15th Sep 2008, 10:54

I have a 72 F7 that ran great when I first received it several years ago. If you accidentally let go of the clutch with no throttle, it would pop a wheelie without bogging down.

The bike would always start the first three kicks. When I took it out for the first time to my friends, it didn't want to start at first. Well I got it running and rode it around for about three hour that day. After that day it didn't want to start at all. I checked compression, but there was none. The piston rings were clogged up and stuck to the piston. I freed them up and it runs again.

Also I never checked air filter till then. It was the original one and was mostly gone, it got sucked up into the engine.

That all happened about 4 years ago. This year the gas tank developed a leak. Other than that it still runs and looks great.

When I ride on the streets I get asked by other motorists if they could buy it from me. I could never part with this bike.

10th Oct 2008, 18:34

I'm 16, and I've had my 1973 Kawasaki 175 f7 for probably 3 years now, my brother gave it to me after having it for about 11. It's the first bike I rode, the first bike I've ever driven, and the first I've ever owned. This thing is a monster for its age, and engine size. About 2 years ago I bored it out to around a 195cc or so, and the torque's incredible! The taller rear tire helps the torque too, but I need to find a 19" front tire sometime, this thing's all over the place.

I use it as a dirtbike, and I thrash it... it's been jumped a couple feet, submerged in water completely, and crashed, and it's still running like a bat outta hell!

I just have one question... can you put a Kawasaki f11 250 engine in this frame? I know the carb setup is different, but I wanna try it so bad, a little more power is just what i need (I weigh 220, and sometimes hills take a little work in 3rd gear...)

12th Nov 2008, 02:32

I'm really missing my old 1971. It was the best bike I ever had. I would love to find a '71-'74 that is in at least fair condition. Preferably on the west coast. Is anybody out there tired of their bike or moving up to a newer or bigger bike?

Send me an email.

Thanks... Steve.

sportsdad7@centurytel.net

2nd Mar 2009, 10:07

I just picked up a '72 F7 175 and it is having problems with kickstarting. I can get it going when I pull start it at about 25mph, but the spark seems to be too weak to detonate at lower rpms. The previous owner recommended new piston rings, but I would like to exhaust easier possibilities before I tear apart the motor. Any suggestions?

30th Apr 2009, 10:16

You'll want to replace the rings if they're no good, because they will just keep getting worse, and the bike will never run quite right again unless you have a good fit with the rings. It's really pretty easy to, I'm 16 and I did it in a half hour. Just remember when you put the piston with the new rings in, get a pipe clamp over the rings as you drop the cylinder back down... that'll make it easier.

20th May 2009, 23:43

Hi, I just bought a 1975 F7 and it is in amazing condition except for the fact that it did not come with an air filter insert or filter. Does anyone know where I can pick one up? I have looked EVERYWHERE and it sounds like the manufacturer has discontinued. HELP!

Thanks.

26th May 2009, 18:59

I was thirteen when I first rode a F7 175. My grampa bought it as a wreck in 74. He restored it, and man does it have some torque. He had made a few modifications (new street tires, carb, and exhaust system). Boy, I took off down the street and there was a hill, and that thing must have flew forever! I would have never thought that would happen because it is so heavy. It's a great bike for people who want some torque.

1st Jun 2009, 15:59

I have 1975 F7, and I looked everywhere for a replacement filter. I finally found a place online that will sell them. Try unifilter.com. The filter and the cage ran $22.95 + shipping.

Good luck.

4th Jun 2009, 21:19

Just bought a 1972 F7 with 2600 miles on it, motor is seized from sitting since 1975 (still has the 1974 plate on it). It's a barn find, so it's still in pretty good shape. Does anyone know the best way of freeing up the cylinder?

22nd Sep 2009, 07:56

Well here it is. My mother bought my dad a 1972 F7 175 as a wedding present new in 71. Two years later in 73 I was born. I don't know what age I actually was, the first time dad took me on the F7; he says around 18 months old. Anyway, my whole childhood I was promised it was mine when I could touch the ground sitting on it. That happened at 12 years old.

Let's get to the point, I'm 36 and I still have the bike, though it's hurtin. We lost the engine a short year later; the repair shop scraped it due to a misunderstanding. Does anybody within driving distance of Conn. have a roughly complete parts bike? Email me leebo572@yahoo.com

22nd Oct 2009, 19:20

The best way to free it up is to pour some transmission fluid in on top of the head, let it sit for 30 minutes, and try to kick it before re assembling. Best to drain the fluid completely afterwards.

Good luck.

16th Apr 2010, 15:20

After months of saving, I bought an F7 in the spring of '72 over the 125cc option, just as I was finishing high school. I wasn't much of a rider yet, and leaving the lot I accidentally did a wheelie across four lanes of rush hour traffic. Almost went back for the 125, so glad I didn't.

My first excursion was to ride the bike from Phoenix to Colorado Springs and back that summer, solo. I built a short sissy bar out of tubing to hold a duffel bag with my tent and gear, and headed out across the back roads - I was not ready to take it on the interstate. I took a collection of carb jets and had to change them about every 2000 feet of climb up the mountains. It was one of the most memorable things I've ever done.

I rode the bike for years to college etc. On weekends I'd take off the lights and head to the desert to romp with my brother who had a 250 Suzuki moto. I never had a problem keeping up. Wish I'd kept it, someday would love to get one restored and give it to my son, now 12.