Kwakisaki Mach 3?

[Biff]

Anybody here ever brave enough to ride one of these animals? Sometimes referred to as the Kawasaki Kamakazi, if memory serves me correct they were available in 500 and 750cc vesrions. Triples. Two strokes as well I think. Nasty, evil machines. The most violent power band I've ever encountered. I think I recall that they were actually banned form being sold in some countries.

Or am I talking shite agin?

[bugjuice]

my bike often travels at mach2.. mach 3 is just out of reach, but only just..
bring it on!!

pics of said bike?

[Sniper]

I have heard of them and believe they are farking dangerous!!!!!!

[Biff]

my bike often travels at mach2.. mach 3 is just out of reach, but only just..
bring it on!!

pics of said bike?

I just Googled, and I was right - they did exist. And it looks just as I remember it. Looks tame enough - but an absolute bitch to ride safely and smoothly.

There's one on here

http://www.motorbikes.be/en/Kawasaki...0III%20H%201D/

[bugjuice]

nearly as much torque as hp.. and a drum rear brake and single solid disc at the front.. stopping isn't really the aim, is it..??

[zadok]

I think they were called 'widow makers' as well. Could fair fly, but couldn't handle. Example pic attached (mach IV).

[Fart]

A nice retro looking bike.

[Paul in NZ]

You are talking shite...

The mach III was the 500cc triple, the H2 was the 750. There were 250cc and 400cc versions.

A mate had the early 'sculptured tank' model with drum brake which was the most fearsome of the lot... It was OK and nowhere near as bad as people made out as long as you were semi sensible.

Where it went horribly wrong was when blokes jumped off their speed twins onto these things and they had to be ridden differently. The front brake actually worked and would stand you up in a bend. Worst thing ever was hitting the power band cranked over into the hospital beand around Hagley Park... Oh Lordy, I saw the angels....

Given decent tyres and aftermarket rear shocks the handling was not really any worse than anything else of the era (that I rode)...

As time when by they got heavier and tamer and easier to ride.

They had the reputation though... "Do you know that of the first 14 imported there have been 11 accidents' sort of crap. Good reading but not based on fact..

Hard to restore now as the cycle parts / electronics etc seem very expensive...

Wonderful wondeful machines though! Mad as a scuba divers wet suit lined with Deep heat.... japanese just copiests? Nah! They were glorious!

Paul N

ps - 750 was much more civilised and very fast. More torque seemed to make it less manic

[vifferman]

A nice retro looking bike.

That's because it IS retro.

[vifferman]

The mach III was the 500cc triple, the H2 was the 750. There were 250cc and 400cc versions.
It was OK and nowhere near as bad as people made out as long as you were semi sensible.
Given decent tyres and aftermarket rear shocks the handling was not really any worse than anything else of the era (that I rode)...

Probably quite true. Apart from a vicious powerband on the 500, none of them were that bad. Oh - apart from the noise they made...

My sister's boyfriend had a 250; the brother of a friend of mine had the 400, and a pillock at my school had the 500. He used to crash it nearly every week, but a lot of that was that it was his first bike, and he used to fall over manoeuvering at low speeds and that sort of thing. It took his next bike (Z1) before he managed to hospitalise himself.

I regret I never had the opportunity to ride any of the Kawasaki triples...

[Big Dave]

I didn't think they were as bad as their reputation either.

Problem back then was that you could go and get one on your learners permit - there were no size or power restrictions.
And when they hit the power band they were VERY wild. Inexperience killed more Mach 3 riders than the 'hinged frame' I suspect.
Scared the shit out of me first time it 'came on' but i was experienced enough to be facing the right way when it happened. Have friends who were not so - and payed.


Pukekohe last weekend:

[James Deuce]

S2 & S3 were great fun.

[zadok]

You are talking shite...It was OK and nowhere near as bad as people made out as long as you were semi sensible.
Worst thing ever was hitting the power band cranked over into the hospital bend around Hagley Park... Oh Lordy, I saw the angels....

Geez......tell us what you really think. Semi sensible......
It seems like the two stroke was just too powerfull for the frame construction of the time.

[eliot-ness]

First model came out in 68. 60bhp, By 76 the power had been reduced to 52bhp. more in line with it's handling capabilities. The 750 Mach four followed with 74bhp and 130mph plus a slightly improved frame. Rocket ships at that time but never handled well.

[phantom]

Phil Turnbull Suzuki in Palmie have got one on display in the showroom , along with a couple of D.O.T. scramblers, half a dozen Bantams and other olde worlde bikes. I think they all belong to Phil, was talking to him the other day and as he has sold the business they are all going to have to go. Hope they go to someone who will look after them.