History
Fully restored to original spec from a wreck with a seized motor. Second bike is a 1971 H1A.
Modifications
Completely stock original
Memories
I started restoring this bike in 1984 and have only recently finished it (two bikes actually). I chose the Kawasaki H1 'Mach III' 500 because of its 'Infamous' reputation. In the day they were the first 'Super-Bike' even before the Honda 750 or Kawasaki 900. They were the fastest production vehicle you could buy, faster than an E-Type Jaguar or Ford Mustang - 12 second 1/4 miles were claimed. Traffic light drags were their specialty.
More riders have crashed these bikes than any other model - hence the 'nick names' - Widow Maker, Triple with the Ripple, White Lightning, Blue Streak, & later models Green Meanies . With a 3 cylinder, 500cc, 60 hp 2 stroke engine, they wail like a Banshee when they come on song at 6000 rpm.....& they scare the "Shi-" out of you. Some crazy owners even added expansion chambers which made them even more 'trigger happy'. They smoked so bad they were eventually banned in California. They had a trail bike frame & only drum brakes - so once you got going, you couldn't turn or stop. The front wheel would come up easily in the first 3 gears and many passengers end up on the bitumen. They had the first CDI ignition system, which was banned in the UK because it upset TV reception and fuel consumption was as bad as a V8. The handling was so bad, Kawasaki fitted 2 steering dampers - a friction & hydraulic type. These things can only be described as fierce and wild - even today. Then Kawasaki built a 750cc version.....
Are you game to ride mine?????????
