Everyone loves getting something for free. Free is nice, but what if I were to tell you that the core of the deal is even sweeter. Take a look at this vintage motorcycle and trailer combination for sale on craigslist in Laramie, Wyoming. This deal contains a Kawasaki 250 Trail, a Honda CT90 Trail, and a small motorcycle trailer. Interestingly, this Kawasaki might be a prime example of the rare 250 Trial. Do you think a little polish and some time doing a fuel system cleanout on each of these bikes would bring them back to new? Is the $3,000 asking price a bargain? Thanks to Gunter K for the tip on this trio!
Let’s take these motorcycles one at a time. Given the location of the auction is Laramie, Wyoming, one would probably be correct in guessing both of these motorcycles saw farm and ranch duty. Both are also basically off-road motorcycles that are street legal, just not street friendly. The Kawasaki is one of a long line of what are commonly called “dirt bikes.” While no year of production is stated in the ad, this is likely a 1975 model. These bikes were powered by a 246 cc two-stroke engine and backed by a five-speed transmission. The example you see here has all the appearances of a very original and fairly well kept 250 Trials. One of these sold on Bring a Trailer in March of 2022 for $3,227. This one would likely clean up just as well, but we have no idea if the mileage is anywhere as low as the BaT one’s 690 miles.
The 1969 Honda Trail 90 is also a neat little motorcycle. The Trail 90 occupied a place in the market that is pretty much nonexistent today. Using the stamped steel frame concept of the Honda Cub, these were basically an off-road capable motorcycle that provided just enough oomph to make it through the rough stuff. While the Kawasaki above could be ridden with abandon, the Trail 90 is basically what we would consider a moped with lower gearing. Flat out with a small rider, they were good for about 55 MPH.
The ad is painfully short on detail. We are told that the bikes ran the last time they were started (isn’t that always how it goes?), and that the new owner will need to “go through a process now to start them.” Soaking the cylinders with diesel through the spark plug hole is suggested before attempting to fire these up. It would be nice to know the last time these two were ridden and the condition of the fuel tanks. Sadly, this was basically all that was said in the ad. On the bright side, the Honda looks to be in very good condition and can probably be brought back to life fairly inexpensively.
As if two motorcycles weren’t enough, the seller is throwing in a homemade three motorcycle trailer for free. With a set of tires and some freshly repacked bearings, you can haul your prizes back to wherever you call home. This looks like it could be a good deal if you were the least bit handy and had some detailing skills. Older motorcycles like these are starting to really appreciate in value. While technology and the market have passed both bikes by, there is somewhat of a nostalgia craze for motorcycles like these. Even if you just got them running and rode them, $3,000 is not bad for two motorcycles and a trailer.
Have you ever owned a Kawasaki 250 or a Honda 90? If so, please share your experience in the comments.
I’m on my way,,oh, oh,,what’s this? A Porsche Cayenne coming up fast in the rear view, DANG, got to be Scotty G., oh no you don’t, ( Jeep struggling) The Kaw is a mid 70s KT250, and is not a trials bike. I know, trials, trails, what’s the difference. BIG difference. Trials bikes are for slow going and generally not street legal. This is more of a dual sport, or “enduro” and street legal. The Honda needs no introduction, but the Kaw didn’t sell. Not sure why, they were great bikes. Indestructible, even, yet, the Kawasaki always seemed to live in the shadow of the “others”. It’s okay, they kicked axx on the street. Great find, perfect his/her,,dad/kid setup if any interest remains, that is.
That’s a funny bit about Scotty G passing you..😆👍🏻
FWIW though Howard this IS one of the few Kawasaki 250;Trials and the reason Scotty blew by you. The lack of instruments is not unusual but the rock guard on the headlight made me curious so a click to the Craigslist ad and there it is on the side cover “Trials”. The only other one I’ve seen was at a Trials competition held MANY years ago near Donner Lake-the event was great but those people are crazy!! And talented. Your remark about Kawasaki bikes is spot on too-their dirt bikes were always the bridesmaid never the bride until Larry Rossler stepped into the picture. An AMAZING rider and one of the most modest down to earth people in the business to have the pleasure of spending time with. Down to earth that is until he’s riding and then it’s more time in the air OVER the earth!
The Honda 90 is a neat piece of work too with the high/low “transfer case” as it were. Prior to that most folks ran 2 rear sprockets and changed them accordingly for the terrain and Honda did what Honda was all about back then- engineered an easier solution.
Howard , the Bike is a 1975 KT 250 Trials bike , this is what a mid 70’s trials bike looked like, not the new style banana type of today. Yes for going slow, The trannys are geared very low and I have driven one. They were built only for 2 years and they were equipped with the lights at the time as were all the other Manufacturers during that time period. I have owned and restored a 76 KT 250 Trials. Here is the link for the factory advertisement.https://www.google.com/search?q=kawasaki+KT+250+Trials+bike&ei=Juv4Y-v7Ev-eptQPicu6oAI&ved=0ahUKEwjrpuWQz679AhV_j4kEHYmlDiQQ4dUDCA8&uact=5&oq=kawasaki+KT+250+Trials+bike&gs_lcp=Cgxnd3Mtd2l6LXNlcnAQAzIFCAAQgAQyBggAEBYQHjIFCAAQhgM6CggAEEcQ1gQQsAM6BQgAEJECOggILhCABBDUAjoICAAQsQMQkQI6CwgAEIAEELEDEIMBOggIABCABBCxAzoHCAAQgAQQCjoJCAAQFhAeEPEEOgsIABAWEB4Q8QQQCjoICAAQFhAeEA9KBAhBGABQhARYkC5g1TloAXABeAGAAeQHiAHbMpIBDTAuNS42LjIuMy4yLjGYAQCgAQHIAQTAAQE&sclient=gws-wiz-serp
Definitely one of interest to some folks-
https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=&ved=2ahUKEwiqzcHW2a79AhUUMTQIHdr-CZ4QFnoECCoQAQ&url=https%3A%2F%2Fbringatrailer.com%2Flisting%2F1975-kawasaki-kt250%2F&usg=AOvVaw0oXMzrPbBujwGpDVrGHYIM
Nice one, Jeff! Especially with the world’s smallest photos in the listing.
Ha, it would cost $3,000 worth of premium gas to drive that hog out to Wyoming to pick these things up, especially if I tried to outrun your Jeep, Howard. I’d love to have that Kawasaki and that trailer, though. I had an older Honda 90 like that with two sprockets on the back that you had to manually change over, an instant hi/lo shift would have been great like on this newer model. I’m surprised at the full-sized seat on the Kawi, if that really is a trials bike it should have a single seat, but otherwise, it looks like one, a ’75 maybe? I guess it doesn’t matter at this point as both bikes have been sold, bummer.
Yessiree Scotty a ‘75-good eye but then that’s how you roll. When I saw both bikes were already gone I wondered which one of you two had made it there first!😆
When we were kids I had a Kawa 100, my brother had a Kawa 90 and pop’s had a Kawa 359 Bighorn. The Bighorn had some compression and threw my old man off once when it kicked back on him. Went on to a 400YZ, 250R Elsinore, 250R and 200X three wheelers over the years. Good times.
Now the add just lists the trailer for $300. The Kawasaki could be a fun bike, but I would not be interested in the Honda. Jeff’s description of the Honda being a moped with lower gears (so not a real motorcycle) is how I saw them too, but they were very popular for many years, so there was a market that they served well.
Bikes gone but trailer is still there for 300.00.
I had a 68 trail 90 ,first year for switch. Great little bike for the bush in Alaska back in the 60s.
My first thought of the Kawasaki was “Dirt Bike” But when I looked at the gear shift and chain, I saw the filler cap for the self lubricating chain on the Swing Arm ,that says it all.