1962 Kawasaki Aircraft B8 125cc Streetbike Complete & All Original 1425 miles!!!

[Wolfman1972]

Hello everyone. I'm hoping someone out there can help me out with a little information on my vintage bike. I recently acquired what I believe to be an awesome find at an estate sale. It is a complete and original unrestored 1962 Kawasaki Aircraft B8 125cc streetbike with an incredibly low 1425 miles on the clock. I purchased it from the original owner's daugter, so I am only the second owner with a clear Pennsylvania title in hand!! Like I said, this bike is complete, right down to the original white-wall tires, which still hold air!! Sidecover still has the toolkit stashed in it, and the gas tank still has the mixing ratio label affixed. Amazingly too, the seat is in super condition for its age. Sure, it has a lot of cosmetic issues when it comes to the chrome (barn stored for decades), and has a few mouse nibbled wires, but I'm sure it would take very little to get it running, even though I haven't tried. The motor is extremely clean, and spins freely with gobs of compression. The gas tank will need recoated inside, but I thoroughly dismantled the carburetor and it was as clean as the day it left the factory!! That was a huge relief, as I was expecting to find it hoplessly gummed up and corroded beyond service. Obvioulsy, it wasn't put away wet before its long slumber. I've done scads of research on this bike but can't seem to turn up any good information. All the local Kawasaki dealers are completely unaware this bike even ever existed so they aren't any help. Can anyone out there give me some info on this bike? I'd like to know just what I have here on my hands. Is it worth investing in a restoration, and if so, what would you say it's worth? Until then, it sits in my dining room under a cover, LOL. Email me at mjwjrcom@aol.com for more info or for more pics. Thanks in advance for any help!! Mike

[Tod]

Wow! What a find!

I don't have any info on vintage stuff, but just wanted to say Congrats man!

Welcome!

[Wolfman1972]

Thanks Tod. I think I did alright when the auctioneer said "SOLD" with my $50 bid! LOL Take care. Mike

[Tod]

Did you say $50??

Depending on what you ultimately find out about it's value, I'd say you may have just gotten yourself the 'Deal of a Lifetime' there Wolfman.
Again, Congratulations.

[cudaosix]

Hey that does look like a good find. Very cool looking bike, I couldnt find any good info with a short search either. Try the guys at www.kzrider.com. Someone might know of an info source for those models.

Tell ya what though, if you plan or riding that bike, those old dry tires will have to go. Good luck with your search!

[mysticalstorm]

check this link ... according to this fair market value can reach around 3,500$

http://www.car-appraisals.com/index....&item_id=90051

real nice find )))

[anamosity]

wow, regardless of value you have a piece of history!

[Wolfman1972]

Thank you mysticalstorm. The link you provided was VERY helpful. The bike in the appraisal looks to be in better cosmetic condition than mine, but I still don't think I did wrong with my $50 investment!! I think it'll reside in my dining room (not the damp basement!!) until I get around to restoring it, LOL. Thanks again....Mike

[elr658]

Join the Vintage Japanese Motorcycle club. www.vjmc.org and talk to a Kawasaki expert before you do anything to the bike.


That is the oldest Kawasaki I have ever seen and is wicked cool.

[78_KZ750_Cafe]

I saw a similar bike at a cruise in on Sunday, I think it was a twin, but of the same vintage. 100% restored and absolutely gorgeous, like whoa. I took some pics of the sun glinting off its chromed tank, awesome. Camera is at home, I think I'll upload the pics to a hosting site and post them all here in the evening, it had some interesting rides. A Boss Hoss with the 502 was there, one word, retarded.

[kawah1c]

Contact Rick Brett at classickawasaki.com . He has a couple of them. Here's some info and a pic on one of them:

http://www.classickawasaki.com/the_wanderer_returns.htm

Oh, and it was produced from 1963-1966.

[kawah1c]

[Wolfman1972]

Hi kawah1c.....Thanks for the link and the pic you posted. Although similar, the bike(s) in your picture(s) are not exactly what I have here. Check out the link that mysticalstorm posted earlier. It's an appraisal of a 1962 B8, and from the pictures, it's 100% identical to my bike. I see that you're from Norway. Is it possible that units sold overseas were different than the bikes offered for sale here in the states? Mike

[78_KZ750_Cafe]

This was the twin I mentioned above. You can see the similar lines in this bike and tell that the B8 has some potential.

[Wolfman1972]

Hey 78 KZ750 Cafe...WOW! That's a gorgeous bike! Definitely a WHOA! bike. Thanks for posting the pics. I can only aspire that my B8 will be that nice someday after restoration. By the way, do you know what year and model that twin is? Mike

[elr658]

A W-1 or W-2 from the late sixties.

[jukief]

How cool is that? What a great find! You're going to have a great bike there when you get it done. Congratulations!

[gibby14]

sweet! i thought i had the steal of the decade when i got my bike for 60 bucks! way to go and have fun with it

[kawah1c]

That's a W1. Not sure of the year though. Anything between 66-68. If I should guess, I'd go for 68.



Wolfman, the B8 was never sold over here. We didn't see a Kawasaki before 67 or 68. The recognition manual doesn't have pics of all the early bikes from Kawasaki. They're normally mentioned and pictured with one of the available versions of the specific model. Unfortunately not your model in this case. Maybe yours is the touring model B8T. There was also a motocross version called B8M, which was Kawasakis first competition bike ever.

[Wolfman1972]

Hi elr658.......Thanks for that link to the Vintage Japanese Motorcycle Club. I plan on joining and speaking with a Kawi expert before proceeding any farther. I want to make sure I don't make any mistakes I'll regret later. That would be a bummer!! Thanks again, Mike.