Topic: Who knows about vintage Kawasakis?

[Wykydtron]

Well last night one of my coworkers informs me that his neighbor "a really old guy" has an old Kawasaki he wants to get rid of for $200-$300 bucks or so and wonders if I might be interested.  I ask him to tell me more, he says its a 2 stroke triple.  "Hell yes Im interested!" I say, since I imediately assume its an H1 or and H2 and I ask him the size.  He says the old man tells him its a 900...   He also says its a 69 and knows this for sure since he saw it on the frame.  Im unaware of any 2 stroke Kaws of that year that are a 900...or any Kaw 900 2 smokers for that matter.  He says its all there and has sat in a garage for many years.  The old man layed it down years ago and parked it.  Has a hole in the clutch case from laying it down but thats the only major damage.  At any rate Im gonna have a look at it cuz if its an H1 or especially and H2,  Ill be getting a hell of a deal!  What should I look for when I see it.  Not real familiar with 2 strokes.

[tazzmann]

Not sure about the H1's and H2's, but I know who is. Go over to http://www.cyclemadness.com. There are several guys over there who are VERY knowledgeable about those bikes.

[flatblack]

You don't want that bike. I'll come collect it for you and your coworker's neighbor...

 

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[jeepurz]

If its a 69 its a 500 no 900 2 strokes were made, 500  had the best et of its day 12.9 in quarter, 750 tripple came next my dad bought a new one , they were faster. any shape 200-300 is a buy, there was a 750 on ebay 1973 restored that went for 15K. unbelievable. they made a 250 350 500 750 3 cyl 2 strk.

[grumburg]

Appears even the 67-69 w650 twins (first British twin knockoff) are collectible.

[Ibsen]

The first prototype of a Kawasaki inline four was made in 1968/1969. It was a 750, and they had planned to launch it in 1970. But when Honda launched the CB750 in 69, Kawasaki ditched the 750 and started to work on the 900 concept. This project got the development code T103. The first prototype of the 900 was ready for testing in 1971, and the first mass production model was ready in 1972. The Z1 was first introduced for the US customers in September 1972.

In 1969 Kawasaki had two road models available that was larger than 250ccm, the Meguro developed Kawasaki W650 twin a bike that was accused for being a copy of the BSA A10, and the 500 Mach III triple.

[Jeff.Saunders]

Most of the two-stroke triples are collectable - although only the H1 / H2 have large dollars associated with them.  It's still fairly easy to find triples - the snag is they often need rebuilding - and this gets expensive.  The cost of rebuilding a crank with bearings, rods and seals, together with pistons and rings is far more than many of the small triples are worth.

Generally the two-strokes don't withstand abuse very well - and they are a bike that has to be ridden hard...  20,000 miles on a Kawasaki triple is about the max for most of them.  You will occasionally see one with higher mileage, but they are rare.

I've walked away from some S2 (350cc triples) and S3 (400cc triples) even though the price was only in the $500-$750 range.  H1's however do bring some good money - either complete or in parts.  I had an H1 engine here and the engine alone sold for well over $500 (it was very nice condition).

[dusterdude]

jeff,glad you`re here.sorry to hijack this thread fellows,but here goes.jeff,there is a thread goin on now talking about carb issues and it was brought to run your twin mikunis,there was an issue raised about airflow.it seems there are concerns about pants legs causing an airflow issue around the entrance to the carbs,especially on stock framed bikes.any thoughts?

[BobbyR]

1. I know a guy that has one of those 2 stroke Kawis. The word is fast like you would not believe. Crotch Rocket fast.

2. The only thing I can think of concerning carbs and airflow is if you look at the stock airbox, it draws air from the bottom rear of the box. The box  is behind your legs and the intake is in what looks like a "quiet area" above the engine case. I work with Japanese Engineers so I would not be surprised if they did some airflow studies on the bike. The other thing I can tell you about the Japanese, you will never find an extra part. They build well but they are very cost conscious. If they could have stuck on some POD things, it would have been cheaper and they would have done it.

[gar]

Well last night one of my coworkers informs me that his neighbor "a really old guy" has an old Kawasaki he wants to get rid of for $200-$300 bucks or so and wonders if I might be interested.  I ask him to tell me more, he says its a 2 stroke triple.  "Hell yes Im interested!" I say, since I imediately assume its an H1 or and H2 and I ask him the size.  He says the old man tells him its a 900...   He also says its a 69 and knows this for sure since he saw it on the frame.  Im unaware of any 2 stroke Kaws of that year that are a 900...or any Kaw 900 2 smokers for that matter.  He says its all there and has sat in a garage for many years.  The old man layed it down years ago and parked it.  Has a hole in the clutch case from laying it down but thats the only major damage.  At any rate Im gonna have a look at it cuz if its an H1 or especially and H2,  Ill be getting a hell of a deal!  What should I look for when I see it.  Not real familiar with 2 strokes.

You may know by now....but the two-stroke triples are 750's or 500's.  The 900s are the Z1 4cyl 4cycle engines.  They are awesome bikes.  I owned a 750 2-cycle triple.  It was quick....also very noisy.  I was acquainted with a guy who had probably 8 triples and 5 Z1s.  The 900s were his faves, and I concur.  They look BAD (that is, good :-)  and are very fast.  They too are classics.  Good luck!  BTW I'm inclined to agree with other posts here.... Higher mileage on the bike, e.g. 20K is probably at the limits of this bike's life cycle.

[RRRToolSolutions]

Hello. I don't know if you still are looking for some help or ID information, but I'd be glad to help if I can. I have 11 Kawasakis currently which includes several restored H2's, H1's, and an A7 Avenger. These are like money in the bank, but a word of warning - if you're fixing it as a casual rider and need parts beware that the cost of parts is extremely high. Collectors are buying up parts like crazy and have been for 3-4 years now. Just in 3 years I've seen some parts go up 500% on EBay. These were fast bikes and most people who owned them were not into daily transportation - they were flogged, abused, wrecked, and then put outside to rust/rot away. Kawasaki dealers returned their un-sold parts for 75% refund credit many years ago. The price to restore one to original can easily exceed $10,000 in just parts alone.

It is one segment of bikes though that are expected to grow in value. In fact, England allows certain "collectables" to be qualified as "retirement investments" for those chosing to invest in non-interest funds. this includes several years of automobiles, paintings, ect. The early H1 and H2 were approved for investment last year.

Anyway, I'd be glad to help in any way I can.

Regards,
Gordon

[jeepurz]

good info ibike I had no idea they did a parts buyback, wonder why there so pricey now I know.  ebay has driven parts bikes and accessories through the roof , but it sure makes it easier, forums are the best way in my opinion to find parts needed.

[spitfire]

The H1 Mach 111 Kawasaki was a rocket in a straight line but does not take kindly to going around bends, I bought one new in 1970 (see attached poor quality photo) one of the original white ones with CDI and drum front brake, I also spent some time on a 350 Avenger, which was a great bike, on a twisty road it was faster from A to B than the Mach 111 but not as exciting (read scary).

Cheers

Den

[RRRToolSolutions]

Here is my red 1970 H1. It shared the same glory as the 1969 for being the "fastest production vehicle you could buy in 1969/1970". No car or bike could touch it for 2 years. I am not so critical of the handling as most. What I find is that if you hit the corner and 5,500 rpm at the same time - bad things could happen. The front brakes are horrible and this bike really needed the upgrade to disc if any did.

The Avenger is different animal. Mine is the 2nd one I've ever seen. They are a hoot when people see one and try to locate the carburettors. The rotary valve induction makes for some nice low end and it would outrun the Honda, Suzuki, and Yamaha 350's all day long.

[jeepurz]

seems to me old rotary valve kaw dirt bikes we would mod the disc, I think it was f sereies enduros, dang cant remember how we did it now, but I think we filed the open port on the disc?? sound right ? that was a while ago.

[mrbreeze]

Sweet collection Ilbikes.....I used to run a couple of Z bikes back in the 80's.I would love to get another one but was unaware of the scarcity of parts. I had a 74 Z1 and a 77 1000 LTD. They were a blast!!!!!

[RRRToolSolutions]

Mr. Breeze, where do you live? I've got a friend that just picked-up a running 1974 Z1. It's got fresh rings, new pistons, stock bore for $2,000 out the door. I don't have room for it and there is nothing in my collection I'm willing to get rid of to make the room.

I'd be happy to put you guys together.

Regards,
gordon

[mrbreeze]

I'd bet that if I rode it,I'd have to own it!! I live in California. It don't matter....I don't think I would buy something that I couldn't find parts for.I would love to have a few old Brit bikes also but I am not a collector......I would take them out and thrash them so I would eventually need parts & pieces.I better stick with my 750.....I know i can get parts......(AT least for now!!!!)

[Ted Nomura]

Original H1 prototype had a different gas tank which looked like slimmed down 650 W1/W2 units, painted in gold (I assume) with large white stripe on top. Front fender was painted too in white with gold or red srtripe. Side cover had thin white stripes around with hand-written type side badges.
Early 1970 Kawasaki DOHC 750 (MV type engine) mock-up built in Santa Ana, CA also used early drum-braked front units, Z1R type tank (painted in gold) and four mufflers (later four into two units).
I wish Kawasaki would bring back the H1 styled retros, just like the modern Mustang, Camero and Challenger cars.

[Retro Rocket]

Original H1 prototype had a different gas tank which looked like slimmed down 650 W1/W2 units, painted in gold (I assume) with large white stripe on top. Front fender was painted too in white with gold or red srtripe. Side cover had thin white stripes around with hand-written type side badges.
Early 1970 Kawasaki DOHC 750 (MV type engine) mock-up built in Santa Ana, CA also used early drum-braked front units, Z1R type tank (painted in gold) and four mufflers (later four into two units).
I wish Kawasaki would bring back the H1 styled retros, just like the modern Mustang, Camero and Challenger cars.

Mick

[kirkn]

Wow!  Talk about ressurecting a dead thread - from October 2006!!