About to start up an H1 after 15 years in storage

[iaingsx1300r]

Finally decided to wheel out the H1e500 that has been stored for the last 15-years and attempt to fire it up. The motor turns over on the kickstart ok and it has been stored with clean engine oil, oil down the bores etc. I plan to drain and replace the oil/filter before starting and again straight after it is warm (presuming it starts).
Can anyone see an issue with this? Is there a possibility that the crankcase seals and or other case seals may have perished to such a degree that they may damage the engine.

Appreciate any thoughts on this.

[Crasherfromwayback]

Finally decided to wheel out the H1e500 that has been stored for the last 15-years and attempt to fire it up. The motor turns over on the kickstart ok and it has been stored with clean engine oil, oil down the bores etc. I plan to drain and replace the oil/filter before starting and again straight after it is warm (presuming it starts).
Can anyone see an issue with this? Is there a possibility that the crankcase seals and or other case seals may have perished to such a degree that they may damage the engine.

Appreciate any thoughts on this.

I'd be surprised if the crank seals weren't fucked after 15 years.

[iaingsx1300r]

I'd be surprised if the crank seals weren't fucked after 15 years.

Do I interpret that as " no, dont do it without first splitting the cases and replacing all the seals"?

[HenryDorsetCase]

Do I interpret that as " no, dont do it without first splitting the cases and replacing all the seals"?

suck it and see. whats the worst that can happen?

[skippa1]

Im looking out the window and I can see a shit load of blue smoke and can hear the sound of a thousand tin cans with marbles in them rolling down the road. You live in Onehunga and got it going didnt you?

[Crasherfromwayback]

Do I interpret that as " no, dont do it without first splitting the cases and replacing all the seals"?


suck it and see. whats the worst that can happen?

By all means see if it fires up. Just be careful when running it.

[iaingsx1300r]

Im looking out the window and I can see a shit load of blue smoke and can hear the sound of a thousand tin cans with marbles in them rolling down the road. You live in Onehunga and got it going didnt you?

Ah fond memories.....but not me however!
I'm yet to take that final step and fire her up so I can experience the wonders of 15 years past

[kiwifruit]

Video it!

This is my old H1A, not long before a big meltdown:

<iframe width="420" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/dSObU00yp0c" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

[Crasherfromwayback]

Video it!

This is my old H1A, not long before a big meltdown:

>

Sound great don't they!

[GrayWolf]

Do I interpret that as " no, dont do it without first splitting the cases and replacing all the seals"?

you could 'try' a bit of 'black magic'.. spray a silicon/seal lube into the crankcase and let it soak for several hours.. (would mean removing the top end) then turn it gently and slowly over by hand for several revolutions.... Likelihood is though, they will have hardened anyway and will likely fail sooner or later. As long as the rings arent stuck etc, the obvious sign is that it wont tick over properly, and/or run lean as the crankcase seals themselves are allowing air into the crankcase chamber. Remember there are seals between each cylinder as well.

Good luck, if it's a 500e? it isnt an 'H1'... H1, H1a, H1b, and some H1c are the 'originals', H1e is stamped on the motor, H1f on the frame E=engine F=frame. If it has a 'tail piece' disc brakes, and shows signs of factory produced 'triangulation plates' welded into the frame? it's a later or KH500, the porting was also revised in the later models, losing about 15mph to the mach 3 proper. There was also a mid 70's 500 that had mach 111 on the side panels, just to add confusion, it was known as the KH500 in England. the very earlt H1/H1a have a small plastic pipe on the outside of the oiltank as a 'level sighter'.. they also have a slab sided tank very similar in design to the Avenger/Samuri 2t's that preceded them. The later 'softer' tuned had the smooth sculpted fuel tanks. However just to add MORE confusion the H1c had some 'leftover' h1a/b motors fitted, as well as the 'softer tuned' version that replaced it.
Early models have a straight exhaust, the later ones have the well known 'riser' pipe design.

[GrayWolf]

[QUOTE=kiwifruit;1130503490]Video it!

This is my old H1A, not long before a big meltdown:


BASTARD, you just gave an old man WOOD!

[iaingsx1300r]

Thanks guys. I will go ahead this Saturday and give it a go as it stands (being gentle of course)! For the records it is a H1E.
I plan to take a few pics and maybe a vid if it fires up - cheers

[HenryDorsetCase]

Video it!

This is my old H1A, not long before a big meltdown:

You're single, right?

[kiwifruit]

maybe a vid if it fires up - cheers

Roll the video from the first attempt!


You're single, right?

Yes :cool:

[MD]

[QUOTE=kiwifruit;1130503490]Video it!

This is my old H1A, not long before a big meltdown:


BASTARD, you just gave an old man WOOD!

+1

You just gota love those 70s big bore two strokes. The Kawasaki 750, what a legend. The waterbottle, the Yammy RD400. Such memories.

[jim.cox]

those 70s big bore two strokes. The Kawasaki 750, what a legend. The waterbottle, the Yammy RD400. Such memories.

Those flexi frames

Those crappy brakes

That dreadful handling

That fuel consumption

Yeah - I remember

:)

[SPman]

Those flexi frames

Those crappy brakes

That dreadful handling

That fuel consumption

Yeah - I remember

:)

The smokescreens!

[iaingsx1300r]

You're single, right?

I've learnt to fall / slide / tuumble in a safe fashion (mandatory after owning 5 of these critters in the past). I just hope that skill does not elude me after all of these years.......

[Akzle]

You're single, right?

you're offering.?! :eek::whistle:

[HenryDorsetCase]

you're offering.?! :eek::whistle:

Not so much. i was just imagining the domestic consequences of first parking a bike in the lounge then firing it up and running it. SWMBO would not be amused

[GSF]

You're single, right?

Fuck Glade, Castrol R is this man's home fragrance of choice.


Video it!

This is my old H1A, not long before a big meltdown:

Did your landlord bail you up for smoking inside the house?

[AllanB]

Give it some stick mate.

I'd avoid riding on 15 year old tyres ....................................

[GrayWolf]

Those flexi frames

Those crappy brakes

That dreadful handling

That fuel consumption

Yeah - I remember

:)

leaving everything else behind in a blue haze

the howl of a 2T coming on song

the 'respect' just owning a kwaka gained, in any group

the thrill every corner held, and the smile after 'safely' negotiating it

the joy of crossing cat's eyes at speed, and not being able to cross back again

and the final thrill some years later, watching some dumbass spotty young tosser who had bought an old 500 as they were cheap, give it a handful at Boxhill (UK) to show off to the crowd, and flip the fucker over :tugger:

[iaingsx1300r]

Fired the old girl up today. The two outside cylinders fired up nicely but the centre proved uncooperative. A few issues namely persished seals in the petcock and carb float bowls suggested that testing for a spark may be unwise so we left the electrical possibilities alone. We found that the bike ran fairly well for about 10-20 seconds at a resonable idle but then it just 'took off' ie the revs shot up for no apparent reason.
Each restart experienced the same result - initial stable idle but then a uncontrolled increase in revs.
Tinkered with the card slides, idle settings etc but in the end called it a day.
Anyone with ideas as to why this is occuring?

[Crasherfromwayback]

Fired the old girl up today. The two outside cylinders fired up nicely but the centre proved uncooperative. A few issues namely persished seals in the petcock and carb float bowls suggested that testing for a spark may be unwise so we left the electrical possibilities alone. We found that the bike ran fairly well for about 10-20 seconds at a resonable idle but then it just 'took off' ie the revs shot up for no apparent reason.
Each restart experienced the same result - initial stable idle but then a uncontrolled increase in revs.
Tinkered with the card slides, idle settings etc but in the end called it a day.
Anyone with ideas as to why this is occuring?

Got yourself an air leak from somewhere I'm guessing.

[iaingsx1300r]

Got yourself an air leak from somewhere I'm guessing.

Cheers - any ideas where the most likely spots are or are we talking crank seals?

[Crasherfromwayback]

Cheers - any ideas where the most likely spots are or are we talking crank seals?

Could be anywhere obviously. Get a can of CRC engine start...spray it round various ares. When the thing goes mental you've found your leak! Maybe base gsk surfaces...inlet rubbers etc. Could be why the centre cyl is having issues...cntr crank seal. Can't remember what type they are...labyrinth seals or what.

[ellipsis]

...do yourself a favour and one of the most beautiful jappy classics ever, a break...strip the carbs, and you know without questioning that the crank seals are fucked...for fuck all money , if you cant be fucked doing it yourself, someone else will, change the seals, fix the air leaks in the intakes and make the poor unfortunates that cant have one of these , breathe easy...

[98tls]

Those flexi frames

Those crappy brakes

That dreadful handling

That fuel consumption

Yeah - I remember

:)

Had the misfortune to ride a 500 from Kaikoura to Parnassus with no front brakes at all when a young fella,think it was about then that i was always going to love V Twins and engine braking....

[iaingsx1300r]

...do yourself a favour and one of the most beautiful jappy classics ever, a break...strip the carbs, and you know without questioning that the crank seals are fucked...for fuck all money , if you cant be fucked doing it yourself, someone else will, change the seals, fix the air leaks in the intakes and make the poor unfortunates that cant have one of these , breathe easy...

Came to the same conclusion. I have rebuilt a ton of these back in the '80's but my heart is no longer in it so the bike will be put up for sale as is where is for someone to do exactly what you suggest. As a matter of interest, the carbs were the first thing I stripped and cleaned hence the relatively simple startup after 20+ years.
You can now breathe easy.

[ellipsis]

...'ow much'...

[Macontour]

WOW that is one beautifully maintained bike. Looks fantastic!

[iaingsx1300r]

...'ow much'...

Not sure...probably 3.5k plus......
However, I'm old school and a firm believer in honesty so note the following:
Registration lapsed circa '89 but we have been told it can be re registered as a classic for a reasonable amount
No battery
Starts and runs without too much fuss but #2 cylinder is not doing its thing and then the air leak kicks in
Tyres are 23years old and flat and without doubt buggered
Petrol leaking from the petcock and the carb float gaskets require replacement
Front forks have pitting and require new oil/seals
Front brake cleaned, bleed and operational (by H1 standards)
Right hand pipes ok but rash to the left hand pipe
Paint work really good nick
No indicators
Repair manual included
Engine was rebuilt (top end) with Wisco kit and rebore 1-month before going in hibernation. Crank seals were also done at that time and crank checked by Laurie Summers
Clock states 27700 miles but that appears optimistic

Somethings to digest.....................

[iaingsx1300r]

Additional pictures attached (the startup vid we took today is in AVI and will need to be converted)

[Crasherfromwayback]

I'd buy it if I had the spare coin!

[ktm84mxc]

Good looking H1 or is it a KH500 circa 74-77 , still a great bike to own and ride.

[iaingsx1300r]

Good looking H1 or is it a KH500 circa 74-77 , still a great bike to own and ride.

Cheers - Its a 1973 H1E for sure. Needs a few items before it will be ready to ride though :-)

[pete376403]

Lovely - there was one of those sitting in the bike shop when I bought my F9 Bighorn ($1169 new, inc ORC - things are a little different now)

I lusted after the H1 but wanted a trail bike.

Love the proper Kawasaki green, pretty close to my '08 KLR650

[iaingsx1300r]

We have decided to list the bike on Trademe so those with the time and/or inclination can restore it to its former glory - see Listing #: 592454134

[rok-the-boat]

Bike will start and run OK but if you ride it the ening will probably blow up soon due to naff hardened crankcase seals. If the engine is racing it means you have an airleak and that will seize it up too. Be careful. Best to rebuild it. Tricky with two centre crank seals I guess.

[Jjgres]

Probably needs new seals. Maybe try changing the outside seals. They are easiest to do and the air might be coming in from them. You have to take the crank apart for the inside seals (I think) and those will leak between cylinders but not that fast.

I don't know if the inside seals are as critical. My old 2T Mercury inline 6 outboard had no rubber seals between the cylinders. Just a labyrinth-type that slowed the gases down a bit.

[gammaguy]

Finally decided to wheel out the H1e500 that has been stored for the last 15-years and attempt to fire it up. The motor turns over on the kickstart ok and it has been stored with clean engine oil, oil down the bores etc. I plan to drain and replace the oil/filter before starting and again straight after it is warm (presuming it starts).
Can anyone see an issue with this? Is there a possibility that the crankcase seals and or other case seals may have perished to such a degree that they may damage the engine.

Appreciate any thoughts on this.

Yup....I can see a major issue there

Your going to spend a loooong time looking for the oil filter

[Conquiztador]

Yup....I can see a major issue there

Your going to spend a loooong time looking for the oil filter

You will find it next to the water pump.

[TLDV8]

Laurie Summers.

Have not heard that name for a long time,I brought a 1974 S1B off them in 1977,a few years later it was a H2B from Mollers.

<a href="http://photobucket.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://i30.photobucket.com/albums/c345/manurewa/H2B.jpg" border="0" alt="Kawasaki H2B in 1983. photo H2B.jpg"/></a>

[TLDV8]

http://www.bikeexif.com/kawasaki-h1-valtoron