Kawasaki B8
Encyclopedia
The Kawasaki B8 was a 125cc street motorcycle manufactured by Kawasaki Aircraft, LTD
from 1962 through 1965.
s read "Kawasaki Aircraft".
built-in to the headlight, body work hiding the framework in the form of extended and large matching color rear fender, matching color large right and left side compartments with covers, and matching color wide swing arms supporting the shock
assembly. Later versions had an enclosed chain guard. It was available in either black, maroon, Balboa blue, red.
Kawasaki Motorcycle Corporation
Kawasaki motorycles are manufactured by the Motorcycle & Engine division of Kawasaki Heavy Industries at plants in Japan, USA, Philippines, Indonesia and Thailand. The motorcycles have been produced since 1954.-History:...
from 1962 through 1965.
History
The B8 was the first motorcycle to be completely be a Kawasaki from the ground up. The B8 was based on the Meihatsu B7 which had used Kawasaki engines. The Kawasaki B8 is said to have been popular in Japan because of durability and low cost. The 125cc two stroke, piston inlet valve engine produced 11 horsepower at 8,000 RPM and was designed based on engineering knowledge from Kawasaki Aircraft. The tank emblemEmblem
An emblem is a pictorial image, abstract or representational, that epitomizes a concept — e.g., a moral truth, or an allegory — or that represents a person, such as a king or saint.-Distinction: emblem and symbol:...
s read "Kawasaki Aircraft".
Description
The B8 came equipped with a large fuel tank (chrome with bike color), chrome front fender, a seat capable of holding two with a seat strap, a small luggage rack (optional), down-swept exhaust, a painted speedometerSpeedometer
A speedometer is a gauge that measures and displays the instantaneous speed of a land vehicle. Now universally fitted to motor vehicles, they started to be available as options in the 1900s, and as standard equipment from about 1910 onwards. Speedometers for other vehicles have specific names...
built-in to the headlight, body work hiding the framework in the form of extended and large matching color rear fender, matching color large right and left side compartments with covers, and matching color wide swing arms supporting the shock
Shock absorber
A shock absorber is a mechanical device designed to smooth out or damp shock impulse, and dissipate kinetic energy. It is a type of dashpot.-Nomenclature:...
assembly. Later versions had an enclosed chain guard. It was available in either black, maroon, Balboa blue, red.