1971 Kawasaki F7

[Heinri_k]

Hey Guys! I'm fairly new here and figured I'd like to just document my progress and share with y'all my Kawasaki F7 I recently got. 

 

I got this bike about 2 months ago and it's just been a little side project for me to tinker with in my free time. It's definitely a fixer upper from what you can see. I picked up for $300 with high hopes. 

 

After less than a week, I had it running. Less than 2 weeks, my wife was riding it around in the field behind our house. At this point it starts and moves just fine.

 

 

 

 

[Heinri_k]

I'm not the best at photography documentation, but so far I have

-done a full carb clean

-resealed the case

-tore out all the rotted air filter

-cleaned the rust out of the tank and put a new petcock on it

-new throttle and cable as the old one was destroyed

-took the wheels off and cleaned them up with some help from my lady and getting them re tired

[Heinri_k]

Immediately after getting it moving, I noticed something wasn't right. Additionally, I love a good mystery and I wanted to know why this bike, which internally and mechanically was in very good condition, was just parked to rot for 45+ years. And as I did find, the shift return spring was broken. Making it kind of difficult to shift gears. Luckily for me, Kawasaki used the same spring for nearly every small bike of that era. 

The spring just came in a couple days ago, so that's next on the list. I also ordered a new float kit for the carb to do while I'm in there since I noticed it leaks a little. 

[Heinri_k]

On 6/7/2022 at 3:42 PM, saveevryjp1998 said:

I'm digging the bike already because of the color. It reminds me of a 1971 Ossa 250 Pioneer. The rear fender rack is sweet too. Are the fenders plastic, fiberglass, or metal?

Appreciate it! I really love the color as well. I'm going to try and repaint them similar if I can. The fenders luckily are metal. The rack and other "chrome" parts are actually just high polished stainless, like the wheels. 

[gvthnks]

Nice.  I have a '73 Yamaha DT3 that I enjoy as well.   If period correct accessories for Kawi's are like early Yamaha's, then that rear cargo rack is probably worth as much as you paid for the bike.   Good luck with it.