Comments on: Kawasaki H1

By: John Farnor

John Farnor — Wed, 15 Dec 2010 19:56:32 +0000

I traded my 1962 BMW R60/2 for a brand new 1970 H1. I wanted to go fast before I got too old (I was 24 . My H1 was an unusual metallic slate black. The riding experience was different than any bike I’ve had before or since. When you first turn the ignition on you could hear a very high pitch electronic whistle which was made by the Solid State Very High Voltage Power Pack. If I recall correctly, you then depressed the rich mixture lever on the left handlebar and kicked once or twice and were greeted by the beautiful, unique sound of the H1. Even idling it sounded great, neither the usual corn popping of a 2 stroke nor the separate bangs of a 4 stroke. Perhaps the lack of a crossover pipe or something else made it sound so different. It was rather cold natured and took a while to be ready to ride. On damp or rainy nights the spark plug wires glowed a lovely purple. The H1 was a very deceptive ride at low speed around town. I had a Honda CL175 which seemed to have more power at low rpms. With more throttle at low revs it was still weak with a tendency to bog. Many times I was embarrassed at stop lights when some guy would jet away unexpectedly on his Bonneville, Sportster or Honda 450, but if I was ready and had the motor to 3500 rpms or above I was unbeatable by anything except maybe a Norton Atlas or Royal Enfield and even then the contest could go either way. I know the H1 was known to have quirky handling but I never pressed it far enough to get in trouble. On one ride I reached an indicated 135 on the speedometer which was probably an actual 125 or so, quite an achievement for a 500 cc with a rider over 200 lbs aboard.
Overall, a great MC and one that I wish I still owned today.

By: Bill

Bill — Fri, 04 Jun 2010 19:14:25 +0000

AMEN brother….bought my ’71 model H-1 when I was 17 and still have it. I’m looking for somebody repitable to rebuild it, can anybody out there help me?

By: JonnyM

JonnyM — Sun, 30 May 2010 01:06:45 +0000

I was young and naive when I bought my Mach III for $500 in ’72. It vibrated and was arduous to handle on twisty roads, but on the straight-aways? Shazaaaam! I can still feel the heart-in-the-throat acceleration when I would take it up to 6,000 rpm in third, then drop a gear and lay it on! In a flash it jumped to 9,000! The other-worldly howl, the sudden rushing forward, the blast of the wind to hurricane speeds, the helmet faceshield mashed against my nose, the blippity telephone poles all made me feel like that scene in the first Star Wars when the Millennium Falcon jumps to light-speed. I’ve never before or since felt the sheer exhilaration of fear and excitement as I did on that bike. Do I hear any “amen”s out there??

By: four-banger-fighter

four-banger-fighter — Thu, 15 Apr 2010 03:48:31 +0000

whooooooeeeeeeeeeYAH!

By: MarcD

MarcD — Mon, 12 Apr 2010 03:29:53 +0000

When released in the U.S. in 1969 they sold for $995.00 U.S. dollars and earned the nick-name of the “995 meet God machine”! Having owned one and living through the experience, I remember the bike fondly but I don’t think I would ever want to ride another one.

By: Evo

Evo — Wed, 31 Mar 2010 15:57:54 +0000

I love the H series. I rode a 750 down to a music festival in a storm – my camping gear was ruined, I was soaked, but the bike didn’t miss a beat the whole way. Great machine!

By: Her Majesty's Thunder

Her Majesty's Thunder — Wed, 31 Mar 2010 13:53:11 +0000

I love the disassembled photo. It makes one realize what little there is to vintage bikes. Makes them seem less daunting when considering a build project.