Ozebook Classic Motorcycling #1

Classic MotorcyclingClassic Motorcycling Ozebook’sOzebook’s online magazineonline magazine

Nov/Dec 2008Nov/Dec 2008

Miss Two WheelsMiss Two WheelsEastern CreekEastern CreekTriumph CubTriumph Cub

Suzuki RG500 GP MachinesSuzuki RG500 GP MachinesKawasaki SamuraiKawasaki Samurai

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EditorialEditorial

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Welcome to Ozebook’s Classic Motorcycling online magazine.

This emagazine seeks to explore classic motorcycling from all angles and particularly in a fun way.

We all love motorcycling because it provides a sense of adventure andcan be a daredevil risk taking venture, except most of us know whento back off and stay in the safe lane. Still riding a bike is one wayof thumbing your nose at society and being an indi-bloody-vidualwithout having to hurt anyone.

Get home, park the bike, take off the bike gear, turn on the teev and crackopen a can and we are back into polite society. What we know thoughis, turn the key, kick that beast into life and we are away into a differentuniverse than the average Joe.

Relax, they will never understand the joy we get out of bikes. As theyrattle along in their cages we live every second and minute of our lives.We have to, you can’t take your eye off the road for a second becausesomething and someone will be trying to kill you. Ridden well, bikesare safe and the ride is rewarding. Riding a bike is an individual thingand everyone experiences it differently. Riding with other bike ridersis exciting because we can share the moment, share the secret thrillof surviving the road and living to tell the tale.

Muzza

Layout and original content copyright: 2008Ex Libris www.ozebook.comEmail: [email protected]

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Miss Two WheelsMiss Two Wheels

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When men were men and I was just a boy!

A beatnik goatee beard and a pair of batherslike underdaks is all you needed to attractthe birds……who all seem to like ridingmotorbikes in bikinis and without any footwear.

I hope those exhausts aren’t as hot as thegroovy guys!


Eastern CreekEastern Creek

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Eastern CreekEastern Creek

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First published March 1991


Triumph CubTriumph Cub

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Miss Two WheelsMiss Two Wheels

www.ozebook.comFrom: Motorcycling May 1958


BSABSA

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Suzuki RG500 Racers Suzuki RG500 Racers –– Part 1Part 1

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1974 XR1490ps/10500rpm6,1kg-m/10400rpm

The Suzuki type XR14/RG500 debuted in the 1974 French Grand Prix at Clermont Ferrand. At that time it was not yet fully fleshed out, so development work continued during the following winter break. The most striking feature of the XR14 is the so-called "square four"-engine, basically consisting of two in-line twins coupled together, which was employed for the first time on this bike. With its 498cc capacity, 6-gear transmission and a full weight of 160kg, the XR14 had a power output of 101hp @ 11,200rpm and reached a maximum speed of 284kph.When Barry Sheene won the race in 1975 at Assen, he did so on the Suzuki XR14, which was the first 500cc GP victory for Barry Sheene as well as for Suzuki.


Kawasaki SamuraiKawasaki Samurai

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The Kawasaki A1 Samurai is a 250cc road motorcycle manufactured by Kawasaki from1967 through 1971. It is a twin cylinder, rotary disc valve bike and shares the same frameand running gear with the Kawasaki A7 Avenger.

The Kawasaki A1 currently can participate in AHRMA sponsored events in the Classic 250which are 1967 and earlier and approved-design machines up to 250cc.

Kawasaki manufactured a road racing version of this bike known as the Kawasaki A1R.

The 250 below is in 1971 colours and it has 350 mufflers fitted as 250 pipes are hard to find.



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250cc 2-Stroke, Twin Cylinder Rotary Disc Valve induction 5-Speed, Return Shift Maximum Horsepower: 31 HP @8,000 rpm

This was a 250 with a difference, it had two rotary disc valves, produced 31 BHP and had a claimed top speed of 103 MPH. When first produced in 1967 this was more than enough to keep up with most 500/650 four-stroke twins and the light 319 pounds weight ensured quick acceleration times. The two-stroke oil was delivered to the cylinders by a system, which Kawasaki called 'SUPERLUBE'.

This 247cc two stroke was to become a best seller in the USA and helped Kawasaki establish themselves as a maker of high performance motorcycles.

It was followed in 1968 by a 350 version, the A7 350 AVENGER.



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1967-68 A1

All models were also produced in a street scrambler version with upswept pipes.

1967-68 A1SS

1969 A1 1969 A1SS



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1970 A1A 1970 A1SSA

1971 A1B 1971 A1BSS



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A1R1967-68

This was the racing version of the road bike and produced 43 BHP. Carburetor size was 26mm, compression up to 8:1 giving it a top speed of over 125 mph.

In 1967 Kawasaki introduced the A1R. When Yamaha brought out its new twinsthe A1R needed an serious upgrade to become competitive. In 1969 Kawasaki introduced the A1RA at Daytona with a very impressive works team including Dave Simmons, Cal Rayborn, Art Baumann, Walt Fulton and Dick Hammer. The A1RA featured an upgraded frame (a predecessor to the H1R), a dry clutch and revised carbs(30mm sand cast Mikunis) and expansion chambers. The A1R rear wheel was retained, the front upgraded to either a Ceriani or Fontana, later in the year using the H1R drum.

A1RA pic from www.mojokawasaki.com


FabFab site site -- http://http://thevintagent.blogspot.comthevintagent.blogspot.com

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Whose legs?

Well none other thanthe late Barry Sheene.

When he travelled hislegs were reputed toset off metal detectors.

This site features some great photos and information on classic motorcycles incl. Japan’s motorcycle wars


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Some Japan facts;-in the 1920's, Japan was Harley-Davidson's #2 export customer, after Australia. -Soichiro Honda copied their system of dealer support for the motorcycles they sold.-postwar, the Americans established motorcycle racing (with legal betting) in Japan, to encourage industry, and raise money for local gov't, the Japanese Red Cross, and m/cmanufacturers. In 1950, six companies - Meguro, Rikuo, Cabton, Abe, Asahi, and Showa –split 4.6 million yen in subsidies. A single US-sponsored race in 1950 netted over 1million yen, and each race was attended by 30,000 to 95,000 people.

Honda Type A


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Top Top OzebookOzebook BlogBlog

The top blogger on the Ozebook Suzuki blog site(http://suzi.21publish.com) is Bas Völlink from Deventerin The Netherlands. An example of his work follows:

Unique comparison between XR40 and XR45 engines -Here are a few pics of two unique Suzuki factory engines an XR40 and an XR45, the XR45 is much smaller and has powervalves. The XR40 is a 1982 ex Randy Mamola engine and the XR45 is 1983 ex Franco Unicni.

See more pictures and information by visiting the blogsite

http://suzi.21publish.com/


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Top RallyTop Rally

National 750 Four 40th Anniversary Rally Proudly presented by the

Honda CB 750 SOHC Club Inc.

8th to 11th May, 2009 Gatton Showgrounds, Queensland

Pre-book online at [email protected]

$25 per person includes camping, live bands, concourse, entertainment etc. gate prize Honda CB750Supersports

Ph. Paul 07 3133 1089

http://www.hondampe.com.au/wps/wcm/connect/hondampe/Home/Motorcycles/

http://www.lockyervalley.qld.gov.au/


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For Sale

- Alloy factory CR750 Honda race tank – AU$2000 - Smiths 80 mph speedometer reconditioned – AU$500- Honda 750 Four – rolling chassis and engine – race project - AU$1500- Honda 750 Four – spare engines – heads and barrels removed but included –

AU$750 each-1992 ZZR Kawasaki 250 – runs – needs tidying up – unlic – AU$1000- Panther 1947 M60 250 motor - $750

All items in Australia

Contact: muzza@ozebook for details

John Smalls GT750M Suzuki doing the Nullarbor Crossing from West to East in 1976 before the road was sealed. The bike ended up looking worse for wear soon after this pic was taken when he hit a pothole and dropped it.


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Don’t forget to bookmark Ozebook’s motorcycle websites:

The Classic Suzuki Two Strokes Compendium

The World of Classic Motorcycles

The Classic Suzuki Two Strokes Forum

The A-Z of Motorcycles

All the best and take it easy

Muzza

http://www.ozebook.com/compendium/t500index.htm

http://www.ozebook.com/index-ultimate.htm

http://www.ozebook.com/board/index.php

http://www.ozebook.com/a-z.htm

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Ozebook Classic Motorcycling #1