Since Turner first designed the 499cc Speed Twin for Triumph Motorcycles in 1937, the vertical twin has been a big hit with motorcyclists all over the world. The brilliance lay in its compact design and its better than average performance. The Japanese manufacturers were very quick to realise this popular concept, and they have all, at one time or another produced bikes which lean very heavily towards the 'British' look. This is the pictorial history of one of them...........
In 1954, a company called Meguro built a 500cc OHV twin, called the Senior. It featured a fully-enclosed rear chain, high-rise style handlebars, a two-level seat, telescopic forks and a full width front hub. It sold well, particularly to the police in Japan. By 1959, it had become known as the K1, and was a definite copy of BSA's A7.
However, Meguro ran into financial difficulties, and in 1960 they became affiliated to Kawasaki Aircraft. Kawasaki had begun motorcycle production in 1949, marketing the bikes under the brand name of Meihatsu. In 1962, the first motorcycles to carry the Kawasaki name began to appear.
In March 1965, the K2 appeared under the Kawasaki name, and in October it was joined by the W1, which was an enlarged 624cc OHV version.
The W1 came in a choice of 3 colours, and quickly became the top selling large capacity model in Japan. It was, however, a disaster in the States. To attempt to appeal to the American public, a number of variations were produced - such as the W2S, introduced in 1967, as a street scrambler with slightly raised compression, and twin carburettors.
There was also the similar W1SS in the same year.
This is a W1SS in street scrambler trim.
1968 saw the W1S, an improved version of the W1, the W2P police model, marketed in Australia, and the W1SP. The W2TT touring version appeared later that year, with a high-level single silencer. This was basically the W2SS and was named the Commander. At the end of 1968, the W1 was dropped, and the W2TT was dropped in 1969. The W2SS lasted until 1970, and the W1SS ran into 1971, but sales tailed off considerably.
The W2TT.
Another W2TT.
Far from being forgotten though, in 1972 the W3 appeared, sold on the Japanese market as the 650-RS. This kept going until 1975, by which time it was showing its age badly.
When Kawasaki introduced the Zephyr range of 4cylinder 'retro' bikes, it quickly took off, and the company realised there was once again a market for bikes with a more basic appeal. This lead ultimately to the launch of the W650 as we know it.
The old and the new.
2000 model.
2001 model.
2002 model.
All info courtesy of http://www.kawasakiw650.co.uk
