I went to the store as a teen to bring home THAT one. I had my licence but the guy said the 350 won't be available in Canada for another 3 weeks so I got the ORANGE one instead. The larger bikes have WAY too much power but the epic styling of the '72 Kawasaki's is incredible with those proud pipes. Smaller bikes can be much more fun because you can be far more intimate with them at high revs without getting pulled over. You can hit 90 miles an hour in just moments but with good brakes you can get back to legal just as fast. The Yamaha were very special too but the Honda 350 was a perfect thing for what it was designed for. FUN all the time. Then... The New King! The Kawasaki Z1. The most Beautiful of all was just around the corner !
I had one of these bikes in early 80's. Just a fun revving monster. Need to be awake on the wet roads, when the power band kicks in, hold on. It has a lot of character...
Thats an awesome story. I bought one of those when I was 16 too. Got my motorcycle license on it. Hated the points and condenser. Even had a spark plug blow out while riding it. Sold it sadly 2 years later and picked up a twin KZ 750. Rode that a few years. Then got out of riding. Girlfriend hated bikes. Got rid of her and bought a 250 Yamaha and in 99 a KLR 650 off the showroom floor. It is in my garage and I rode it yesterday. Being 62. It may end up being my last bike.
I also bought my S2 in 1972, but it was used with only a couple thousand miles. I rode that bike for 8 years until I burned up the rings on a high speed run. It sat in my parents basement for 26 years until I finally had a house with a 3 car garage. It took a long time to find parts to put it back together! I forgot how much I liked to ride, but was not happy how slow my old bike was. It is still in my garage coved up. I have subsequently purchased 3 newer bikes, my current ride is a Kawasaki Ninja 1000ABS. All 5 bikes I have purchased in my life have been Kawasakis.
I had to sell mine when I joined the military 30 years ago, I have been able to replace my Yamaha rd 350 but still looking for a Kawasaki 350 to take the place of my old one.
I’d love to find one. I had one exactly like that. It was my first street bike. I had it bored 60 over carbs rejeted and it would bury the speedometer which I did one time and that was enough because at 120 it wants to fly like an airplane.
Brings back great memories. I had a 1973 S2 with similar stories.
“New but ridden “. Love it. Nice job on the restoration. I agree with it being fun, the restoration process and trying to find parts. Good for you.
Pretty cool to have had a bike that long, and looking that good still (even if if needed restored).
Nothing like the smell of 2 stroke in the morning, afternoon , evening and winter ! Great bike !
I’m dying at the story of catching it on fire, then riding it off to put it out 🤣🤣🤣
I went to the store as a teen to bring home THAT one. I had my licence but the guy said the 350 won't be available in Canada for another 3 weeks so I got the ORANGE one instead. The larger bikes have WAY too much power but the epic styling of the '72 Kawasaki's is incredible with those proud pipes. Smaller bikes can be much more fun because you can be far more intimate with them at high revs without getting pulled over. You can hit 90 miles an hour in just moments but with good brakes you can get back to legal just as fast. The Yamaha were very special too but the Honda 350 was a perfect thing for what it was designed for. FUN all the time. Then... The New King! The Kawasaki Z1. The most Beautiful of all was just around the corner !
Very cool! I have to agree about the smaller bikes being more fun in a much wider power range. Especially when scooting around town.
I had one of these bikes in early 80's. Just a fun revving monster. Need to be awake on the wet roads, when the power band kicks in, hold on. It has a lot of character...
That's awesome! I'm hoping to build one of these for myself one day
Thats an awesome story. I bought one of those when I was 16 too. Got my motorcycle license on it. Hated the points and condenser. Even had a spark plug blow out while riding it. Sold it sadly 2 years later and picked up a twin KZ 750. Rode that a few years. Then got out of riding. Girlfriend hated bikes. Got rid of her and bought a 250 Yamaha and in 99 a KLR 650 off the showroom floor. It is in my garage and I rode it yesterday. Being 62. It may end up being my last bike.
I also bought my S2 in 1972, but it was used with only a couple thousand miles. I rode that bike for 8 years until I burned up the rings on a high speed run. It sat in my parents basement for 26 years until I finally had a house with a 3 car garage. It took a long time to find parts to put it back together! I forgot how much I liked to ride, but was not happy how slow my old bike was. It is still in my garage coved up. I have subsequently purchased 3 newer bikes, my current ride is a Kawasaki Ninja 1000ABS. All 5 bikes I have purchased in my life have been Kawasakis.
Really cool you still kept it all these years! The old bikes just don't compare to a modern, but still have a special feeling when ridden.
I had to sell mine when I joined the military 30 years ago, I have been able to replace my Yamaha rd 350 but still looking for a Kawasaki 350 to take the place of my old one.
Sorry to hear.. unfortunately they are getting harder to come by but ARE out there. Don't give up hope!
@@PetesClassicCycle I found a project one one province away. If it is still there come the end of the month I think i'm going to make a move on it.
@@spurgear4 fingers crossed!! I'm in Southern Ontario if you need any assistance
@@PetesClassicCycle I'm in British Columbia , but would consider shipping one out it it was completeish...and had reg.
@spurgear4 feel free to DM me on Facebook or IG and we can chat 350's
I’d love to find one. I had one exactly like that. It was my first street bike. I had it bored 60 over carbs rejeted and it would bury the speedometer which I did one time and that was enough because at 120 it wants to fly like an airplane.
I've heard a lot of similar stories with these 350s. They truly are an underrated bike. I would love to build one for myself one day.