72 Bighorn 350 questions

[gpzrider]

A coworker has a 72 Kawasaki Bighorn 350. I've seen pics of it and it looks to be in very good shape with only 3000 miles and even has the original owner's manual. He says it runs good and always starts on the first or second kick depending on how long it's sat between riding. He bought it from the original owner's estate.

Now for my questions. It's seems like I opened my mouth before thinking and have agreed to buy it for $700 but know nothing about this model. Is this a dirt bike or a dual sport? I don't remember seeing turn signals, but some I've seen on the internet have them. Should this have signals? Lastly, how big and heavy are these bikes? My wife has expressed an interest in riding and wondered if this would be a good bike for her to at least play with and see if she is still interested before I get her something more expensive just to find it collecting dust in the garage. We've been down that road before with a 150cc scooter that she only rode 3 times after she "had" to have it because she didn't like the way it handled. Actually, with 8" tires and 1 1/2" suspension travel, I didn't either.

[kawah1c]

It's a dual sport. Not sure, but I wonder if turn signals were optional at that point.

It's not the obvious choice of bike I would consider for my wife, but I wouldn't mind having one myself. Not being sexist, but old two strokes are mens bikes

[Big Zero]

Buy it. Those things bring big money on e-bay if you decide to get rid of it. If it is in good shape and runs good, it is worth over the $700 they are asking. I am selling a 75' F9 350 Bighorn this weekend for $900. It is pretty clean and runs OK. It is all original and has the turn signals and all the stuff works as it should.

One like the 75' I have sold for $1800 a month or so ago. A nice 72' is worth a bit more. A really nice restored 71' brought over $2000 a while back.

Here is a pic of the one I have.

The 350 rides pretty nice, but the smoke smell of the 2-stroke is not for everyone. My wife refuses to ride on mine because she says that she can smell the smoke in her clothes after the ride. Since it is an enduro, they are pretty nimble for just popping around town, but I wouldn't recommend one for highway riding, although, the one I have had a windshield on it when I got it.

Don't let it get away if it is really in good shape.

Paul

[gpzrider]

I'm probably going to go look at it Sunday. If it's half as good as it looks in pictures, I'll buy it. And I know what your saying about it being a men's bike, but hey, you do what you have to do to get them to encourage you to buy another toy. I do know that the original tail light is missing. The guy who has it now took it off when he was trail riding the bike so he wouldn't break it and now can't find it.

[gpzrider]

These pics aren't great (actually pics of pics), but here it is.

[kawah1c]

That looks like an early F5, 1970 model (aluminium rims) ! Buy it ! It's tuned too. Expansion chamber, air intake through the carb cover (might be Bill Wirges air intake). That is the most sought after model. What's the numbers ?

[gpzrider]

Manufacture date 4/70

motor # F5E-05764
frame # F5F?-05705

Still have not seen the actual bike. Current owner is still trying to locate the title. He used to own a car lot and the papers are mixed in with his dealership documents.

[HossInReno]

If you don't want it I'll buy it...LOL Any questions you have on the Big Horn feel free to ask...Hoss

[gpzrider]

If you don't want it I'll buy it...LOL Any questions you have on the Big Horn feel free to ask...Hoss

Not a chance Hoss. I went and picked her up today. I've spent the rest of the afternoon riding the back roads and seeing what she needs to be truly happy again. Every thing for the front brake has been removed. Tail light is MIA, and the clutch slips when you really get on the throttle. Clutch lever is bent, headlight wiring has a break, and the handle bars seem to be slightly bent. That said, she is a thing of beauty and runs strong. Paint has a few chips and there is some surface rust here and there but for a toy designed with the dirt in mind she looks very good for her age. And she is LOUD. My wife already threatened me if I fire her up in the mornings and wake the neighbors.

[gpzrider]

It's not the obvious choice of bike I would consider for my wife, but I wouldn't mind having one myself. Not being sexist, but old two strokes are mens bikes

After hearing it run, she thinks it's a mens only bike too.