Kawasaki (bicycle brand)

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Kawasaki is a brand of bicycle produced by various manufacturers from time to time since the 1970s. [1] [2] [3] [4] [5] [6] The bicycle types have included BMX, [1] [2] [3] [4] [7] mountain, [5] fatbikes, [8] and e-bikes. [6] Manufacturers have included Huffy, [3] CGF Factory, [5] and Diavelo. [6] [9] Promotion of the Kawasaki BMX brand included sponsoring BMX racing. [10] [11]

Contents

BMX

Kawasaki BMX bicycles were welded by Triple-A Accessories in southern California in the 1970s. [12] Frames were made from steel and aluminum with TIG and MIG welders. [12] The frames had a rear suspension consisting of a swingarm supported by a spring on each side. [3] The front fork was attached to the frame by a triple clamp but was not telescopic, even though the bottom of the stanchions were covered by a boots to give the appearance of being telescopic. [3] The bikes had banana-style seats and BMX-style handlebars. [3]

MTB

Kawasaki mountain bikes were sold at Kawasaki motorcycle dealerships in the 1990s. [13] The 1994 KMB 450 model had a rigid steel rear frame and telescoping forks with elastomers.

In 2018, a 34-lb, full-suspension mountain bike with 26-inch wheels and a front disc brake was offered under the Kawasaki brand name. [14]

See also

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References

  1. 1 2 "Testing the Kawasaki BX-200". Bicycle Motocross News. October 1975. Retrieved 2018-05-12. volume 2 no.9 - october 1975. Brian Ramocinski on the Kawasaki on the cover. Testing the Kawasaki BX-200.
  2. 1 2 "../history/1897-1979". 23Mag. Retrieved 2018-05-12. Following Yamaha's footsteps, Kawasaki introduces an aluminum shocker.
  3. 1 2 3 4 5 6 "BMX Bikes / K / Kawasaki". BMXMuseum. Retrieved 2018-05-12. 1975 Kawasaki BX-200. In 1996 cheap department store bikes were sold with the Kawasaki name plastered all over. It seems that in 2005 they have started selling bmx bikes again.
  4. 1 2 Rick Sieman (July 1, 2004). "Behind The Scenes At Vintage Iron - Hanging Out With Rick Doughty". Off-road. Retrieved 2018-05-12. All kinds of vintage stuff can be found throughout the shop. High up on a shelf you'll find a Yamaha and a Kawasaki BMX bike from the 70s.
  5. 1 2 3 "Kawasaki Bicycles". Cycling News. December 22, 2017. Retrieved 2018-05-12. CFG Factory has officially-licensed Kawasaki trikes and bicycles.
  6. 1 2 3 Oli Woodman (September 7, 2017). "5 disappointing collaborations from brands you'll already know". Bike Radar. Retrieved 2018-05-12. OMG, Kawasaki producing a mountain bike?! This must be awesome, or perhaps it could've been had Kawasaki not simply licensed its name out to someone else's somewhat generic e-bike. In fact, the design comes from Diavelo.
  7. ↑ Gavin Lucas; Stuart Robinson (May 16, 2012). Rad Rides: The Best BMX Bikes of All Time. Laurence King Publishing. ISBN   1856697266. Archived from the original on 2018-07-01. Retrieved 2018-05-12. Kawasaki BX200
  8. ↑ Matthew R. Duncan (2018). "Best Fat Bikes for 2018 Reviews: 1. Kawasaki Sumo 4.0 Fat Tire Bicycle". BikeGeeky. Retrieved 2018-05-13. Cons: Very heavy bike
  9. ↑ "New Kawasaki Electric Bikes presented by Diavelo". BikeToday. August 21, 2017. Retrieved 2018-05-12. Diavelo (Netherlands) – New Kawasaki line up designed by Diavelo. Kawasaki introduces a new e-bike model program for 2018. The models are equipped with Shimano Steps and Bosch mid motors.
  10. ↑ Bart de Jong (Dec 14, 2017). "Rare Footage from 1976 Kawasaki BMX Race at Saddleback Park" . Retrieved 2018-05-12.
  11. ↑ "David Clinton". United States Bicycling Hall of Fame . Retrieved 2018-05-12. First rider to hold a pro license and first factory sponsored rider; Kawasaki
  12. 1 2 "Kawasaki BMX, Race Inc, and Bill Bastian". BMX Society. Retrieved 2018-05-12. Like some sort of Karmic accident, my first real job was welding bicycle frames for a company under contract with Kawasaki.
  13. ↑ "Kawasaki KBM450 Review". Bike Magazine. October 1994. Retrieved 2018-05-13. We think the CMB450 is brilliant, though £650 seems steep for a bike with no engine.
  14. ↑ Robert Hos Moore (2018). "Best Full Suspension Mountain Bike 5. Kawasaki DX 26 Bicycle reviews". BikeJar. Retrieved 2018-12-08. Pros: Lightweight, dynamic, inexpensive and comfortable to ride. Cons: Not so easy to set up.
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