Vintage Motocross Works Bikes and Production Models

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1981 Kawasaki SR500

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1981 Kawasaki SR500

Featured here is Dave Thorpe’s 1981 Kawasaki  SR500. Dave Thorpe raced this bike during the European GP season and was Kawasaki’s only works GP rider.  Considering he was still recovering from a badly broken leg during the 1980 season, Dave’s results were very encouraging.

Sand cast cases, 4 speed transmission and Titanium engine case screws
The engine mountings at the front and rear are rubber mounted.  All barrel bolts are machined out of solid billet steel
Externally adjustable ignition system
Dual plug head to try and eliminate detonation.  Works forged piston
Aluminum foot pegs
Works aluminum swing arm with eccentric cam adjusters.  The rocker is solid billet steel
Wheel hubs are special billet aluminum with magnesium sand-cast rear brake backing plate. 
Works DID rims with oversized stainless steel spokes
Top triple clamp is billet magnesium and the lower triple clamp is solid billet aluminum
Works 43 mm Kayaba’s with magnesium billet lower fork legs
Hand formed aluminum fuel tank
This bike was featured in VMX Magazine issue #26