A 1971 Kawasaki 250E Enduro was used in the movie The Thing with Two Heads starring Rosey Grier, Ray Miland and Don Marshall. This bike is often referred to online as a F8 Bison, but I can't find any evidence of Kawasaki using the word "Bison" when referring to this bike. Even the oil tank cover only says "250" and doesn't use the word "Bison." In 1972 "F8" was used by Kawasaki when referring to their 250 enduro model, but again, they did not use the word "Bison." There are two things I'm sure of: One, the bike used in this movie is a 1971 Kawasaki 250cc enduro model based on the gas tank paint and graphics, and two, Kawasaki referred to this model as a 250E Enduro. I'm pretty sure riders didn't make up the word "Bison" when referring to this bike, but I can't find any use of the word by Kawasaki.
This particular model Kawasaki 250 enduro was manufactured in 1971 and 1972, and is a dual sport or dual purpose motorcycle with a single cylinder two stroke engine. This motorcycle is designed to be ridden on and off road. Having a two stroke engine makes this bike unique among modern motorcycles, but it was also unique among two stroke motorcycles of its day. It has a carburetored fuel system like other two strokes, but the carburetor is connected to the crankcase instead of the engine cylinder. The carburetor sits inside the right outer crankcase cover along with the 2 stroke oil injection pump. Fuel enters the crankcase from the right side and is controlled with a rotary valve instead of a piston port or reed valves. This made the right outer crankcase cover stick out farther than other 2 stroke engines, which you can see in the photo below. You can also see where the throttle cable and cable controlling the 2 stroke oil injection pump enter the cover.
The 1971 Kawasaki 250E was ridden by Rosey Grier, Don Marshall and the transplanted head of Ray Miland. The movie has a very long motorcycle chase scene lasting over 10 minutes, and a large part of the chase takes place during a motocross race, so you get to see quite a few interesting bikes. There is one scene showing all three characters on the motorcycle, but if you look closely the motorcycle gas tank is missing. I guess the motorcycle is standing still for the shot.. See the photo below.
<![CDATA[<a href="https://www.youtube.com/v/9eDkuJY7Ohg" target="_blank" class="new_win">https://www.youtube.com/v/9eDkuJY7Ohg</a>]]>FREE video of the movie The Thing with Two Heads on YouTube:<![CDATA[<a href="https://www.youtube.com/v/JNb7h2UlOGk" target="_blank" class="new_win">https://www.youtube.com/v/JNb7h2UlOGk</a>]]>Photo's from the movie The Thing with Two Heads:
The original The Thing with Two Heads movie poster.
A 1971 Kawasaki 250E. The lights have been removed.
Rosey Grier and Don Marshall on a 1971 Kawasaki 250E.
Rosey Grier holding a motorcycle front end in front of him and all three actors pretending their riding on a motorcycle.
Rosey Grier stunt double riding a 1971 Kawasaki 250E.
Here you can see the right outer crankcase cover and where the carburetor and oil injection pump cable enters the cover on a 1971 Kawasaki 250E.
The scene where you can see the motorcycle frame but the gas tank is missing.
A 1971 Kawasaki 250E in great condition.
