W650 - Now a Collectors Item

[oldfella]

Hi,

Found out the other day that Kawasaki have cesed production of the W650 classic (retro) twin. I was told if you have one - don't sell it as they will fast become a collector's item.

Kinda sad - huh:gob:

[pritch]

In case anyone is interested Energy Honda have what appears at a glance to be a minter with I think 4,000Ks on the clock.

I think they are planning on selling that one.:yes:

[Bonez]

Hi,

Found out the other day that Kawasaki have cesed production of the W650 classic (retro) twin. I was told if you have one - don't sell it as they will fast become a collector's item.

Kinda sad - huh:gob:Probably become dirt cheap first as folk panic sell them. (Waits patiently.......................)

[stanko]

Ahhh--- Kawasakis version of the CX500 . Another highly valued steed.

[Ixion]

It's still listed as a current model on the Japanese market website - along with the W400 (never actually seen one of those, they look quite nice).

Discontinued last year in the USA.

So maybe they are revertign to Japanese domestic market only, which was the original intention. japs are hot on retro.

[Bonez]

It's still listed as a current model on the Japanese market website - along with the W400 (never actually seen one of those, they look quite nice).

Discontinued last year in the USA.

So maybe they are revertign to Japanese domestic market only, which was the original intention. japs are hot on retro.Lil ol NZ usually gets all the leftovers. Goody. Can't wait. That's how I got Gerty 21 years ago.

Yeah Ixion those W400s look neat.

[Bonez]

Ahhh--- Kawasakis version of the CX500 . Another highly valued steed.Funny you mention the CX500. Saw a minter one today.

[Motig]

Nice retro bike but your stretching it to say its going to be instantly collectible. Selling yours, huh!:dodge:

[Motu]

but your stretching it to say its going to be instantly collectible. :

They are collectible now,a limited supply will make them hold their price.They won't hit rock bottom give away prices like other collectible bikes do.A legend in it's own lifetime does has advantages.

[doc]

Ahhh--- Kawasakis version of the CX500 . Another highly valued steed.
Don't you mean a Bonnie ?

[Skunk]

I thought it was a copy of a Kawasaki from the Sixties...

[Bonez]

I thought it was a copy of a Kawasaki from the Sixties...No it was just marketed as such, big difference. Looks more like an old bonnie than the new bonnie does.

[Ixion]

The "Kawasaki" from the sixties was a Megura, which was a copy of a BSA A10.

[w650 fan]

Maybe I better buy another one now, I've run up 6500 k's since new year, and I wanna get the missus onto one when she gets past her restricted

[denill]

What are they like to ride?

[xwhatsit]

The "Kawasaki" from the sixties was a Megura, which was a copy of a BSA A10.

Meguro. Meguro was another company that was already producing this Meguro BSA A10 clone (albeit with a Kawasaki sourced engine), and when Kawasaki took over in late 1965, they continued to produce this model. This was when they introduced the Kawasaki badge.

To me it looks like the W650 was based more on its successor; the Kawasaki W1. Makes sense, too, as the W1 was 650cc as well as the W650 of course; although apparently in the last year of the Meguro it had some styling changes and was bored out to 650cc.

#1: 1965 Kawasaki 500 Meguro
#2: 1966-1968 Kawasaki W1
#3: Another shot of the W1
#4: 1960 BSA A10 Super Rocket for comparison. Not sure if this is exactly the right model, there were a hell of a lot of different A10s.
EDIT #5: The W650, of course

[denill]

The "Kawasaki" from the sixties was a Megura, which was a copy of a BSA A10.

Some <a href=http://www.khi.co.jp/mcycle/museum/w1/history/index_e.html>More on the Meguro:</A>

[Skunk]

Meguro. Meguro was another company that was already producing this Meguro BSA A10 clone (albeit with a Kawasaki sourced engine), and when Kawasaki took over in late 1965, they continued to produce this model. This was when they introduced the Kawasaki badge.

To me it looks like the W650 was based more on its successor; the Kawasaki W1. Makes sense, too, as the W1 was 650cc as well as the W650 of course; although apparently in the last year of the Meguro it had some styling changes and was bored out to 650cc.
That's the one I was thinking of. The W1. Meguro was the company Kawasaki purchased to play with motorbikes.

[rok-the-boat]

Yeah, it's worth hanging on to it, but you'd better keep it for 20 years or so ...

I would add, too, that the W650 is the bike that Triumph should have made - they should have more-or-less reproduced the 1970s Bonnie, making it reliable and leak-proof. What they have created reminds me of a 1980s CB250N Bland SuperDream.

[xwhatsit]

Yeah, it's worth hanging on to it, but you'd better keep it for 20 years or so ...

I would add, too, that the W650 is the bike that Triumph should have made - they should have more-or-less reproduced the 1970s Bonnie, making it reliable and leak-proof. What they have created reminds me of a 1980s CB250N Bland SuperDream.

The modern one is a pretty chubby bike, isn't it? Not like the real ones, which were quite lean and graceful.

Doesn't mean I wouldn't sell my soul for a Thruxton though, lol.

[oldfella]

What are they like to ride?
Hi,
Very nice bike - I have just thrown a new clutch into mine (at 64,500km) it was sticking. The plates etc were still within the wear limits. Sad to say it appears whoever serviced the bike last (before I bought it) used too much of the wrong oil. I probably didn't need to change the clutch, but now it's been serviced properly (by me) it's running beautifully.

Good brakes, good handling, and great fun.

Cheers,
oldfella