My Kawasaki KR250

[Johno]

After a long search I have found my new project.

I wanted something different, a potential classic and it had to be a two stroke.

It's a 1985 Kawasaki KR250 - a tandem twin two stroke based on the Grand Prix racers of the era.

It should look like this:



or this



However my new project currently looks like this:



and this



It will be a challenge because these bikes are rare and due to lack of maintenance many died and went to the wrecking yard in the sky.

[Jedz123]

Wow allot of work there... Does it run?

Hope you got it for a decent price.

I know here in the states two stroke options in the mid 80's were pretty scarce... However if I could get one it would be this.

Yamaha RZ350...

Good luck with the build there! keep us posted!

[Johno]

Wow allot of work there... Does it run?

Hope you got it for a decent price.


Yamaha RZ350...

Good luck with the build there! keep us posted!

The price was right given they are rare.

It has spark and compression, so it should run.

I'll get it started before I spend any more money.

I should easily get my money back parting out if there are significant issues.

[GregT]

There's a few of those on this side of the ditch. A friend of mine has two - one as a spares bike. He's looking to build one as a post classic racebike.
Apparently a worthwhile upgrade is to convert it to a 360deg firing interval - as std the cylinders fire 180 deg apart like a normal 2 stroke parallel twin.
By rejigging the ignition - single pickup, twiin lead coil - so they fire together balance is much improved. The factory did the same with the KR racebikes. Early ones shook badly then they changed the firing interval.

As an aside, is there anything you Aussies won't put an enormous pack rack on ?

[Maddevill]

Awesome! I owned and raced 2 TZR250s. I had the 1989 reverse cylinder model and a 1991 V-twin. Those 250 strokers are great bikes. Good luck with the restore.

[SqDancerLynn1]

It would probably be a good idea to re seal the motor

[Johno]

It would probably be a good idea to re seal the motor

That's right - number one of a long to do list.

I had arranged to pick up the bike and the spares yesterday but we had had constant rain for the last twenty four hours.

The bike remains secure and dry in the vendors engineering workshop.

This will be a long term project sothere is no great hurry. Hopefully I'll be out on the GS tomorrow morning.

[jfman]

Wow I did not even know they existed!

I guess they never made it here...

[coolshaft]

If you need parts for this KR250A then let me know as I just might know where there are lots to bring back your Kork Ballington replica.


Here is mine;

[Johno]

If you need parts for this KR250A then let me know as I just might know where there are lots to bring back your Kork Ballington replica.


Here is mine;

Thanks Coolshaft and thanks for the great photos.

I'll certainly take you up on the offer of a lead.

I'll send a PM

[srsupertrap]

Excellent project, I am sure you will have sucess finding the parts you need. Cannot wait to see the finished project!