Topic: So I got to ride a H1 triple last night...

[Shenanigans]

And geeeez is that thing a death trap which I should have know if it came with a stock steering damper. I think those bikes are deserving of their nickname. The power band is ridiculous and breaking traction for the first few times on the rear in second was  but wow is it fun. Realistically how much do ridable or near ridable 750 triples go for?

[scunny]

don't the widows give em away ? 

[Really?]

Yea, it really needs a steering damper if it does not have one.  I bought an H2 about 26 years ago and about 500 yards on the San Diego freeway in California, on my way home with it, I had the biggest wobbles I had ever had in my life.  The tank slappers stopped on the tank and tossed me off at about 70.

Bent the bars back and rode it the next day.  If I hadn't, I would have prolly not gotten back on a bike

Oh but what a thrill it was to ride that bike.

[RRRToolSolutions]

What year was the H1? I actually find them no worse than a lot of other period bikes. The rider got into big trouble when he found himself on the gas too long. They were fast and from 6,000~8,500 had no equal in 1969 and 1970 turning a 12.6 second quater at 110 mph - not bad for a 500.

750? a lot more mildly tuned than the 500. More torque, less hit, less rpm. Still no slouch. Of every muscle bike you could buy in 1973, Superbike magazine said it would "snort, buck, and eat anything you laid at it's feet. Riding one through the 1/4 mile was like a succession of wheelies and growls to go with it". It was the hardest accelerating and best braking production bike in the world in 1973. It beat it's own big brother, the mighty Z1 in everything but comfort and quietness. Modified they are a major handful. With good pipes and porting, power comes on like a speeding car hitting you at an intersection - explosive. You have to love the rush, because you'll never enjoy the ride on a modified one otherwise.

Gordon   

[Shenanigans]

It was a 75 and had a set of after market pipes. I assumed the 750 was the same with the power delivery but was it all the 750s that were a bit mild or just the later ones? To me all the fun is in that hit of power so would all a 750 need is a set of pipes and a port job to wake it up? It took me a second to figure out that the gear order was 5 up too. I have to say that ride has me wanting one bad 

[RRRToolSolutions]

The 750's are faster and more challenging. I didn't mean they weren't "more". It's just that the early 500's made 60 horses and the 750's made just 74. They did not hit the 90 horsepower number that the 33% increase of 500's would have you think. Still they were a handful.

The 75 Mach III was a good handler - the 1976 being the best with it's all-new frame and geometry. Ride a 1969 or 1970 and you'll smile a lot more - when you park it. It's swingarm was 1" shorter, it had drum brakes, and it make the highest horsepower of all the 500's. The 1976 KH500 made 53.

The first 2 years of the 750 had the shrter swingarm. It was lengthened in 1974 for safety and as noise became more scrutinized, the air breather got more restrictive, they plumbed the oil to the 3 carb bowls, - both had some effect on horsepower. By 1975 the power was down to 71. I've got 11 Kawasakis and the 500's are my favorite. They hit harder and higher plus they sound like a dozen freight trains from on top of the seat. The induction howl has always been music to my ears. The H2 comes up - it will wheelie anytime you hit the throttle in first or second and the tach hits 5,000 - there is no way aound it. The H1 (500) will come up if you hold the throttle open in first and partially in 2nd. Of course you can do a compression bump with the front forks (on/off) and the little 500 will show you the sky even in 3rd.

Modified they become a major pain in the butt - good for almost nothing but going straight. I've got one that we're fixing to do the snowmobile reeds conversion to to help make it ridable. Right now, I won't let anyone take it out. It is so unpredictable that my few times down the road with it have taken me closer to total loss of control. A piston port with 150+ horsepower will not go around turns or go up hills and won't do any of those with other bikes in the group. The reeds are supposed to be the answer.

Good luck and have fun. Everyone needs to ride an old Mach III or IV one time to appreciate what we have today.

Gordon

[Shenanigans]

Thanks for the insight Ilbikes. If I did come across one it would only be used as a fun bike and the grid layout of the roads around here would really be perfect. I do like the manners of the CBs on the street. Honestly the idea of a "Barley ridable" bike fascinates me but I know much practical things about 2 stokes.

[RRRToolSolutions]

Let me make a suggestion. Find you a 1976 KH500. They are perfect as a rider for 2 reasons - first they received an extensive frame re-design. The first and only year - Kawasaki was late in seeing the demise of the 500cc. They spent a bunch of money re-designing the front end and frame. It does not need a damper and is the best riding vintage Kawasaki made. It beats my mint KZ900 for comfort and handling - that sweet. It has the 1 down, 4-up shift patter (also a first), it has all the parts to make 60 horses (you just need to pull the snorkle components from the air box. Better is a set of K&N's or Uni's and a set of Spec II's chambers for about $400. Even with the longer swinger, it will do nice burnouts and stand the front up at will. The other reason is they are considered the least collectable (so far, may change). They can be had for few dollars.

Seriously, for a great rider and making smoke - a nice KH500 is my choice. The H2 is going to be expensive to buy and parts are 10 times what the CB750 stuff goes for. So few were made and collectors have been chasing parts for years. Oh, 81-82 horsepower H1's are possible. Wicked porting, put it on a diet, and watch what happens to a 320 lb KH500 with 82 horse specs at 9,000 rpm.

Here are a few pics for your inspiration -

[Really?]

I think you just made a whole lot of people jealous of your garage. 

[RRRToolSolutions]

No need for anyone to be jealous. I'm an old fart of 50 who's kids are grown and finds spending time and a little money on these old bikes a lot more rewarding than spending it on some 25 year old blonde, plastic surgery, hair implants, or exotic sportscar. I don't gamble, don't drink, don't smoke - just love taking old bikes and making them as close to new as I know how. He's 19 and can have anything he wants if he will just take an old fellow's advice - borrow money for only two things. Your house and your car if that car's maker is offering zero %interest. Never buy the small things on credit. Start a 401K NOW and invest the maximum amount each year - and at my age he could retire and have 100 of the coolest bikes of his day, probably afford the blonde, and any hair style he wants. I wish I'd saved more sooner.

Don't be in any hurry to get things. Things will come.

I said inspired, not envy.

[Really?]

You prolly deserve what you have because of how you were able to make the means to have what you have.

I'll change the word from jealous to WOW!   

Getting to old here to heed your advise so maybe I can instill it in my kids.

Thanks for letting me view the gorgeous bikes that you posses!

[squirley]

Where are you located Ibikes? When can I drop my H1 by for an engine rebuild? How about tomarrow?

All kidding aside, great looking collection you have there sir.