Just got a bike! ...what is it?

aaron7 · 01-13-2006

I bought this bike, but I don't know what it is! It hasn't been delivered yet, so I can't look for any numbers.

Any ideas as to what it is? 1980? 175?

aaron7 · 01-14-2006

Ok, it's here! Few things I noticed...

The sticker on the frame says 2/73!! This thing is OLD!

The frame VIN is different than the engine VIN... so it's not original

The motor is a 250cc 2 stroke

The bike has the mounts and switches for lights (tail, turn, and head), but no wires or lights

It has adjustable rear shocks that look like road shocks

It has 2 spark plugs, but only one coil with one wire/boot

It has a spot for a battery that is long gone

Front and rear drum brakes

So, now I'm wondering if it was a road bike that someone stripped and put a dirt bike motor in?

Anyone have any ideas?

CROGG · 01-14-2006

Your bike is a F-11 model which was built by Kawasaki from 1973 to 1975 then discontinued. It was a 250cc two stroke dual purpose street legal trail bike. From the vin F-11 09213 it was the 9213th one made so I doubt it was a 73 model and most likely a 75 model.

aaron7 · 01-14-2006

Strange, as it does say 2/73 on it! Was the F-11 a bad bike? Seems strange it only lasted 2 years!

*jukief* · 01-14-2006

You've got quite a project on your hands there! It's going to be really cool when it's done, though. You're going to have to keep us updated on your progress!

aaron7 · 01-14-2006

Oh, I will keep everyone updated! I start work on it tomorrow, I'll let you know what I find!

Gunjji · 01-15-2006

And this it what it should look like when your done... choose your own color ofcourse.
I found this 72 F 11 here

bobvc · 01-21-2006

That is way cool, I had a number of Honda's and Yami's during that period, my best friend had a 175 that looked a lot like that. I always wondered what the REAL benefit was to having two plugs with one coil. Have fun, that will be a neat project bike.

kawah1c · 01-23-2006

aaron,

Your bike is a 1973 model. There were made about 16000 F11's each year, so the total number at the end of 1975 should be about 48000 units. The F11 was replaced by the KE250 in 1976.

aaron7 · 01-23-2006

Well, parts sure are hard as hell to find! Got all new bearings for the motor/tranny (some from a motorcycle shop, some from a bearing shop), all new oil seals, etc. Still looking for an engine gasket set and .050 rings!!!

aaron7 · 01-23-2006

Seeing the other post, looks like I'm all set on rings!

XR893 · 01-25-2006

Quote:

Originally Posted by bobvc

That is way cool, I had a number of Honda's and Yami's during that period, my best friend had a 175 that looked a lot like that. I always wondered what the REAL benefit was to having two plugs with one coil. Have fun, that will be a neat project bike.

Wasn't the second plug a spare in case you fouled one.I know a guy who had a PE 250 which also had 2 plugs and thats what he said.

aaron7 · 02-11-2006

I'll be updating here in 10 min:

http://www.kawasakimotorcycle.org/fo...ad.php?t=17835

turbochardged · 08-08-2008

i was told it's not for a second plug they don't use two spark plugs. there is a plug made for that hole. It was for compression release to start it, since the engine is so small it doesn't need a release.

aaron7 · 08-08-2008

Correct. I picked up a parts bike that was all original, and it has a decomression thing in one of the spark plug holes.

01-13-2006	#1 (permalink)
aaron7 Foil Inspector BTK Beginner Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: MA Posts: 102	Just got a bike! ...what is it? I bought this bike, but I don't know what it is! It hasn't been delivered yet, so I can't look for any numbers. Any ideas as to what it is? 1980? 175?

01-14-2006	#3 (permalink)
CROGG Cruising In Fourth Gear BTK Intermediate Join Date: Dec 2004 Posts: 204	Your bike is a F-11 model which was built by Kawasaki from 1973 to 1975 then discontinued. It was a 250cc two stroke dual purpose street legal trail bike. From the vin F-11 09213 it was the 9213th one made so I doubt it was a 73 model and most likely a 75 model. __________________ IF IT DOESN'T WHEELIE IN 5TH...WHAT GOOD IS IT (Perimeter framed KX500) 07 KX450,and 06YZ450RHC

01-14-2006	#5 (permalink)
jukief MSF instructor/Forum mum Extreme Forum Supporter Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Fort Collins, CO Posts: 17,984	You've got quite a project on your hands there! It's going to be really cool when it's done, though. You're going to have to keep us updated on your progress! __________________ 2002 Vulcan 1500 Classic FI Proud member of Spok's Azz Club (SAC#1) and BamaBob's Nit Pickers Club

01-15-2006	#7 (permalink)
Gunjji I Hate Onions!!! Forum Supporter Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: South Jersey Posts: 320	And this it what it should look like when your done... choose your own color ofcourse. I found this 72 F 11 here __________________ My KX 250

01-21-2006	#8 (permalink)
bobvc Mgr. Mid Life Crisis Dept BTK Expert Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Olive Branch, MS Posts: 493	That is way cool, I had a number of Honda's and Yami's during that period, my best friend had a 175 that looked a lot like that. I always wondered what the REAL benefit was to having two plugs with one coil. Have fun, that will be a neat project bike. __________________ Midnight Blue Vulcan Classic 1600 Yamaha YZ 2-Fiddy F Yamaha FJR 1300 Sport Tourer

01-14-2006	#2 (permalink)
aaron7 Foil Inspector BTK Beginner Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: MA Posts: 102	Ok, it's here! Few things I noticed... The sticker on the frame says 2/73!! This thing is OLD! The frame VIN is different than the engine VIN... so it's not original The motor is a 250cc 2 stroke The bike has the mounts and switches for lights (tail, turn, and head), but no wires or lights It has adjustable rear shocks that look like road shocks It has 2 spark plugs, but only one coil with one wire/boot It has a spot for a battery that is long gone Front and rear drum brakes So, now I'm wondering if it was a road bike that someone stripped and put a dirt bike motor in? Anyone have any ideas?

01-14-2006	#4 (permalink)
aaron7 Foil Inspector BTK Beginner Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: MA Posts: 102	Strange, as it does say 2/73 on it! Was the F-11 a bad bike? Seems strange it only lasted 2 years!

01-14-2006	#6 (permalink)
aaron7 Foil Inspector BTK Beginner Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: MA Posts: 102	Oh, I will keep everyone updated! I start work on it tomorrow, I'll let you know what I find!

01-23-2006	#9 (permalink)
kawah1c Wants better weather! BTK Expert Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Oslo, Norway Posts: 976	aaron, Your bike is a 1973 model. There were made about 16000 F11's each year, so the total number at the end of 1975 should be about 48000 units. The F11 was replaced by the KE250 in 1976.

01-23-2006	#10 (permalink)
aaron7 Foil Inspector BTK Beginner Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: MA Posts: 102	Well, parts sure are hard as hell to find! Got all new bearings for the motor/tranny (some from a motorcycle shop, some from a bearing shop), all new oil seals, etc. Still looking for an engine gasket set and .050 rings!!! __________________ 1973 Kawasaki F11 250cc 1974 Honda CB360 twin 1965 Honda C100

01-23-2006	#11 (permalink)
aaron7 Foil Inspector BTK Beginner Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: MA Posts: 102	Seeing the other post, looks like I'm all set on rings! __________________ 1973 Kawasaki F11 250cc 1974 Honda CB360 twin 1965 Honda C100

02-11-2006	#13 (permalink)
aaron7 Foil Inspector BTK Beginner Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: MA Posts: 102	I'll be updating here in 10 min: http://www.kawasakimotorcycle.org/fo...ad.php?t=17835 __________________ 1973 Kawasaki F11 250cc 1974 Honda CB360 twin 1965 Honda C100

08-08-2008	#14 (permalink)
turbochardged Newbie Join Date: Aug 2008 Posts: 14	i was told it's not for a second plug they don't use two spark plugs. there is a plug made for that hole. It was for compression release to start it, since the engine is so small it doesn't need a release.

08-08-2008	#15 (permalink)
aaron7 Foil Inspector BTK Beginner Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: MA Posts: 102	Correct. I picked up a parts bike that was all original, and it has a decomression thing in one of the spark plug holes. __________________ 1973 Kawasaki F11 250cc 1974 Honda CB360 twin 1965 Honda C100

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