J
apan is nowknown for innovation inall
thingstwo wheels, butthere wasatime
when reallyall it could do was copy what
went before.
Take, forexample, the original KawasakiW1of
1965.Here was amachine that–ifitwas parked
up anywhere today–you would almost swearit
was abeautiful British twin-cylinder motorcycle.
And yet the chrome-plated tank says Kawasaki on
it, but the exhausts are thesame shape asaBrit
twin too...Thiswas aKawasaki productionbike
that ran from1966 through to 1973, by which
time that innovation wewere mentioning had
been in full forcewiththe likes ofthe Honda
CB750andKawasaki’sown Z1...
You’ll see on page 26 Adam ‘Chad’ Child’sride
on the latest retro W800, which pays homage to
the original W1. While he was in Japan on the
launch they let him ride an original 1965
machine. He said: “Riding the bike wasan
explosion of the senses. The sound is lovely,two
straight through pipes per cylinder,ithas areal
rasp to it–Iwas surprised how quickly it
revved. Gear-shift on the right side, in with the
heavy cable clutch, down one to first and we’re
away.With aquoted 50bhp, the classic W1 has
more ‘on paper’ bhp than the modern W800;
there’smore than enough to have some fun
with and once you’re used to the four-speed,
right-foot gearbox it wasapleasure to ride–l
loved it. The ride quality was impressive, and
the engine, backed up byarasping exhaust
note, has some kick to it; the old girl can still
dance. It must have been sensational back in- I’d love to have this W1 in the garage
for the odd late summer evening ride, what a
lovely looking and enjoyable bike to ride–I
didn’t stop smiling all day.”
■WanttogetholdofpicturesfromMortons
Archive?Thenhead to:www.mortonsarchive.com
WORDS:BERTIE SIMMONDS, ADAM CHILD
PICS:MORTONS ARCHIVE, GARYDCHAPMANChad loved it!