1977 Kawasaki KR250 GP
As raced by Gregg Hansford
Kawasaki’s Grand Prix efforts started in 1966 with a 125cc water-cooled, disc-valve 2-stroke twin – which received the 1969 title with Dave Simmonds aboard. The KR3 V-4 was additionally developed from 1967.
The corporate’s 250cc efforts began in 1967 with the a lot much less unique A-1R, primarily based on their street bike (Kawasaki A1-R 250 rotary valve racer) and later, a smaller model of their 350cc Bighorn motor.
It wasn’t till 1975 that their first devoted racing design appeared, the KR250.
This was a tandem disc-valve twin with contra-rotating 180º cranks. The primary bikes additionally used a standard rear suspension format however with solely a single rear shock mounted on the RH facet of the swingarm.
Issues with fierce engine vibration noticed a 1977 redesign with the motor altering to a 360º “Twingle” format with each pistons rising and falling collectively. A centrally mounted mono-shock rear suspension was additionally employed from this time.
The KR250 (and its KR350 sibling) had been extraordinarily profitable from 1978 till they had been retired in 1982.
Kork Ballington received each the ’78 and ‘79 250 and 350 titles, with crew mate Gregg Hansford second within the 250 class and third within the 350 each years.
Anton Mang received the 250 title in ’80, ’81 and ’82 in addition to the 350 title in ’81.
The design’s gentle weight, good energy, slim profile and glorious floor clearance had been all main contributing elements in its dominance.
For 1978 the output was 62 hp at 12,000 rpm with a weight of 104 kg – which gave a high pace of round 250 km/h.
The bike seen right here is the one raced by Hansford in 1977-78.
