The Small Engine Shop

I couldn't be more bored with Adventure touring bikes, and I've never had an interest in Sport, Super Sport or SuperNaked motorcycles. Of the four new motorcycles released by Kawasaki last Tuesday, November 6, 2018, 3 of them fall into those categories. Oh, how exciting! However, the one odd ball motorcycle of the bunch is a SUPER COOL retro twin called W800 Cafe. Its not the first time Kawasaki manufactured a bike with a classic retro twin look.. From 1965 to 1974 Kawasaki manufactured what they call the W series of motorcycles. The W series motorcycle design was a copy of the popular classic British twin motorcycle. In 1999 to 2008 Kawasaki manufactured the W650, and in 2006 to 2008 the W400. In 2011 to 2016 Kawasaki manufactured the W800, which was not a cafe version, but was a standard style motorcycle like the others in the W series. So the W800 cafe motorcycle really isn't that new, but a continuation of a line of motorcycle's Kawasaki has been manufacturing on and off since 1965.

It should be noted that of the four motorcycle's Kawasaki revealed last Tuesday, there was no replacement for the KLR 650. My bet is Kawasaki will come out with a new and much improved KLR in a few years. I just hope it can still be categorized as a dual sport motorcycle and they resist the temptation of making another adventure bike. argh!


2019 Kawasaki W800 Cafe


1967 Kawasaki W1SS

The following ad is for Suzuki motorcycles in 1971. It's a four page advertisement and shows Suzuki's entire line up for that year. All motorcycle's range in size from 50cc to 500cc, and I believe they are all 2 stroke powered motorcycles. This is a perfect example of an American market that Harley Davidson and Indian motorcycle paid little attention to because the profit margin for smaller motorcycles is not as profitable as it is for big bikes. The invasion into this market started with the British twins and ended with small and fast Japanese motorcycles. Today Suzuki has a motorcycle line up that includes every size and every type of motorcycle sold today, and they even sell ATV's. I think it was a huge mistake for the American motorcycle industry to leave this market segment wide open for foreign competition. Harley Davidson's answer for the Japanese motorcycle invasion was to brand Italian, Aermacchi motorcycles with their label, but it didn't work; it was too little too late.

GUNK is still around today so GUNK products must have sold well in 1955 to keep the company going. Notice the degreaser/cleaner is not in an aerosol can like it is today. You had to open the can and brush it on. Aerosol cans were patented in the 1920's so I'm not sure why it isn't used here. The price was only 35 cent in 1955 and now a can of GUNK is around $4.00 and I think it contains less GUNK. The can says "Sold exclusively by your Harley Davidson Dealer." It's hard to imagine a dealership sold cleaning products priced this low, or anyone complaining about the price back than, but I know the price had to be scoffed at just like prices are today at motorcycle dealerships. It probably went something like this:

"Good grief look at the price! I can get a gallon of diesel for 20 cents and it does the same thing." : )

Notice the label at the top of the can says "Inspected & Approved - Harley Davidson Accessories."

GUNK Website

This is actually the 2nd half of a two page advertisement for Indian motorcycles in 1955. I broke the ad in 2 because it really doesn't take away from the advertisement. I will post the first half tomorrow.

In the 1950's you had competitive British motorcycle companies exporting motorcycles to America and taking market share from Harley Davidson and Indian. Indian motorcycles went out of business in 1953. Brockhouse Engineering bought into Indian Sales corp in a 1948 and in 1955 started importing Royal Enfield motorcycles using the Indian brand name. The motorcycles in this advertisement are actually Royal Enfield motorcycle's using the Indian badge.  Harley Davidson's answer to the British motorcycle problem is the Sportster, which comes out two years later in 1957.

In retrospect you would think the problem for American motorcycle companies created by British motorcycles would be an eye opener. Smaller, compact and faster motorcycles sold well in America for British motorcycle companies. Not to long after 1955 you have the Japanese enter the American motorcycle market with improved smaller, compact and faster motorcycles and the rest is history.

I guess John Bull motorcycle tires were distributed in USA by Flanders Company located in Pasadena, California.