Anyone have a kawasaki triple either h1 or h2? Im trying to get my hands on one after reading all excitement of the bike i would like to see if i could find one to buy. Besides that anyone have experience with one and what is your opinion on them and how reliable are they?
Kawasaki triples?
Started by
apoole6
, Apr 19 2012 09:09 PM
26 replies to this topic
Posted 22 April 2012 - 10:03 AM
yellowsnow, on 22 April 2012 - 10:01 AM, said:
I think i am the only one that has one and posted on here. There are several triple forums though. They are getting hard to find. I just got lucky on craigslist.
If you start with a fresh engine. They can be very reliable, if you don't go trying to change port timing or compression. And excessive over revving.
The original crank seals don't last long with all the crap in the fuel now days. The new seals are made of a better substance.
The Kawasaki frame is very light and sometimes scary feeling. Not very sure footed.
It cost $350 to have the crank rebuilt.
The Suzuki GT 380, 550, 750 line of 2 stroke triples is interesting also. They have more mild power delivery than the kawasaki's which is in the bore-stroke and not easy to supe up. The 550 was kind of a let down power wise, but from what i heard the 380 and 750 (water cooled) aren't bad. The 750 (water buffalo) was the first water cooled street bike of the big 4 (Kaw,Hon,Suz,Yam)
The Suzuki's are way easier and cheaper to find.
The pipes are usually shot on the suzuki's, but you can have new, power increasing ones made for around $750.
If you start with a fresh engine. They can be very reliable, if you don't go trying to change port timing or compression. And excessive over revving.
The original crank seals don't last long with all the crap in the fuel now days. The new seals are made of a better substance.
The Kawasaki frame is very light and sometimes scary feeling. Not very sure footed.
It cost $350 to have the crank rebuilt.
The Suzuki GT 380, 550, 750 line of 2 stroke triples is interesting also. They have more mild power delivery than the kawasaki's which is in the bore-stroke and not easy to supe up. The 550 was kind of a let down power wise, but from what i heard the 380 and 750 (water cooled) aren't bad. The 750 (water buffalo) was the first water cooled street bike of the big 4 (Kaw,Hon,Suz,Yam)
The Suzuki's are way easier and cheaper to find.
The pipes are usually shot on the suzuki's, but you can have new, power increasing ones made for around $750.
Edited by yellowsnow, 22 April 2012 - 10:09 AM.
Posted 22 April 2012 - 04:34 PM
There is also the s2 which is a ill 350 my dad has one that's a 72 and of course it's the h1 little brother...and he picked it up for 300 bucks
Posted 22 April 2012 - 04:52 PM
apoole6, on 19 April 2012 - 09:09 PM, said:
Anyone have a kawasaki triple either h1 or h2? Im trying to get my hands on one after reading all excitement of the bike i would like to see if i could find one to buy. Besides that anyone have experience with one and what is your opinion on them and how reliable are they?
Posted 23 April 2012 - 04:33 AM
Just recently picked up a 72 H2, bike is salvageable but needs work. Engine has good compression, missing random parts like the stator, kick starter most of which I have already found on ebay. I Plan on making a cafe racer. Would post a pic but haven't taken the time to figure that out.
Posted 23 April 2012 - 09:40 AM
scalejockey, on 22 April 2012 - 04:52 PM, said:
The main thing i remember is once the "primitive" CDI is dead it's a dead bike. The points are a pain but last forever.Not sure what years have points...
http://www.lakeserv.net/kaw/
Posted 27 July 2012 - 07:38 AM
A little late to the party on this thread. I have a fairly complete collection of tripples in varing states of restoration (from full on resto, to untouched ridable, and some that run but need work to be "road ready"
I have found them to be as reliable as any other bike from the time period (and I have other bikes that were direct competition of the time period) Most bikes have the points type ignitions which if the gap is kept in check over the life of the points, I have never had a bike leave me on the side of the road. Performance is subjective, power is pretty peaky compared to other 2 stroke street bikes. Handleing is scary because the engines make a bit more power than the chassis can handle. IMO the 350 and 400 are the best "all around" bike. Those ride/handle well, stop well, and have the get up and go because they are so light. IMO the 750 is a stinker when compared to the 500 as it really doesn't feel much faster and is a lot heavier, it stops marginally better, however the 74 500 seems to be the year that technology (mostly braking) could keep up with the engine performance, but then the KZ1000 and KZ900 just took things to the next level along with Honda's and Yamaha's offerings.
I wish I had better and updated pics as some bikes in the pics are now either restored or rideable/legal "cosmetic" restoration process.
1969 H1 (500)
1973 S2 (350)
The bike before the tripples
1968 A7SS (350 rotary valve twin) Avenger
A few others 2 of wich are now in ridable condition.
Some Kawasaki Big Horn's in this lot (350 rotary valve single)
1974 H1 (500) now in ridable condition but still needs some cosmetics
Just for parts
I have found them to be as reliable as any other bike from the time period (and I have other bikes that were direct competition of the time period) Most bikes have the points type ignitions which if the gap is kept in check over the life of the points, I have never had a bike leave me on the side of the road. Performance is subjective, power is pretty peaky compared to other 2 stroke street bikes. Handleing is scary because the engines make a bit more power than the chassis can handle. IMO the 350 and 400 are the best "all around" bike. Those ride/handle well, stop well, and have the get up and go because they are so light. IMO the 750 is a stinker when compared to the 500 as it really doesn't feel much faster and is a lot heavier, it stops marginally better, however the 74 500 seems to be the year that technology (mostly braking) could keep up with the engine performance, but then the KZ1000 and KZ900 just took things to the next level along with Honda's and Yamaha's offerings.
I wish I had better and updated pics as some bikes in the pics are now either restored or rideable/legal "cosmetic" restoration process.
1969 H1 (500)
1973 S2 (350)
The bike before the tripples
1968 A7SS (350 rotary valve twin) Avenger
A few others 2 of wich are now in ridable condition.
Some Kawasaki Big Horn's in this lot (350 rotary valve single)
1974 H1 (500) now in ridable condition but still needs some cosmetics
Just for parts
Posted 27 July 2012 - 03:01 PM
Had a 71 H1 that I rebuilt the motor on. As reliable as any bike I have ever had and a blast to ride straight. Turns, eh, not so much. Frame was way too flexy for the hp. Mine had disc brakes, so it stopped fine. Wish I hadn't sold it. Would live to plug that motor into a late model sport bike frame and have fun!
Posted 01 August 2012 - 10:42 PM
Wow the junk man is holding out on us 
I have a plan for every one of those lovely bikes 
I have a plan for every one of those lovely bikes
Posted 06 August 2012 - 11:23 PM
I think my next 2 stroke will be one of the smaller ones. Like 350cc ish with a super moto like conversion.(dirt bike front and rear assemblies). Something really light. 
Now just for the economy to pick up for that to happen....
Now just for the economy to pick up for that to happen....
Posted 07 August 2012 - 02:49 PM
I'd like that KZ 750 twin in the pic too. Would make an awesome street tracker!
Posted 07 August 2012 - 03:07 PM
I have a complete H1 500. It's brown and all stock down to the air box and pipes. It's fun to ride but I don't ride it much.
Posted 21 August 2012 - 07:05 AM
Yes it is a 1974 KZ400, yes lackluster in terms of performance but a great all around comfortable bike (for a bike of that era). I put 60,000 miles on it after the restore. It is about to tick over 100,000 miles. I bought the thing for $75 with title at a farm auction many years ago and restored it many years ago. It was fairly complete.
Posted 16 September 2012 - 06:40 AM
Well I got my 500 out, fired it up and went to a local bike night. What a bust, it was just a park my HD and drink night. Had fun riding the old iron though.
Posted 16 September 2012 - 07:13 AM
That is usually how those "bike night" events go. That is why I have not gone to one in a long time. Its not the "real" riders that come out.
Posted 16 September 2012 - 08:23 AM
I was not realy suprised but I went to one at another place, soft drinks only, and there were lots of people there walking around looking at the bikes. The one I posted about there was not anyone in the parking lot. Just a lot full of HD and all the riders in a open area. I thought the first one was a good time. I'm not bad mouthing HD just posting what I saw.
