Gregg Hansford | MotorCycle News

With Phil Aynsley

This is the prototype KR350 sent to Team Kawasaki Australia for development during 1977. It was built in ’77 and based on a ’76 KR250. The modified 250 motor had a larger bore and a capacity of 306cc.

Kawasaki KR PA KRP — Kawasaki’s KR350 as ridden by Greg Hansford

Gregg Hansford tested the bike and resulting changes included modified KR750 front brakes being fitted. In 1979 a full 350cc motor was installed and the bike was raced by Rick Perry in 1980, winning the 350cc ARRC.

One of the interesting features of the motor is that the water pump casing was cast integrally with the side case, rather than being a seperate unit. I was surprised to note that the whole barrel assembly is angled at 15º to the centreline of the motor.

Overseas Kork Ballington won the 1978 350cc World Championship with a dominant 9 wins. Hansford finishing 3rd with 3 victories. The result was the same the following year with five and three wins respectively.

1980 saw Anton Mang finish in second with Jean-Fraçois Baldé in third. The KR350 filled the top three positions in 1981 (Mang, Ekerold, Baldé) and for the final season of the 350cc Championship Mang again finished in first with Baldé in third. So ended the extremely successful career of the KR350!

This bike was retired after the 1980 season and subsequently restored. The motor and parts are 1978 vintage.

Source: MCNews.com.au

Gregg Hansford’s 1977 Kawasaki KR750

With Phil Aynsley

Now here is bike of great historical interest! Gregg Hansford’s 1977 KR750.

Kawasaki KR Gregg Hansford PA KR — Gregg Hansford’s 1977 Kawasaki KR750

In 1974 the FIM revised the homologation requirements for the 750 Championship, from 250 down to 25 bikes. The KR750 (model 602) was Kawasaki’s answer to Yamaha’s TZ750. It debuted, rather unsuccessfully at the 1975 Daytona 200.

It differed from the earlier road based H2R in using a purpose built water-cooled motor that had extensive changes to the porting architecture, a shorter crankshaft and was overall a more compact design.

Gregg Hansford’s 1977 Kawasaki KR750

In 1977 the KR750 design was updated (model 602L) with many weight saving changes – principally the magnesium crankcases and a new clutch – that reduced the bikes weight to 136 kg.

Gregg Hansford’s 1977 Kawasaki KR750

However Team Kawasaki Australia’s sole KR750 was further modified in ’78 incorporating Brembo front calipers, Zanzani plasma coated alloy front discs, specially made (only four) Campagnolo wheels and an alloy fuel tank. This resulted in a further 10 kg weight saving.

Gregg Hansford’s 1977 Kawasaki KR750

Noteworthy design details include the gearbox overflow being directed into the main frame tubing (venting near the headstock), and the coolant catch tank being integral with the radiator (on the RHS). The carburettor support cradle is also a feature.