Kawasaki 250 Belt drive (knowledge, opinions required)

[dutchy]

Found this today and want to get some info on it. Its an 85 belt driven 250 kwaka. i didn't know they existed

It appears to be in pretty reasonable condition and i'm informed that it runs well at the first hit of the switch but i'm yet to confirm any of this due to the fact that the bloke selling it wasn't at the shop at the time. It appeals to me because its something a little quirky and i'd love to pick it up and fix it up a little but my younger brothers might also be interested in it as a runabout while they are waiting the required 12 months to get on a bigger bike. I'd figure the old thing would be pretty reliable, am i right?

What do you think its worth dollar wise? Would it be difficult to maintain/replace the belt drive?

Does anyone have any other info available?

I'm about to search online for some info now.

Cheers

[dutchy]

Apparently its a KZ250W

[metaltriumph]

My mate has an 82 model same as this that we have cafe'd and its pretty good fro the size. Vibrates alot because its a thumper but its ok. (it shakes the speedo's internals apart)

The drum brakes front and rear have alot to be desired. Tbh we only like it because its customized now. Performance is nothing special but now at least if looks good.

The belt drive is a nice touch. Requires no maintenance and you can tell the difference. Prob saves on weight too which would help.

[robracer]

The one I owned as a commuter chewed out a cam as the top ends can starve of oil if the galleries get clogged, check the top end for excessive noise, to replace the cam & journals on mine cost almost as much as the bike

[Smitty]

Found this today and want to get some info on it. Its an 85 belt driven 250 kwaka. i didn't know they existed
.............

I had the first incarnation of these...known as the Gpz250 which first turned up in 83 or thereabouts
(and was between me getting rid of the Gpz750 turbo and getting the Gpx7fiddy)


basically bullet proof...but only 3 things that tarnish their rep AFAIK

the drive belts break...mine did so I got the gear/chain conversion kit put on
the camchain on the 2cyl 250 engine...gets noisy and stays noisy
and the overhead gear needs constant checking/adjusting (every 5000)...otherwise as Robracer sez...its goodnight cams and rockers
but they do have 4 camshaft cover inspection caps just in the right place to do this

otherwise no other real vices (just do the usual 2ndhand bike checks)

hth

[Strika]

Smitty, it's a different bike mate. Yours was a GPz250 twin, the other bike is a single Cyl 250. Totally different engine, frame, style.

The KZ250W, is pretty old technology and if memory serves me correctly, mileage causes some issues with not only the top end, but also the bottom end. Cam chains, cam chain tensioners and cam chain tunnells all wear quickly also. If it was close to free, it still might be an expensive proposition to restore and the investment will most likely exceed the return in a way you may not have thought possible.

[Gosling1]

.....What do you think its worth dollar wise?

Would it be difficult to maintain/replace the belt drive?

Does anyone have any other info available?

I'm about to search online for some info now.....

From top to bottom....

* Not much. If this bike has rego, I would not pay more than $500. But I am a notorious tight-arse, so maybe you could stretch to $700 (I would want 12 months rego for this money)

* - Not really, but why bother ? There are chain-drive models out there if you want a chain-drive. The cost of the bits to do the conversion could cost 1/2 what the bike initially cost. As long as the belt drive is free of cracks or splitting - it should be fine to keep going a few more years yet.

* - Not a great deal - But I can have a look. These models were not real big sellers, as a lot of punters at the time were a bit suss about a 'belt drive' arrangement.

If it is running and with rego, it would be a fun little bike for your bro's to peg around on until they get their open licence - but I wouldn't bother too much with 'restoration' or anything like that - a lot of parts for that model will be NLA (no longer available).