Difference between revisions of "Kawasaki H1"

From CycleChaos
Jump to navigation Jump to search
(changed Daytona to Daytona 200 --> see discussion)
m (detailed history of H1)
Line 1: Line 1:
==Intro==
The '''[[Kawasaki]] H1''' (known in cycling circles as "The Mach III") was the bike that changed the course of high performance motorcycling.   
The '''[[Kawasaki]] H1''' (known in cycling circles as "The Mach III") was the bike that changed the course of high performance motorcycling.  The three-cylinder, 500cc two stroke power plant had an impressive 60 horsepower and became the quickest production motorcycle EVER produced as it sped down the quarter mile in an unbelievable 12.8 seconds @ 99.5mph. The H1 retailed for $999.00 it would typify what Kawasaki became known for '''Innovation''' and '''Acceleration'''!  The H1 still creates excitement today.  
==History==
Kawasaki 2 stroke triple.
The Kawasaki H1 Mach III was the result of the successes of the [[Honda CB450]] and [[Suzuki T500]]. The United States was the largest market and the public had the desire for larger bore, higher horsepower and higher top speeds from bikes. Kawasaki came up with the '''N100 Plan''' in July 1967. The target was to create a motorcycle with a displacement of 500cc, a 1/4 mile standing start of 13 seconds, and 60 horsepower. Kawasaki planned to do this by (1) increasing the bore of air-cooled two-stroke parallel twin cylinder [[rotary disc valve]] engine on the [[Kawasaki A7|Kawasaki A7 Samurai]], or (2) develop a revolutionary new engine layout. Both twin cylinder and a three cylinder engines were developed alongside each other with the assistance of Osaka University. Kawasaki finally went with the three cylinder.
 
Kawasaki produced the first ever MACH III in September 1968. In June 1970 Kawasaki launched a candy red bike with white stripes and a few minor changes. In September 1971, the H1A was launched.
<ref>[http://www.dragbike.com/news/features/history_h1.htm DragBike.com: History of the H1 Mach III]</ref>
 
The three-cylinder, 500cc two stroke power plant had an impressive 60 horsepower and became the quickest production motorcycle EVER produced as it sped down the quarter mile in an unbelievable 12.8 seconds @ 99.5mph. The H1 retailed for $999.00 it would typify what Kawasaki became known for '''Innovation''' and '''Acceleration'''!  The H1 still creates excitement today. Kawasaki 2 stroke triple.
 
==H1R==
==H1R==
[[Image:1969-kawasaki-h1r.jpg|right|thumb|1969 Kawasaki H1R]]
[[Image:1969-kawasaki-h1r.jpg|right|thumb|1969 Kawasaki H1R]]
Line 165: Line 171:
==1976==
==1976==
In 1976 the model designation was changed to the [[Kawasaki KH500|KH500]]
In 1976 the model designation was changed to the [[Kawasaki KH500|KH500]]
 
==References==
<references />


[[Category:Kawasaki motorcycles|H1]][[Category:1970s motorcycles|H1]]
[[Category:Kawasaki motorcycles|H1]][[Category:1970s motorcycles|H1]]
{{motorcycle-stub}}
{{motorcycle-stub}}

Revision as of 18:56, 22 February 2008

The Kawasaki H1 (known in cycling circles as "The Mach III") was the bike that changed the course of high performance motorcycling.

History

The Kawasaki H1 Mach III was the result of the successes of the Honda CB450 and Suzuki T500. The United States was the largest market and the public had the desire for larger bore, higher horsepower and higher top speeds from bikes. Kawasaki came up with the N100 Plan in July 1967. The target was to create a motorcycle with a displacement of 500cc, a 1/4 mile standing start of 13 seconds, and 60 horsepower. Kawasaki planned to do this by (1) increasing the bore of air-cooled two-stroke parallel twin cylinder rotary disc valve engine on the Kawasaki A7 Samurai, or (2) develop a revolutionary new engine layout. Both twin cylinder and a three cylinder engines were developed alongside each other with the assistance of Osaka University. Kawasaki finally went with the three cylinder.

Kawasaki produced the first ever MACH III in September 1968. In June 1970 Kawasaki launched a candy red bike with white stripes and a few minor changes. In September 1971, the H1A was launched. [1]

The three-cylinder, 500cc two stroke power plant had an impressive 60 horsepower and became the quickest production motorcycle EVER produced as it sped down the quarter mile in an unbelievable 12.8 seconds @ 99.5mph. The H1 retailed for $999.00 it would typify what Kawasaki became known for Innovation and Acceleration! The H1 still creates excitement today. Kawasaki 2 stroke triple.

H1R

1969 Kawasaki H1R

In 1970, the H1R was available worldwide as a limited production road racer. The worldwide racing success of the H1R furthered the performance image of Kawasaki. The H1R 500cc triple two-stroke engine claimed 80 hp @ 9,500 rpm. During the 1970 Daytona 200 road race, an H1R piloted by Ginger Molloy was clocked on the banking at an unheard of 159.83mph.


  • 500 cc
  • 2-Stroke, 3 Cylinder
  • Piston Valve
  • 5-Speed Return Shift
  • Maximum Horsepower:
  • 80 HP @9,500 rpm
  • Spark Plug: NGK B10EN
  • Tire Size
  • Front: 3.00H-18
  • Rear: 3.50H-18
  • Color
  • Fuel Tank: Lime Green
  • Front Fender: Lime Green
  • Engine No.: KAE-90001-
  • Frame No.: KAF-90001-
  • Remarks: Road racer version of the H1 with more power. Has forced lubrication, but in addition oil must be mixed with gasoline. Production limited.

1969 H1

1969 Kawasaki H1
1969 Kawasaki H1 in White
1969 Kawasaki H1 in White
1969 Kawasaki H1 in White
1969 Kawasaki H1 in White
1969 Kawasaki H1 in White
1969 Kawasaki H1 in White
1969 Kawasaki H1 in White
1969 Kawasaki H1 in White



  • 500 cc
  • 2-Stroke, 3 Cylinder
  • Piston Valve
  • 5-Speed Return Shift
  • Maximum Horsepower:
  • 59 HP @ 8,000 rpm
  • Spark Plug: NGK BUHX
  • or Champion L19V
  • (E) NGK B9HS
  • Tire Size
  • Front: 3.25H-19 4PR
  • Rear: 4.00H-18 4PR
  • Color
  • Fuel Tank: Midnight White, Peacock Gray
  • Front Fender: Stainless steel
  • Engine No.: KAE-00001-
  • Frame No.: KAF-00001-
  • Parts Catalogue No.: 99997-115, @ 99997-1165
  • Shop Manual No.: 99997-711
  • Remarks: Two-stroke, triple-cylinder engine with oil injection. Except for European model, has CDI ignition system. Original H1 features diaphragm fuel tap, separate handle-bar holder, and air scoops on the rear brake panel.

1970 H1

1970 Kawasaki H1
1970 Kawasaki H1 MACH III in Red
1970 Kawasaki H1 MACH III in Red
1970 Kawasaki H1 MACH III in Red



  • Color
  • Fuel Tank: Candy Red
  • Front Fender: Stainless steel
  • Engine No.: KAE-06315-
  • Frame No.: KAF-06727-
  • Parts Catalogue No.: 99997-121s
  • Shop Manual No.: 99997-711
  • Major Changes: Color and marking.

1971 H1A

1971 Kawasaki H1
1971 Kawasaki Mach III Triple (H1) in Blue
1971 Kawasaki Mach III Triple (H1) in Blue
1971 Kawasaki Mach III Triple (H1) in Blue
1971 Kawasaki Mach III Triple (H1) in Blue
1971 Kawasaki Mach III Triple (H1) in Blue
1971 Kawasaki Mach III Triple (H1) in Blue


  • Color
  • Fuel Tank: Candy Blue
  • Front Fender: Stainless steel
  • Engine No.: KAE-21876-
  • Frame No.: KAF-23626-
  • Parts Catalogue No.: 99997- 177s
  • Owner's Manual No. : 99995-314
  • Shop Manual No.: 99997-711
  • Major Changes: Color, marking, and fuel tank.

1972 H1B

1972 Kawasaki H1B


  • Color
  • Fuel Tank: Pearl Candy Orange
  • Front Fender: Pearl Candy Orange
  • Engine No.: KAE-54101-
  • Frame No.: KAF-48763-
  • Parts Catalogue No.: 99997-521, (E) 99997-522s
  • Owner" Manual No.: 99997-525
  • Shop Manual No.: 99997-711
  • Major Changes: Color and marking. Battery ignition system replaced the CDI ignition system. Front disc brake and steering oil damper adopted. Spark plugs changed to NGK B9HS.

1973 H1D

1973 Kawasaki H1D
1973 Kawasaki H1 in Green
1973 Kawasaki H1 in Green


  • Color
  • Fuel Tank: Candy Lime
  • Front Fender: Chrome
  • Engine No.: KAE00000
  • Frame No.: H1F-00007 -
  • Parts Catalogue No.: 99997-601, (E) 99997-605S
  • Owner's Manual No.: 99997-547
  • Shop Manual No.: 99997-711
  • Major Changes: Color, marking, fuel tank, and seat. H2 type CDI ignition system adopted. Steering friction damper and air scoops on the rear brake panel discontinued.

1974 H1E

1974 Kawasaki H1E


  • Color
  • Fuel Tank: Candy Lime, Candy Red
  • Front Fender: Chrome
  • Engine No.: KAE87001-
  • Frame No.: H1F-17001-
  • Parts Catalogue No.: 99997-625, (E) 99997-625-01S
  • Owner's Manual No.: 99997-811, (E) 99983-020, (F) 99983-028, (I) 99983-007, (W) 99983-008
  • Shop Manual No.: 99997-711
  • Major Changes: Color and marking. New type of CDI ignition system adopted. Check valve adopted at the crankcase bottom.



1975 H1F


  • Color
  • Fuel Tank: Candy Sky Blue, Candy Green
  • Front Fender: Chrome
  • Engine No.: KAE102400-
  • Frame No.: H1F-32400-
  • Parts Catalogue No.: 99997-625-50s (E) 99997-625-51S
  • Owner's Manual No.: 99997-849
  • Shop Manual No.: 99997-711
  • Major Changes: Color and marking.

1976

In 1976 the model designation was changed to the KH500

References