In the good old times of 2 stroke MotoGP, only the strong and brave would make it to the top class of motorbike racing. Things are different today. That is not to say that the rookies of today’s MotoGP aren’t as talented (just take a look at the practice lap times of Marquez), in fact I think they are even more, as modern days’ racers are also physically true top sportsmen. What I mean is that with the advent of electronics controlling power delivery, braking performance, general wheel spin, fuel consumption and …you name it, the modern GP bikes are very very fast, but do not resemble in the common viewer the feel of FEAR:
(picture courtesy of Reuters)
Some of us who grew in the 70s-80s, remember the first ride on our older friend’s or cousins’ tuned up 2 stroke moped, dirt bike or street model. This was usually a straight line wide open throttle acceleration, where vision became blurry (or so we thought) also because there was much noise and smoke behind us, followed by a a heartbreaking full-on deceleration, to avoid a crash at the ned of the straight. And don’t get me wrong, the heartbreaking experience wasn’t given by the breaking power of our friend’s bike, instead, quite the opposite, it was given by LACK of braking performance of the missile on which we where temporarily sat on. At this point, there were only two possible reactions to the first ride of our life:
1) I got bloody scared and will never ever do this again
2) that was freakin’ scary but so exciting. I need to get my own bike and I will learn how to master it…
If you belong the the category 2), this is for you: (and by the way, they don’t make them any more :-))
The Kawasaki H1. A 3 cylinder 500cc 2 stroke power bike. This sample is the later model produced from 1974, with disc brakes. If you look at the type of tyres fitted, it will give you confidence that the owner really rode the bike despite the low mileage:
The H1 was then followed by the H2 with a 750cc motor but not much else different. Why did I make all that fuss about fear when introducing this highly collectable sample ? Well, these bikes were notoriously very powerful (60hp stock), but had a chassis that let’s say… was not up to the standards of the power plant. Have a look at this:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_detailpage&v=zOfmRib30Tg#t=32s
(the video is of a Kawasaki H1 but it’s not related to this bike on sale)
Do you understand what I mean ?
Now again, this can go 2 ways: a) that bike is wobbling like it’s made of butter…b) wow that must be exciting, that amazing noise rush, the feel of speed growing without control once you pass the 7000 rpm, and the need to make the next corner…somehow…
The model we have here is in original conditions and has a low mileage as the seller describes:
“To sell the beautiful and legendary Kawasaki Mach 3 500 cubic cm 3 cylinder engine 2 TMPS. Superb collection of motorcycle in perfect condition. Bike very powerful driving sensation insured. Only 23728 km. Bike comes with full documentation of time (User Manual, Parts List, Workshop Manual, Brochures period) all also in a state of conservation exceptional.”
It is on sale on the Swiss auction site Ricardo with a starting price of about 11700 $ and a buy it now option of 14800 $.
This is a rare find in this conditions !
If you want to go back at the time when riding a sport bike was an act of courage and speed wasn’t for everyone:
then you might want follow up by clicking at the link below (the bike is available near lake Geneva in Switzerland):
1975 Kawasaki H1 500cc in Switzerland
Claudio
P.S. even this poster of the first H1 in Japan gives away the fact that biking used to be for brave ones: look at the snow on the side of the street and yet the girl is wearing shorts. Ah, and that smile is only a nervous reaction, she isn’t even looking where they are going because that is too scary. True motorbike passion !
P.P.S. …actually when I looked closer at the picture i noticed the rider has one foot down…c’mon a bit of photoshop could help me to deliver the point here… .-)
P.P.P.S….and there we go, like this it is better (Muchas Gracias Alvaro !)
Had a new red one back in ’74- it was fun to hit the 6000 rpm powerband while heeled over in a wet corner… Hehe. But it would smoke a Harley twice it’s size.
Love that soaring intake sound!
Cudos! Ride it like you stole it! Topped the “Ton” several times! Frankly these H1’s can be made into decent handling bikes fairly easily and not alot of money. Then surprise you modern sport bike riding buddies on this old iron.
I loved my ’69 Mach III with the Erv Kanemoto engine. I rode it for 9 years, and while it was a handful it was unmistakable. I converted it from double leading shoe to dual disc making it a lot more manageable in the mountains. Nearly looped the first day (5700 RPM goes bang in first gear) but never dropped it. Ran a 10.25 sec quarter with it by dumping the clutch at 6K and hoping it didn’t hook up too soon.