Classic Bikes Custom Bikes Individual Racing Bikes AJP AJS Aprilia Ariel Avinton / Wakan Bajaj Benelli Beta Bimota BMW Brough Superior BRP Cam-Am BSA Buell / EBR Bultaco Cagiva Campagna CCM CF Moto Combat Motors Derbi Deus Ducati Excelsior GASGAS Ghezzi Brian Gilera GIMA Harley Davidson Hero Highland Honda Horex Husaberg Husqvarna Hyosung Indian Jawa Kawasaki KTM KYMCO Laverda Lazareth Magni Maico Mash Matchless Mondial Moto Guzzi Moto Morini MV Agusta MZ / MuZ NCR Norton NSU Paton Peugeot Piaggio Revival Cycles Roland Sands Royal Enfield Sachs Sherco Sunbeam Suzuki SWM SYM Triumph TVS Ural Velocette Vespa Victory Vincent VOR Voxan Vyrus Walt Siegl Walz Wrenchmonkees Wunderlich XTR / Radical Yamaha Zero Video Technical
Complete Manufacturer List

Kawasaki KL 250

Make Model	Kawasaki KL 250
Year	1976 - 77
Engine	Four stroke single cylinder. SOHC, 2 Valve
Capacity	246 cc / 15.0 cu-in
Bore x Stroke	70 х 64 mm
Cooling System	Air cooled
Compression Ratio	8.9:1
Induction	Carburetor
Ignition
Starting	Kick
Max Power	21 hp / 15.6 kW @ 8500 rpm
Max Torque	2 kgf-m / 14.4 lb-ft @ 6500 rpm
Transmission	5 Speed
Final Drive	Chain
Front Suspension	Telescopic forks
Rear Suspension	Dual shocks
Front Brakes	Drum
Rear Brakes	Drum
Front Tyre	3.00-21
Rear Tyre	4.00-17
Dry Weight	116 kg / 255.7 lbs
Dry Weight	140 kg / 308 . lbs
Fuel Capacity	10 Litres / 2.6 US gal
Consumption Average	78 mpg
Standing ¼ Mile	16.9 sec
Top Speed	119 km/h / 74 mph
Road Test	Bike magazine Group Test 1978

Based on the Honda SL/XL250 concept of a dual-purpose lightweight, the KL appeared in the early months of 1978. Like the Honda a 250 four-stroke single, it showed advances commensurate with its later design, chiefly in the matter of less weight and more effective suspension. It was, in fact, Kawasaki's first attempt at producing a dual-purpose bike, though much of its specification was based on machinery that was far from new — principally the KZ200 road single.

Two large valves (36mm for the inlet, 30mm exhaust) were operated by a single camshaft running directly in the light-alloy cylinder head. Barrel and head were retained by long through-bolts into a vertically split crankcase, the latter striking a new note in Japanese engineering, which ordinarily favoured horizontal jointing. The pressed-up crankshaft ran on

roller and ball bearings, with a caged roller bearing for the connecting-rod big-end.

Vibratory but powerful, the KL's engine put out 17.5 bhp at 8,000 rpm, sufficient for 60mph cruising by road and giving plenty of power in not-too-demanding crosscountry work.