About to start up an H1 after 15 years in storage

**ellipsis** · 13th April 2013, 19:43

...'ow much'...

**Macontour** · 13th April 2013, 19:45

WOW that is one beautifully maintained bike. Looks fantastic!

**iaingsx1300r** · 13th April 2013, 19:59

Originally Posted by ellipsis

...'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** · 13th April 2013, 20:11

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

**Crasherfromwayback** · 14th April 2013, 12:16

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

**ktm84mxc** · 15th April 2013, 14:11

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

**iaingsx1300r** · 15th April 2013, 19:13

Originally Posted by ktm84mxc

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** · 15th April 2013, 19:35

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** · 12th May 2013, 17:24

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** · 6th June 2013, 20:02

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** · 13th June 2013, 00:34

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** · 13th June 2013, 00:59

Originally Posted by 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.

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

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