Author Topic: Yes, a Z1 & H1- unofficial Kawasaki thread - H2 is now a rider!!! (Read 243550 times)

NobleHops · « **Reply #1075 on:** July 11, 2015, 02:26:27 PM »

Bravo Steve-o, great project, great result. I've had the same thing drilled into me by those more knowledgeable, aftermarket carb parts are mostly crap. So glad you got yours so well sorted out.

Can't wait to follow along on the H2!

Stev-o · « **Reply #1076 on:** July 11, 2015, 03:12:26 PM »

Quote from: NobleHops on July 11, 2015, 02:26:27 PM

Bravo Steve-o, great project, great result. I've had the same thing drilled into me by those more knowledgeable, aftermarket carb parts are mostly crap. So glad you got yours so well sorted out.

Can't wait to follow along on the H2!

Thanks Nils. It's been a journey with frustration thrown in but now I am reaping the rewards! I've learned a lot about these bikes and won't make the same mistakes with the H2.

I've decided to start with the motor rebuild on the H2 next week, will take the cyl to the shop for measuring, boring and get some more Wisecos!

grcamna2 · « **Reply #1077 on:** July 11, 2015, 05:13:48 PM »

H2 !

MoMo · « **Reply #1078 on:** July 11, 2015, 07:20:29 PM »

Congrats and keep that front wheel down...Larry

Stev-o · « **Reply #1079 on:** July 11, 2015, 07:37:55 PM »

Quote from: MoMo on July 11, 2015, 07:20:29 PM

Congrats and keep that front wheel down...Larry

Ha! I do like the front wheel on the ground.

Sgt.Pinback · « **Reply #1080 on:** July 13, 2015, 01:34:37 AM »

Well done, enjoy her!

Retro Rocket · « **Reply #1081 on:** July 13, 2015, 02:03:55 AM »

Quote from: Stev-o on July 11, 2015, 07:37:55 PM

Quote from: MoMo on July 11, 2015, 07:20:29 PM
Congrats and keep that front wheel down...Larry

Ha! I do like the front wheel on the ground.

Only causes drag Steve...

Love the 2 tone green, There was one just down the road from me when i was a young'n, loved that bike.

Stev-o · « **Reply #1082 on:** July 13, 2015, 05:48:18 AM »

Quote from: Retro Rocket on July 13, 2015, 02:03:55 AM

Quote from: Stev-o on July 11, 2015, 07:37:55 PM
Quote from: MoMo on July 11, 2015, 07:20:29 PM
Congrats and keep that front wheel down...Larry

Ha! I do like the front wheel on the ground.

Only causes drag Steve...

What about loss of steering and braking power?!!

Tews19 · « **Reply #1083 on:** July 13, 2015, 10:53:11 AM »

Quote from: Stev-o on July 11, 2015, 02:09:49 PM

Well, an update on the H1 is overdue, so here ya go:

If you havent been following, the motor was rebuilt with Wisecos +.5mm, crank rebuilt with new seals and bearings, carbs rebuilt with Sudco carbs kits and the thing just did not run that well. So disapointed.

Thanks to the guys at the Triples forum, they informed me that the Sudco carb kits are crap! And genuine Mikuni is NLA.
So I sourced genuine used Mikuni brass for the 3 carbs, got it all in and bike is now running fantastic! I've only put about 250 miles on the bike, but what a joy to ride.
It's still a little "doggy" starting off in 1st gear [typical], but once that tach hits 5000, the engine is singing and the bike is ripping!
90mph on this thing feels like you are flying! It is so light and nimble, the superbike bars are perfect for it.
It's been the bike of choice the last 2 weeks for "quick" rides after work when I have the time.
I almost feel bad for the Z1, she hasnt been ridden in a month. [maybe tomorrow].

Last year I won an auction for a body set and now finally fitted the tank and one sidecover, one was incorrect for my year, WTF?! Oh well, I have the old one still on there and plan to source one and get it painted to match.
BTW - these sidecovers are metal and bolt on...nice!

For those who havent heard, I bought an H2! Super excited about it. However, it's not quite ready to ride, it came in 5 boxes........here is one!

PURDY!!!!!

Retro Rocket · « **Reply #1084 on:** July 13, 2015, 04:55:34 PM »

Quote from: Stev-o on July 13, 2015, 05:48:18 AM

Quote from: Retro Rocket on July 13, 2015, 02:03:55 AM
Quote from: Stev-o on July 11, 2015, 07:37:55 PM
Quote from: MoMo on July 11, 2015, 07:20:29 PM
Congrats and keep that front wheel down...Larry

Ha! I do like the front wheel on the ground.

Only causes drag Steve...

What about loss of steering and braking power?!!

Semantics ....

Stev-o · « **Reply #1085 on:** August 19, 2015, 08:13:11 PM »

Not much going on in Kawasaki Land over here right now. However, I did remove the H1's gauges last week and sent them off to a guy in Florida for full restoration. His reviews on the a Triples forum are all A+ and his pricing is fairly reasonable. ($110 per gauge). I'll have them back in less than a week.

Stev-o · « **Reply #1086 on:** September 13, 2015, 12:57:19 PM »

Well, it took more than a week to get the gauges back, but it was definitely worth the wait.
Don is a retired Kaw Triples enthusiast and restores the gauges at his home in Florida as a hobby. I sent thim the entire cluster and let him do "his thing"!
He not only repaired the faulty gauges but did a total cosmetic resto as well, I am very pleased...

The speedo now reads correct [this thing hits 80 quick!] and the tach needle no longer bounces, as he replaced the damper.

My controls were showing light surface rust so I sent those to him as well. He bead blasted them, cleaned em up and painted them.

While all that was being done, I did a little cosmetic work on the left side of the engine...

I love polished aluminum but not a fan of the natural aluminum engines of these Triples.
I now regret not painting the cases, cylinders and heads, may do it one day.

Will not be doing this on the H2, that motor will get powdercoat.
Speaking of the H2, left a message yesterday at the machine shop, WTF is my motor!??
Now that I sold the Lester wheels, it is full bore ahead [sorry, bad pun] on the engine rebuild!

joeyvans · « **Reply #1087 on:** September 13, 2015, 01:16:05 PM »

Wow... That Don guy does some amazing work! Does he rework CB gauges too? My 550 speedo bounces and is off. The tach never goes over 5k... Even when going 90 in 5th.

Stev-o · « **Reply #1088 on:** September 13, 2015, 01:57:27 PM »

Quote from: joeyvans on September 13, 2015, 01:16:05 PM

Wow... That Don guy does some amazing work! Does he rework CB gauges too? My 550 speedo bounces and is off. The tach never goes over 5k... Even when going 90 in 5th.

No, he does Kaw Triples only. Have you tried lubing your cables?

RAFster122s · « **Reply #1089 on:** September 13, 2015, 06:16:05 PM »

Steve,
Don is a master craftsman with those gauges and controls. Probably worth every penny of what was charged.

Those side covers are incredibly shiny. You don't have very high arches I see...
Who did those for you? They have some great equipment and skills.

David

MoMo · « **Reply #1090 on:** September 13, 2015, 06:22:10 PM »

He does very good work, lucky you found him Stev-o...Larry

Stev-o · « **Reply #1091 on:** September 13, 2015, 06:34:51 PM »

Quote from: MoMo on September 13, 2015, 06:22:10 PM

He does very good work, lucky you found him Stev-o...Larry

Don is very well regarded on the Triples forum, all of the reviews were very positive so it was a no brainer.

Retro Rocket · « **Reply #1092 on:** September 14, 2015, 01:17:28 AM »

Those gauges look great Steve...

NobleHops · « **Reply #1093 on:** September 16, 2015, 09:14:54 AM »

Quote from: Stev-o on September 13, 2015, 12:57:19 PM

I love polished aluminum but not a fan of the natural aluminum engines of these Triples.
I now regret not painting the cases, cylinders and heads, may do it one day.

Dude...

Please send me those heads and jugs if they ever have occasion to come off and I will make you happy with them. I'm begging you not to powdercoat a Kaw triple motor. I don't think you'll be happy with it.

The bike looks amazing. You are getting way carried away. I like that, it's one of your finest qualities.

:-)

joeyvans · « **Reply #1094 on:** September 16, 2015, 09:53:13 AM »

Quote from: Stev-o on September 13, 2015, 01:57:27 PM

No, he does Kaw Triples only. Have you tried lubing your cables?

Yeah, new (1000 miles ago) Motion Pro cables.... recently cleaned with WD40, then lubed with Motion Pro cable lube. Helped the speedo bounce, but didn't break free the tach to rise above 5K rpm's. I might try the denatured alcohol trick to get that tach working better.

Sorry Stev-o... I certainly don't want to hack this Kaw thread. When does the H2 build begin?

Stev-o · « **Reply #1095 on:** September 16, 2015, 03:51:55 PM »

Quote from: NobleHops on September 16, 2015, 09:14:54 AM

Quote from: Stev-o on September 13, 2015, 12:57:19 PM

I love polished aluminum but not a fan of the natural aluminum engines of these Triples.
I now regret not painting the cases, cylinders and heads, may do it one day.

Dude...

Please send me those heads and jugs if they ever have occasion to come off and I will make you happy with them. I'm begging you not to powdercoat a Kaw triple motor. I don't think you'll be happy with it.

The bike looks amazing. You are getting way carried away. I like that, it's one of your finest qualities.

Me, getting carried away? Just getting started! Plan to rechome the exhaust this winter!

Ok, decided not to Powder the H2's case, cyl and heads. Plz PM me a price to vapor them.

I spoke to the machine shop today, he is going to bead blast the case [looks real bad] and then bore, I should have them back next week.

Quote from: joeyvans on September 16, 2015, 09:53:13 AM

Quote from: Stev-o on September 13, 2015, 01:57:27 PM
No, he does Kaw Triples only. Have you tried lubing your cables?

Yeah, new (1000 miles ago) Motion Pro cables.... recently cleaned with WD40, then lubed with Motion Pro cable lube. Helped the speedo bounce, but didn't break free the tach to rise above 5K rpm's. I might try the denatured alcohol trick to get that tach working better.

Sorry Stev-o... I certainly don't want to hack this Kaw thread. When does the H2 build begin?

No worries on hacking this thread, let's keep it going! The H2 build has begun...just very slowly. I'll start a separate thred for it in the next week or so.

Stev-o · « **Reply #1096 on:** March 07, 2016, 06:55:03 PM »

Not much has been done to the H2, but the cylinders have been bored and chamfered and bead blasted. Then the cases, cylinders and heads were shipped to Nils for vapor blasting. He talked me out of having them powder coated and so glad I listened...

I found a tank and jumped on it........

The painter currently has the side covers and tail, I should have those back in a couple weeks.

I've been sourcing parts, have the Wiseco pistons, engine gasket, seal kit and tapered bearings for front end.

The frame came to me with fresh powder, and looks great. Plan to start assembly of the motor at my buddy's shop later this month.

Tews19 · « **Reply #1097 on:** March 07, 2016, 06:56:44 PM »

Looks good Stev-o! What color is the tank?

Stev-o · « **Reply #1098 on:** March 07, 2016, 07:01:59 PM »

Wasnt looking to buy another Kaw, but ran across this GPz550 and bought it!

All original, has title, new tires and started right up, once he dropped the price $500, I could not resist! Seller even found a shipper for me, was only $350 to get it here from Ohio.

Crap rainy weather here this week, so have only done a quick spin around the parking lot so far.

What do you guys know about these bikes??

MoMo · « **Reply #1099 on:** March 07, 2016, 07:13:15 PM »

Worked on and rode a few back in the day. Liked them so much I tried to buy one a couple years ago but was outbid. Fast, fairly light weight and nimble. Couldn't say anything bad...Larry

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Author Topic: Yes, a Z1 & H1- unofficial Kawasaki thread - H2 is now a rider!!! (Read 243550 times)