shed but i got it running and tried every carb- oil pump adjustment but it still blows crazy amounts of smoke (white) and drips iol from exaust right at the head..Can you please help!!.If i can clear this up it will be a decent bike. Thanks .
+thejunkman I really like your videos and Thanks for answering! your correct that is what's going on..any chance of you making a video addressing this repair? (oil seals)
+Eric Chrzanowski I already have a video, plus I go over things like this in my vintage performance project series. Check the website and channel, I have lots of info there
Just found your channel, really nice job. I have one of these in pretty good condition. Mine has the mudgaurd over the wheel though in I suppose a 'road' setup. I'm in the UK so not many here as they were never sold, only a few imports. Any chance of sharing a copy of the manual!?.......Please
I remember my friend showing me the new Kawasaki dealership in town which had just moved into the old church of the Nazarine building back around 1970, and inside were bikes lined up on each side of the aisle, and was greeted by some guy that reminded me of an usher who was offering me some brochures, asking me "street" or "trail". At the time I was too young to have a license and was a member of neither denomination. I remember my friend's trail 90.
+Multi-Hobbyist I did not, but I should have. This is not the first bike I have "given" to him. I bought him a vintage Harley like he wanted back in the day.
+wayne brown The restoration only took a few months. To film and edit combined took about 6 months before the original release (on Blip) then after that contract passed I released the videos here on UA-cam.
Man you did a great job on that paint and cleaning. So I guess you can still buy the decals for that bike? How did you match the paint I wonder? I remember all those motorcycles from the 70s all of us kids use to ride. Do you have a video of your dads reaction to this bike?
There is a company called Reproduction Decals that makes the decals. I have a video about installing them (check my channel). I had good paint on the underside of the tank to match via an automotive paint store that specializes in this.
Bought this exact model when I was 17 years old back in 1971. Ironically, I also was thinking about buying the 350 Avenger as well. Also Yellow. Bought the Big Hernia as it soon was nicknamed for the various crap that broke, seized, snapped, scratched, chipped or just plain fell off. Ill say one thing though, that engine was the SHIT!! Nothing stopped that thing in 1st & 2nd gear!! Course being able to wheelie in the 1st 3 gears was a blast as well..
+Jared Lumbert Yes, and an S2. This is all "BI" or Before Internet. I generally would never pay over $1.00 per cc. If you search my site I have before and after pictures of a KZ400 I bought for $75 and rode it 100K miles.
I still have a subscription to Cycle World but am quite disappointed in the new magazine as they provide nowhere near the amount of information that they did in those older issues.
I would not say the older issues had any more info than the current ones, but because of the internet magazines put less effort into the print version. I don't subscribe to any magazines and haven't for over 10 years now because the info I want is just a google search away.
Yeah I am thinking of letting the Cycle World subscription lapse along with the Motorcyclist subscription. I am most interested in past bikes and my newest one out of about of 6 motorcycles is a 2003. I will keep my Rider magazine subscription as it is a totally different kind of magazine with some great rides featured in it and such. I am age 67 and do not ride dirt much anymore other than dirt roads in my rural area. I have a 1965 Honda CT200 Trail 90, a 1980 Honda CB750F, a 1981 Honda XL500S, a 1982 Honda GL500, a 1997 Honda Pacific Coast, and a 2003 Harley XLH883.
Great story and now a great bike!!! I just got done with a KT250 restoration! I really enjoyed restoring that Kawasaki trials bike… Click my icon and check it out, I'd love to have your opinion on it! Keep up the great work!
Thanks a lot for the dealership picture. I have both those bikes G3TR 90 Bushmaster and the 250 Greenstreak. I also have the G31M 100 Baby Greenstreak and G4TR 100 Trailboss. Have several 350 Bighorns and a few extra as parts bikes. I like Kawasaki from the 70's.
I purchased a 350 bighorn in 1970. I wish i still had it.
Its were it all began on the bighorn,i restored 3
What an awesome gift to give your father. Thanks for sharing your story.
wow that looks so good, and ty for sharing the history, it makes it all the more personal to know why we all restore old bikes :)
+Tommy Tucker Thanks. This 13 episode series took a lot of hard work to film and edit. I have a performance based Kawasaki F9 that I also did a video series on as well. You might like that.
Hey great series and a nice tribute to your Dad, well done.
+Paul Williams thanks
You do great work and what a loving homage to your dad. Where would we be without our dads? I had one of these bikes when I as a kid. Don't remember what year it was but it was lime green. Had some grunt to it.
Very cool I see your passion. Mine had started when I was 5 living in apartment complex a man bought a brand new 1970 Honda CB750 I Thought that was the most wonderful magical most beautiful machine I had ever seen, I was hooked I couldn't take my eyes off of it. Then one day he asked if I wanted to go for a ride oh my god yes I screamed running home to get permission from my parent's, I thought I was dreaming. Now I am 52 with a lot of bikes under my belt starting with a Honda XL70 in 1975 to present day 2 Honda Shadow VT1100's. Still living the dream.
Be sure to check out more on my website. www.thejunkmanadv.com/ lots more where that came from.
You did a fantastic job! Your dad must have been very happy! Thanks for the story. Just been restoring an f11, it’s been a journey. ⏳📞💻🔧📖
Here is a page I dedicated to the F11. It has a few performance tips and tricks. www.thejunkmanadv.com/kawasaki-f11-performance-pages.html
Great and informative series,really enjoyed it.
Kawasaki Ke-175.The best lookin trail bike ever!Wotta machine
Awesome resto awesome guy.
Well done btw!Regards from Pakistan.(Owned Ke-100 and Ke-175)
really enjoyed all the videos! except this one!! my man, I watch this meticulous restoration series and you spend the big reveal episode talking about literature of the bike you just built! thats mental! just show the bike in the light of day and it being ridden!
+george cowell this was filmed when there was 5 foot of snow on the ground. But yes I need to make a ridding video.
I do truly admire the effort you have gone to in creating these videos. would love to see you start it on a lovely day and give is a walk around and scenic ride. well done! I'm sure you made your father proud.
+george cowell yes, maybe here in the future I will do that.
I would love one of these bikes like brand new today!
Good lad! Your thoughts will mean more to your dad than the bike! But he'll LOVE the bike, too!
+Kevin Chamberlain Thanks. I take it to a lot of shows.
Really nice work ;) beautiful and a great cause.
Thanks.
great series,,makes me wanna try
+neil stewy go ahead and do it!
Great job!
great restore....my friend had one and let me ride it often but would never sell to me.
I acquired a Yamaha 360 enduro and we rode together a lot and would swap bikes.
Thanks for the trip!!
I purchased one new in 1970
I was 24 years old.
Its just got bigger after it was born years following
love your passion! thanks
Great job! Thank you!
Great video. I was impressed to see that the Bighorn used a 3 ring piston. I take that as a sign that it has a very long service life between top end overhauls. Having worked on 2 cycle engines I am aware that they sometimes have only one ring pistons.
The 3rd ring is more about heat transfer rather than longevity. The stock type piston is kind of heavy and is probably not high in silica content as a typical aftermarket one would be. This means it holds a lot of the heat and with only the piston rings for dissipation 3 must have been necessary. This is very briefly mentioned in the service manual in broken English "Please to note extra ring on F5 for extra cooling" That 3rd ring ads more frictional resistance as well. The Speed Kit installation manual notes a different 2 ring piston for better performance, but it is also mentioned just removing the bottom ring on the standard piston. Single ring pistons are designed to have less thermal expansion and thus can be made lighter for less rotating mass and quicker revving.
Thank you very much for the info and for your quick answer. Take care.
Hi mate, wicked series! Could you please link me those graphics/decals as I'm going to do mine this year. Cheers !
Reproduction Decals/Diablo Cycle is where to get them.
@@thejunkman so happy you responded! Any idea where to get replacement sprockets?
Woulda been nice to see it ridden! :)
or Presented to his Dad or at least STARTED!!!
Kevin Chamberlain yes, on both. Thought for sure he’d start it and let us hear it. Did I miss it?
www.thejunkmanadv.com/barn-fresh-episode-13.html
I have the same bike, but missing the carb cover. They are very hard to find for the F5, any ideas?
Just have to do a saved search on Ebay. You can try some Facebook groups. Salvage yards if you have any near, but because of age some yards just don't have much anymore. Also, be aware there are 3 different styles of carburetor covers used across the F5 and F9. They will all technically bolt up across the years, however the designs are slightly different as they improved the sealing area on the top where the cables go through as well as narrowed it a bit for the smaller more compact carburetor (30mm) carb used on the F9. The early (like mine) is the hardest to find.
How did you get the graphic redone? I assume you had to sand and paint the tanks.
I have a video on that.
How did you manage to get ahold of the body parts?
The Fenders and side panels are absolutely IMPOSSIBLE to find :/
I restored this back in 2010. I hoarded parts since the time I bought it for $50 back in 1995. Basically I got the parts I knew I would need before they were scarce. Also this bike was pretty complete.
Watch the entire series and it reveals more information.
I was given a bighorn f5 350 it sat for years in a shed but i got it running and tried every carb- oil pump adjustment but it still blows crazy amounts of smoke (white) and drips iol from exaust right at the head..Can you please help!!.If i can clear this up it will be a decent bike. Thanks
.
+Eric Chrzanowski You might have a bad crank seal or rotary valve cover o-ring is leaking and you might be sucking transmission oil into the engine.
+thejunkman I really like your videos and Thanks for answering! your correct that is what's going on..any chance of you making a video addressing this repair? (oil seals)
+thejunkman Ill start with the valve cover o ring it looks a lot easier to fix.
+Eric Chrzanowski I already have a video, plus I go over things like this in my vintage performance project series. Check the website and channel, I have lots of info there
I saw some of these bikes like brand new in 1970.
exalent
Just found your channel, really nice job. I have one of these in pretty good condition. Mine has the mudgaurd over the wheel though in I suppose a 'road' setup. I'm in the UK so not many here as they were never sold, only a few imports.
Any chance of sharing a copy of the manual!?.......Please
There are excerpts on my website there's links for it and more pictures of this bike and my restoration
I remember my friend showing me the new Kawasaki dealership in town which had just moved into the old church of the Nazarine building back around 1970, and inside were bikes lined up on each side of the aisle, and was greeted by some guy that reminded me of an usher who was offering me some brochures, asking me "street" or "trail". At the time I was too young to have a license and was a member of neither denomination. I remember my friend's trail 90.
Kind of random. A Kawasaki dealer in a church, sounds awesome.
so did you give this bike to your dad, or just restore it to tease him with it?
+Multi-Hobbyist I gave it to him, but I store it at my place because I take it to shows around the area.
+thejunkman Very cool. Did you record his reaction? That would make a good video.
+Multi-Hobbyist I did not, but I should have. This is not the first bike I have "given" to him. I bought him a vintage Harley like he wanted back in the day.
Nice Job Jon! How long does it take you to restore?
+wayne brown The restoration only took a few months. To film and edit combined took about 6 months before the original release (on Blip) then after that contract passed I released the videos here on UA-cam.
Man you did a great job on that paint and cleaning. So I guess you can still buy the decals for that bike? How did you match the paint I wonder? I remember all those motorcycles from the 70s all of us kids use to ride. Do you have a video of your dads reaction to this bike?
There is a company called Reproduction Decals that makes the decals. I have a video about installing them (check my channel). I had good paint on the underside of the tank to match via an automotive paint store that specializes in this.
Where are the mirrors, and why do U.S. models of the period have no turn signals?
Mirrors and turn signals were optional equipment. Not all states required them until the late 70s.
@@thejunkman that's dumb
Ok
@@thejunkman just my opinion
Ok
I had a brand new one, same color.
Bought this exact model when I was 17 years old back in 1971. Ironically, I also was thinking about buying the 350 Avenger as well. Also Yellow. Bought the Big Hernia as it soon was nicknamed for the various crap that broke, seized, snapped, scratched, chipped or just plain fell off. Ill say one thing though, that engine was the SHIT!! Nothing stopped that thing in 1st & 2nd gear!! Course being able to wheelie in the 1st 3 gears was a blast as well..
+Robert Dier Check out my F9 project series, it is a performance based series on the later F9.
will we get to see you or your dad riding it?
Maybe in the future
My 74 MC1M has the same problem with the throttle housing...
+MASSIVE 2SMOKER you can adapt a universal throttle to that bike
Cool, now will the damn thing really run???
Yep, you can see it run in other videos. It was snowing out when I finished it and filmed this.
wow dude $50 bucks for a titled bike is awesome!
Yeah, well this was BI or Before Internet so the dealer had little outlet to get rid of it easily.
Wanted to see it run and ride : (
+brad bully Future video my friend. Snow on the ground.
You got a 74 H1 for $200???
+Jared Lumbert Yes, and an S2. This is all "BI" or Before Internet. I generally would never pay over $1.00 per cc. If you search my site I have before and after pictures of a KZ400 I bought for $75 and rode it 100K miles.
I still have a subscription to Cycle World but am quite disappointed in the new magazine as they provide nowhere near the amount of information that they did in those older issues.
I would not say the older issues had any more info than the current ones, but because of the internet magazines put less effort into the print version. I don't subscribe to any magazines and haven't for over 10 years now because the info I want is just a google search away.
Yeah I am thinking of letting the Cycle World subscription lapse along with the Motorcyclist subscription. I am most interested in past bikes and my newest one out of about of 6 motorcycles is a 2003. I will keep my Rider magazine subscription as it is a totally different kind of magazine with some great rides featured in it and such. I am age 67 and do not ride dirt much anymore other than dirt roads in my rural area. I have a 1965 Honda CT200 Trail 90, a 1980 Honda CB750F, a 1981 Honda XL500S, a 1982 Honda GL500, a 1997 Honda Pacific Coast, and a 2003 Harley XLH883.
With comment below..its a 1971 bighorn f5 350
Great story and now a great bike!!! I just got done with a KT250 restoration! I really enjoyed restoring that Kawasaki trials bike… Click my icon and check it out, I'd love to have your opinion on it! Keep up the great work!
Thanks.
WTF? All that talking and not even starting up the bike? No test ride? No front brake cable??? It was build to be ridden.
This was filmed in the dead of winter. It snows here. Go to the website for more pictures and videos.
This vid is sooooooo dragging.
u talk to much