175 KE Kawasaki...

[Divouneh]

Hello
New in this forum, you can see the bike I bought one and half years ago. Bike was running but needed to be rebuilt (rust everywhere, including in the air inlet box ). The first challenge was to find the spare parts: piston, rollers, gaskets....
The first fire would be in the next two weeks....

 

[truespode]

Great restoration... looks great

 

[Divouneh]

My last one: but the max speed was to low to be used in open road .

 

[Okiewan]

Vey nice. My dad used to have a 73 125 ... Bought it new. $600 or so if I recall. He had it until just a couple of years ago, still running.

 

[Finnchristensen2020]

Hi I’m new on this forum
Was just wondering if anyone has ever encountered spark/ignition problems in a 1976 ke175 and if so how were they solved

 

[Divouneh]

"if anyone has ever encountered spark/ignition problems ", Could you give us more details?

 

[Divouneh]

First start last Sunday : April 26th. Few minutes, I have an electrical issue (Bulb burned).
I am waiting some spare parts to solve the problem. The clutch seems hard, however I need to
really ride the bike for a better analyse. I succeed to test the 5 gears in my stand...

 

[Divouneh]

To remove the bike from the basement . The bike went in, going out will be easier...

 

[Mully]

The old farm house we rented when we first got married had an old "Wood Shed". This was where I worked on my bikes at the time as we did not have a usable garage. 3 steps up to get into it. I was much younger then and could muscle it in. Easier coming out.

 

[Divouneh]

What is difficult is having no space to follow the bike: you need to go outside and coming back after the doors.
Well prepared: no difficulties ... .

 

[Pete Payne]

My last one: but the max speed was to low to be used in open road .

View attachment 20907

 

[Pete Payne]

WOW , What make and model is that one with the fat tires?

 

[Divouneh]

The one with Fat tires was a Suzuki RV90 ...

 

[Divouneh]

Suzuki Rover in the US, now is time to test the 175 Kawasaki. My electrical circuit is now in order.
An interesting article from this year :
A 42-year-old Kawasaki is the best way to escape real life | Hagerty Media
A 42-year-old Kawasaki is the best way to escape real life

 

[Divouneh]

New chain tensioner: Main part bought in Ebay 20USD...

 

[Divouneh]

Ready, I have a trouble with my clutch (need to reopen the clutch ). but the bike looks nice .

 

[Okiewan]

Looks good!
Well done :)

 

[Divouneh]

Clutch repaired .... time to ride.

 

[Divouneh]

320 miles and still not arrived at the red zone (8000rpm). So cool but the front brake needs improvement...
I would like to keep the drum brake: any advices or experiences ?

 

[Mully]

What is the front brake doing or not doing.......?

 

[Divouneh]

The brake has no stopping power, I am looking to replace the shoes by:
EBC Grooved Brake Shoes
It's not new for such bike:Kawasaki KE175: 1976-1982 Rider Magazine

 

[Divouneh]

Some news:
I have cleaned my drum with a brake cleaner and installed news Vesrah brake shoes.
The first tests show a great improvement, with more miles the results will be better: .
Success for such technologie, with cleaning and grinding the old one could be used later on.

 

[Divouneh]

I realize I miss lot of power for a 175cc, 55 mph is too low.
First test without air filter: no change.
I am going to look the timing, and after the carburetor...
Compression test needs equipment I don't have but will be necessary too.

 

[Okiewan]

Thanks for the update.

 

[Divouneh]

I am waiting tools to set the timing (timing light and puller) , it's the setting when I opened the engine...
The manual says 5 degree offset...