This 1975 Kawasaki H1 500 Superbike Is Ripe for Renovation
Motorcycles & ATVs
Motorcycles
The 1975 Kawasaki H1 500, like the one recently offered for sale on eBay, was the last of the original scary-fast two-stroke Kwakers. The following year, Kawasaki reduced the power from 60 horsepower to 52 before ending production of the fabled motorcycle.
Better Power-to-Weight
With the 1969 arrival of Honda’s epoch-making CB750, Kawasaki was concerned that building a comparable four-cylinder, four-stroke machine might fail to impress buyers. Kawasaki’s two-stroke bike had just 60 horsepower compared to the 68 horsepower produced by the CB750.
However, Kawasaki reduced weight by removing camshafts and everything else needed for the motor to fire on every other stroke. Those measures saved 100 pounds, giving Kawasaki the crucial power-to-weight ratio edge.
Kawasaki took things a step further. Its new three-cylinder motor did away with the complex rotary valves of previous two-stroke models, allowing the pistons to control the air-fuel mixture. In addition, nixing a gear-driven alternator made the Kawasaki H1 500 even lighter and more straightforward.
Only the Brave Need Apply
A new breed of motorcyclists hit the road with their H1s, stacking the bike’s epic performance against established British models like the Triumph Bonneville or BSA Super-Rocket. Reviewers achieved a quarter-mile sprint in about 13 seconds and a top speed of around 120 miles per hour.
The Kawasaki H1 500’s reputation as a hard-accelerating machine soon spread throughout the motorcycle world. One reviewer dubbed the H1 a “widowmaker,” a nickname still used to describe the H1’s unpredictability.
Kawasaki arguably moved too fast with H1 production. Its relatively low weight, sudden power delivery, and not-so-sturdy frame earned it a shady reputation. One crucial problem was the rear dampers, which lost oil soon after hitting the streets. Worse still, you might only lose oil from just one of them, which would curse any twin-rear-damper machine with unpredictable handling.
On the other hand, a decent set of aftermarket dampers like those from the celebrated Dutch firm of Koni could vastly improve the rideability of this wheelie machine. Also, modern brake pads could improve stopping power—although the 1975 model for sale on eBay enjoys a front disc setup. Nevertheless, that’s a significant improvement over the earlier H1’s drum brakes.
Ripe for Renovation
This example is a low-mile survivor that has only covered 9,150 miles. Moreover, its frame and engine have matching numbers.
We can see that this 1975 Kawasaki H1 500 needs fresh paint, but any shortcoming in aesthetics does not diminish its impressive capability. Just make sure you have a supply of brave pills before sampling its performance limits.
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This article is meant to provide general guidance only. Automotive maintenance, repair, upgrade, and installation may depend on vehicle-specifics such as make and model. Always consult your owner's manual, repair guide for specific information for your particular vehicle and consider a licensed auto-care professional's help as well, particularly for advance repairs.