Kawi2strokes.com Forum

I am trying to figure out the difference is between the F7 and the early KE175 engine. One article I have found said there is really no difference, and the hp rating difference is all in how the hp was measured in the different years, but they are really the same. I see that the carburetors are different. My 1978 KE has a VM26SC, but I can't find anything that tells me what is on the F7. Point is, my KE does not seem to have the pull that my old F7 (from many years ago) had. Also, I can only get 56 mph on it, yet it seems to run well. Specs say the top speed is 68 mph. I measured 148 psi compression last night (cold test). Maybe I am old and memory fails me, or maybe I am carrying a few more pounds these days. Any of you experts know the differences?

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You are not old until you have more regrets than dreams! - John Barrymore (rephrased)

75 H1
78 CB400II Hawk
78 KE175

They did a motor redesign in the mid 70's, so a lot of parts don't interchange. You wold probably need the factory manual to see the port timing difference if any. And it's nkot the extra weight effecting your top speed, it's the wind resistance........

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Twist the throttle, tilt the horizon, and have a great time. What triples are all about...........

it's not the extra weight effecting your top speed, it's the wind resistance........[/quote]
Good one John. Nothing like a friend to give you an uplifting thought for the day. Maybe I should try again naked to cut down the resistance!

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You are not old until you have more regrets than dreams! - John Barrymore (rephrased)

75 H1
78 CB400II Hawk
78 KE175

Later that day, Steve tried another top speed run.

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If it surges, that's normal, upshift.

It's kind of funny really, so many guys really "think" weight effects top speed. It effects acceleration, so it does take longer to get to top speed, but top speed isn't effected. Except, the truth is, the bigger the "guy" the more "stuff" hanging out in the air stream.......

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Twist the throttle, tilt the horizon, and have a great time. What triples are all about...........

Oh, so you were being technically correct, not being funny. .... or maybe both....
Also, I have the stock 14/48 sprockets. I may go to 15/48, but I will lose a lot of pulling power.
Jim, that is my favorite riding position. That shot was seconds before my speedo blew off....

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You are not old until you have more regrets than dreams! - John Barrymore (rephrased)

75 H1
78 CB400II Hawk
78 KE175

Only 7% in any given gear. And if it allows you to stay in a lower gear longer instead of upshifting, you may not lose anything.

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If it surges, that's normal, upshift.

Niow, if I remember correctly, that fellow was Rollie Free, on his Vincent, and he set a few Bonneville records with his "streamlining" method shown in the picture. He was also a friend of mine, along with Burt Munro, and a few other people that ran Bonneville when I was a lot younger. They'd all run out of Sammy Pierce's shop in Monrovia, California, where a pal of mine worked, the late Dick Sams.

As far as the 175's go, I'll take the F7 over the KE bikes and engines. I have one here I'd like to do up as a street cafe bike, just no time to get it into being a project, just like the 9 other projects I'd like to do as well. I remember the F7's were really fun to ride, the KE was a lot more work, and not nearly as fun.

Did they go from 3 to 5 port similar to the 100cc Kawi's in the mid 70's?
Fwiw the simulator shows more potential in the 5 port KE100.

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http://kawatriple.com/wtf/

I remember the KE didn't run as well as the F7, the KE was said to have a more restrictive exhaust.