Ex Motorcycle Grand Prix World Champion Kork Ballington shows some of the features of the Legendary KR 500, then fires it up.
Пікірлер: 138
@johnnyrvf5 ай бұрын
Back in 1986 I was offered and bought a rear wheel from one of the KR 500 s. Everything was made out of magnesium; including the spacer between the bearings. It was 18 x 4.5 inches. The cush drive was a masterpiece of engineering. I fitted it to a Suzuki GS 1000 that I sold 34 years ago.
@yzr500owc117 жыл бұрын
One of the most beautiful machines ever both physically and musically and along with one of the most talented riders to ever grace a Kawi. Thanks for the memories Kork!!
@robertc42577 жыл бұрын
Riding a GP500 2-stroke in shorts and flip-flops. the man is a legend.
@rattusnorvegicus43804 жыл бұрын
...& without a seat!
@jansolo552 жыл бұрын
@@rattusnorvegicus4380 .... and sitting on exhausts pipes 😁....
@martinlewis9672 жыл бұрын
He’s in Australia ,he is barbecuing his nuts. Love the sound makes my kr1 sound like a toy
@Jarnoparoni17 жыл бұрын
Hello Kork! As a boy 15 years old I see you often 1979 at the track. Remembering your great riding still - brilliant!! You are one of the best in Grand Prix racing history. Great video, thanks! Regards from Germany, Torsten
@DamianDeEu2 жыл бұрын
Wow! Adjustable rake angle, adjustable front axle, 'anti-dive' damper, suspension adjustments... Pretty spectacular for it's era!
@FrantisekVorel6 ай бұрын
Kork thank you for the video and for what You have done for us. Frantisek.
@tdmrat17 жыл бұрын
In those days as a kid of twelve,thirteen years old, i was a big fan of Kork Ballington and Kawa! thanks for showing this wonderful bike!
@andrewrees66182 жыл бұрын
So awesome! I started racing in 1982. I remember watching him in 1983 at brands hatch on wide world of sports.
@criticalmass18115 жыл бұрын
What an absolutely legendary man. Nice to see he's still a 'good guy' too. Thanks for the vid.
@dazmos_658 жыл бұрын
Always nice to see an old Grand Prix bike still alive that escaped the crusher.
@bediasamaro16 жыл бұрын
I still remember the pictures of Ballington and his Kawasaki back in the late 70's in some Motociclismo magazines we could get to at that time in Cuba. So now -thirty years later- the sound of it comes to complete the whole idea. When it warmed up a little, it came to roar as expected, and it convinced. Engines are like living creatures. Thank you champ for posting that for us to enjoy.
@awesker017 жыл бұрын
Music to my ears! That baby is totally unreal! I remember my dad telling me about those engine setups, nice to finally hear and see one, I think they sound nicer than the more modern v4 strokes. Take care of her mate!
@stephenhayston431410 жыл бұрын
what a beautiful bike,loved the humour as well thanks Kork
@sitnolg17 жыл бұрын
What a boytjie and from Natal nogal!! I cant wait to read his recently launched autobiography "Ballington Unkorked". Brisbane, you are lucky to have one of South Africas winning sons.
@fw14212 жыл бұрын
I remember building the 1/12 Tamiya kit of this way back when! I always wanted one of these to ride on the street. Love the clatter of a two stroke and dry clutch plates!❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️
@petersayle20892 жыл бұрын
Bring back the 2 stroke ! 500 GPs of the late seventies to late nineties were terrific. Great to see The KR 500 again. Hat's off to Kork for this video.
@Carbonfly6911 жыл бұрын
The sound of a 4 cylinder 2-stroke sounds like music to me! Really great!
@bjorndunderbeck13 жыл бұрын
Thanks mr Ballington, I always loved the kr from when I was a kid, probably just cos it was green ,appreciated the engineering when I was a little older! hope you are keeping well!
@Aguijon198214 жыл бұрын
Thanks for showing it! Its a really rare bike. I love 2 strokes! Great sound! It sounds like 3 motorcycles together.
@skts26102 жыл бұрын
What a work of art and Kawasaki continue to make master pieces to this day. Kork was and still is an absolute legend, loved the vid👌🏽👍🏽
@pabloperez40635 жыл бұрын
Kork ....a great champion....a fantástic job you made with both 250 And 500! Kawasaki was silly to retire so soon
@robertwallace79682 жыл бұрын
Wow stunning piece of engineering looks great even now 40 years on
@spscorse7 жыл бұрын
Thank you for that it was a great presentation thanks for sharing
@rg500delta17 жыл бұрын
By god, that bike looks and sounds fantastic. What a terrific video. Thanks, Kork!!
@Dizaster19912 жыл бұрын
Two thumbs up!!! A brilliant piece of history, and you just can't beat that idle sound!
@fernandochavez78072 жыл бұрын
Thanks for showing this piece of art !
@londonweekend15 жыл бұрын
Thanks for that Kork, the '82 version is my all time favorite bike - especially with the original big front mudguard, and those gorgeous exhausts - t just looks fantastic and the green/yellow/white with flashes of red colour scheme suits it so well -absolutely DELICIOUS!! - would love to see more footage with it's clothes ON though!! I'd also like to see the '80 and ''81 versions and Eddie Lawsons and Greg Hansons bikes - a shame it wasn't more succesfull so there would be more stuff about it
@nedcoed11 жыл бұрын
what a beautiful engineerd machine. damn i wish we could have those two strokes back in road racing. thanks Kork for sharing it with us !.
@MrMatuse12 жыл бұрын
That is one beautiful machine ,thanks heaps for taking the time and sharing it for us two stroke lovers ,I owned two KR 250's in the eighties and it's probably good they never made them for the general public or I might not have been here today. It's great Kork .
@nuskaha15 жыл бұрын
that is one heck of a gorgeous bike...two strokes sound brilliant.cheers for uploading your great vid
@daggs196812 жыл бұрын
the best. thank you Kork Still a Bloody Legend !!!! cheers Mate !!!!
@pmcaRSV44 ай бұрын
That aluminum brushed tank… what a beauty
@woodywood87552 жыл бұрын
Thanks Kork, I enjoyed building the Tamiya model of this bike years ago. You can't beat Kawasaki for some different engineering.
@310cadet15 жыл бұрын
Great video, thanks for the great memories. My Brother used to work for Stuart Baldwin in the 80's and some of your old bits and pieces were on show for us to look at !!! Those magnesium carbs were so light and well made !! Dave R
@Tony20086113 жыл бұрын
I met Kork in '79 I think it was - ace guy! Still got the signed poster on my wall, alongside the photos I took of the great man, with his brother and the great KR500!
@jeffdonovan12710 жыл бұрын
Thanks Kork,seen you ride the 500 a few times and a pleasure to see you and the bike then and also now,keep up the good work!
@djh8300414 жыл бұрын
Most awesome !! just watched the DVD of Kim Newcombe which featured Korkie, great time awesome racing.
@chugg535 Жыл бұрын
Well, that was a treat! Thank you.
@d.c74645 жыл бұрын
The square 4 is a amazing engine.
@Ady1100015 жыл бұрын
Nice vid and a dam good bike , It takes me back to when two strokes ruled the earth .Thanks for posting
@colinstewart14322 жыл бұрын
2 stroke 4 ever 🤜💥🤛
@fractaleM5 жыл бұрын
Thank you Kork! I 've visiting every summer Ken Suzuki's pention Silver Stone in Kaluizawa in Japan.
@andrewhills65357 жыл бұрын
RESPECT TO A LEGEND ✌🏻
@quartusbuys68313 жыл бұрын
He lived in Pietermaritsburg and I watched him as a kid on a modified road bike 3 cylinder Kawasaki air cooled running with Agostini, Paul etc on works machinery
@5millman2 күн бұрын
a legend and the hero of every ZA school boy in the 70's
@86GAMMA17 жыл бұрын
Thanks for this great posting! Straight into my favorites!
@cronauer198517 жыл бұрын
what a sound. looks and sounds great with a true legend . great vid .
@sethbrown17636 ай бұрын
Thank you so much, sir! Much appreciated.
@symcardnel17412 жыл бұрын
Thank you Lord!!! And thank you Kork!!!
@LaPauseTech15 жыл бұрын
amazing, beautiful, etc Thanks to show us this amazing bike.
@atomicorang4 жыл бұрын
A real treat..I still thing the front brake calipers are interesting. Wish you could do a close-up view and talk about them.
@TheRhodes7612 жыл бұрын
Bloody awesome,sounds amazing! thank you.
@SPOOKSTR15 жыл бұрын
Great vid Kork....watched you ride at the Barry Sheene Festival od Speed 2009....awesome !!!
@velisusi1 Жыл бұрын
I want these 2-strokes back ❤❤
@albertocassardo96558 жыл бұрын
amazing... old but still rocking!
@blipco52 жыл бұрын
Why can't somebody in my neighborhood have one of those? Gorgeous stone wall. 👍
@pabloperez40636 жыл бұрын
NICE TO SEE YOU, 4 TIMES WORLD CHAMPION, KAWA MAN
@Mercmad11 жыл бұрын
What a coincedence, while i was looking at this, I was just watching a movie on TV "Assen" filmed in 1977... and who should be interviewed but Kork Himself..the Winner!.
@quakermaas9 жыл бұрын
look at the calibers..big square blocks :)) 2:26
@warp6513 жыл бұрын
Team Wine and Dine. Fantastic, thanks for the look.
@awesomecooly1232 жыл бұрын
Anybody notice the beautiful Silvia in the driveway?
@cryogeneric17 жыл бұрын
excellent vid... You've *GOT* to post some track day stuff. I would love to see that baby on a circuit again.
@kawaslakkie13 жыл бұрын
Thanks for the show, love the 2 strokes!! Kawaslakkie.
@AbleBaker117 жыл бұрын
Went to KZbin to get the URL of that wonderful GP at Silverstone between Kenny Roberts and Barry and look what I found. Superb ! A wonderful talk through of the Kwacker's qualities - with humour. The only thing missing is pizza ! A new video AND a new book ! Where do you find time for a Castle ?
@rscudiver16 жыл бұрын
Very nice. Thank you for that. Bike sounds AMAZING.
@rooskie17 жыл бұрын
EXCELLENT. man.. i'd love to fit soem lights and take it out on some mountian roads... thanks for posting that! great to see it not sitting 'on a shelf' so to speak.
@norm43286 жыл бұрын
Thanks for great video of the lagend.
@MrBeracah2 жыл бұрын
Thanks for showing such a great bike, love the engineering. Any chance you could detail the anti dive system please. I’m interested as a retired engineer. Thank you
The heat coming off that must have been bad on hot circuits.
@Jimo3684 жыл бұрын
How did he not burn his legs? Thanks for showing this amazing machine.
@JaguarAir00713 жыл бұрын
Hey Kork, thumbs up to the age old Kwak. Pity they dont have an Aldo Scribante or Kumalo race track here for you to play on. Ever thought of taking it to Lakeside and thrashing the "lighties" of today? You never know what may happen. Re-ignite the passion. Well done mate. Murray
@sethbrown176311 жыл бұрын
Thank you so much for sharing with us!
@melciveng8 жыл бұрын
Total legend and has there ever been a better name in any sport?
@Pablo2257812 жыл бұрын
Thanks Kork - great to see.
@tr1ckcyclist17 жыл бұрын
Outstanding! How about you and the bike coming to Goodwood Festival of Speed in 2008? We'd love to see you.
@ronaldhart63622 жыл бұрын
I was lucky to see you tide in 79 at Silverstone...If I remember correctly you rode the 250 & 350? Wonderful machine Thank you for sharing her with us Naked 😄 She's Beautiful
@DrGasosa15 жыл бұрын
I LOVE THAT SOUND!!! 2 STROKE 4 EVER
@davemonday53812 жыл бұрын
Do you mind turning that thing down my wife is in bed. Had to grab the remote. Seriously that sounds fantastic like 4 kx 125a3’s fastened together. The Eccentric adjusters in remember having the on my 1985 GPZ1000RX. But to have them on the front spindle that’s cutting edge now same with the anti dive. Simple but brilliant. I remember you winning at donnington park. You may have been on the same bike. I was racing the school boy motocross on a kx125 at the time. It’s in my garage with all the other competition bikes Kawasaki made that year. Brilliant Video I’ve never lost my love for the Kawasaki’s I’m just about to buy a z900rs se. It will probably be the last new bike I ever buy. Thanks for the memories. Take care. Any one you consider to one of the all time great riders Kork Ballington has beaten.
@umiskivinick16 жыл бұрын
wow. thanks for sharing this mate.
@ReijoReccuLehtonen10 жыл бұрын
I see you Imatra 2014! Kork drives very fast!
@fernandomotoholic141710 жыл бұрын
oddly enough a few years ago there was a set of magnesium engine cases up for sale on egay for a KR square four, I found it very strange since these bikes were not p.r. priceless machine take good care of it.
@nickdavis2214 жыл бұрын
Sounds Fantastic!!!
@trickymicky000710 жыл бұрын
proper decent bloke-have a castle for me Kork:-}
@derekclark75458 жыл бұрын
If only Kawasaki had sorted the weight, the brakes and got it to hook up out of turns better. what a fantastic well thought out GP bike. The mechanical anti dive is so unusual for a gp bike but is that why the brakes cooked plus the extra weight. sounds the absolute nut, just love the sound of the blowback through the carbs at low revs, easy to pick out with the bodywork off. nice thanks Kork.
@nosharpe16 жыл бұрын
A winning combination. Kork & Kawa & Kastle (sic)... well perhaps a Windhoek. Great pity Kawasaki never really featured in 2 stroke 500cc GP bikes.
@josemanon62952 жыл бұрын
K&K ABSOLUTE LEGEND
@leefortes17 жыл бұрын
Excellent! Excellent!
@barebonesmc10 ай бұрын
great memories thanks, is it ok if i use a few clips in a video i am doing? i will credit you of course, thanks again
@nothing1128714 жыл бұрын
Cool, thanx for sharing
@nghonleong16 жыл бұрын
great to see a champ doing this just for kicks.....freddie or eddie - where r u? just curious to ask - seem like shot in downunder...is kork there now?
@Team-fabulous14 жыл бұрын
Hi Kork, the strip tease worked a treat, once i saw the monocoque chassis i was fully aroused. A thing of complete beauty, thanks for sharing it.
@snetterton8817 жыл бұрын
Superb,thanks for posting this,did Kawasaki give the bike as a present?Best get her out on track soon to keep the wheels turning! If you do can I have a go!?!
@Z1RD117 жыл бұрын
WOW ! That's brilliant.
@MrJonnyboyification14 жыл бұрын
a pure race bike
@FPVandotherprojects9 жыл бұрын
Amazing video!
@jcotteri14 жыл бұрын
Thankyou!
@ropermachine15 жыл бұрын
to own it , you tell your race director you want it when the season is done!! usually when you win a championship !!
@seapeddler14 жыл бұрын
Fitted with modern radial tires, how fast would it go?
@seapeddler12 жыл бұрын
83 Honda Interceptor was perhaps much more refined with its' V4, and superior handling.