1971 Kawasaki A7 Avenger

[Mike.Gayner]

In an effort to keep me off a sports bike, my old man has very generously given me his 1971 Kawasaki A7B Avenger. The engine runs and it's a pretty good starting point for a restoration. I'm not going to go nuts with this, but I'll strip it down and clean everything up, and hopefully get it back on the road in relatively short order.

Are there many of these around? Any members on here own this or a Samurai? The two-stroke twins sure seem to be an uncommon bike these days. I'm worried about finding parts, but there seem to be a lot of bits available on ebay (for a price).

This is the bike, currently sitting in my dad's garage. Definitely looking forward to shifting it into my own garage as soon as I've done a bit of a clean-up at home.

http://i.imgur.com/PA9vA6n.jpg

[MIXONE]

Looks to be a real nice starting point for a resto job mate. Lucky you.

[ellipsis]

...lucky you...

[unstuck]

Very nice, seem to remember having a ride on one when I was a lot younger. It was a noisy, smelly, rattly thing, and I loved it. Good score.

[swarfie]

In an effort to keep me off a sports bike, my old man has very generously given me his 1971 Kawasaki A7B Avenger. The engine runs and it's a pretty good starting point for a restoration. I'm not going to go nuts with this, but I'll strip it down and clean everything up, and hopefully get it back on the road in relatively short order.

Are there many of these around? Any members on here own this or a Samurai? The two-stroke twins sure seem to be an uncommon bike these days. I'm worried about finding parts, but there seem to be a lot of bits available on ebay (for a price).

This is the bike, currently sitting in my dad's garage. Definitely looking forward to shifting it into my own garage as soon as I've done a bit of a clean-up at home.

http://i.imgur.com/PA9vA6n.jpg

My Dads uncle bought one new and then passed it on to a mate of mine. Cool bikes that go pretty well. If it's got one gudgeon bush instead of a needle roller bearing it's likely to be the same one. My Dad made a bush for one conrod when the bearing poohed. The mud-guards on these and other Kwakas are stainless, not chromed steel and polish up well. Best of luck with the resto

[Mike.Gayner]

Swarfie, I'll keep my eyes open when I do the engine and let you know.

[F5 Dave]

Very generously? That's an understatement. We hate you.

[pete376403]

First things you should be buying are an alarm and a big fuck-off lock for your garage.

I'm with F5 Dave on this - hate you.

[Mike.Gayner]

There bikes aren't terribly valuable though are they? I mean, they're pretty uncommon, but not all that widely desired. Or am I wrong? Have I stumbled on a hell of a gem?

Not that it matters much - I love the bike and have no desire to sell it in the medium to long term.

[eelracing]

There bikes aren't terribly valuable though are they? I mean, they're pretty uncommon, but not all that widely desired. Or am I wrong? Have I stumbled on a hell of a gem?

Not that it matters much - I love the bike and have no desire to sell it in the medium to long term.

Clearly you are conflicted and the blame has to lay at your old man's feet.
Sports bikes are piss easy to ride and heaps safer than some old nail...wanna swap for a Gixxer???

[ellipsis]

...that bike is a beauty to behold, and worth whatever some clown, somewhere, will pay for it...if yer into jappy classics, that is...(I was, but I'm cured now... I think...)

[98tls]

You lucky bugger shes a gem,look after it.

[MIXONE]

Google it.You may be in for a bit of a shock.Don't sell it and don't let your mates ride it.

[Mike.Gayner]

Clearly you are conflicted and the blame has to lay at your old man's feet.
Sports bikes are piss easy to ride and heaps safer than some old nail...wanna swap for a Gixxer???

I think he's betting on me taking it apart and never getting it back together. The ultimate in safety.

[Grubber]

Google it.You may be in for a bit of a shock.Don't sell it and don't let your mates ride it.

I used to own one of them as a young fella.
Reckon it would be safer on a Superbike myself.
Bit of a score i must say. gis a yell when your sick of it and i might take it off your hands.