Kawasaki literature touts the small size of the KM100, saying it’s made for kids, but rugged and powerful enough for adults. I agree, I regularly ride a 49-cc bike around, and I’m 6′-5″ tall. This 1978 Kawasaki KM100 can be found listed here on Facebook Marketplace in Fond du Lac, Wisconsin, and the seller is asking $1,000. Cash. Period, no negotiation, no trades. Here is the original listing, and thanks to Lothar… of the Hill People for the tip!
I’ve talked about my little oddball motorcycles before, most likely far too often. I only use them as a point to say that not everyone defines fun by the number of CCs on their two-wheelers. I have just as much fun riding my Motocompo around at 15 mph than on the ’75 Gold Wing or ’78 Yamaha XS750E or anything else that I own or have owned. It can be like the old saying about cars: it’s more fun to drive a slow car fast than a fast car slow. I agree with that for vehicles of all types.
If this KM100 weren’t a $500 shipping charge away, I’d buy it this afternoon. I have never owned a Kawasaki of any type, nothing. Not a motorcycle, snowmobile, ATV, generator, Jet Ski, chain saw, blender, hair dryer… nothing. It’s time I get one, and for a grand, I’d buy this one instantly if it were local. Kawasaki made these little bikes from 1978 through 1981, and like most Japanese motorcycle manufacturers, Kawasaki had an incredible lineup of sizes and types of bikes. The KM100, as seen here, is a street-legal model with lights and turn signals. There was also a dirt bike version, the KD100, without lighting, and it was more for off-road use only.
3,000 miles is a lot for a 99-cc bike, if you think about it. Someone rode this one on the street and who knows where else for years, most likely. It does need some work, as you can also see. The left front turn signal mount is bent, there’s a lot of surface rust and pitting on the chrome parts, and just general use and wear, like chips, nicks, scratches, etc. Also, there’s no title. But there is a new clutch, a new (6V) battery, a new rear tire and tube, and a new petcock. I’d want it to look like a jewel, though, so the chrome would have to be redone, and it needs both rims, as they’re also rusty. With shipping fees, this one isn’t in the cards.
The engine is cleaner than I thought it would be, and it’s Kawasaki’s 99-cc rotary-valve, two-stroke single with a bit over 8 horsepower and Kawasaki’s “Superlube” oil-injection system. It’s backed by a five-speed transmission, and this bike weighs 172 pounds. The seller says it’s a barn find, and they show a video of it starting on the first kick. I want this one. Are there any fans of small-cc motorcycles out there?
Great find! A local college offering an MSF Course had a couple of these in the lineup. One weekend a Dutch chef (from Harrah’s Black Forest Restaurant) was in the class as the riders were looking over the bikes. Albert was 6’ plus and about 200 pounds-when he decided he would ride the KE100 instead of a Suzuki GN125 (biggest bike in the class at the time) both coaches tried to dissuade him to no avail!
He had a lot of fun that weekend and gave the rest of us a little more appreciation of the little Kawi.
Love to here about your current inventory of bikes SG. 👍
I wish I could grab this one, Stan, but shipping would be a 50-75% buzzkill over the asking price. I sold a few over the last couple of years, two 1984 Honda Gyros (pivoting motorcycles), my mint, restored 1975 Gold Wing that I should have kept, and a restored ’65 Honda 65 Sport.
I still have my first bike, a ’67 Yamaha YL-1 Twin Jet that I’ve had for 50+ years, and my first real motorcycle, a 1978 Yamaha XS750E that I’ve had for 43 years. Then it gets into the oddball realm: the ’81 Honda Motocompo, a 1983 Honda Motra, a 1971 Suzuki MT50 Trailhopper, the ’71 Rokon Trail-Breaker, a yellow 1976 Honda CB200T, and two early-70s Auranthetic Charger battery-powered mini-bikes. And, the Chrysler Sno Runner, but that isn’t technically a motorcycle. I need a Kawasaki to round things out!
Right on. Thanks for the reply SG. The 200 Honda jumped out. Those were cool, dual exhaust 200 😎 👍.
Had a 79 XS750 Special, Nice Bike !! Still have a few spare parts laying around !
Scotty already knows that I had a ’79 XS750F. That was a great bike.
Triple Threat!
Scotty,
I could fetch it and store it till you find a reason to come to Road America. If that’s in your future.
49cc are you in flatland?
I’ve pondered a turbo for the Honda PA50 while going uphill when I was 150-160#s.
We bought 2 of them to take with us when we took the Duesenbarge aka 1945 Flxible Clipper.
My wife used to fill the saddle baskets with egg cartons to deliver eggs.
Scotty-
I had the off-road version you referred to, the KD-100 M. It took a beating and came back for more. That got me into the world of motorcycles. I have a lot of good memories associated w/ that little bike.
Good write up and thanks for sharing your motorcycle list.
Send me the $1K, I’ll buy it for you and keep it warm until you can make it to Wisconsin… what do you say?? :)
~Lothar… of the Hill People
I wonder how close you are?
I wonder how close you are?
You and Rallye are way too kind, Lothar otHP! Thanks for that generous offer. I may have to let this one go out of my brain, if that’s possible. It’s just been such a horrible year for income that I can’t justify even spending a grand on a nice little motorcycle.
Yes welcome. I could use a better sponsor than d social security for my racing.
Those rotary valve Kawasaki’s would normally run with the next size up, or more, of other brands…lots of grunt.
I love my ’75 G4TRE and ride it almost every day in the summer for short trips. I’m 160 lbs and can hit 45 mph without problem. These bikes are super fun. The buyer should not bypass the rotary valve and run pre-mix through these.
I know some stuff about engines but What is a rotary valve?
I hear you Scotty. Let this one go and I’ll do the same. It reminded me of my old KD 100 that I was briefly tempted, especially b/c it is geographically close.
I hope the income thing improves and down the line, maybe a big Lurch like you would fit better on one of these… I have one tucked away someplace which I’m going to get running one of these days:
https://www.facebook.com/marketplace/item/771257385365051/
And if THAT is too common for a guy like you, stay tuned as I’m sending in a tip re: an old Suzuki TS-250!
:)
Wow, that 180 looks like new! Sadly, it’s over twice as much as this little Kawasaki, but what a beauty.