Kawasaki H1 500 Mach III

Kawasaki 500 H1 is a direct competitor of Honda CB 450 and Suzuki T500. It is marketed for the first time in January 1969. This machine is classed as sports and at its exit is THE sport. This machine rivals in terms of power with the 750 4 stroke, or what is the best at the time.

The engine of this machine is quite particular. It is a 3-cylinder 2 stroke, which was quite unusual. This concept will be taken to create a version of 750 cm3 in the high-end (the 750 Mach IV) and several versions of 250 (the 250 S1 from 1972 and 250 KH from 1976), 350 (the 350 S2 from 1971) and 400 cm3 (the 400 S3 from 1974 and the 400 KH from 1976) in the mid-range.

If the engine is fabulous, the rest of the machine is flawed. The brakes (originally a brake drum) and the terms are not not match the performance of the engine. In the fabulous kind, gasoline consumption is up to the engine performance, 2 requires time. Always "2 requires time, the machine is always monitored by a cloud of blue smoke, unthinkable today.

All Kawasaki "3-cylinder 2-stroke" has a particular line with their 3 exhaust pipes (2 right, 1 left), which makes them immediately recognizable. This line is aesthetic associated with a characteristic noise enough to recognize immediately this whole line of machine.

The machine is moving steadily throughout his career.

In 1970, the machine changes decoration, without changing reference. Ignition is electronic.

In 1971, the decoration as every year is new, but the tank takes a more modern form (obviously not at the knees.

1972 marks an important development with the appearance of the H1B. She receives the fork and disc brake of the 750 H2. The line is resolutely modern style gathering of 250 S1 and 350 S2. The road improves.

In 1973, the "drop" makes its appears on the 500 H1D, like the rest of the range. The engine is "civilized" (the power formally passes to 59 hp). Despite the decrease in power, the framework is further strengthened. The exhaust pipes are collected to improve the ground. General finish of the machine is in progress at the expense net weight.

The H1E of 1974 does vibrate more because the engine is mounted on silentblocs. much work is done on the engine to limit emissions.

In 1975, the changes are mainly cosmetic.

The machine is marketed until 1975, the anti-pollution standards and the American oil crisis because of having this machine. In 1976, she was replaced by the 500 KH. More than 110 000 copies have been produced by Kawasaki during the seven years of existence. This machine performance marked his time and still has many fans.

The words of a proud owner (Jean Pierre)

Happy owner in 1974 a 500 H1E (engine mounted on shock and green) because it was also in garnet. Electronic ignition, a crystalline noise ... and a plume oily ...

What about this machine or a real kick in the behind when starting a little nervous. A gasoline consumption unthinkable today, 17 liters in town and candles if I remember 21 candles 3000km.jusqu 'to find the rare pearl NGK B9HC and most of the problem.

All this proves that a girlfriend is often quite expensive to maintain