Team Factory Kawasaki Bikes 1974-2012

ocscottie
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ocscottie 8/13/2012 6:17pm
8/13/2012 6:17pm Edited Date/Time 8/13/2012 6:34pm
tblazier wrote:
I simple terms, conventional forks offer more compliance when hitting bumps because they have more flex do to their smaller diameter at the triple clamps. That...
I simple terms, conventional forks offer more compliance when hitting bumps because they have more flex do to their smaller diameter at the triple clamps. That compliance that is good for comfort, however it makes them feel more loose and inaccurate to pro's who are hitting obstacles much faster than your average joe. They prefer the more rigid feel imparted by the UDS forks greater stiffness. If you ride a bike from the eighties now, you can literally feels the chassis flexing and bending under loads. We did not really notice it back then, but get off a '12 and jump on an '83 and the difference is remarkable.
One design is not really better than another, they are just better at different things.
JW381 wrote:
Interesting, thanks for the answer. I suppose that's why a lot of the dual sport bikes I see still have conventional forks? Sorry about being a...
Interesting, thanks for the answer. I suppose that's why a lot of the dual sport bikes I see still have conventional forks?

Sorry about being a noob and hijacking your thread. Sheesh... Pinch
...also worth mentioning is early conventional forks had a big dropout that hung below the axle and were notorious for catching ruts. Some were ridiculous, hanging down as much as 4"

Tony, remember how freakin hard Suz tried getting the conventional forks to work for MC when he went yellow? from all the strange fork braces low on the legs right above the tire, and even had a little fender flap attached to it. Im sure you have pics, my ext drive isnt plugged in atm.

Found a small pic of it, you can just see the little flap of a fender behind the forks

another


Brad Lackey and his Simmons USD's were so futuristic looking when we first saw then in like '82.
bd
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bd 8/13/2012 6:26pm
8/13/2012 6:26pm
tblazier wrote:
[img]https://p.vitalmx.com/photos/forums/2012/08/13/2004_274726.jpg[/img] 2004


2004
bd
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bd 8/13/2012 6:27pm
8/13/2012 6:27pm
tblazier wrote:
[img]https://p.vitalmx.com/photos/forums/2012/08/13/2005_545842.jpg[/img] 2005


2005
bd
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bd 8/13/2012 6:29pm
8/13/2012 6:29pm
tblazier wrote:
[img]https://p.vitalmx.com/photos/forums/2012/08/13/2003_388586.jpg[/img] 2003


2003

The Shop

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bd
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bd 8/13/2012 6:30pm
8/13/2012 6:30pm
tblazier wrote:
[img]https://p.vitalmx.com/photos/forums/2012/08/13/2002_1_582785.jpg[/img] [img]https://p.vitalmx.com/photos/forums/2012/08/13/2002_2_367974.jpg[/img] 2002




2002
bd
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bd 8/13/2012 6:31pm
8/13/2012 6:31pm
tblazier wrote:
[img]https://p.vitalmx.com/photos/forums/2012/08/13/1988_903769.jpg[/img] 1988 SR250


1988 SR250
bd
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bd 8/13/2012 6:34pm
8/13/2012 6:34pm
tblazier wrote:
[img]https://p.vitalmx.com/photos/forums/2012/08/13/1997_49891.jpg[/img] 1997


1997
bd
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bd 8/13/2012 6:34pm
8/13/2012 6:34pm
MCfan4life
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MCfan4life 8/13/2012 8:13pm
8/13/2012 8:13pm
^ ^ ^ Nice!
HenryA
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HenryA 8/15/2012 3:02pm
8/15/2012 3:02pm
I dont get the "SR" part, what does SR stand for? Is SR the name for a factory equipped KX?
JW381
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JW381 8/15/2012 3:15pm
8/15/2012 3:15pm
ocscottie wrote:
...also worth mentioning is early conventional forks had a big dropout that hung below the axle and were notorious for catching ruts. Some were ridiculous, hanging...
...also worth mentioning is early conventional forks had a big dropout that hung below the axle and were notorious for catching ruts. Some were ridiculous, hanging down as much as 4"

Tony, remember how freakin hard Suz tried getting the conventional forks to work for MC when he went yellow? from all the strange fork braces low on the legs right above the tire, and even had a little fender flap attached to it. Im sure you have pics, my ext drive isnt plugged in atm.

Found a small pic of it, you can just see the little flap of a fender behind the forks

another


Brad Lackey and his Simmons USD's were so futuristic looking when we first saw then in like '82.
Yeah I could see that being a real problem, I always thought that thing looked it was just waiting to smash into something.
Bigshow
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Bigshow 8/15/2012 3:36pm
8/15/2012 3:36pm
Thanks for these threads TBlazer, I really enjoy them. Have you done the factory Honda's yet? If so I missed it, could somebody post a link please? I did a search and came up empty and looked back 15 pages and didnt find it.

As far as the KX thought they was rough looking till the 90 came out. Since 90 they look pretty good.
tblazier
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tblazier 8/15/2012 4:48pm
8/15/2012 4:48pm
Bigshow wrote:
Thanks for these threads TBlazer, I really enjoy them. Have you done the factory Honda's yet? If so I missed it, could somebody post a link...
Thanks for these threads TBlazer, I really enjoy them. Have you done the factory Honda's yet? If so I missed it, could somebody post a link please? I did a search and came up empty and looked back 15 pages and didnt find it.

As far as the KX thought they was rough looking till the 90 came out. Since 90 they look pretty good.
Team Honda Factory bikes 1973-2012
Sprew
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Sprew 8/15/2012 7:55pm
8/15/2012 7:55pm
tblazier wrote:
I simple terms, conventional forks offer more compliance when hitting bumps because they have more flex do to their smaller diameter at the triple clamps. That...
I simple terms, conventional forks offer more compliance when hitting bumps because they have more flex do to their smaller diameter at the triple clamps. That compliance that is good for comfort, however it makes them feel more loose and inaccurate to pro's who are hitting obstacles much faster than your average joe. They prefer the more rigid feel imparted by the UDS forks greater stiffness. If you ride a bike from the eighties now, you can literally feels the chassis flexing and bending under loads. We did not really notice it back then, but get off a '12 and jump on an '83 and the difference is remarkable.
One design is not really better than another, they are just better at different things.
JW381 wrote:
Interesting, thanks for the answer. I suppose that's why a lot of the dual sport bikes I see still have conventional forks? Sorry about being a...
Interesting, thanks for the answer. I suppose that's why a lot of the dual sport bikes I see still have conventional forks?

Sorry about being a noob and hijacking your thread. Sheesh... Pinch
ocscottie wrote:
...also worth mentioning is early conventional forks had a big dropout that hung below the axle and were notorious for catching ruts. Some were ridiculous, hanging...
...also worth mentioning is early conventional forks had a big dropout that hung below the axle and were notorious for catching ruts. Some were ridiculous, hanging down as much as 4"

Tony, remember how freakin hard Suz tried getting the conventional forks to work for MC when he went yellow? from all the strange fork braces low on the legs right above the tire, and even had a little fender flap attached to it. Im sure you have pics, my ext drive isnt plugged in atm.

Found a small pic of it, you can just see the little flap of a fender behind the forks

another


Brad Lackey and his Simmons USD's were so futuristic looking when we first saw then in like '82.
Unsprung weight.
Crush
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Crush 8/16/2012 4:14am
8/16/2012 4:14am
tblazier wrote:
[img]https://p.vitalmx.com/photos/forums/2012/08/13/2007_813739.jpg[/img] 2007


2007
That bike might have gone around a supercross track faster than any bike before, after or ever will...

James was reeeeeddddddddiculous that year...
Ernosto
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Ernosto 8/16/2012 4:42am
8/16/2012 4:42am
HenryA wrote:
I dont get the "SR" part, what does SR stand for? Is SR the name for a factory equipped KX?
SR = Special Racer
300zx
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300zx 8/16/2012 6:18am
8/16/2012 6:18am
Jeff Ward 1984 SR125 at the Legend's display, Vintage Days Ohio 2012









My 85 KX125 pit bike in the background.
onetimepost
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onetimepost 8/16/2012 6:43am
8/16/2012 6:43am Edited Date/Time 8/16/2012 1:08pm
tblazier wrote:
[img]https://p.vitalmx.com/photos/forums/2012/08/13/2001_867795.jpg[/img] 2001 Baddest looking KX ever IMO


2001 Baddest looking KX ever IMO
Agree

[imtos/forums/2012/08/16/DSC_0102_565810.JPG[/g]

Pit Row

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Teej317
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Teej317 8/16/2012 10:51am
8/16/2012 10:51am
tblazier wrote:
[img]https://p.vitalmx.com/photos/forums/2012/08/13/2005_545842.jpg[/img] 2005


2005
That is one rabid machine right there...my fav for sure.
TannerMxer
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TannerMxer 8/16/2012 12:55pm
8/16/2012 12:55pm
James Stewart's SR250 and all Jeff Ward's bikes... SWAG FOR DAYS.
Bigshow
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Bigshow 8/17/2012 1:36am
8/17/2012 1:36am
Thanks for the link TBlazer.
tblazier
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tblazier 8/17/2012 1:42pm
8/17/2012 1:42pm


Kiedrowski's 1992 SR250
tblazier
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tblazier 8/19/2012 2:43pm
8/19/2012 2:43pm




tblazier
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tblazier 8/19/2012 2:45pm
8/19/2012 2:45pm
tblazier
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tblazier 8/19/2012 2:46pm
8/19/2012 2:46pm
tblazier
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tblazier 8/19/2012 2:49pm
8/19/2012 2:49pm










LoudLove
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LoudLove 8/19/2012 2:54pm
8/19/2012 2:54pm
I remember the National in Hampton, GA in 1980 and watching the factory Kawasaki's battling up front. (I believe one was Jammin' Jimmy?). By the second or third practice lap I say to my buddy "That bike doesn't have any rear suspension!". Sure enough, the Kawi comes by the next lap and...no shocks! Little did I know that the future was sweeping by, awash in that glorious Kawasaki green...
tblazier
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tblazier 8/23/2012 10:10am
8/23/2012 10:10am




LaRocco and Reynard 1995
Factoryblak 8/23/2012 5:43pm
8/23/2012 5:43pm
tblazier wrote:
[img]https://p.vitalmx.com/photos/forums/2012/08/13/2006_copy_2_123655.jpg[/img] [img]https://p.vitalmx.com/photos/forums/2012/08/13/2006_thunder_valley_copy_987954.jpg[/img] [img]https://p.vitalmx.com/photos/forums/2012/08/13/2006_vegas_542821.jpg[/img] 2006






2006
The black frame Stewart KX is the sickest bike ever!!!

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