1973 Kawasaki H1 MACH III 500 - Widow Maker - 2 Stroke runs great, rocket ship

Description

1973 Kawasaki H1 Mach III 500 - Widow Maker - 2 Stroke

Rare Collectors Motorcycle

• All Stock
• Carburetors overhauled
• New Tires
• Overhauled petcock
• Tank flush
• Restored front fork tubes
• True miles unknown, ould be less shown, peedometer has been replaced

No Leaks

Runs like a scalded dog!

Item can be picked up in Norco, A. Zip 92860

Buyer pays for shipping costs and is responsible for shipping arraignments .

Item Cross Listed - Subject to removal.

Kawasaki H1 Mach III

The Widow Maker!

Kawasaki H1
ManufacturerKawasaki Motor CorporationAlso calledMach IIIParent companyKawasaki Heavy IndustriesProduction1969-1975PredecessorKawasaki W2SuccessorKawasaki Z650ClassStandard streetEngineAir-cooled 3-cylinder, wo strokeTop speed115 mph[citation needed]Power60 hp (39.4 kilowatts)) @ 7400 RPMTorque5.4 kg-m @ 6500 rpmTransmissionChain driven 5-speed.SuspensionInner spring telescopic front fork, hree-position spring preloaded adjustable shock absorber and swing arm (rear)Weight173.27kg (382.0lb).[citation needed](dry)
184.0kg (405.7lb) (405.7 pounds)[citation needed](wet)Fuel capacity13.9l (3.1impgal; 3.7USgal) See text for changes.RelatedKawasaki S1 Mach I, awasaki S2 Mach II, awasaki H2 Mach IV

The Kawasaki H1 Mach III was a high-performance two-stroke 500cc production motorcycle manufactured by Kawasaki Motorcycle Corporation. It was sold in the U.S. and abroad in version forms from 1969 through to 1975.

History

During the mid 1960s, he USA had become the largest motorcycle market. American riders were demanding bikes with more horsepower and higher maximum speeds. Kawasaki already had the first 650cc, he Kawasaki W series but it did not fit the niche Kawasaki was aiming for. Honda introduced its Honda CB450 in 1965 and in 1969, he Suzuki T500 1 Cobra appeared. Also in development was the Yamaha XS 650. Already familiar with the Honda CB450, awasaki development began work on the top secret N100 Plan in 1967. The goal was to produce a motorcycle with 500cc displacement that was able to develop 60hp and lay down 13-second quarter-mile times, hen considered over the achievable limit for a road bike.[1] The Mach III appeared in the U.S. in 1969 with a white sculpted fuel tank and blue racing stripe along the lower part of the tank, pecial Dunlop K77 tires, nd suggested retail price of $999 (US) according to Dragbike.com.

Though not a direct successor of the Kawasaki W2, he W2 was the only four-stroke motorcycle Kawasaki had for the American market and that market was not like that of Japan where the W2 sold well. In the U.S., he Mach III proved to be very popular.[2]

A unique engine

The engine, eveloped through Kawasaki's N100 Plan, as a three-cylinder two stroke with a displacement of 499cc (30.5cuin). Fuel and air mixing was provided by three Mikuni VM 28mm carburetors. Ignition was through a Capacitor discharge ignition which increased the 12 volt system to 400volts. A thyristor-based switching system then increased the voltage to between 25,000 and 30,000volts leading to more efficient fuel burning.[3]

Specifications

• Bore and Stroke: 60 õ 58.8mm
• Compression Ratio: 6.8:1
• Induction: 3x Mikuni VM28SC carbs.
• Ignition: Kick start.
• Transmission: 5 Speed (5 up) wet transmission, hain driven.
• Frame: Double cradle tube frame with twin top tubes reinforced at three intermediate points.
• Front Suspension: Telescopic hydraulic inner spring telescopic front fork.
• Rear suspension: Three-position spring preload adjustable shock absorber and swing arm (rear).
• Front and Rear Brakes: 180mm drum. Later to a Single 296mm disc for the front
• Top speed: 185km/h (115+ mph). The test version hit 190km/h (118mph).[citation needed]

Overall

The Mach III was an extremely successful motorcycle for its time and its speed attracted many owners. It had a standing 1/4 mile (400m) run of under 13 seconds and a top speed of 115+ mph.[citation needed] Its power-to-weight ratio was 1:6 which translates to 2.72kg (6.0lb) to every 1 horsepower (0.75kW).[citation needed] In May of that year, ditors of Motorcyclist Magazine called the Mach's power-to-weight ratio the best "ever produced in a motorcycle meant to sell to anyone who has the money to purchase it."[4]

Handling characteristics were not favorable according to many sources. "Viewed logically, he Kawasaki H1 had many flaws. The gearbox was odd, ith neutral below first, he brakes very questionable and the handling decidedly marginal in every situation - except when the bike was stopped with the engine switched off. Not for nothing was the H1 known as, The triple with the ripple”.[5]

Motobase posted an opinion: "[...] the engine was too quick for the handling... Sports riders back then were possibly more forgiving, erhaps, r maybe its outrageous performance simply muffled any criticisms that should have been directed at the chassis and suspension? Whatever riders may have thought, aving sampled an H1, r to whichever degree they had frightened themselves, he majority would usually smile, nd say something like, hat's some rocket-ship, an! Kawasaki had created their first cult machine!" [6]

The 3-cylinder 500 was for all purposes succeeded in 1976 by the Kawasaki Z500/Z550 4-stroke four cylinder.

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