Kawasaki Motorbikes - History and Tradition
Established as Kawasaki Aircraft Company to primarily produce components and parts from aeroplanes, Kawasaki began their first venture into the world of motorcycles in 1949 with a motorbike engine. Taking three years to develop and complete, it was mass manufactured a year later as a 148cc engine, featuring a four stroke, single cylinder and had a maximum power output of 4 PS.
Twelve months on in 1954, the first fully complete motorbike was manufactured under Meihatsu, a part of the larger Kawasaki Aircraft Company. However, it took six years for the company to build a dedicated company to motorbikes and in 1960, with the opening imminent, the company bought Meguro Motorcycles and began mass producing motorbikes immediately.
Over the years, Kawasaki has entered teams into various racing contests, with their first success coming in 1969 when Dave Simmonds won the 125cc World Championship.
Shadowing over all other motorbike teams throughout the mid-1970