1968 Kawasaki F21M

This bike is Kawasaki’s very first attempt to produce a dirt scrambler. To say this motorcycle is rare, is an understatement. I saw one in 1968, while riding in Little Rock, California, and until I found this bike, I had not seen another since that day. It had been on the top of my “Wish” list for so many years, that when I actually found it, I was so excited I couldn’t sleep for a week. This bike was found in a closed Kawasaki dealership in Kentucky. It had been ridden for only about 3 to 4 hours and then put into storage. What you are looking at is an unrestored bike with hardly any use. The bike is all original with the exception of the seat cover, the paint on the pipe, the paint on the side cases and the NOS steering dampener; all the other components, including the tires, are completely original. In 1968, the tanks were painted a deep red with the Kawasaki aircraft company logos on both sides. In 1969, these bikes came equipped with a white and lime green tank; the model from that point on was known as the F31-M Green Streak. My brother actually rode the bike I saw in 1968; he remembers it being very stiff, as far as the suspension goes, yet very pipey with tremendous top end. Although not competitive with the Huskies, CZ’s, Greeves, Bultacos or BSA’s of the period, these rare F21-M motorcycles are among the holy grail to motorcycle collectors, in addition to the 1965 CZ Twin Port, the Bultaco Metisse and the Suzuki Twin Port, included in this collection. I would estimate that less than 25 F21-M motorcycles exist in the country today and I do not know of any that are preserved in an original state such as this one. This is a significant piece of motorcycle history and the predecessor of today’s Japanese motocross dominance.

MAKE / MODEL: KAWASAKI F21-M

YEAR: 1968 ENGINE DISPLACEMENT: 238 CC

COUNTRY OF MANUFACTURE JAPAN

ORIGINAL PURCHASE PRICE NEW  $875.00

THIS BIKE IS:

_  NEW, NEVER BEEN STARTED

X  ORIGINAL UNRESTORED

_  PARTIALLY RESTORED

_  FULLY RESTORED

RESTORATION WORK PERFORMED BY: AS FOUND

OWNER: KELLY OWEN