Kawasaki MT1 Parnelli Jones

[xr7gt]

I posted an ad looking for mini bikes and parts on a local website.
Got a text yesterday about a Kawasaki that was just sitting in the guys garage.
Today I arranged to see it and asked him what size it was he said 75. I said must be a kx he sent me a link to an auction on ebay for a cable for a mini bike. I hadn't seen one until today.
I picked it up this evening

 

[Gatecrasher]

A 1971 Kawasaki MT1 (my favorite).

 

[Outlaw Ace]

Those are nice little bikes, they will carry an adult of some size at decent speeds. Trail 70 Hondas have better seating and ride height but are not the little powerhouse the KV75 MT1 Parnelli Jones bike was.

 

[Brooklyn Bob]

Nice one!

 

[Gatecrasher]

 

[xr7gt]

Update:
He said it hadn't run in 10 years. Last night I checked a couple of things. Found he had shut off the fuel, carb was dry. I drained the old fuel out of the tank. Added fresh pre-mixed gas (in case the oil pump didn't work) She fired up on the 2nd kick and idled like a little 2 stroke sewing machine.
This morning added air to back tire and went rippin' around the neighborhood.

 

[incogrhino]

Sweet. Little things sound mean.

 

[Gatecrasher]

Sweet. Little things sound mean.

The 1971 MT1 sounds a little different than the other (1972-1980) years do because the baffle in the exhaust is different. In 1972 Kawasaki went to a 2-piece baffle that changed the tone to a deeper sound.

 

[aarron]

I've had two '74's and they're pretty quick.