Kawasaki S3/KH400

[srsupertrap]

I guess not too many people bought the S3 400 or KH 400. Personally I have never seen a complete one on Craigslist. What do you think?

http://www.motorcycleclassics.com/classic-japanese-motorcycles/1975-kawasaki-s3

[Nessism]

I'd love to have one. Reputed by more than one source to be the best of the Kawasaki triples if civility and general friendliness is of value.

[850 Combat]

An RD400 will outrun it. I raced one in Dumas Texas when I was on my way on a tour to Colorado Rockies from Pampa, Texas. My bike was loaded with soft bags, camping gear and a tank bag. I did have the center stand removed, DG pipes and heads though. we raced about a half dozen times until my clutch overheated and started to drag. Probably summer '78 or '79. I think I've got an old comparison test from Cycle Guide where the stock RD also outran it though.

They are old and cool though. I really like the rotary valve 350 twin, especially the scrambler, that they sold before that. RDs are super common, relatively.

[srsupertrap]

I don't know how a rotary valve two cycle works? Anyone have have an exploded view of Kawi triple engine.

[TxGSrider]

I had a single cylinder Kawasaki dual sport from the 70's when I was a kid (Maybe a 175cc?), and it used a "rotary valve". I have to replace it and it looked like a rotary cutting disc with a notch cut out of it. As the engine rotated it turned and opened and closed the intake pathway from the carb to the cylinder.

[rustybronco]

I don't know how a rotary valve two cycle works? Anyone have have an exploded view of Kawi triple engine.

I don't know if it would be correct to call it a 'rotary valve' engine. It's a piston port two-stroke engine.
Seals on the crank separate the individual crankcases. Ports in the head. The only thing that could be construed as 'rotary valve' would be the piston.

http://www.cmsnl.com/kawasaki-h_model15137/partslist/

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Two-stroke_engine

[TxGSrider]

I also had a 3 cylinder500cc Kawi 2 smoker, but I don't think it was a rotary valve like my 175cc Kawi... I think my 3 cylinder 500 was a regular piston port engine. But that was a loooong time ago and I was about 15 years old. lol

[rustybronco]

I had two.

[bsharpish]

If you want the sound and the smell and the garage queen buy a 3 cylinder Kawasaki ( I did)
If you want to go fast, not spend forever hunting rare parts and endless hours tweaking - Buy the RD

[850 Combat]

The triples are piston port. Kawasaki made some cool Rotary Valve twins and singles though. Here is the racing version of a Samuri. You can see the carb sticking out the side of the crank case. The rotary valve is behind it, one on each side.



You can see how Bridgestone did it in this parts book:

http://www.bridgestonemotorcycle.com/documents/BS350Parts.pdf