I ran the 1974 KX 450, bought it new from a Honda/Kawasaki/Indian dealer in NJ. It came with a parts support package, and I had always thought it was a limited prototype version for racing. I`m not sure how many they made now,...I thought it was about 100 of them. The next year in 1975 they made it a KX 400 with the metal tank that matched the looks of the 250 and 125, seemed to be marketed a lot more with that series from then on. Amazing what a kid could buy with his paper route money back then.....
I had a KX450 bought new back in the day, almost 50 years ago now. The thing I remember most vividly about it was how easily it blew up transmissions. If you’ve ever been inside one, you’d see why - my TM125 Suzuki had a stronger gearbox. One missed shift meant a tear down. But it was a beast, lotta fun to ride when it was running.
I own Bultaco Pursang Bike`s and Sherpa`s trying to buy a Suzuki TM 400L as wanted a Bultaco Astro unfortunately none in UK to buy. Do love the bikes Classic are the Best getting old myself but not a Pensioner Yet and love the accent
I had the '74 with the one bolt mounted tank. I had trouble with the bottom of the expansion seam blowing out. Had to get it fixed several times. Brazing wouldn't hold it, finally had to get the seam welded. Great power, not the greatest handling and suspension. A few of my friends rode it, scared the chit out of them.
Great bike, i only paid $30 for one with a dicky clutch in the late eighties. Up until then nothing power-slid like that. Worthless back then just like Valiants but very collectable moto-art now, sweet.
the shop i worked at in 73 scored one of the first F-12's I rode it once, crazy torque! I owned a sc 500 Yamaha so I knew about power but The F-12 seemed like you could ride in forth or fifth gear anywhere and my yamaha weighed 86 Lb more than the kaw I've always wondered where it ended up.
Very cool!!!! Was there a lot of difference in the power, weight, handling and suspension between the two bikes? That F12M is essentially a works bike, yeah?
Swingin bikes. How many 74 KX went into production? Great question maybe someone knows. So freaking rare that you could ask 25K for that bike and someone if they really wanted it would have to come up with the dough because there are none . NONE NO NONE !
I had a 74 KX450 when I was a kid circa 1983 Man the pipe was beat up on it.
I owned the KX450 as a teenager. What a ride!!
I ran the 1974 KX 450, bought it new from a Honda/Kawasaki/Indian dealer in NJ.
It came with a parts support package, and I had always thought it was a limited prototype version for racing.
I`m not sure how many they made now,...I thought it was about 100 of them.
The next year in 1975 they made it a KX 400 with the metal tank that matched the looks of the 250 and 125, seemed to be marketed a lot more with that series from then on.
Amazing what a kid could buy with his paper route money back then.....
Beautiful bikes!
Very Great bikes
I had a KX450 bought new back in the day, almost 50 years ago now. The thing I remember most vividly about it was how easily it blew up transmissions. If you’ve ever been inside one, you’d see why - my TM125 Suzuki had a stronger gearbox. One missed shift meant a tear down. But it was a beast, lotta fun to ride when it was running.
I Have the 1973 F-12 MX450.
i had a 1974 450kx , lots of torque , rear suspension was not the best . Lots memories racing in zoar motopark and and bluemont , in NY state..
I own Bultaco Pursang Bike`s and Sherpa`s trying to buy a Suzuki TM 400L as wanted a Bultaco Astro unfortunately none in UK to buy. Do love the bikes Classic are the Best getting old myself but not a Pensioner Yet and love the accent
I had the '74 with the one bolt mounted tank. I had trouble with the bottom of the expansion seam blowing out. Had to get it fixed several times. Brazing wouldn't hold it, finally had to get the seam welded. Great power, not the greatest handling and suspension. A few of my friends rode it, scared the chit out of them.
Great bike, i only paid $30 for one with a dicky clutch in the late eighties. Up until then nothing power-slid like that. Worthless back then just like Valiants but very collectable moto-art now, sweet.
the shop i worked at in 73 scored one of the first F-12's I rode it once, crazy torque! I owned a sc 500 Yamaha so I knew about power but The F-12 seemed like you could ride in forth or fifth gear anywhere and my yamaha weighed 86 Lb more than the kaw I've always wondered where it ended up.
Very cool!!!! Was there a lot of difference in the power, weight, handling and suspension between the two bikes? That F12M is essentially a works bike, yeah?
Swingin bikes. How many 74 KX went into production? Great question maybe someone knows. So freaking rare that you could ask 25K for that bike and someone if they really wanted it would have to come up with the dough because there are none . NONE NO NONE !
I've got one that we are rebuilding now
F11m and F12 m look better that productiom modle kx I got a fll and going to do a f11m replica