My 1971 Blue H1 Kawasaki

[whoreratio]

This is the bike that got me into bikes in the first place when I was a kid. My brothers friend had a 71 and I loved the looks the sound and the smoke !!

Restoring one as we speak. Thanx for the cool video and the inspiration.

Kaw. Triples 4 ever.

[AHARVILLA]

I had one just like this one.

[kawasakih1]

@AHARVILLA They were and are great motorcycles!

[sirboomdotcom]

The original GoPro camera!



[kawasakih1]

@sirboomdotcom I wish I'd had a GoPro camera back then. All I had was a little 8mm camera with a viewfinder so dirty inside you could hardly see through it. Film was expensive and went through the camera in about three minutes. My friend filmed over my shoulder while I got it up to 100mph +. Still, those were the days!

[KingCast65]

@kawasakih1

I'm a bit younger at 46 but still my uncle took me on the first 900 Kawi when I was 8 years old in '73 when I was almost scared to get on a mini trail 70 lol..... Today it's a Triumph 955i. I send this video out to peeps all the time, wish I had video of my RD 350 when I stood it up a few times in '85 undergrad bike.

Peace.

[mrdcjohn]

this was me back in 75. take away the burnout (didnt know you could do that back then) and this was me exactly, no helmet, no sense, young, dumb and full of come. Man those were the days. Only wish i knew it then! Huntington beach, Ca in the 60's n 70's was pure heaven Me hair was long, me jeans were tight, I loved a knife and..........no wait that was Larry Norman. Miss ya larry.

[CodeTwo2]

Emotional reminder of the times before the destruction of "Freedomville". Here we are today, cloaked in rules and bullshit, stultified by regulation, and the truth is, the "safety" is barely changed. Safety and risk are defined by subtle things other than political meddling.

For all this, what's really been achieved? Nothing of value... only the decimation of enjoyment and TRUE freedom, and the theft of several generations' human soul and spirit, to be replaced by the "ethic" of "security".

[kawasakih1]

@CodeTwo2 I agree totally. Slowly but surely, our freedoms are being stripped away bit by bit. Present and future generations will never know the freedom we had!

[CodeTwo2]

@kawasakih1 You're right - unless something is done SOON to arrest where it's all heading.

It's great you were able to film (and keep) this. I'm eight or nine years younger than you, but there were still no personal video cameras in common circulation when I started out on the road. When I think of the hundreds of hours of the 'bikes, the incredible events, and people that went uncaptured. I'm sure people think I invented some of the stories! It would make a fine movie, I know that.

[kawasakih1]

@CodeTwo2 I wish I'd had the video camera technology we have today, back in those days. You are right, hard to comprehend all the "uncaptured" footage!

[wolfgangzrx]

Not sure what the on and off on the throttle to pick it up was all about. If just roll the throttle on in 1st gear the bike would stand up on it's own as it hit the power band,then hit 2nd then 3rd all the way to fifth gear.That's how I always wheelied mine anyway,I bought mine new in 1974 as a 18 year old.Cool video though..

[drott150]

Fantastic video. I love the grainy, dirty, super 8 original film effect too. It's the perfect culmination of youthful exuberance with the helmetless 17 year old on such a dangerous bike. Glad to see you had the nerve and skill to survive it all. I did the same things at that age. Now in my 40's I own 2 of these very bikes. Just as soon as they are running, I plan on riding them just like you did in this video! Thanks for the inspiration! You should add a brief slow-still of you today at the end.

[kawasakih1]

@drott150 Thanks for your comments! This summer, I plan to do exactly what you suggested and add the updated version!

[brshooting]

When I was 16 I bought a Kawasaki 90 and this was my dream machine. It's great to see it again.

[jtvento]

I HAD AN H2 750 BACK IN THE DAY AND JUST LIKE THE VIDEO I USED TO PULL WHEELIES , NO HELMET NEVER WORRIED ABOUT SHIT ITS ALL DIFFERENT NOW ,LOVE WATCHING THIS :)

[kawasakih1]

@jtvento It's a different world now, that's for sure!

[Cycleboy1100cc]

Great video! This was my first " big " bike back in '71 . I was 17 years old. Never forget picking it up at the bike shop brand new for just over a grand . Greatest feeling in the world. Still can't beleive I talked my late , great mother into it . Got broadsided by a Buick one day , totaled it . Then got the blue 750 in '72. That's the bike I learned to pull wheelies on :)

[kawasakih1]

@Cycleboy1100cc I had mine at 18! Crazy that you had yours at 17! Lucky you! Lucky you are still alive to tell about it! I finally graduated to a 1972 H2 in my late twenties!

[MrStatic62]

very nice man

[TEMPRAMENTE]

Nice Bike!!

[kawasakih1]

I've never had an oil pump fail. To check it, put a premix gas/oil (20:1) in your tank. Disconnect the end of one of the oil lines to one of the cylinders. Set engine speed at 2000 rpm. Hold oil pump lever by hand wide open. In a 3 minute period it should flow .171-.197 oz. (5.05-5.83cc). That's for H1 (500). H2 750 flows more and oil pumps are different for them! Go to ebay and buy a shop manual. They are always on ebay! Buy oil made for oil injection sold at most motorcycle shops!

[kawasakih1]

@kawasakih1 As for rubber connecting carbs, H1 (500) carb connectors were metal with some sort of nylon type gasket. H2 (750) had a rubber mount. You can get them too on ebay I'm sure. An excellent resource is kawasaki triples worldwide. Just google it!

[mrsoul856]

18 + 500 triple 2-stroke?!!...you are very lucky to be alive.

[kawasakih1]

@mrsoul856 More truthful words were never spoken!

[rjpstrongisland]

great video, great bike ...thanks

[kawasakih1]

@rjpstrongisland Thanks! i hope to post more video soon!

[BaldDogM71]

I love these bikes I just took mine on a 50 mile road trip yesterday hopefully this winter I'll finish restoring it but I'm just having too much fun riding it now !!!!!!!!!

[kawasakih1]

@BaldDogM71 Film it, Post that bad boy on youtube!

[LordSamuelJ]

I just bought one of these monsters for $400. It needs total restoration as it was sitting in a barn for 20 yrs. Ill try to document my work and maybe film it when i get it running

[kawasakih1]

@LordSamuelJ Make a Video of Restoration and post it. That would be cool. Get that baby back on the road!

[BaldDogM71]

that's awsome I just put together a 71 H1A what a bike!!!!!!!! it turns alot of heads when I take it for a ride THANKS FOR SHARING THAT VIDEO!!!

[pinguin200]

That was a great video. Im 19 and I recently (last couple of years) became interested in motorcycles, this summer im going to get my dads 1971 h1 running becasue its been sitting in our barn my whole life. I'll let you know how it goes, or if I die then mabye not!

[kawasakih1]

@pinguin200 I'm glad to hear it. They deserve to be on the road again. Let me know if you need any advice when you are restoring it. Louis

[pinguin200]

@kawasakih1 I do have some questions. I just cleaned the carbs the tanks, and changed the fluids, but I don't really understand how the oil works. How do I know that its giving the correct amount, and is it the same type of oil as for dirtbikes? I'm used to dirtbikes that I just mix in into the gas, so its wierd for me. Also I need to buy the rubber that connects the carbs the the filter, where should I look? Thanks.

[mrsoul856]

@pinguin200 Look around online, there were a lot of manuals printed by Haynes that show you how to check these things.

I know with Yamaha, the throttle cable changes the stroke of the oil pump...and there is also a way to measure the oil pump with a feeler-gauge...get the manual.

[gbressler]

That is really awesome, I had a couple of 500s in the 70s and that really brings back memories.

[tejastiger61]

This is with out a doubt the GREATEST VIDEO in the whole U-TUBE collection !...! THE FRICKING BEST ! ! !

A WONDERFUL BLAST from the past. ! ! ! AWESOME !

I wish I could shake the hand of the person responcible for this FANTASTIC ! piece of motorcycle history.... SIMPLY FANTASTIC ! I feel blessed to have stumbled across this GEM of a short film. WELL DONE ! 10 BIG STARS ! ....THE BEST by a long shot... just wonderful .. I can't put into words but FATASTIC !

[kawasakih1]

Thank you for your compliment! I only wish I'd had a better camera in those days but I'm grateful I took a little footage. In those days, I was eighteen and wasn't aware of the value of documenting my past. Thanks, I appreciate you compliment and plan to make some more video in the future! Louis Kranyak

[tejastiger61]

Your too modest ... This is a historic record of the finest sort....

Please if there is any additional footage no matter how raw or seemingly insignificant .... Please ... please share it with us.

Thanks a heep.... Well done... a master piece ....

[kawasakih1]

Thanks! There was more footage but it was destroyed accidentally. In those days, all my friends rode motorcycles everywhere. I was always loaning the 8mm reel to someone. Being transported on a motorcycle, it was dropped, unraveled, and tangled up around the wheel of another motorcycle. This is all I've been able to salvage! I'm lucky to have it! Thanks for writing!

[kawasakih1]

Thanks! There was more footage but it was destroyed accidentally. In those days, all my friends rode motorcycles everywhere. I was always loaning the 8mm reel to someone. Being transported on a motorcycle, it was dropped, unraveled, and tangled up around the wheel of another motorcycle. This is all I've been able to salvage! I'm lucky to have it! I did re-edit it slightly and repost it as 1971 Kawasaki Mach III 500 H1A. Thanks for writing!

[mwalsh59]

WOW!

[sporty05]

Awesome vintage film! I love the burnout at the end!

[purldiver]

That sure brought back some good memories. Back in 75 I had an H1 built by Tony Nicosia of Hot Bike Engineering in Fremont CA. Had it for 2 years at 17-18 years old and how I survived I don't know. I buried the speedo (140 mph ) a couple of times but it was just too light feeling so I generally kept it under 130...I still dream about that bike...great vid.

[kawasakih1]

It's a wonder any of us survived on those bikes! LOL! Thanks for comment! Louis

[rooskie]

gotta love archival footage.

was that shot with an 8mm? very cool.

triples... gotta love em.

[kawasakih1]

Yes, it was shot with an 8mm camera without sound. The camera was so crappy the viewfinder had dirt in it and you couldn't even see through it. I dubbed in sound. There was more footage but we were taking the reel to a friends house and it fell off motorcycle and wrapped around rear wheel. I'm lucky to have this footage remailing!

[canvyt36]

this is the best Mach 3 video on Youtube, I have watched in many times. Thank you posting that.

[kawasakih1]

Thank you so much for your complimentary comment. I wish I had access to a modern day video camera in those days, I can only imagine what great footage I could have taken! Thanks, Louis Kranyak

[GTO1111111]

Great vid, you must have had a couple of dirt bikes before you got the Kawi.

[kawasakih1]

I only had one bike before that, a 1969 Kawasaki 120 Roadrunner!

[sik1blud]

retro man, love it.

[TeamHyena37]

this was the bike I got my first 1/4 mile win with boy does this bring back memories

[quick65cuda]

I had the s3,hi and h2 at one time, all were kawasaki green.

Each one had their perks, all I loved the same.

Maybe the scariest riding bikes ever produced, hard to take off without either a wheelie or smoking the tires, it just wants to go, and go very fast. I recall the h2 having 8 clutches and need a strong grip to shift.

[quick65cuda]

That was supposed to be H1

[EdmundSquid]

Mine was a 440cc triple cost 45 bucks out of a field behind a guys barn. I got it running in two days, then I road the hell out of it!!!!

[cryrocker]

They were not for the "faint of heart".

Holding on with both hands was very wise advice.

[mickeynismocat]

Great old school footage!

[phiditalicofzeif]

I got a ride on the first one delivered to my town. Dealer wouldn't let me drive, but took me for a spin. Opened it up to show me the power and we almost went over backwards. Kaw's always have been monsters...

[kawasakih1]

Back in the day, the only way a dealer would let you test drive one (wisely so) was if you put a healthy deposit down !

[dougbm53]

Test ride?? Hell I saw mine in a shop (same as this), fell instantly in love and signed up for the hire purchase on the spot and gingerly rode it home in the rain. What a buzz that bike was!

[stoker20]

Takes me back to when my buddy got a new one with the white tank. The first year I think?

[abalto]

Very cool. For those of us that experienced these bikes, we know what a treat they are!

[lst61]

Because of whiners like you...still have my H2, where do you live?

[kawasakih1]

Concord, CA

[QuiteUnsettled]

Why do you people insist on doing this in residential areas? Go act like an idiot on the highways where we don't have to listen to the noise.

[kawasakih1]

Hey, I was young and dumb in those days (18years old). Incidentally, apparently a lot of people felt the way you do and called the California Highway Patrol and they paid me a visit!

[QuiteUnsettled]

Very well. That's the way she crumbles.

[paul1495]

yeah you are "quite unsettled"

shut up

[kawasakih1]

Thanks ! Wish I would have had a good camcorder in those days and not a beat up old borrowed 8mm movie camera! Louis

[timberplod66]

outstanding!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!­!!!

[kawasakih1]

Good idea ! I'll do that when I finish my restore. Thanks for the idea ! Louis Kranyak

[swangoose]

You should post a video after restore, something like before and after on the same road. Should be awesome.

[kawasakih1]

Thanks! I don't have the guts to do that now. When you are 18, you have no fear !

[alpal2002]

Great burnout while taking off.

I never did one as good as that!

[GordonDonut]

Buddy, that's the best video on youtube by a mile. Well done.

[kawasakih1]

Thanks for compliment! In those days, I had a cheap 8mm camera and film was expensive to an eighteen year old kid. Kids these days are so lucky to have video camcorders. I would have given anything to have had one back in those days!

[eeheeatt]

Man this is awesome. Im 50 years old now and for the past 25 of that 50 Ive wanted a H1. one day,,, one day,,,

[kawasakih1]

You better track one down and restore it now. The good news is there are more and more restoration parts being made for these classic bikes. The bad news is that many of them are being shipped to and sold in Europe because the American Dollar is worth so little these days...Thanks a lot President Bush ! What year did you like best ?

[winterstellar]

All over the world they were called things like widowmaker, deathbike and so on. They could be scary to ride. I had several triples, none now. The noice and the smoke annoyed the neighbours a bit. Great video.

[kawasakih1]

Thank You. I am in the process of restoring that same bike but I'd never ride it like I did back then !

[atreewithnolife]

wow you still have it !! thats amazing,I bought a honda four , for around the same money ,but its long gone,nice bike, but tame compered to the kwaka [widowmaker]

[kawasakih1]

A lot of my friends at the time had Honda Fours. Totally different bikes but they were great bikes too. The 1970's were definitely a great era to have a motorcycle !

[atreewithnolife]

yeah, the bike we all dreamed abouy in england 1972, advertised for expert riders only, in there day ,they where a true superbike!! bet uwished u still had it?

[kawasakih1]

That bike cost me $1125.26 back in June 1971. I got it the day after I graduated high school. And yes, I still have that bike, 37 years later!

[mitch91109110]

I still have my '72 as well.

[kawasakih1]

Bravo ! A few of us still have the old beasts !

[governator45]

That's insane. I wish I had that bike at 18 and that wasn't that long ago.

[KFCHambone]

do u think a h1 would give a newer jap bike a good run?

[kawasakih1]

It probably depends on what newer jap bike you are talking about but just guessing I would have to say "No". I have a 1979 CBX Honda which is faster than my 1972 H2. Now, I have a 2005 Kawasaki ZRX1200R which is faster than my CBX although it could be argued that it has a bigger engine. Unfortunately, the new bikes may not look as classy as the old bikes but I would have to say they probably perform better and are faster. Maybe not a 500 Ninja but surely a Ninja 600 and above !

[butcherChrist]

Bad ass! Are those the stock pipes?

[kawasakih1]

Yes, they were !

[GregFurr]

In those days Kawasaki Triples ruled the streets of Taft !

[kawasakih1]

Yes, they did. Too bad you were riding a Honda in those days !

[swope23]

I love Taft. Ride tough.

[fastestz1]

awesome!

[Giminey]

Great job. Thats how I did it with my 75 H-1 Give it the gas , hang on an let the power band lift that front wheel right on up. You got it into the next gear on one of those cuts..well done..on that alone!!No easy task there..

[kawasakih1]

Thanks ! I used to be able to keep it up through 1st, 2nd, and 3rd gear. Louis

[cbc396]

Great video - I had a red 1970 H1 my last two years of college - the only thing that ever outran it way my cousin's peacock grey '69 H1(and only because he was 20 pounds lighter than me!). Sold it to buy a Z1, and regretted it ever since. The Z1 was nice but nothing compares to the adrenaline rush of the H1.

[kawasakih1]

Thanks ! Weight was everything in those days. I was a 100lb. kid so my bike ran like a bat outta hell. I've got a peacock gray 500 and a red one. I think I like the red better but the peacock grey one has grown on me. Louis

[KingCast65]

I had an RD 350 and was just playing around looking up RG 500 Gamma and RD and thought to look for H1 and saw this.

What an awesome, awesome vintage video, man.

Check out the blog Chris King's 1st Amendment Page I'm putting this link up tonight 29 Nov. '07

Peace.

[kawasakih1]

Thanks ! I checked it out ! Louis

[H1rider]

That is EXACTLY how they should be ridden.

Thankyou for putting this up.

[hondatech10]

Fucking awesome man! Two Strokes kick ass.

[Rosemeyer78]

..Simply the best nostalgic triples video that I have seen..

[h1aa]

Must favourite this. Genuine period lunacy. And you lived to tell the tale. Great stuff.

[D2Hs]

Fantastic vintage video, I wish I had a video of my 750 H2 triple from the seventies to.

[dougbm53]

Excellent sound quality. Thanks for transporting me back in time. Long live the widowmaker.

[grahamzx9r]

Fantastic stuff great to see original footage of the old girls in action. Especially H1As, That induction roar beats any modern day race can sound.

[LoomisLoftis]

When I was in high school, I helped a buddy rebore his cylinders on an old H2. Good lord that thing was crazy. I'll never forget the sudden rush of power from that thing. This was in the mid to late eighties. There weren't many guys our age that knew what an H2 was....they learned though...by eating blue smoke!

[kawasakih1]

I know what you mean !In 1971 at the age of 18, I bought that 1971 H1 for $1125.26 out the door brand new. With me only weighing about 110 lbs., it was a rocket! My only complaint was it had lousy brakes. Honda's, Yamaha's, Suzuki's, Harley's,...they didn't stand a chance ! Then came the H2 750, Kawasaki ruled the streets in those days ! Thanks for looking !

[brucewyoung]

I posted your movie link on kawasakitriplesworldwide

great responses-take a look.

[johnnydanger57]

Way cool! Not a lot of old triple vids out there. You should stop by kawasakitriplesworldwide dot com. That's where most all triple guys hang out.

[kawasakih1]

Thanks ! I think I'll start hanging out there. I liked your H1 video where you make a few blasts down the street. I love the way you see all the exhaust smoke as you blast down street and after you've done so a cloud of smoke drifts past the camera lens. Louis Kranyak

[Z1RD1]

Great video !

[kawasakih1]

Thanks ! I love your H2 with chambers ! Awesome !

[Z1RD1]

I did too, had to trade them for a set of street Dencos because they couldn't be dialled in on my stock engine.

[brucewyoung]

I wish I was smart enough to take movies of mine back then. Great movie!!!!!!!!!

Take a look at my recent purchase/video.

[kawasakih1]

I wish I'd been smart enough to take more film footage, too bad we didn't have video cameras in those days. Sorry, I didn't see your recent purchase/ video. What's it's title !

[sportsterbill]

Awesome ! How did you do such a good job adding the sound?

[kawasakih1]

Thahks for positive comments. I just happen to have some recorded soundtrack of a triple and I dubbed in sound. It didn't come out perfect but it was best I could do with what I had. I finally bought back that motorcycle in pieces now and plan to restore it. Hopefully, in the future I can post some up-to-date footage ! Thanks, Louis Kranyak