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Back to Model List
Kawasaki F7 brochureKawasaki F7 175
175 CC
F2, F2TR, F3 (Bushwacker), F7, KE175, KD175
​F1, F1TR (piston port models)

​Probably the most recognized and well known of the 175's is the F7, however a few models preceded it paving the way for the F7's (claimed) 21 hp.  Unlike some of the other smaller displacements the F7 shares very little with the previous models.  It could be considered that the F7 is a highly refined and more developed version of the F3 even thought they share almost nothing.  The KE175 is a lower horsepower version of the F7 it shares a few things like the crankshaft and connecting rod assembly, but the pistons are different.
Read here about the "drain pump" on the front of the crankcase that can fail causing jetting problems and even piston seizure. Applies to the F7 & KD175/KE175.

Kawasaki 175cc models frame & engine identification (below)

The frame and engine numbers indicate the beginning of the sequence for that model year.  The next model year starts the sequence after the previous model years number. 
*it is common for frame and engine numbers to mis-match within a given year

​​F7 Carburetor Settings
Type- VM26SC (26mm)
Main Jet - 105 "R" (round head)
Needle Jet - 0-2
Jet Needle - 4EJ 3-3
4Et 3-3
Pilot Jet - 30
Cutaway - 2.5
Air screw - 1-1/2 turns out

​
F3 Carburetor Settings
Type- VM26SC (26mm)
Main Jet - 190 (hex)
Needle Jet - N-6
Jet Needle - 4J13-3
4Et 3-3
Pilot Jet - 45
Cutaway - 2.0
Air screw - 1-3/4 turns out

F2 Carburetor Settings
Type- VM22SC (22mm)
Main Jet - 200 (hex)
Needle Jet - N-8
Jet Needle - 4J13-2
4Et 3-3
Pilot Jet - 30
Cutaway - 2.0
Air screw - 1-3/4 turns out
​

Kawasaki F7 CDI Test
Kawasaki F7 magneto testing
KE175 ignition test
KE/KD 175 CDI testing
Kawasaki F7 carburetor differences through the years.  The 71-73 F7 used a clamp on style carburetor with a plastic inner ring that clamped directly on the rotary valve inlet.  The later 74-74 used a carburetor without a clamp and is held on via a rubber boot that is bolted to the right side engine cover.  Both styles of carburetors used brass floats that were situated laterally to the frame of the bike.  A later replacement carburetor that also came standard on the KE/KD/KS175 bikes had a plastic float with its pivot arm longitudinally with the bikes frame.  The latter is preferred for performance reasons as the float level will stay more consistent when the bike is in motion.
Kawasaki F7 Wiring diagram
Kawasaki F7 Wiring diagram (click for larger view)
Kawasaki KE175 wiring diagram
KE175 wiring diagram
Kawasaki F3 wiring diagram
F3 wiring diagram
Kawasaki F2 wiring diagram
F2 wiring diagram
Picture
F1 1966
*single year model, not a rotary valve engine
Engine No. 100001-
Frame No. F1-10001-
​2 stroke Oiling System: Super-Lube
Ignition: Contact Breaker Point
Gap: 0.03mm~0.4mm
​Transmission oil: SAE 10W30 or ATF

Piston port engine.  Also features electric starter, a unique feature for the time.  Sold along side the F2 and can be easily confused in identification especially if engine is removed.
Picture
F1TR 1966
*single year model, Not a rotary valve engine
Engine No. 200001-
Frame No. F1-20001-
​
2 stroke Oiling System: Super-Lube
​Ignition: Contact Breaker Point
Gap: 0.03mm~0.4mm
​
Transmission oil: SAE 10W30 or ATF

​Piston port engine. Trail version of the F1 with upswept pipe, luggage rack and knobby tires. Also features electric starter, a unique feature for the time.  Sold along side the F2 and can be easily confused in identification especially if engine is removed.
​

Picture
F2 1966-1969
*sequence is not broken out by model year
Engine No. 300001-
Frame No. F21-00001-
​
2 stroke Oiling System: Super-Lube
Ignition: Contact Breaker Point
Gap: 0.03mm~0.4mm
​
Transmission oil: SAE 10W30 or ATF

Evolution of the F1. First year for the 175cc rotary valve engine. Updated rear shocks. Can be confused with the F1 especially if the engine is removed.
​
Picture
F2TR 1966-1967
*sequence is not broken out by model year, trail version of the F2
Engine No. 500001-
Frame No. F22-00001-
​2 stroke Oiling System: Super-Lube
​Ignition: Contact Breaker Point
Gap: 0.03mm~0.4mm

​Transmission oil: SAE 10W30 or ATF

​Trail version of the F2 with upswept pipe, luggage rack and knobby tires.  Evolution of the F1TR. First year for the 175cc rotary valve engine. Updated rear shocks. Can be confused with the F1TR especially if the engine is removed.
​
Picture
F3 Bushwacker 1968-1970
*sequence is not broken out by model year
Engine No. F3E00001-
Frame No. F3-100001-

Street scrambler styling with upswept pipe. Minor engine performance upgrades over the F2 going from 18 horsepower to 20.  Improved suspension over previous models. Retains the electric starter from the F2. For 1969-1970 dual overlay (59 tooth & 44 tooth) rear sprockets for gearing changes were standard.
(all years use 428 chain)
(1968) 38T sprocket - 114 link
​(1969-1970) 44T sprocket - 118 link
                     59T sprocket - 126 link

​2 stroke Oiling System: Super-Lube
Ignition: Contact Breaker Point
Gap: 0.03mm~0.4mm
​
Transmission oil: SAE 10W30 or ATF
​

Picture
F7 1971
*new model, "enduro" styling
Engine No. F7E00001-

Frame No. F7F-00001-

The legend of the 175cc class. Shares almost nothing with the previous F3.  Enduro styling. 5 speed return shift. One of only 3 models to feature the HATTA forks with adjustable axle positioning. Also included CDI ignition identical to the F5/F9, a rare feature for this era.
​
​2 stroke Oiling System: Super-Lube
Ignition: CDI (see wiring & tests below)
​
Transmission oil: SAE 10W30 or ATF
​
Picture
F7 A 1972
*styling updates
Engine No. F7E 19268-

Frame No. F7-25706-

​
2 stroke Oiling System: Super-Lube
Ignition: CDI (see wiring & tests below)
​
Transmission oil: SAE 10W30 or ATF
​

Picture
F7 B 1973
*styling updates
Engine No. F7E44158-

Frame No. F7-50556-

Different fuel tank shape.  Turn signals are standard.  Engine covers, cylinder & head painted black for heat dissipation. 

​2 stroke Oiling System: Super-Lube
Ignition: CDI (see wiring & tests below)
​
Transmission oil: SAE 10W30 or ATF
Picture
F7 C 1974
*styling update
Engine No. F7E67001-

Frame No. F7-73001-

Redesigned seat and tail light assembly.
​
​
2 stroke Oiling System: Super-Lube
Ignition: CDI (see wiring & tests below)
​
Transmission oil: SAE 10W30 or ATF
Picture
F7 D 1975
*Styling update
Engine No. F7E90600-

Frame No. F7-96287-

No significant updates.  Last production year for the F7.
​
​
2 stroke Oiling System: Super-Lube
Ignition: CDI (see wiring & tests below)
​
Transmission oil: SAE 10W30 or ATF
​
Picture
KE175 B1 1976
*new model, shares little with the F7
Engine No. KE175BE000001 -
Frame No. KE175B-000001-

New model for 1976.  Engine specifications changed and shares very little with the previous F7.  Horsepower went down from 18 to 16, but is a more broad power.  More resilient plastic fenders used.  Big brother to the KE125.

Ignition: CDI (see wiring & tests below)
*not compatible with the F7

Transmission oil: SAE 10W30 or ATF​
Picture
KE175 B2 1977
*styling updates
Engine No. KE1758E011101-
Frame No. KE1758-01 1 101-

Redesigned seat. Passenger foot pegs added.

​Ignition: CDI (see wiring & tests below)
*not compatible with the F7

Transmission oil: SAE 10W30 or ATF​
Picture
KE175 B3 1978
*styling update
Engine No. KE175BE021001-
Frame No. KE175B-021001-

No major changes
​
​Ignition: CDI (see wiring & tests below)
*not compatible with the F7

Transmission oil: SAE 10W30 or ATF​
Picture
*hold over years
KE175 B4 & B5 1979-1980
*same as 1978 model

1980 is the last year for the rotary valve 175cc. 

1980 KE175 D1 introduced a reed valve piston port engine that a version of it would make its way into the KDX175 later.  Also the piston reed KE175 D-series would be the basis for the KV175 "agi" bikes designed for farm & ranch work in the Australian market.

Picture
KD175 A1 1976
*off road only model of the KE175
Engine No. KD175AE000001-
Frame No. KD175A-000004-

Mechanically identical to the KE175 only without lights and wiring.

​Ignition: CDI (see wiring & tests below)
*not compatible with the F7

Transmission oil: SAE 10W30 or ATF​
Picture
KD175 A2 1977
*styling updates
Engine No. KD175AE003601-
Frame No. KD175A-003601-
​
​Ignition: CDI (see wiring & tests below)
*not compatible with the F7

Transmission oil: SAE 10W30 or ATF​
Picture
KD175 A3 1978
*styling updates
Engine No. : KD175AE006001-
Frame No.: KD175A-006001-

​Ignition: CDI (see wiring & tests below)
*not compatible with the F7

Transmission oil: SAE 10W30 or ATF​
Picture
KD175 A4 1979
*styling updates
Engine No. KD175AE008501-
Frame No. KD175A-008501-

No major updates.  Last year for the KD175.

Kawasaki KE175 wiring diagram
Kawasaki KE175 wiring diagram
Kawasaki F1 F2 F3 F4 F21m Wiring diagram
Kawasaki F1, F2, F3, F4, F21M
Picture
Typical Breaker point ignition
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