Report From Japan
REPORT FROM JAPAN
JACK YAMAGUCHI
KAWASAKI 350 THREE
Kawasaki is continuing their three cylinder scheme with the new 350 SS. What is more, a 250-cc version may also be in the works.
Actually, Kawasaki's new Three displaces 347cc. Bore and stroke of the near square unit is 53 by 52.5mm. Redline is 8500 rpm and 45 bhp is produced. Claimed top speed is 110 mph. Of interest is the fact that capacitive discharge ignition (CDI) is not used. Instead, an AC generator is fitted.
The transmission is a five-speed unit with a one-down-four-up shift pattern. The clutch is mounted on the gearbox main shaft.
With its full double-cradle frame and light 308-lb. weight, the 350 Three is almost a road racer in concept. Tires are 3.00-18 front and 3.50-18 rear. The oil tank and rear fender are plastic. The front fender is steel. The seat is hinged to provide access to electrical components and a toolkit is located in a rear fender cavity, exposed when the seat is opened. The three exhaust pipes, although similar in design to those fitted on Mach Ills, are upswept more at the rear of the machine.
The ignition key is located between the rubber-mounted speedometer and 12,500-rpm tachometer. Both instruments, headlight mount, and headlight back are black to reduce glare. Turn signals are also standard.
Kawasaki 350 Threes should be on sale in Japan shortly. Price has not yet been announced. A racing decision will be made concerning the 350and or 250-cc version. If a 250-cc Three is exported, it will be similar to the 350, but will have a shorter stroke.
NEW SUZUKI MOTOCROSSERS
Last year Su/.uki became the first Japanese manufacturer to ever win a world motocross title. Joel Robert was the man; the machine was the 250-cc R H 70.
This year, Su/.uki is fielding an improved 250. the RH71, and for the first time they will compete in the 500 class with the 367-cc RN71.
Frames and suspension components on both machines are identical. Wheelbase is 56 in. Caster is 30 degrees and trail is 5.4 in. Ground clearance is 9.4 in. and the forks have 7.0 in. of travel. Tires are 3.00-21 front and either 4.00or 4.50-18 rear, depending on the course.
Bore and stroke of the RH71 is 70 by 64mm. Compression ratio is 7.3:1 and 30 bhp is produced at 7700 rpm. Power is transmitted through a fivespeed gearbox, as before. Dry weight is 187 lb.
The 367-cc RN71 has a bore and stroke of 80 by 73mm and produces 39 bhp at 7000 rpm with a compression ratio of 6.6:1. Unlike the 250, a fourspeed gearbox is used. Dry weight is 198 lb.
YAMAHA MOTOCROSSERS
Yamaha, long rumored to be developing motocross machinery, has unveiled both 1 25-and 250-cc prototypes. And the 250 will be ridden in the world motocross title series by none other than Torsten Hallman, and one other team member to be announced later.
Although technical specifications are not yet available, both versions are single-cylinder, piston-port two-strokes, and the 125 features reed-valve induction. Light alloy components abound on both machines.
DeCOSTER SIGNS WITH SUZUKI
Roger DeCoster, who won the Belgian GP 500 title and finished 3rd in last year’s 250 world series, will join Robert, Geboers, and Pettersson as Suzuki factory riders.
DeCoster was born in Brussels in 1949 and began racing in motocross at the age of 13. In 1962, he won the Belgian Junior 50cc title. He joined the CZ factory team in 1965 and finished 5th in the 500 world championship in 1968 and ’69.
Twenty-six-year-old Joel Robert first achieved fame in 1964. That year, he won the 250 title, and, at the age of 20, was the youngest motocross champion ever.
Sylvain Geboers began racing at 17, and is a consistent competitor. He won 3rd place ib 1968 and finished 2nd in both ’69 and ’70 in world championship standings.
Olie Pettersson signed with Suzuki in 1968 and was the first European to sign a contract with a Japanese factory motocross team. He placed 3rd in the 250 class in 1969.
