Friday, July 1, 2022
MCNews
  • NEWSLatest
  • REVIEWS
  • LATEST BIKES
  • RACING
  • FEATURES
  • TOURING
  • PRODUCTS
  • MEDIA
    • GALLERY
  • MORE
    • POPULAR ARTICLES
    • MCNEWS COMMENTS
    • MAIN FORUM
    • CONTACT US
    • ABOUT US
No Result
View All Result
MCNews
  • NEWSLatest
  • REVIEWS
  • LATEST BIKES
  • RACING
  • FEATURES
  • TOURING
  • PRODUCTS
  • MEDIA
    • GALLERY
  • MORE
    • POPULAR ARTICLES
    • MCNEWS COMMENTS
    • MAIN FORUM
    • CONTACT US
    • ABOUT US
No Result
View All Result
No Result
View All Result
MCNews

Kawasaki KR500 Grand Prix Motorcycles | A Short History

Phil Aynsley by Phil Aynsley
October 24, 2018
in Features, Motorcycle News
A A
Share on FacebookShare on TwitterShare

Kawasaki’s KR500 two-stroke racer

With Phil Aynsley

The Kawasaki KR500 was one of those “almost, but not quite” bikes. Work started on the all-new design in 1979 and in typical Kawasaki fashion they went their own way, using an alloy monocoque chassis to house a square-four 2-stroke that used rotary disc valves but no exhaust port valves. There was no commonality with parts from the KR250/350.

PA Kawasaki KR
1981 Kawasaki KR500 Racer

Kork Ballington rode the bike during its 1980 development year with a best result of 5th in Finland (Gregg Hansford rode in the final race of the year but had a DNF). Ballington found the bike to have competitive power but “about 40 pounds too heavy and the wheelbase 6 inches too long”. These two problems were to stay with the design throughout its life.

PA Kawasaki KR
1981 Kawasaki KR500 Racer

The 1981 version (the number 11 bike seen here) had several improvements compared to the previous year’s bike. The monocoque used a thinner alloy skin and the square section struts that braced the front of the motor were dispensed with (they had been found to induce a fierce vibration).

PA Kawasaki KR
1981 Kawasaki KR500 Racer

A mechanical anti-dive system was used and the aerodynamics were improved. The result was a slightly lighter bike but without a major step forward.

PA Kawasaki KR
1981 Kawasaki KR500 Racer

Hansford tested the bike here in Australia before the start of the season and qualified 1st at the Imola 200 before breaking his leg.

PA Kawasaki KR
1981 Kawasaki KR500 Racer

After his return from this injury he had his career-ending accident at Spa on this actual bike. Ballington went on to score 3rd places in the Dutch and Finish GPs and four other top ten finishes for an 8th place in the championship.

PA Kawasaki KR
1981 Kawasaki KR500 Racer

A shorter swingarm appeared for the British GP which both improved the handling and reduced the stress on the rear tyre.

PA Kawasaki KR
1981 Kawasaki KR500 Racer

PA Kawasaki KR
1981 Kawasaki KR500 Racer

PA Kawasaki KR
1981 Kawasaki KR500 Racer

PA Kawasaki KR
1981 Kawasaki KR500 Racer

For 1982 the bike received a completely new chassis, still a monocoque but now with a spine frame design which continued to hold the fuel.

PA Kawasaki KR Eddie Lawson
1982 Kawasaki KR500 Racer ridden by Eddie Lawson

A seperate steering head was bolted to the front which enabled steering angle changes via tapered plates.

PA Kawasaki KR Eddie Lawson
1982 Kawasaki KR500 Racer ridden by Eddie Lawson

The anti-dive was changed to make it adjustable. By now the motor was probably the most powerful in the 500 class but the retention of the 16 inch front wheel when tyre development was moving to suit 17 inch hampered the bike’s overall performance; as did the move to Showa suspension. Ballington ended the season in 9th with nine top ten places.

PA Kawasaki KR Eddie Lawson
1982 Kawasaki KR500 Racer ridden by Eddie Lawson

The number 21 bike is the 1982 bike raced by Eddie Lawson in the US (on which the led the Daytona 200 for many laps). Kawasaki withdrew from GP racing at the end of 1982 so the KR500’s career ended after only three years.

PA Kawasaki KR Eddie Lawson
1982 Kawasaki KR500 Racer ridden by Eddie Lawson

PA Kawasaki KR Eddie Lawson
1982 Kawasaki KR500 Racer ridden by Eddie Lawson

PA Kawasaki KR Eddie Lawson big
1982 Kawasaki KR500 Racer ridden by Eddie Lawson

PA Kawasaki KR Eddie Lawson
1982 Kawasaki KR500 Racer ridden by Eddie Lawson

PA Kawasaki KR Eddie Lawson
1982 Kawasaki KR500 Racer ridden by Eddie Lawson

PA Kawasaki KR Eddie Lawson
1982 Kawasaki KR500 Racer ridden by Eddie Lawson

PA Kawasaki KR Eddie Lawson
1982 Kawasaki KR500 Racer ridden by Eddie Lawson

PA Kawasaki KR Eddie Lawson
1982 Kawasaki KR500 Racer ridden by Eddie Lawson

PA Kawasaki KR Eddie Lawson
1982 Kawasaki KR500 Racer ridden by Eddie Lawson

PA Kawasaki KR Eddie Lawson
1982 Kawasaki KR500 Racer ridden by Eddie Lawson

[td_block_7 custom_title=”FEATURES” color_preset=”td-block-color-style-2″ post_ids=”-244833″ category_id=”49″ sort=”random_posts” limit=”2″ ajax_pagination=”load_more” tdc_css=””]

RelatedPosts

1972 Hi-Tac Suzuki 500 GP

1972 Hi-Tac Suzuki 500 GP

July 1, 2022
Ducati 750 Paso

Ducati 750 Paso | The commencement of a new era at Ducati

June 10, 2022
Tags: Eddie LawsonKawasaki KR500Kork BallingtonPhil Aynsley
Phil Aynsley

Phil Aynsley

Phil has been a Ducati rider for 45 years and professional photographer for the last 27. Best of both worlds really!

Related Articles

2023 BMW R 1250 GS Adventure

GS Trophy edition joins 2023 BMW R 1250 GS range

July 1, 2022
Electric Motorcycle - Ducati V21L MotoE Prototype

Making electric motorcycles sexy…fast, and then practical…

July 1, 2022
Yamaha Factories go green by 2035

Yamaha factories aiming for carbon-neutrality by 2035

July 1, 2022
Aussie teenager stars on Flat Track Singles debut in America

Hi-res images from ProMX Round Five at Maitland – Gallery D

July 1, 2022
Load More

SOCIALS

  • 7.2k Followers

SUPPORT OUR SUPPORTERS

INCASE YOU MISSED

HRC Misano Test | Mackenzie to wildcard | Bautista extends contract

HRC Misano Test | Mackenzie to wildcard | Bautista extends contract

June 30, 2022
Join Yamaha as a VIP guest at the 2022 Australian Motorcycle Grand Prix - Phillip Island from 14 to 16 October

2022 Yamaha MotoGP Hospitality Bookings Open

June 30, 2022
Jake Gagne unstoppable at The Ridge

Jake Gagne unstoppable at The Ridge

June 27, 2022

GET LATEST NEWS IN YOUR INBOX

MCNews

MCNEWS.COM.AU is a specialist on-line resource that provides motorcycle news for motorcyclists. MCNews covers all areas of interest for the motorcycling public including news, reviews and comprehensive racing coverage.

© 2022 MCNews

No Result
View All Result
  • NEWS
    • ALL NEWS
    • ALL NEWS CONDENSED
    • POPULAR ARTICLES
    • BMW News
    • Honda News
    • Husqvarna News
    • KTM News
    • Suzuki News
    • Yamaha News
    • Triumph News
    • CFMOTO News
    • Ducati News
    • Moto Guzzi News
    • Royal Enfield News
    • Kawasaki News
    • Aprilia News
    • Harley News
    • Indian News
    • MV Agusta News
    • Benelli News
    • GASGAS News
    • BETA News
    • Norton News
    • Victory News
    • EBR News
    • Rieju News
    • E-Bike News
    • Scooter News
    • LAMS News
    • ATV / SSV News
  • REVIEWS
    • All Bike Reviews
    • LAMS Reviews
    • KTM Reviews
    • Honda Reviews
    • Yamaha Reviews
    • Triumph Reviews
    • BMW Reviews
    • Suzuki Reviews
    • CFMOTO Reviews
    • Ducati Reviews
    • Kawasaki Reviews
    • Husqvarna Reviews
    • Aprilia Reviews
    • Benelli Reviews
    • BETA Reviews
    • E-Bike Reviews
    • EBR Reviews
    • GAS GAS Reviews
    • Harley Reviews
    • Indian Reviews
    • Kymco Reviews
    • Moto Guzzi Reviews
    • MV Agusta Reviews
    • Norton Reviews
    • Royal Enfield Reviews
    • Scooter Reviews
    • Sherco Reviews
    • Victory Reviews
    • Rieju Reviews
  • NEW PRODUCTS
  • LATEST BIKES
    • ALL LATEST BIKES NEWS
    • BMW
    • Honda
    • Husqvarna
    • KTM
    • Suzuki
    • Yamaha
    • Triumph
    • CFMOTO
    • Ducati
    • Moto Guzzi
    • Royal Enfield
    • Kawasaki
    • Aprilia
    • Harley
    • Indian
    • MV Agusta
    • Benelli
    • GAS GAS
    • BETA
    • Norton
    • Victory
    • E-Bike
    • Scooters
    • LAMS
    • Rieju
  • RACING
    • ALL RACING
    • ROAD
      • MotoGP
      • WSBK
      • ASBK
      • BSB
      • Real Road / TT
      • Historic Road Racing
      • Japan / Asian Road Racing
      • Endurance Road Racing
      • American Road Racing
      • NZ Road Racing
      • Supermoto
      • FIM Junior GP & MiniGP
    • DIRT
      • Supercross
      • AMA MX
      • Australian Pro MX
      • MXGP
      • Enduro / Rally
      • Dirt / Flat Track
      • Speedway
  • FEATURES
  • TOURING
  • GALLERY
  • LATEST COMMENTS
  • CONTACT
  • ABOUT US
  • COMMUNITY FORUM

© 2022 MCNews