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 Kawasaki - 350 S2
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Photo ou archives : F-M. Dumas
316

Capacity : 350
Model : S2
Production : 1971 - 1973
Category : (R) Street Bike

Kawasaki

350 S 2 – 1972

 

"After the success of Honda it was not so easy in the late Sixties for a new Japanese marquee to create an image for itself. Kawasaki, however, succeeded brilliantly in establishing a reputation as an exclusive specialist in sporting motorcycles. It has hung on to its reputation in racing, even though its range is considerably larger nowadays.

 

Bone-Splintering Acceleration

It all began in 1969 when Kawasaki introduced the 500 H1, a three-cylinder machine with terrifying acceleration that gave a new dimension to the concept of sporting bikes. Then Kawasaki's French importer, Xavier Maugendre, had the vision to form the Kawa-Godier endurance racing team, which finished first and second in the 1974 Bol d'Or and went one better in the 1975 event by coming in 1-2-3.

 

One-Make Formula

In 1971, Maugendre, a dyed-in-the-wool racing enthusiast, inaugurated the "Coupe Kawasaki-Moto Revue," a one-make formula that would be copied all over Europe. Initially, the Coupe Kawasaki was based on the 350cc Avenger twin but enjoyed its greatest success from 1972 on, when the formula centered on the three-cylinder 350 S2. This was derived from the famous 500 Hi, probably the most explosive motorcycle of its era, and - though it performed better on a circuit than on the road - the S2 was a little more "civilized" than the H1.

 

SPECIFICATIONS

Engine: 346cc (53x52.3mm) three-cylinder twostroke

Power output: 44 hp @ 8000 rpm

Fuel system: triple carburetors

Transmission: 5-speed gearbox; chain final drive

Suspension: (front) telescopic forks; (rear) swinging arm

Brakes: (front) twin leading shoe drum (disc from 1974); (rear) drum

Wheels: wire

Weight: 335 lb

Maximum speed: 106 mph

 

In 1974, the Kawasaki 52 was upgraded to 400cc and its designation was changed to 53.”

 




Le fichier Moto Passion réalisé par François-Marie Dumas réunit près de deux mille photos accompagnées d'un historique très complet des machines présentées.
Il sera progressivement mis à jour ici et toute information complémentaire est la bienvenue sur info@moto-collection.org.

Cette documentation unique, qui constitue sans doute l'encyclopédie la plus exhaustive jamais écrite sur l'histoire de la moto, a été réalisée avec l'assistance de nombreux spécialistes dont principalement Didier Ganneau, Christophe Gaime, Mick Woollett, Jean Goyard, Bernard Salvat, Christian Rey, Yves Campion, Helmut Krackowizer, Michael Dregni, Michel Montange, etc. que je remercie ici.

Disponible sur demande :
- Les fiches originales sur papier
- Les photos et archives signées de mon nom en haute définition ou les documents originaux.
Me contacter sur info@moto-collection.org pour les conditions et droits d'utilisation.