Kawasaki

750 KR / Yvon Duhamel – 1976

The best three-cylinder Kawasaki on the track.

Between 1973 and 1979 a kind of parallel world championship, the Formula FIM 750, was run in addition to the Grand Prix. There were nine races in the series, including the Daytona 200 in the United States and the 200 miles of Imola in Italy. Other events were held in Venezuela Europe.

Successful Formula

The FIM formula proved remarkably successful, and the leading makers lost no time in developing special racing machines for it. On the other hand, leading drivers tend only to compete in major events like Daytona and Imola, restricting themselves to the 500cc world championship. This clash between the two championship series resulted in the 750 formula being suspended in 1979.

Enviable Experience

Kawasaki, with its enviable experience with big sporting two-strokes like its 500cc and 750cc three-cylinder machines launched in 1969 and 1971, seemed the best-equipped to cope with Formula FIM 750. But the marques results were not always convincing. Until 1974, the marque competed with the H2R, directly taken from the production 750, and it wasn't until 1975 that the first liquid- cooled Kawasaki - the KR 750— appeared. Totally redesigned, the engine was still breakable and, even worse, was considerably less powerful than Yamaha's OW31, which developed 140 hp! Nevertheless, the KR750 had its fair share of success.

SPECIFICATIONS

Engine: 748 cc (68x68.6mm) three-cylinder two-stroke

Power output: 105 hp @ 9500 rpm

Fuel system: triple carburetors

Transmission: chain final drive

Suspension: (front) telescopic fork; (rear) parallelogram linkage with twin air suspension units

Brakes: (front) twin discs; (rear) disc

Wheels: cast alloy spoked

Weight: 310 lb

In 1972 and '73, Yvon Duhamel saw double success in the Talladega 200, a first at Road Atlanta and second at Indianapolis on a KR 750.”