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The '''[[Kawasaki]] H1''' was a 500cc [[triple cylinder]] [[street motorcycle]] manufactured by [[Kawasaki]] from 1969 to 1975 (known in cycling circles as "The Mach III"). It was the bike that changed the course of high performance [[motorcycling]]. | The '''[[Kawasaki]] H1''' was a 500cc [[triple cylinder]] [[street motorcycle]] manufactured by [[Kawasaki]] from 1969 to 1975 (known in cycling circles as "The Mach III"). It was the bike that changed the course of high performance [[motorcycling]]. | ||
==History== | ==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|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. | 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 had the [[Kawasaki A1|A1]] and the [[Kawasaki A7|A7]] which were impressive performers but Kawasaki needed a performance flagship to compete with not only the [[Suzuki T500]] and [[Honda CB450]] but also to take on the established British heavyweight machines. 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. | 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. | ||