Kawasaki H1 - 500cc triple

**Shaun** · 13th October 2008, 06:57

Very first road bike I ever road. Got on one in Patea when I was 10 years old, the owner held the bike for me, ( As I could not touch the road) STILL CANNOT. I had only ever once ridden a scooter before riding this bike on the street around Patea

Thanks to Ron Roach the local Police man, for just Kicking my arse when he stopped me! DOH

**CJ750** · 25th October 2008, 21:49

While I went to MTI in the late 70's a lot of people were falling off their 2 stroke kwakas. A guy by the name of Greg Aldridge(I think thats right) had one that was hotter than a very hot thing with carbs that could suck seagulls out of the sky and 3 expansion chambers. He used to ride the fuckin wheels off of it. I think that they used to kill people that didnt treat them right. When Greg hopped on his, he was the boss and the bike knew it. I wonder if he is still alive............................................. ........

**Madmax** · 26th October 2008, 10:28

the H1s had a left or right hand option for the gear change
and all up or all down

**Lord Derosso** · 26th October 2008, 10:59

I remember having a mate with a H2 750 and I had the original GS750. circa 1980 I also remember the smoke and the smell. ( quite pleasant actually ). Another mate had a Sukie GT500 or 550 triple? which was quite a dag to ride. I see the odd examples of these been sold and they bring back so many memories , it is really so long ago? I had a chat to a guy on a waterbus GT750 a few months back and funny enough a taxi driver just yesterrday was telling me that when he was 19 he brought a waterbus brand new for $1950 in the early 70's. Its great to meet the older riders whom have given up bikes due to various reasons but still can tell stories about their riding days and the bikes they had.

**Lord Derosso** · 28th October 2008, 19:13

Seemed a worthwhile thread dying B4 its time.

**CHOPPA** · 28th October 2008, 21:47

I had a tour around the kawasaki head office today and there was one there looking like brand new!

**BMWST?** · 28th October 2008, 22:13

some time before 1972 i was walking to school and an uneartly sound came from behind me......as he drew level it came onto the power band and with an even more uneartly sound and smoke he was gone....at that moment i was determined to have a motorcycle...(was one of the original tls flat pipe 500,s)

**niero** · 29th October 2008, 14:26

So... RD350 time, some think its japanese way to put Hiroshima right, probably did too, knowing how many americans it killed! Therefore the name.. Rapid Death... I have NEVER seen one that is still in a good shape.

**dangerous** · 29th October 2008, 17:40

Originally Posted by niero

So... RD350 time, some think its japanese way to put Hiroshima right, probably did too, knowing how many americans it killed! Therefore the name.. Rapid Death... I have NEVER seen one that is still in a good shape.

say what?
Rd350 and Rapid Death... news to me and I race a Rd350

**Bren** · 14th November 2008, 13:38

There is an old H1 on trademe at the moment in a rather decrepit state. If only I had the money. Would be a fantastic project!!!!

http://www.trademe.co.nz/Trade-Me-Mo...-187785100.htm

**Forest** · 14th November 2008, 17:20

There was a beautiful h1.f that sold for $6,200 the other week.

http://www.trademe.co.nz/Trade-Me-Mo...-184489915.htm

**toycollector10** · 14th November 2008, 19:37

Just get the Autoglim out and give 'er a polish up. Or maybe, not.

With the Pacific Peso at about .55 USD she's going to be pricey to restore.

**doc** · 14th November 2008, 20:10

Originally Posted by Lord Derosso

funny enough a taxi driver just yesterrday was telling me that when he was 19 he brought a waterbus brand new for $1950 in the early 70's. .

I bought the first new one in the Sth Island in 72. Traded a 70 Commando, that was on it's second bottom end ofter 10,k miles. The moment I turned up at the barrracks in Addington with it I was ostrecised (sp) but the wimen loved it . Lost my licence less than a year later, loved wheelstanding it 2 up in traffic at New Brighton on sat mornings , cos that were the only place that had sat shopping then. Skidmark and carver are not a new phenonomon.

You must first be young and stupid before you can become old and foolish

**cloudsurfer** · 18th April 2009, 01:27

Hi, I have had the massive pleasure of owning at least one of each model (except the 72 white S1 250) over the years and I love everything about them. I have toured europe from the UK on many occassions and never once been left at the side of the road by a breakdown. It would have been cheaper to fly though! The S2 350 was my favourite but the 400 S3 is probably the best balanced, if that's what you want from a triple. Yes they feel slower today but the yowl, powerband and sheer mechanical clatter still raises the hairs on my neck. I have had over 30 triples and still yearn for another. The H2's are too expensive but the 500's are just within reach so maybe one day....
In my twisted opinion, the blue 72 H2, red 72 S2 and the white 72 250 are the best looking Jap bikes ever produced. If anyone has the opportunity to ride one, take it and bask in the old days of cheap fuel, crap suspension, rubber frames, bmx tyres, non existant wet braking but addictive straight line performance.
Cheers all
PS I'm not a learner driver!!!

**Blatman** · 18th April 2009, 07:58

Originally Posted by niero

So... RD350 time, some think its japanese way to put Hiroshima right, probably did too, knowing how many americans it killed! Therefore the name.. Rapid Death... I have NEVER seen one that is still in a good shape.

The R5 was the one to beat