Topic: 1976 H1 project

[74cb750]

Hi All,
I am restoring a 1976 Kawasaki H1.
Got new sidecovers. Now starting with freeing carborators. This is a real pain because the slides have a tendency of welding themselves to the aluminum.

If you want to see some pics, go to
http://www185.pair.com/canukvt/kaw/1976_h1/
peace,
michel

[Zaipai]

Good choice of bikes, it should be killer when you are done. Did you polish those side covers yourself? Can't wait to see it done.

[RRRToolSolutions]

The H1 designation ended in 1975. That is the KH500 - all Kawasaki two stroke street bikes for 1976 got the new names - the KH stood for "Kawasaki Highway". The Z1, Z1A, Z1B also became the KZ900 as did all the four strokes. The 1976 is also the best riding triple ever made in my opinion. Kawasaki spent a lot of money and engineering to re-design the frame. It is the only year that did not need a steering damper. The frame is much better braced and more rigid. That is also the first 500 to have the 1-down/4-up shift pattern. The air snorkle is very restrictive and the jets are down-sized. 8 horsepower on that bike cost less than $20 - just changing the jets and removal of the top lid on the box.

You are going to love it -

Gordon

[74cb750]

Well, I don't have an airbox for it.
Also have many other missing parts  , like good handlebars, shocks and I will have to replace the fork tubes ($179, once I have some $ set aside), make/buy a baffle etc etc.

My brother has offered to have the frame blasted and powder coated for $75! Pretty cheap right? I just need to find a job soon.

I have polished the engine sides myself by hand. What can I say, I have a lot of time on my hands, but no $. My brother in law bought a sand blaster w/ box, and I hope to be able to use it to glass bead the rest of the engine soon.  Will save on expensive elbow grease I'm told.

peace,
michel

[74cb750]

Yeah I know it is a KH500, not an H1, but H1 sounds cooler than KH500. 

[Bodain]

Yea I really wanted to do a 70's Kaw 3 cyclinder a few years ago. So I payed way to much for this...



And shortly made it look like this..




In 1969 the H1 was legendary. Each year after that Kawasaki detuned them. When you get to 74 and up. They were being sold as hiway cruisers and a generally boring ride. The legend had long died. What a disappointment.  Very shortly after finishing it. I traded it straight up for a very rare Ducati Superlite.

[Zaipai]

Yea I really wanted to do a 70's Kaw 3 cyclinder a few years ago. So I payed way to much for this...



And shortly made it look like this..




In 1969 the H1 was legendary. Each year after that Kawasaki detuned them. When you get to 74 and up. They were being sold as hiway cruisers and a generally boring ride. The legend had long died. What a disappointment.  Very shortly after finishing it. I traded it straight up for a very rare Ducati Superlite.

Nice restore on that bike.. You must have been proud if it. I had heard some thing to the effect that you don't want the newer versions of that bike, now I know why.