Kawasaki 250 F11B

[jaderd]

Hi all,

stumbled across forum when researching bits n pieces, figured i'd become a member and learn more about my bike.


Simon 25, Melbourne Australia,
Health Consultant...

Basic Rundown

Dad purchased bike brand new in Aus in 1975, apparently a bike shop went bust in adelaide and they had 8-10 bikes (all F11B) shop in mildura sourced them and dad got it cheap in crate to mildura then was put together in mildura by bike shop.....think he payed around 750 $ Aud back in the day......

Prior to that dad had a suzuki TS 185 i think it is ?...or TC 185 73 model ne ways....

ahm dad rode the bike occasionally mainly as low km commuter to night job (10km return) as ran vineyard during day and used it to get around vineyard and check the irrigation etc.....rigged up a shovel holder at one point lol....got parked in shed in 1985-7 and then i first nagged him to get it out in 1996. Had been parked for 8-9 years, put some fuel in and 2 kicks on choke then one with it off and there she goes....basically from then on i drove it around our fruit block for fun till i was around 18-19 and moved to melbourne.....since then i get it out every 2-3 years to make sure its still running etc..new oil around 2000 maybe etc

Most recently i got it out last week checked oil...clean as ...added some fuel and started it .....took heaps of photos and 2 videos which are on you tube (below) took the photos so i have reference if searching for parts etc

http://au.youtube.com/watch?v=sVRs9bQf7eE

http://au.youtube.com/watch?v=hyDhJINruvo

Stats on Bike.

75 F11B - in manual it shows UK and US model but from what i can see the AU is in between .....ie us style tacho etc but speedo in km for aus not MPh and afew other things i think......

9300 genuine KM's

Surprises
*still have bike manual in plastic in great condition
*tools for tool kit, just missing 2 of the spanner sizes which are somewhere ..will find most prob....and also need to source the orig plastic pocket sleeve that contained them.....tool box cap is still on bike although a little grazed as the aftermarket kick start touched it when kicked so has gouged a small chanel out may source other cap in time

All original except for:
* new knobby rear tire (orig rear in shed)
* new kick start welded onto mount of old one as orig snapped, im sourcing an orig currently to replace this.
* Seat recovered by Uncle who is a car upholster back in 80's....done is a dark blue leather....maybe vinyl unsure actually....

Need to repair (known things)
*new trip computer knob as is snapped
*rub back and repaint exhaust orig color as dad repainted a heat paint red color back in 70's
* rub back and paint fuel tank / new stickers .....or just buff up orig paint and get new stickers....paint is fine just has afew little scratches etc.....no dints
*front brake locks every now and then when you apply it....service it
*new side reflector at fron left needed...lost overtime
*rub back and resticker the oil reservoir cover...i got happy with whiteout back in the day ....will put on orig sticker etc


basically the bike is all fine and runs, everything works etc....my aim is over next year or two (need to move house and get a small shed) i want to pull it to bits and rebuild / restore it..........is this a good idead ? or seeing thats its done minimal kms should i just give it a good service and leave it as is......engine may be fine ?.......i guess i would prob start with a good clean up ne ways....maybe repolish/chrome rear springs etc....clean up any surface corrosion etc....reseal the front forks as weap a little bit of oil etc. The other thing i need to do is purhcase a new air filter as currently it is running about 3 thincknesses of an old stocking (put on early 2000 i think) and since then only done maybe 200km's so not a big issue.

I guess what i want to get out of this forum is heaps of info and knowledge about the era of bikes (F11), hear from other F11 owners and ppls reccomendations of what they feel i should do with it in relation to restoring....should i pull it to 1000's bits and rebuild or should i not touch engine as fine and just do major service on all lube and rubbers and maybe carby but not engine ?

advice wanted pleas

PS - i do have the baffle for exhaust in the shed..........it seems to be two pieces......one log one around 12" long and a smaller one which i believe slide into this one then the lot slides into exhaust? or do you push the 12" one in first, then the small one into exhasut.....i know it seems a really tight fit to get the small one into the 12" one prior to going into exhaust ? i dunno.....i never had it in ....only ever had it open and loud as a kid......lol

below are some pics

[jaderd]

Have so far purchased off ebay

*F11 - gasket set
*Front reflectors which mount beside headlight as had lost one.....got a pair of them
Tool box lid - as my other is scratched....

have recieved the first two, tool box lid is in mail on way to me just putting all this stuff in a box ready for when i do stuff to it

[pbz1900]

Welcome jaderd,
I'm not a dirt bike guy, but if the motor seems in good nick and hasn't done many k's, I'ld be more inclined to work on the rest. At least you know that you wont get to the end of everything else and find the motor stuffed. If everything looks great after you finish, then you can make the decision to overhaul the motor, but if it ain't bust, don't fix it.
Just make sure all oils, filters, plugs etc are changed and maybe a service.
Have a look through the forums and you'll find references to workshop manuals to download. Even the kwaka site has manuals to download of older ones.
There will be more knowledgeable dirties around here than me.
cheers

[jaderd]

cheers mate....thanx for your feedback....been discussing with afew older blokes .....friends of family etc and they all agree leave the motor as is and concentrate on everything else first.....then time / money dependent do the motor etc...

[jaderd]

All parts i purchased have now arrived

Tool Box Lid
Front reflectors
Gasket Set

[Zed900]

What's the plan for the ole beasty? It'd make a nice old vinduro weapon.

[jaderd]

ahm main aim is just to keep it resto'ed as a basic weekend cruise / odd ride to work day etc......gotta get my licence yet etc

[bamos3]

Jaderd,
Great bikes, the old F11's. I had one new in 1973, my first bike. There should be a picture below of it. I'm nearly finished restoring and F11A, 1974 model, also pictured. Just got the engine to finish.
The short baffle needs to be fitted to the longer one before fitting in the exhaust. They should have a small bolt in the side to keep them together and then another small bolt to keep the assembly in the exhaust itself. There should be some rubber rings on the baffles to seal it inside the pipe.
Decals for your model might be available from Motographix (02) 9748 3164, here in Sydney. He has them for the F11, F11A and possibly for the F11B.

[Zed900]

Hey, that's coming up a treat B3. Looks like a new one.
Hope you show us pics when completed?
Seems there is quite strong interest in the older dirt bikes these days.

[jaderd]

Bamos 3 your bike looks brilliant....great work........thanx for the information about the baffles too....ill put them in when im home in Mildura at christmas....thats where the family is and the shed where bike sits......i live in melbourne and basically need to wait till i move house or buy my first house so as i can have some shed space to resto the bike.......as im in no rush at all to resto the bike.....i dont even have my bike licence im thinking i might do a full ground up resto.....ppl have said leave engine dont bother fixing what isnt broke ......although i think to do a proper restoration it needs to be done?...what do you think ?

cheers