You are a mad fool for driving that suicide machine without at least gloves ( I owned one and a 750 triple), every ride on them was step into a life or death situation, the handling was that bad. Lovely machine in beautiful condition :)
@s33dless1134 Don't honestly know. Depends on what size countersprocket you have on it. Also, speedometers in my experience are inaccurate by 5-10 miles somewhere after 110mph. My guess would be 115mph if you really wrung it out with stock gearing!
@kawasakih1 actually it depends on what size balls you have. I remember on my H2 the thing got so squirly after 110mph that it really was all about how I really wanted to live as opposed to seeing where the top end was.
no motor sound and that stupide harsh music associated with bike riding? Shift and open up once the wheel is up there, catch some air, get some shoe. run good yet... a little past timing.
Thta reminds me of my baby! I miss my Mach III. I had it when I was in high school. I remember going to a friend's house to pick him up so we can go riding. His grandma would come storming out of the house to yell at me. The bike's engine would always cause her tv screen to garble up and get staticky. She hated me and my bike.
I bought a '69 in 1974 which was a disaster but I saw potential in it .After a full restoration and two long years of restoring I rode it for a couple years then sold it to help pay for my wedding,it's hard to believe I could only get $700.00 for it LOL
@carguy2fast Hard to believe that some now sell for $10,000+...hard to believe that a mint set of exhaust pipes cost more than a new bike did in 1969. Crazy world we live in!
Oh I just love the sound of those triples, I had a 72 H2750 with denco chambers and a cafe kit and used to tear up Ft Bragg in the late 70's with that thing, not many bikes could keep up.
It is amazing at how far Suzuki has come, how much better they are. I remember checking them out in the 70's. They were cheap imitations or copies of Kawasaki. We called them Kawasaki wantabees or Scuzuki. They've come a long way. In those days, Honda was number one, Kawasaki two, Yamaha three, and Suzuki last!
I've had a '72 500 and a '74 750, great fun and joy!! Bless Kawasaki for giving them to us; the greatest of the Japanes bike makers, alway exitement and innovation.
Now I have ZX11, bought new in 1990, has done 44.000 km ; STILL ORIGINAL CHAIN AND SPROCKETS!! There has hardly ever been a spanner on it!
love the machine man.. I have one my self, and it´s just like yours, hey how much you think is worth fully restored..? I might gone to sell mine.. ! crap!.only 5600 milles..
Before the economy took a dump really nice good condition 69 H1's would sell for around $10,000.00. I couldn't tell you now what they go for. The best way to find out is to monitor ebay. One right now is at $9000+ but hasn't met reserve!
great bike....but why destroy the video with music ? I whant to hear the sound of the tripple, can't understand why so many think rock music is better than the beautiful sound that comes from engines in motor videos ! Maybe it's some generation issue...
Unfortunately, the wind sound on the camera microphone overroad the triple sounds and the music was requested by my friend but it wouldn't be my first choice either !
I had one of those back in the day. It was a later model, but not sure what year it was. It was purple, and it did say Mach III on the side covers. All hell broke loose at around 5000 rpm. But it did not like curves at all. Happen to know when they put out the purple one? '73? '74?
Are you sure it was a factory paint job ? I'm not aware of any Mach III's coming out with a purple paint job. 1969 - White 1970- Peacock Gray or Red 1971 - Blue 1972 - Orange 1973- Lime Green 1974 - Lime Green or Red 1975 - Blue or Green and 1976 - Deep Burgundy or Copper. Was it maybe a 750 Mach IV ? They came in Candy Red or Candy Purple ! If you have a picture of it, I could probably tell you ! Louis
Actually, it was probably burgundy, meaning it was probably a '76 then. I owned it in 1977-78. But it and me got run over by a pickup truck. Dude ended up buying me another bike. That one was a Norton 850. Wish I did have pics of my old bikes, but I don't.
I know of a guy that supposedly has several H1's and H2's. Haven't met him yet, but when I do, I plan on asking him if he'd part with one. But if he feels about his bikes like I feel about my KZ, he'd probably give up his wife first. :-)
the sleepy bit depends on what kind of honda you are riding though, right? i mean, if you are riding a rc30 or an rc45, or even an Rc51, those bikes aren't sleepy boring.
very well sequenced (first a presentation of standing bikes with a chilling music to evoke the beauties) then cut with thr rider (well, this is what i ride and where i'll ride) then... FFFFFULLLL THROTTTTTTLE!!! (a h1 kawa's acceleration never ends...)
And what a great example of the original H1. The sound and the smoke! Front tire up! I bought a new 69' H1 with the optional lower gearing. What a gas! I could lift the front wheel nearly at will in the first three gears. In first gear you watch the tach, as it hits 6 grand hang on and start the shift to second as the 8700 redline comes very fast! Nothing could keep up with it! Outlived the need for speed thank God!
Absolutely the most 'stunningly beautiful' stock 'street' bike ever made (70' eguri too- my first bike at 16).
Everything 'fits' on the early H1's to create one long, thin, sexy, beast. Pic's and vid's don't capture how beautiful these bikes really are, you need to see them in person.
Even more sexy is the sound, no 2 stroke ever made had/has the throaty, I want more, growl of the early H1's. Made RD's and T-500's sound like sissy bikes.
Mine would do 110 with stock 14 tooth and 80 with a 12 up front, which rendered 1st gear practically usless. Anything over 90-100 and you're at the mercy of the gods.
Absolutely the most terrifying and fun motorcycle I ever rode. At 6,000 rpm the front end went up. No matter if you were leaned over, or not. Guaranteed 115mph speed wobbles.
The '69 (launch year) Mach I is my favorite. A little bit of trivia. When they came out they sold retail across America for $999.oo dollars. The Kawasaki Mach I claimed 60 hp, which, for its' day, made it the most powerful bike in its' class. It had lousy brakes, a weak frame and flimsy rear shocks. But it went like shit off a shovel with an incredible (for 1969) thirteen second and change 1/4 mile and sold like hotcakes.
Respect Dave, you deserve praise for your fine '69 Mach I.
I still have my timing slip from Seattle International Raceway, says 12.74 @ 103mph minus air cleaner. I did have the optional gearing. One other H1 was there that day and posted a 13.57, presumably with stock gearing. Still, not bad.
You are right about the quality of brakes, frame etc. Could not corner worth a shit. Any corner was a challenge.
I went to a 650 Triumph after the h1 and liked the cornering much better.
Best time ever for stock h1 reportedly is 12.3. 0-60 in 3.9.
My first motorcycle was a 1969 Kawasaki 120 Roadrunner. My second was a 1971 Kawasaki H1 brand new at $1126.25 out the door. They were great motorcycles ! Louis Kranyak
Yes the wheelie!! Great display of power. People don't realize how fast these bikes are still!! I have an H2 750... these bikes all rip. A local mechanic is putting an H3 engine into a 1992 ZX750 Ninja chassis, talk about sweet. =D
Thanks Ryan, We know you've got 3 cylinders on the mind so you said H3 even though you meant H2. Hey, post some pics ( slide show ) or a movie of it when it's done ! Louis
Ar the moment I only have a triple (a nice S2 -71) but when I see your lovely video, I start to think about the offer my mate gave me regarding his -69 H1..
Lovely bikes!
The Kaw triples does smoke, vibrate, make a lot noises, have hilarious temper..
The H1 500 Kawasaki , premitive and wicked all in one . Looks like Frans from the Triple club.And to have video of you going down that straight away WFO...beautiful thats the way all video shots should be. Nice job
Kool bike. Can you help me out. I am going to look at a 69 h1 500 kawasaki and need to know a value on it or what to offer the guy The bike has been sitting for 10 years but is in a garage.The guy said it is in fair condition but you know how that is. The bike is suposedly all there. Can you give me some kind of idea of the value of the 69 bikes. I know it is hard without seeing it, but anthying whould be helpful. Thanks
Thank you Ian for your positive commentary ! I appreciate it ! I will be posting more videos of various different triple models in the future and hopefully my videographer skills will improve with each one. I am experimenting with different recording mics to capture that wonderful triple sound as wind noise has been one of my major problems in recording.Once again thanks, comments like yours make posting videos worthwhile! Louis Kranyak
I think about that every day, these kids these days don't realize how lucky they are when it comes to the technology available to them. I think about that all the time !
Sorry if I drool. I had one of these monsters from 69 to about 71. I'm 56 now. How the hell did I live through it. But please don't call the H1 primative. Bare bones yes. Did you ever try one of the "torque induced" wheelies. Coast in first gear just fast enough to stay upright and open the throttle all the way. 4000 rpm's and it's lift off. Don't forget to hang on. You have some really nice stuff in your driveway. I'll trade my wife for it. After all she's the reason I don't ride any more.
I want one so badly. The first time I heard one of the Kawi Triples, I thought it was a 60's Ferrari...
lugeeman 3 months ago
Where is this recorded?
rycraftt 7 months ago
@rycraftt Livermore, CA
kawasakih1 7 months ago
"la bara volante" was the name in Rome in the '70, that means "the flayng coffin" and was the motocycle used by bank robbers.
MrCarlocarletti 8 months ago
You are a mad fool for driving that suicide machine without at least gloves ( I owned one and a 750 triple), every ride on them was step into a life or death situation, the handling was that bad. Lovely machine in beautiful condition :)
seanhennessy 8 months ago
how fast them bitches go?
s33dless1134 11 months ago
@s33dless1134 12.4 seconds quarter mile with a professional rider.
kawasakih1 11 months ago
@kawasakih1 but whats the top speed on em
s33dless1134 11 months ago
@s33dless1134 Don't honestly know. Depends on what size countersprocket you have on it. Also, speedometers in my experience are inaccurate by 5-10 miles somewhere after 110mph. My guess would be 115mph if you really wrung it out with stock gearing!
kawasakih1 10 months ago
@kawasakih1 actually it depends on what size balls you have. I remember on my H2 the thing got so squirly after 110mph that it really was all about how I really wanted to live as opposed to seeing where the top end was.
Kyocera234 8 months ago
@Kyocera234 They did tend to get into wobbles at high speed if they weren't dialed in just perfect!
kawasakih1 8 months ago
Still a favorite to watch Dave. I'm ready to do a new vid this summer of my 69 H1.
Bob
73rdkaw 1 year ago
no motor sound and that stupide harsh music associated with bike riding? Shift and open up once the wheel is up there, catch some air, get some shoe. run good yet... a little past timing.
dufondutrou 1 year ago
You are so lucky to be able to take this bike out riding...envy due.
jeffmoto72 1 year ago
That is a cherry.
volunteersofamerica1 1 year ago
Thta reminds me of my baby! I miss my Mach III. I had it when I was in high school. I remember going to a friend's house to pick him up so we can go riding. His grandma would come storming out of the house to yell at me. The bike's engine would always cause her tv screen to garble up and get staticky. She hated me and my bike.
jel2003 1 year ago
@jel2003 I heard that was a problem in Europe (especially England), but I never knew it to be a problem in the US.
kawasakih1 1 year ago
@jel2003 All parents hated Mach III's back then!
kawasakih1 1 year ago
bloody fanstic stuff mate
08jakemate 1 year ago
I had a 72 mach IV loved it. I got a 80 Honda CB 900 Custom. If you ever sell that bike let me know because I would give it a nice home.
carstb 1 year ago
I bought a '69 in 1974 which was a disaster but I saw potential in it .After a full restoration and two long years of restoring I rode it for a couple years then sold it to help pay for my wedding,it's hard to believe I could only get $700.00 for it LOL
carguy2fast 1 year ago
@carguy2fast Hard to believe that some now sell for $10,000+...hard to believe that a mint set of exhaust pipes cost more than a new bike did in 1969. Crazy world we live in!
kawasakih1 1 year ago
LOVE IT
sonick808 1 year ago
Oh I just love the sound of those triples, I had a 72 H2750 with denco chambers and a cafe kit and used to tear up Ft Bragg in the late 70's with that thing, not many bikes could keep up.
Kyocera234 1 year ago
awsome bike dave!!!!!! I live in the middle of wyoming I think my 71 h1 is the last one left up where I live
BaldDogM71 1 year ago
@BaldDogM71 Thanks! Keep that 1971! They are awesome too!
kawasakih1 1 year ago
come on man i wanna see some sweet kawasaki 2 stroke triples and you blast the linkin park in my face not on dude
adeptacheese 1 year ago
nice bikes!
still got them?
tnerual888 2 years ago
Those are my friend's motorcycles and he still has them and a few more now!
kawasakih1 2 years ago
whats the second song called
awwwwnaaaa 2 years ago
Well I since I know number one bike of japanes people is Suzuki, to me is Honda....kawasaki is ok to me .
and yamaha on this dasy is going hard
disyokerr 2 years ago
It is amazing at how far Suzuki has come, how much better they are. I remember checking them out in the 70's. They were cheap imitations or copies of Kawasaki. We called them Kawasaki wantabees or Scuzuki. They've come a long way. In those days, Honda was number one, Kawasaki two, Yamaha three, and Suzuki last!
kawasakih1 2 years ago
Hairdryer...
alexsuchapimp 2 years ago
I love your bike man, wow !!
I've had a '72 500 and a '74 750, great fun and joy!! Bless Kawasaki for giving them to us; the greatest of the Japanes bike makers, alway exitement and innovation.
Now I have ZX11, bought new in 1990, has done 44.000 km ; STILL ORIGINAL CHAIN AND SPROCKETS!! There has hardly ever been a spanner on it!
Eric22 2 years ago 2
love the machine man.. I have one my self, and it´s just like yours, hey how much you think is worth fully restored..? I might gone to sell mine.. ! crap!.only 5600 milles..
ThePitufo27 2 years ago
Before the economy took a dump really nice good condition 69 H1's would sell for around $10,000.00. I couldn't tell you now what they go for. The best way to find out is to monitor ebay. One right now is at $9000+ but hasn't met reserve!
kawasakih1 2 years ago
Wow. Memories! I was reminded of the sound they make, particularly when accelerating. I miss the H1.
Ryckster1 2 years ago
they are porn love em
WARWICKGATES 2 years ago
What a bute great posting.
Ady11000 2 years ago
So cool.
ntrudr800 2 years ago
Are you kidding 36 grand views Louis!!!!!!!!!!
porschedave1 2 years ago
lets go ride i have gold h2 750 73 live in antioch ca ironhd8055
IRONHD8055 2 years ago
I would kill for one of those.
randomkille 2 years ago 2
...wouldn't we all ! LOL !
kawasakih1 2 years ago
great bike....but why destroy the video with music ? I whant to hear the sound of the tripple, can't understand why so many think rock music is better than the beautiful sound that comes from engines in motor videos ! Maybe it's some generation issue...
D2Hs 2 years ago
Unfortunately, the wind sound on the camera microphone overroad the triple sounds and the music was requested by my friend but it wouldn't be my first choice either !
kawasakih1 2 years ago
Thanks 4 bringing back some good memories I had a identical 69 h1...agreed fast in straight line and a nightmare around corners
they didn't call em "widow makers" for nothing ! May the almighty Mother of Horse Power bless you all !
wackerthecracker 2 years ago
awesome bike........Crappy music...
DSINKS 2 years ago
I should have put in BTO "Down the Highway" or something like that !
kawasakih1 2 years ago
Well??.....
Let it Roll!!!
DSINKS 2 years ago
I had one of those back in the day. It was a later model, but not sure what year it was. It was purple, and it did say Mach III on the side covers. All hell broke loose at around 5000 rpm. But it did not like curves at all. Happen to know when they put out the purple one? '73? '74?
I'm on an old KZ1000 now. Love it!
wavernr 3 years ago
Are you sure it was a factory paint job ? I'm not aware of any Mach III's coming out with a purple paint job. 1969 - White 1970- Peacock Gray or Red 1971 - Blue 1972 - Orange 1973- Lime Green 1974 - Lime Green or Red 1975 - Blue or Green and 1976 - Deep Burgundy or Copper. Was it maybe a 750 Mach IV ? They came in Candy Red or Candy Purple ! If you have a picture of it, I could probably tell you ! Louis
kawasakih1 3 years ago
Actually, it was probably burgundy, meaning it was probably a '76 then. I owned it in 1977-78. But it and me got run over by a pickup truck. Dude ended up buying me another bike. That one was a Norton 850. Wish I did have pics of my old bikes, but I don't.
I know of a guy that supposedly has several H1's and H2's. Haven't met him yet, but when I do, I plan on asking him if he'd part with one. But if he feels about his bikes like I feel about my KZ, he'd probably give up his wife first. :-)
wavernr 3 years ago
Hey, great video of some classic bikes.
Gabe
Gabe7g 3 years ago
Very nice!!! Long live two stroke and triples!!
RalfK 3 years ago
i'd rather have a honda, which doesn't try to kill you every time you go around a corner.
DoctorNumber46 3 years ago
But then , the fact is you are merely riding.... a Honda. ZZZZZzzzzzzzzz.
kawasakih1 3 years ago
the sleepy bit depends on what kind of honda you are riding though, right? i mean, if you are riding a rc30 or an rc45, or even an Rc51, those bikes aren't sleepy boring.
DoctorNumber46 3 years ago
That's True ! Me Bad !
kawasakih1 3 years ago
But this was a serious horn bike way before Honda even dreamed of a road bike as exotic as a the RCs
Simoneister 2 years ago
hi. this is a cool video.
very well sequenced (first a presentation of standing bikes with a chilling music to evoke the beauties) then cut with thr rider (well, this is what i ride and where i'll ride) then... FFFFFULLLL THROTTTTTTLE!!! (a h1 kawa's acceleration never ends...)
cool.
garcibus 3 years ago
WOW, this brings back memories!
And what a great example of the original H1. The sound and the smoke! Front tire up! I bought a new 69' H1 with the optional lower gearing. What a gas! I could lift the front wheel nearly at will in the first three gears. In first gear you watch the tach, as it hits 6 grand hang on and start the shift to second as the 8700 redline comes very fast! Nothing could keep up with it! Outlived the need for speed thank God!
Got a Geezer Glide (2001 Harley Ultra) now.
hemidesoto 3 years ago
how do you prevent the wobbles at top speeds?
KFCHambone 3 years ago
If tires are balanced and rear wheel, chain,etc. adjusted correctly with good swing arm bushings,etc., they shouldn't wobble !
kawasakih1 3 years ago
Im happy to say this bike did make the Cover of the new Motorcyclist Retro Magazine at better book stores and Newstands.
porschedave1 3 years ago
And for those of you having trouble finding a copy, I saw several at Fry's Electronic's today. They carry a wide variety of magazines !
kawasakih1 3 years ago
Absolutely the most 'stunningly beautiful' stock 'street' bike ever made (70' eguri too- my first bike at 16).
Everything 'fits' on the early H1's to create one long, thin, sexy, beast. Pic's and vid's don't capture how beautiful these bikes really are, you need to see them in person.
generatrix999 3 years ago
Even more sexy is the sound, no 2 stroke ever made had/has the throaty, I want more, growl of the early H1's. Made RD's and T-500's sound like sissy bikes.
Mine would do 110 with stock 14 tooth and 80 with a 12 up front, which rendered 1st gear practically usless. Anything over 90-100 and you're at the mercy of the gods.
generatrix999 3 years ago
Absolutely the most terrifying and fun motorcycle I ever rode. At 6,000 rpm the front end went up. No matter if you were leaned over, or not. Guaranteed 115mph speed wobbles.
f4tweet 3 years ago
smelly burnt oil
carbiduis 4 years ago
oops, "Nothing" was the beginning of a sentence I deleted. I think I was gonna say; Nothing stock in 1969 accelerated faster than the Kawa Mach I.
...sorry bout that.
Ericwm 4 years ago
The '69 (launch year) Mach I is my favorite. A little bit of trivia. When they came out they sold retail across America for $999.oo dollars. The Kawasaki Mach I claimed 60 hp, which, for its' day, made it the most powerful bike in its' class. It had lousy brakes, a weak frame and flimsy rear shocks. But it went like shit off a shovel with an incredible (for 1969) thirteen second and change 1/4 mile and sold like hotcakes.
Respect Dave, you deserve praise for your fine '69 Mach I.
Nothing
Ericwm 4 years ago
I still have my timing slip from Seattle International Raceway, says 12.74 @ 103mph minus air cleaner. I did have the optional gearing. One other H1 was there that day and posted a 13.57, presumably with stock gearing. Still, not bad.
You are right about the quality of brakes, frame etc. Could not corner worth a shit. Any corner was a challenge.
I went to a 650 Triumph after the h1 and liked the cornering much better.
Best time ever for stock h1 reportedly is 12.3. 0-60 in 3.9.
hemidesoto 3 years ago
How heavy a rider are you?
What 'optional' gearing?
generatrix999 3 years ago
Beautiful H1, nice to see it used as it should be - Yep, I had a 71.
racintracy 4 years ago
My first motorcycle was a 1969 Kawasaki 120 Roadrunner. My second was a 1971 Kawasaki H1 brand new at $1126.25 out the door. They were great motorcycles ! Louis Kranyak
kawasakih1 4 years ago
mine was a 250 suzuki........in 74,,,,for 499 pounds,then a kettle for 999 pounds brilliant
woo738 4 years ago
Yes the wheelie!! Great display of power. People don't realize how fast these bikes are still!! I have an H2 750... these bikes all rip. A local mechanic is putting an H3 engine into a 1992 ZX750 Ninja chassis, talk about sweet. =D
casmitherz 4 years ago
Thanks Ryan, We know you've got 3 cylinders on the mind so you said H3 even though you meant H2. Hey, post some pics ( slide show ) or a movie of it when it's done ! Louis
kawasakih1 4 years ago
Yes it was a blue one! Lucky we made it through those times in 1 piece. Thanks Dave
porschedave1 4 years ago
nice restoration, hope to be rollin soon on my kh500
viewalot 4 years ago
素晴らしい！
It is a motorcycle such as the new car
I feel nostalgic for those days!
IWA0927 4 years ago
Ar the moment I only have a triple (a nice S2 -71) but when I see your lovely video, I start to think about the offer my mate gave me regarding his -69 H1..
Lovely bikes!
The Kaw triples does smoke, vibrate, make a lot noises, have hilarious temper..
I just love them!
hultarn 4 years ago
Great looking bikes great video!You have a great collectors bike! My video's coming soon!
yamrz500 4 years ago
The H1 500 Kawasaki , premitive and wicked all in one . Looks like Frans from the Triple club.And to have video of you going down that straight away WFO...beautiful thats the way all video shots should be. Nice job
Giminey 4 years ago
Kool bike. Can you help me out. I am going to look at a 69 h1 500 kawasaki and need to know a value on it or what to offer the guy The bike has been sitting for 10 years but is in a garage.The guy said it is in fair condition but you know how that is. The bike is suposedly all there. Can you give me some kind of idea of the value of the 69 bikes. I know it is hard without seeing it, but anthying whould be helpful. Thanks
jnaz791racehonda 4 years ago
nice bikes, cool video. Kawasaki rules!
mbleft 4 years ago
Hi dave awesome video, i am restoring a 69 and hopefully it will come up to the high standard that yours is, Keep all three smoking, Cheers Andy
rockyorchid 4 years ago
Great Video !!!.
I find this refreshing to watch compared to some of the others ..the others are just poorly shot with no thought and poor quality as well .
We need more videos like this .
Ian
arielmanIan 4 years ago
Thank you Ian for your positive commentary ! I appreciate it ! I will be posting more videos of various different triple models in the future and hopefully my videographer skills will improve with each one. I am experimenting with different recording mics to capture that wonderful triple sound as wind noise has been one of my major problems in recording.Once again thanks, comments like yours make posting videos worthwhile! Louis Kranyak
kawasakih1 4 years ago
Great Nice to see an H1 given a bit of welly!
Good Vid Chaps
grahamzx9r 4 years ago
Yeah! Great video and great bike. Can you guys imagine if we had these video cameras in the 70s !! Insane !
Jay
jaygdav 4 years ago
I think about that every day, these kids these days don't realize how lucky they are when it comes to the technology available to them. I think about that all the time !
kawasakih1 4 years ago
Sorry if I drool. I had one of these monsters from 69 to about 71. I'm 56 now. How the hell did I live through it. But please don't call the H1 primative. Bare bones yes. Did you ever try one of the "torque induced" wheelies. Coast in first gear just fast enough to stay upright and open the throttle all the way. 4000 rpm's and it's lift off. Don't forget to hang on. You have some really nice stuff in your driveway. I'll trade my wife for it. After all she's the reason I don't ride any more.
jparman26 4 years ago
very cool video! Thanks
brucewyoung 4 years ago
Super, Outstanding Video!!
kawtriples 4 years ago