The Kawasaki A1 Samurai is a

standard Standard may refer to: Symbols * Colours, standards and guidons, kinds of military signs * Standard (emblem), a type of a large symbol or emblem used for identification Norms, conventions or requirements * Standard (metrology), an object th ...

class Kawasaki

motorcycle A motorcycle (motorbike, bike, or trike (if three-wheeled)) is a two or three-wheeled motor vehicle steered by a handlebar. Motorcycle design varies greatly to suit a range of different purposes: long-distance travel, commuting, cruising ...

which was sold from 1967 through 1971.

Development

The Kawasaki W1 did not sell as expected, because all rival bikes were still faster, lighter and had better steering. Kawasaki developed the lighter A1 Samurai in 1967. The A1 took center stage as a high-performance machine, with approximately 80ps per liter. It was quickly followed by a larger-bore model, the Kawasaki A7 Avenger which shared most of the Samurai components except the motor.

A1SS

The A1SS Samurai has a crossover dual exhaust mounted on the left side and just below the seat. Other than exhaust system, there were no other changes between the standard A1 and A1SS.

The engine

The engine was a straight twin,

two-stroke A two-stroke (or two-stroke cycle) engine is a type of internal combustion engine that completes a power cycle with two strokes (up and down movements) of the piston during one power cycle, this power cycle being completed in one revolution of ...

air-cooled Air-cooled engines rely on the circulation of air directly over heat dissipation fins or hot areas of the engine to cool them in order to keep the engine within operating temperatures. In all combustion engines, a great percentage of the heat ge ...

, oil-injected, dual rotary disc valve. The engine's ignition air supply began in an

air filter A particulate air filter is a device composed of fibrous, or porous materials which removes solid particulates such as dust, pollen, mold, and bacteria from the air. Filters containing an adsorbent or catalyst such as charcoal (carbon) may a ...

canister below the seat and was pulled through a large

plenum chamber A plenum chamber is a pressurised housing containing a fluid (typically air) at positive pressure. One of its functions is to equalise pressure for more even distribution, compensating for irregular supply or demand. It is typically relatively l ...

just above the transmission and behind the

cylinder head In an internal combustion engine, the cylinder head (often abbreviated to simply "head") sits above the cylinders and forms the roof of the combustion chamber. In sidevalve engines, the head is a simple sheet of metal; whereas in more modern ...

then downward into the two internal passages leading to the carburetor housing feeding the carburetors. The A1 had two Mikuni carburetors located on the engine's left and right sides and inline with the crankshaft. The carburetors were enclosed and protected from the elements by carburetor covers fixed to the crankcase. Inboard of each carburetor, and supporting each carburetor, was the disc cover. The rotary disc valve was housed inboard of that cover. The A1 Samurai motor was lubricated by the Superlube system, with 2-stroke oil directly injected in the intake tract. Previously equipped with points, the

ignition system An ignition system generates a spark or heats an electrode to a high temperature to ignite a fuel-air mixture in spark ignition internal combustion engines, oil-fired and gas-fired boilers, rocket engines, etc. The widest application for spark i ...

was equipped in 1969 with a

Capacitor discharge ignition Capacitor discharge ignition (CDI) or thyristor ignition is a type of automotive electronic ignition system which is widely used in outboard motors, motorcycles, lawn mowers, chainsaws, small engines, turbine-powered aircraft, and some cars. It ...

including

thyristor A thyristor () is a solid-state semiconductor device with four layers of alternating P- and N-type materials used for high-power applications. It acts exclusively as a bistable switch (or a latch), conducting when the gate receives a current ...

-based switching system then increased the voltage to between 25,000 and 30,000 volts reducing the unburned fuel mixture within the cylinders. This combination of displacement (247cc), CDI system, and rotary discs produced 31 hp (23.1 KW) @ 8000 RPM gave the Samurai a power-to-weight ratio of 1 horsepower per 11 pounds of weight, a 0-60 mph of 6.6 second, making the Samurai as fast or faster than production competitors in its class.

Appearance

*1966-1967: The A1 was available with either a candy red or candy blue with chrome parts and black frame. The fuel tank had rubber knee grips, metal Kawasaki flag emblem and 2 white stripes at the bottom. Rear fender, lower rear shock absorber, chain guard, and parts of the front fork assembly were chrome. Front fender was stainless steel, a novelty then. Upper fork,

headlight A headlamp is a lamp attached to the front of a vehicle to illuminate the road ahead. Headlamps are also often called headlights, but in the most precise usage, ''headlamp'' is the term for the device itself and ''headlight'' is the term for ...

and speedometer combination as well as upper rear shock absorber and side-mounted oil reservoir covers were painted. *1968: The color scheme remained, but the fuel tank was completely painted and a "KAWASAKI" word logo positioned at the top of the tank's panels. Upper rear shock absorbers were painted black. *1969: The colors remained, but the fuel tank was completely painted with oval tank sides white and a large "KAWASAKI" word logo stretching along the tank. *1970: The Samurai's color scheme was a pearl candy red and white. The fuel tank was red with white sides enhancing the more rectangular style shared by the

Kawasaki H1 Mach III The Kawasaki H1 Mach III was a two-stroke 500 cc sport bike made by Kawasaki from 1969 through to 1975. History By mid-1960s, the US had become the largest motorcycle market. American riders were demanding bikes with more horsepower and hig ...

. Side covers were white. The tank has a specific indentation on top. *1971, All Kawasaki bikes had the angular fuel tanks and fading color decal replacing the white side tank coloring. The Samurai had a white pearl color with gold/yellow/orange matrix decals. The tank is now totally flat on top.

Competitors

1969-1970 contemporaries and competitors of the A1 Samurai were: * Honda Dream CB250: 30 hp. 0-60 in 7.6 seconds. * Suzuki T250 Hustler. 33 hp. 0-60 mph in 7.2 seconds. * Yamaha DS6 (250) 28 hp, 0-60 mph in 6.5 seconds.

Specifications

*Displacement: 247 cc. *Bore and Stroke: 53.0 mm x 56.0 mm. *Compression Ratio: 6.8:1 *Induction: 2x Mikuni Vm22mm carburetors, rotary disc valve. *Ignition: Kick start. *Transmission: 5 Speed, wet clutch, chain driven. *Frame: Double tubular steel cradle. *Front Suspension: Telescopic hydraulic inner spring telescopic front fork. *Rear suspension: Three-position spring preload adjustable shock absorber and swing arm (rear). *Front and Rear Brakes: 180mm expanding drum.

Racing

A1 Samurai have and can participate in the

American Historic Racing Motorcycle Association AHRMA (American Historic Racing Motorcycle Association) is a not-for-profit organization dedicated to preserving, restoring and competing on historic motorcycles. With over 3000 members, AHRMA is the leading vintage motorcycle racing group in Nort ...

(AHRMA) competition. Kawasaki Mach III's successfully raced with Ginger Molloy aboard his "Green Meanie" finishing 2nd just behind Giacomo Agostini's MV Agusta in the 1970 500cc World Championship.Motorcycle USA: Memorable Motorcycles, Kawasaki H1
/ref> Kawasaki's

References

{{Reflist, 30em Standard motorcycles A1 Samurai 250 Sport bikes Motorcycles introduced in 1967 Motorcycles powered by straight-twin engines Two-stroke motorcycles