Topic: Yes, a Z1 & H1- unofficial Kawasaki thread - H2 is now a rider!!!

[RAFster122s]

Glad you're getting the parts you need. It bites when the weakness of the old relics of our youth we like or enjoy start showing their design weakness and we have to experience it first hand. I have the worn rocker shaft issues on my 550 and trying to find a good head that is affordable is a pain. Especially when you don't have the cash lying about to finance it...

[Stev-o]

Got my NOS head gasket for the H1, it's copper BTW.  Guys on the Triple forum are suggesting to use a light coat of copper spray on it. Also sourced some [used] Mikuni jets and needles, next to impossible to find new and from what I am told, the aftermarket parts are garbage. Sound familiar?

In the mean time, I've done a couple small things to keep this project moving. Replaced the rear cowling with the new bodywork set on bought on ebay awhile back. The old metal cowling was very rusted on the inside, worst part on the bike.
There are four bolts holding this on and I broke 2 off trying to loosen em. Luckily I was able to extract them fairly easy. New [used] taillight assembly too, the wiring was hacked on the old one and the brake light didn't work.
I've had very good luck getting parts for reasonable prices for this bike.

Look closely at the shine on the new part, see a bike in the reflection?









The front brake was working but did hang up a little.  Pulled it off and used the "grease gun" method to remove the piston.








Piston cleaned up fine and the inside of the caliper as well.  Prepped the body, a couple coats of caliper paint and a new seal and we're as good as new.
It's a 3 part assembly...

[NobleHops]

Great stuff Steve-o!

[toytuff]

Onward!

 

tt

[RAFster122s]

Cool !

[Stev-o]

Ok, I'm back at it.  At the suggestion of one of the guys on the Triples forum, I thought I would check the head to be sure the mating surface is flat.

The wife has a nice marble table on the back patio, thought it would be perfect for head decking! Had some 320 grit wet/dry...




Here it is after a few min...



And after a few more. Changed paper too...





The little mark on the right side of the chamber cannot be felt with my finger, so think it is a non-issue.

[NobleHops]

So, given the look of the head in the first photo, the head was slightly less than flat, eh?

What's your takeaway Steve-o, would you do this as a matter of good practice in the future? (Asked the guy with the H2...)

[grcamna2]

Stev-o,
Make sure to do all 3 heads equally so you keep even compression numbers between the cylinders..

[Stev-o]

So, given the look of the head in the first photo, the head was slightly less than flat, eh?

What's your takeaway Steve-o, would you do this as a matter of good practice in the future? (Asked the guy with the H2...)

Yes, it did appear not to be perfectly flat.  I do think this should be included in any motor rebuild and will be doing it on the next. 

Stev-o a good trick to determine if it's flat is to paint the bottom with machinists marker.

Although I did not get a pic of it, I did use a magic marker on the head.  Not as good as a machinist marker but it did the trick. 

Make sure to do all 3 heads equally so you keep even compression numbers between the cylinders..

Not a bad idea but I doubt I removed enough aluminum to increase numbers?

[70CB750]

Stev-o,
Make sure to do all 3 heads equally so you keep even compression numbers between the cylinders..

All 3 heads - sounds like a dragon from a fairy tale. 

[ekpent]

That could look really sweet air-brushed on the side panels of his H1!

  Maybe even as a big tatoo on his chest or his burly upper arm area !!

[grcamna2]

Or a back piece? I like the image: "Where's there's smoke, there's fire!" Nice association for a 2-stroke fire breather of an engine. Great find Prokop!

we just want all 3 w/ the same amount of Fire 

[ekpent]

Or a back piece? I like the image: "Where's there's smoke, there's fire!" Nice association for a 2-stroke fire breather of an engine. Great find Prokop!

  Think I read in another thread that Steve already has a Tramp Stamp.  Found it   

[Stev-o]

Or a back piece? I like the image: "Where's there's smoke, there's fire!" Nice association for a 2-stroke fire breather of an engine. Great find Prokop!

  Think I read in another thread that Steve already has a Tramp Stamp.  Found it   

Ah, no tats here, I think that Uncle Terry in that bikini!

[RAFster122s]

Is Uncle Terry even tuned into this thread for you to get a rise outta him ;-)
What makes you think the marble table is flat?
(Which one is the wicked evil grin?) :-D

[Stev-o]

Plan to retorque the heads today and do a test ride if the roads dry put and rain stays away. 
Been raining nearly every day this week, no seat time at all. 

Here's a pretty cool video if you have six min to spare.  It's a track test at Fontana of the new and old H2. 
The '72 H2 is owned by a member of the Triples forum, but he is not the rider. Enjoy...

[grcamna2]

They're really 'letting the Good Times Roll' w/ this new one;I didn't see enough of the older H2 in that video  .I hope you do a video of your bike when you get'er good Stev-o. 

[Godffery]

   Stev-o,
I may have a set of Phenolic Brake Caliper Pistons to fit your H2.  While working on a set myself, I noticed they bear a striking resemblance to the DOHC 750 Caolipe Pistons : http://www.vinmoto.org/gallery/v/VinMoto-Garage/album03/Godfferys-Garage-123/Parts+and+service/PHENOLIC+Replacement+brake+Caliper+piston/PHENOLIC+Replacement+brake+piston+for+Honda+CB+650+-+750+DOHC/ and they measure only 1mm taler then the KH.
LMK if your interested.

   G~
 

[Stev-o]

   Stev-o,
I may have a set of Phenolic Brake Caliper Pistons to fit your H2.  While working on a set myself, I noticed they bear a striking resemblance to the DOHC 750 Caolipe Pistons : http://www.vinmoto.org/gallery/v/VinMoto-Garage/album03/Godfferys-Garage-123/Parts+and+service/PHENOLIC+Replacement+brake+Caliper+piston/PHENOLIC+Replacement+brake+piston+for+Honda+CB+650+-+750+DOHC/ and they measure only 1mm taler then the KH.
LMK if your interested.

   G~
 

Have not received the H2 yet, so not sure what size they are.  But thanks.

[Godffery]

They look like the one you posted a pic of.  Perhaps I'm confusing the H2 with the H1 calipers?

[Stev-o]

They look like the one you posted a pic of.  Perhaps I'm confusing the H2 with the H1 calipers?

Yes, the pics posted were of my H1 500.  That piston cleaned up well and brakes working well, although a little spongey.

The H2 I bought is in MN awaiting pickup from the shipper. You still have that Z1 roller?

[70CB750]

Plan to retorque the heads today and do a test ride if the roads dry put and rain stays away. 
Been raining nearly every day this week, no seat time at all. 

Here's a pretty cool video if you have six min to spare.  It's a track test at Fontana of the new and old H2. 
The '72 H2 is owned by a member of the Triples forum, but he is not the rider. Enjoy...

Did you get her out yesterday?

[Stev-o]

Plan to retorque the heads today and do a test ride if the roads dry put and rain stays away. 
Been raining nearly every day this week, no seat time at all. 

Here's a pretty cool video if you have six min to spare.  It's a track test at Fontana of the new and old H2. 
The '72 H2 is owned by a member of the Triples forum, but he is not the rider. Enjoy...

Did you get her out yesterday?

Yes, rolled the H1 out after torquing the heads yesterday, started up within 10 kicks or so (I think it's been two weeks since last run).  Sounded good so I suited up.  The bogging out is first gear is a little better, bike really screams above 4K RPM.  But trying not to push it too hard since I'm still under 100 miles since rebuild. 
After about 10 miles, it starts bogging bad, I pull over and it dies.  I checked fuel level before I left and it appeared to have at least a gallon, thought that would be plenty.....wrong.  Flip the petcock to reserve and it kicks back to life, off to nearest fuel station, about 3 miles away.
Fill it up with 93 octane, then does not want to start, WTF?
Decided to try to push start it, and I am off and running again.  The sky was looking pretty dark and not wanting to get stranded and soaked, I head back to the house.  Once back in the driveway, I shut it down and kick start it, fires right back up.   The non-start at the gas station frustrates me but I have not put the genuine Mikuni brass in the carbs yes, that is the plan for this week. 
I feel progress but albeit slow, but like I stated earlier, was taking a step back.

[70CB750]

Nice!

I suppose it has oil pump or do you mix in the gas?

I would love to try out different 2 stroke than CZs and Jawas i messed with in previous life.  The power flwxibility of two strokes was always amazing.

[Godffery]

They look like the one you posted a pic of.  Perhaps I'm confusing the H2 with the H1 calipers?

Yes, the pics posted were of my H1 500.  That piston cleaned up well and brakes working well, although a little spongey.

The H2 I bought is in MN awaiting pickup from the shipper. You still have that Z1 roller?

Ok groovy.
I sold the Z1 roller to a neighbor last fall.  Sorry.