Your Collection: Kawasaki KM90
This weeks collection comes to us from Oliver.
This was one of those rare auto-jumble finds a near mint condition 1973 Kawasaki KM90 MC1. It's amazing how something 40 years old can be found in such great condition with it's original documentation. The bike originates from a Vancouver dealer Burnaby Kawasaki formerly known as Baron Cycles over on the west coast of Canada.
16" front/14" rear wheels are what attracted my father to buy this little motorcycle, the fact it would fit perfectly into the back of his motorhome ready for his summer adventurers around europe.The MC1 was the first model of the KM90 to be introduced, it was a multi sport vehicle fully equipped with trail tyres a sump guard but came with a complete lighting system.
What I found very interesting about this bike is its rotary disc valve intake system something that is not seen on off road bikes now a days. The 90cc air cooled 2-stroke engine gives out a very manageable 6hp using a 5 speed gearbox with neutral being at the bottom.
The bike needed very little restoration work but as always the bike got a thorough strip down and inspection. All the chrome parts were in very good condition and were simply cleaned. The petrol tank was in great condition with no dints. A couple of new gaskets were fitted on the carburettor, some of the wiring loom was tidied up and back of the headlight was re-painted as was the side engine cases. Most of the nuts and bolts had some signs of rust so they got zinc plated to give it that factory finish again!
