SORRY NOW SOLD – SIMILAR WANTED

One of 1717, a legendary 1978 Works Kawasaki KX250-A4 in perfect condition.

MODEL HISTORY
In 1974, Kawasaki would make its most serious off-road commitment to date with the release of an all-new line of motorcycles designed solely for motocross racing – the KX. The first bikes from Kawasaki designed from the ground up to be serious Motocross racers rather than just modified street bikes, the new KX was crafted from the beginning to do one thing, win Motocross races. Having initially failed to gain traction either in the marketplace or the top of the 250 Motocross charts, all that changed in 1978 with the introduction of the first official ‘works replica’, the ultra-trick and lightweight KX250-A4. Available in extremely limited numbers (1,717 in total), the KX250 A-4 was more about Kawasaki’s renewed commitment to racing than selling big numbers. In comparison, 250cc Motocross bikes from Honda and Suzuki sold in far higher numbers, well in excess of 10,000.

EQUIPMENT
Chrome moly-steel chassis, feather-light aluminium fuel tank, gold-anodized swingarm and D.I.D wheel rims, magnesium hubs and brake backing plates, long-travel suspension, Works Performance rear shocks, Racetech front springs, Mikuni Kogyo VM38SS carburettor, Boyesen reed valve induction, engine stop switch, fuel shut off, waffle style grips, kick starter, competition number mountings.

EXTERIOR
Finished in the famous Kawasaki Racing Green, the appearance of this successful and iconic motorcycle is outstanding. This highly collectable KX250-A4 variant, chassis number KX250A-000442 as clearly displayed on the stock stamping is confirmed as a 1978 model, complete with the rare aluminium fuel tank prior to the switch to plastic in 1979. The factory finish gold-anodized swingarm with light markings matches the perfect wheel rims and the chrome moly-steel chassis is excellent. All trims pieces, competition number mountings and rubbers are in perfect order and the seat is unworn. Lightness was the focus of this iconic limited production works replica and the absence of mass is evident throughout including the axels, swingarms pivot bolt, steering stem and foot peg pins, all of which are hollow. Wonderful!

ENGINE & TRANSMISSION
The robust piston-port air-cooled 2-stroke engine has a 249cc displacement with a Mikuni Kogyo 38mm carburettor and 6-petal Boyesen reed valve induction. The factory fitted engine is stamped with number KX250AE000449, verified as within the correct number range for this year and model. Minimal and accepted upgrades include a ProCircuit alloy silencer to the correct factory exhaust and twin air filter. Maximum power of 40hp combined with the featherlight dry weight of just 206lbs, this bike was designed purely for the professional racer whereby incompetent riders failing to appreciate the physics of weight shifting could soon find themselves facing the sky! It has a 5-speed gearbox with wet plate clutch, and this bike starts, runs and performs brilliantly through all gears.

WHEELS, TYRES & BRAKES
This KX250-A4 rides on the correct gold-anodized wheel rims which have an incredible perfect finish and the part number, rim size and D.I.D Japan stampings clearly defined. Brand new unused Kenda 80/100 21 and Vee-Rubber 110/100 18 are fitted front and rear respectively. The huge knobbly tyres, not intended public roads, serve as a reminder of this bikes competition bloodline. Front and rear drum brakes with lightweight magnesium hubs as factory built are still fitted.

HISTORY FILE
This example, rare even when made was one of just 1,717 machines build, with the chassis number KX250A-000442, making this bike number 442. Reputedly yet unconfirmed officially, Kawasaki dealers were unable to meet demand with supply and not all dealers were able to get one. Those who could are rumoured to have demanded a racing ‘resume’ from potential buyers, as these were not sold to any ‘normal punter’. Having avoided the Enduro hardship that befell most of the 1,717, this bike was purchased in 1995 by Canadian, Major Mark Kielty, who has owned it for an incredible 23 years! The Province of Ontario Off Road Vehicle Permit is in Major Kielty’s name. A competitor in the late 1970’s US 250cc National Championship, Major Kielty was also a personal friend of the Kawasaki Race Team Manager and confesses to some excellent race finishes, but never quite managed to gain team sponsorship! After a light restoration in 1996, he embarked on a painstaking restoration in 2016, with every nut, bolt and clip meticulously replaced, re-plated or refurbished. An original KX250-A4 workshop manual in the history file aided his strict remit to ensure the bike performs as good as it looks.

KGF Classic Cars are delighted to offer this machine to our ever-diverse portfolio of modern classic cars and motorcycles, ready for the next owner/collector to enjoy.