Kawasaki A1 Samurai and A7 Avenger Frame numbers / Production year
This is a question I’ve been asked so frequently in the past, I thought it would make a good introduction to my new Model Info & study section. This will hopefully cover all the bikes featured on the site.
Kawasakis of the period didn’t have matching frame/engine numbers. Engine number is usually between from 50 to 200-300 range from the frame #, although later the diffrence ranged up to ~1’500.
The motor numbers are always higher than the frame numbers, same thing applies to the Triples for example. This is due to the way they made them at the factory, when ramping up production: motors might be more complex to assemble, but actual assembly is faster.
So when assembly started, the gap between the numbers was low and went up as the year went on. Numbering didn’t stop between the change from model year to model year. The last ’71 models had a large number difference between motors and frames. The early 67 models had a very small difference in numbers, maybe due to more precise assemblies and the fact that it didn’t sell, the company wouldn’t be submerged in leftover motors.
Since there were modifications to the motors specs (more on that later), it could well be possible that Kawasaki reset the numbering at the the start-of-model-year numbering. In this case the next model year frame #, were in fact just a few up on the last motor # produced the year before, to start a new model with a “round” number. The leftover motors were probably used for under warranty exchanges.
So the difference should always be greater at the end of the year than at the start. And there SHOULD be a very very few matching numbers bike, with very early model year numbers.
Hope it makes sense…
So here’s the list: it pertains to the frame numbers only. These are from Kawasaki themselves and can be trusted.
| A1 Samurai | A7 Avenger |
| 1967: frame #0 to 9373 1968: frames from # 9374 1969: frames from # 10810 1970: frames from # 14850 1971: frames from # 17855 up to ? |
1967: frame #0 to 11599 1968: frames from # 11600 1969: frames from # 13840 1970: frames from # 20540 1971: frames from # 25468 up to ? |
The high numbers for 1967 are explained by the initial prodution, remember it was Kawasaki’s last-ditch effort to gain a foothold in the world market. A lot of 1967 models were also sold in 1968, it all depended on which market. The US market was the first targeted, then Europe. So you can think of the early 67-68 production as stock for a world takeover…
We can be glad that the A series received rave reviews and sold well: if it hadn’t been the case, the Kawasaki Group of companies (not yet KHI, Kawasaki Heavy Industries) would have shut down the motorcycle division and written that side of their business off. To this day, the motorcycle division only accounts for a small part of KHI’s profits.
If you have a late, early or matching frame #, do drop me a line, I’d like to estimate the end of the production. Just use the comment form under this post.
i have a 67 a7 with frame number a7-00076 and motor number a7e00036. also it is for sale on ebay right now. not sure what it is worth but i want to find out.
I have a kawasaki with the frame number A1-01467 and engine number A7E00005 I guess its a samurai frame with a avenger engine looks like its the 5th engine made it has samarai side covers but avenger tank the color is red and one piece speedo tach.
Well, it brought 2’150 us$ for a very clean if a bit tired, early, low number Avenger… that’s good going!
Normally, you can and should halve that for complete bike in need of restoaration.
Deffo sounds like somebody the extra ooomph of the Avenger… both frames are identical in design.
Hi,
Just for info the Samurai was being sold from 1966 even in the UK.
According to the info I have from a long time back,
not sure what it is but it gives Parts Cat No and Shop Manual No as well.
The first model A7
Engine No A7E00001~
Frame No A7-00001~
First change occured in 1969 i.e separate speedo but same shape tank.
Engine No A7E 00000
Frame No A7-00000
Next change in 1970 designated A7A
Engine No A7E17453~
Frame No-18653~
Next change in 71 A7B
Engine No A7E23043~
Frame No A7-24200~
My original model A7 has a Frame No A14329 and Engine No A7E13093
(As i have owned it since 72 I assume they are an original pair.)
This does not fit in with info above.
As the frames of the A1 and A7 were the same surely the frame numbers
should be higher?
Due to licence requirements and 350′s not being a proper bike the sales of the A7
were much less than the A1.
In the UK for years 69 to 71for which we have definite numbers,
240 A1′s were sold compred to 106 A7′s.
Hi Mike,
By the looks of it your frame and motor belong together.
I would be extremly surprised if Kawasaki had resetted the frame # during production… very very unlikely.
My numbers come from the French importer, a trusted source.
There was deffo cosmetic differences in 68. Date of model introduction varies from country to country, as sometimes there weren’t even an importer fro KAwasaki in 1966
First french Kawasakis were sold in 66 (by a shop, so very small numbers sold) and the importer was set up in 67.
Your numbers would make it a 69 (ie no chrome panels and separate clocks).
It was the start of Kawasaki production and they weren’t very scientific about it
I am looking for a A7 frame 1967 – 1970 I live in Ontario, Canada but have a shipping address close to Flint Michigan
Thanks Guys July 2010
where i can i sell this bike of mine 1969 a7 avenger 350. not in great shape. sat in a yard for 20 yrs. but its all there. id like to sell it, get whatever i can get for it.
Ebay is the place or try Craig’s List.