Kawasaki KMB 450, 1995.

Rich Aitch

Retrobike Rider
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This is the second Kwak that I've bought. I went on a find-one mission after finding a review of one quite by chance in a motorbike magazine, strange I know! http://www.retrobike.co.uk/forum/viewtopic.php?t=118539
I got a green one in 19" http://www.retrobike.co.uk/forum/viewtopic.php?t=118605 which turned out to be a bit of a problem child and I'm still not sure if it is a keeper. If I can bring myself to get rid then I'll look slightly less obsessive! But the one I really wanted which was in "Metaldust black" eluded me. Then I found this one last year in 17".
I had my second Retrobike ride on it yesterday, for the Kinder Scout ride, here is a picture curtesy of Marc Two Tone
PICT0103-1.jpg
.

This is a 1995 model, as it's got that years slightly different STX rear gear changer.

PICT3198.jpg


Tange plain gauge tubing and Tom Ritchey dropouts were standard, a world away from the Bicycle Shaped Objects that Kawasaki has licenced their name to these days.
PICT3196.jpg

Spec sheet for your perusal, [Brackets are for changes I've made]:

SPECS

Frame: Tange plain gauge Chromalloy steel, Ritchey dropouts, gear cable routing via top tube and seat tube/ seat stay.

Fork: RST 400 elastomer suspension fork.

Headset: Dia-Compe 1, 1/8th"

Stem: Kawasaki branded one bolt [hidden] aheadset style, possibly rebranded Zoom item [Now a shorter two bolt Saracen jobby]

Handlebar: Aluminium

Grips: SRAM gripshift 300i 32 tooth cog.

Brakes: Shimano STX RC cantilever.

Brake Pads: Shimano M system [Fibrax cartridge blocks, black compound].

Brake Cables: Not known

Cantilever cable hangers: cast aluminium fork brace/ cantilever mount [front]
"Marin Afterburner" style crescent tube above seat stay brace [rear]

Brake Levers: Dia-Compe SS4

Shifters: SRAM Gripshifters

Front Derailleur: Shimano STX

Rear Derailleur: Shimano STX

Derailleur Cables: routed via top tube and seat tube/ seat stay [Fibrax Pro-Performace sealed kit].

Cassette: 7 speed Shimano

Chain:Not known

Cranks: Shimano STX

Crank Bolts: Allenhead

Chainrings: Shimano STX

Chainring bolts: Allenhead

Bottom Bracket: Sealed unit

Pedals: Steel and resin, missing their original toe clips.

Hub Skewers: Sovos [Front], Shimano [Back]

Rims: Araya VP20

Hubs: Sovos [Front],
Shimano STX Parallax [Rear]

Nipples:

Spokes: 36, look like stainless

Tyres: Maxxis Cobra rear, Maxxis Viper front [Thought to be original].

Tubes:26" Shraeder

Saddle: "Kawasaki" branded cover, Velo base [Now a more ergonomic modern Kawasaki jobby, probably from a BSO though].

Seatpost: Aluminium microadjustable Kalloy.

Seatpost Binder: Rubber sheathed Q.R wire skewer

Weight: ?
 
Rare to see one of these Rich I love the quality of the frame and not a bad weight too, :cool:
 

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