1973 Kawasaki 250 F11 Dual-Sport

[mrgreeneII89]

Hey y'all. I'm new here, but not new to motorcycle repair (I'm currently Bronze-level certified by Suzuki.) I've restored a good many barn finds over the years with my dad (who is certified by all the major motorcycle brands for repairs except Kawasaki), and I just picked up this old machine because I need some wheels of my own. I've always loved everything about the old dual-sports, and this one is powerful enough to hit the highway, but short & light enough for me to handle. I've already got it serviced and fired up, rebuilt the wiring harness, and stripped the fenders for paint, but the 6-volt battery, voltage regulator, tires, chain & sprockets, turn signals & tail light either need replacing or were missing to begin with. None of that is a problem, but what is a problem is that this model is pretty rare and the tank was so rusted (even though it had been creamed inside) that gas seeps through the metal on the underside. I've spent months trying to find one on eBay and elsewhere, so... any suggestions? What's the chances of finding one at a junkyard? (There's one a few hours away, but they only built about 16,000 of these a year for only a few years). Does anyone know if any other similar model tanks would fit? Also, the biggest problem is that, whoever had it in the past, sprayed the entire frame with Rhino-Liner!! It scrapes off with a razor blade, but it's too much of a job to fool with. Will aircraft-coating remover dissolve it down to the metal, or something else? Thanks for any and all input in advance.

[outdoorsman310]

i know where one of those is and the tank too but its rusty inside too. im not sure how bad it is though. its at a salvage yard in delaware

[mrgreeneII89]

Awesome!! Would you happen to have any contact info for the salvage yard? I live in Georgia, so I'd have to go on my faith in humanity, but I have to get a fitting tank somehow. I will definitely inquire about the condition of the tank, as well as about the other parts I need, and see if I can possibly have them ship some goods down the coast!! Thank you for your input!

[outdoorsman310]

(302) 322-2453 thats their number. there called cycle service. I dont know if they still have it or if it may be dented but you can call them. its red. I have a ke250. its basically the same thing i guess a newer version but its from 1977

[formline]

Hello, If you take the frame to a local sand blaster they can easily remove all of the liner. As far as the tank goes I had the same problem of finding a good one. My R5 350 had the same problem with finding a usable tank. I put a XS500 tank on both and it solves the problem. The seat pan needs to be shortened but I plan on converting the bike to street only.