The H1 and H2 - why are they so awesome?

Gizmo · Posted: Fri Sep 23, 2011 10:00 pm Post subject: Cheers for the S#A 400 Triple

Check out my 1975 S3A clutch question in this section. The 400 was arguably the best all around triple as it was quick ( not a quick at the H1 and H2 of course ) and handed corners well vs. the H1 and H2. Now if I could just get my new found horsepower to the ground I can get an idea of how much quicker it is. Smile

Gizmo

gsbeliever · Posted: Sat Sep 24, 2011 9:31 am Post subject: favorite H1 stories

I owned three of the beasties, 2 1971 blue ones and a pimped out 1974. Only mechanical issues were two CDI rotors on my first one. I used to give people rides and drive it very slowly, until they would inevitably say, "You can go fast, I'm not scared." Then I'd say, "hold on tight" and let the 6k to 9k rush blow their minds. It was a rush every time I rode it (especially w/ those K&N pod filters boosting the intake howl), so I can't imagine what those passengers thought.

HondaS90 · Posted: Fri Sep 30, 2011 5:30 am Post subject:

My 2cents, purchased my first triple, a 74 H2 new then a 72 H2 the following year.

I have a 06 Kawasaki Concours, 76 Kawasaki KZ 900, 73 H2 Kawasaki, 71 H1 Kawasaki, 71 CB350 Honda and a 66 Honda S90.

By far the most fun is the 73 H2. Owned and ridden H2s since 74, I have no problem with maintaining them. I did all my wrenching and the horror stories are exaggerated.

I did drag race H2s for about 25 years approximately 10 races a year, from low 12s 1/4 mile on a stock H2 to 5.6 sec 1/8 mile on a modified H2.

Gizmo · Posted: Sun Oct 02, 2011 10:57 pm Post subject:

GS Beliver, Honda S90, some great posts. I Installed K&N pods on my S3A 400 modified bike and yes the intake honk really adds to the 5-9k rush. Smile

Gizmo

HondaS90 · Posted: Mon Oct 03, 2011 9:45 pm Post subject:

I wanted to give some details on the H2s bullet proof motors, performance and fuel milage.

Two friends and myself took a 500 mile trip in 1975. A 70 cb750 Honda, a 70 Suzuki T500 and me on a 72 Kawasaki H2.

I installed a 16 tooth sprocket to help on the interstate travel. On a 180 mile non-stop link on the interstate at constant 65 mph, my H2 got 55 mpg.

A couple of years later this same H2 with a slick, Denco chamber, wheelie bars, stock carbs went 11.26 @ 115 mph in the 1/4 mile.

Gizmo · Posted: Wed Oct 05, 2011 12:46 am Post subject:

Great stories HondaS90. Just shows how much you could do with your H2 on the economy side and the 1320 slab. Just took you an idea, some imagination and elbow grease to enjoy both ends of the spectrum and on an H2 mind you. My 400 triple with stock gearing really gulps the gas. I am lucky to get 25 mph, probably I am on the pipe too much Smile

Gizmo

UJM · Posted: Fri Mar 09, 2012 5:48 am Post subject:

My first motorcycle, street bike, was a 1972 H1B. In 1972, Kawasaki made two versions - the B and the C. The B was the model that had points, best to avoid, trust me, I had one. It took me a while to realize it was cheaper and easier to buy the entire breaker assembly than it was to replace the individual points and condensers.

Anyway, the H1B had the points ignition and a disc front brake - the C had the electronic ignition and a drum front brake.

All of them pale in comparison to the new machines. I sat on the ZX14R yesterday, a stock 9 second street bike, 219 rear wheel horsepower with little more than a exhaust swap -

Still, the howl of those old triples at WOT with the individual air filters was something I'll never forget!

K5 · Posted: Fri Mar 09, 2012 6:17 am Post subject:

I had a 1973 H2 with mods. Steve makes some good points, but some of them is why they're sought after. I had mine for about two years back in the early 80's. What a machine - when tuned correctly. The sound under load coming out of the chambers was pure music. So additive was the sound, that I knew it was going to hurt me. Sold it to a friend that was into sand drags.

-Ray

cozee · Posted: Mon Mar 12, 2012 5:09 am Post subject:

I have previously owned 2 H1's and an H2 and today regret selling them. Thankfully I recently found a '70 H1 that had been setting in the back of a co-workers shop. Clear title, great compression and the best part, the price. Set me back a whopping $150.00.

I love the smokers!!! Riiiinnnngggg diing ding, ding, ding ding, ding!

DaveKatt · Posted: Thu Mar 22, 2012 11:37 am Post subject:

I really enjoying this thread. I bought a Red, '70 H1 back in '70. It was awesome fast, the intake sound of"whoooooopp" would have the people you were passing, spinning in their seats to see what was happening. But the thrill quickly turned to agony. I never rode a bike, that seemed to always having me push a bike as much as that bike. In 8000 miles, it ate 3 sets of pistons. If you measured the bores, you could see that they were rattling for a reason. They were wore out. The the CDI boxes started to fail next. People here may think I abused the bike. How could I, it was always on break in, seating new rings and pistons! On the last ride, I went with a group to Indianapolis for the '73 time trials. What a ride. On the way, the center carb, decided to shed the overflow tube that is a press fit into the float bowel. I found out when I needed to stop at a 4 lane intersection and couldn't as my back tire was soaked in gas. What a miracle I survived dodging cars in that busy intersection as I flew through that red light. Fixed the carb. in a church parking lot and rode on with the rest of the group. A few blocks from the race track, the clutch cam died. There is a nylon like gear , that turns into a mating female gear, to push open the clutch pack. It was wore out in those miles and it cocked sideways, so I had no working clutch. I pushed the bike into the race track. I found some people from home who were there in a van (in the snake pit also know as the 1st turn) and that 500 Kaw rode home with them. I rode on the back of a K2 750 Honda to get home. I fixed everything on that 500 Kaw. when I got home and sold it as fast as I could. I saw the new owners Mother a few weeks later and made the mistake of asking how her son was doing with the bike. Boy did I get an ear full. In the first week, the crank twisted off. I swore never, ever again. I bought my '73 Honda 750 K3 new on June 9, 1973 and I am still riding it. My brother though, bought a '72 750 Kaw. I was a good bike. I don't recall him ever having trouble with it. IMHO, if there are any legends about how good the 500 Kaw was, it is just that a legend. But, fast! It certainly was.

ericsattic · Posted: Sun Apr 29, 2012 7:12 am Post subject:

H2Brad · Posted: Mon Apr 30, 2012 8:25 am Post subject:

Why are the Triples so popular? Easy. They were the kings of the drag strips and streets back then. They are also good looking bikes plus the sound of a Kaw triple is very unique.

As far as the vibrations go if you have the crank rebuilt correctly most of that goes away. Later model H1s are also factory rubber mounted engines which makes a huge difference. My modded KH500 is actually pretty smooth. And the later 74 and 75 H2 engines can be easily modded for rubber mounting. Handling can be changed easily too with longer rear shocks, good tires, and fork mods.

What I tell people when they ask why the triples (especially the H2s) are so valuable is that they were the Hemi Cudas of their day.
Very Happy

H2Brad · Posted: Mon Apr 30, 2012 8:43 am Post subject:

I forgot to mention a few things. As others have said the S3 400 is the best all around triple. I love mine and they are a blast to ride even in stock form. I also love the RD/RZ Yams. My first bike was an RD350A and I missed it so much I bought another one.
Very Happy

I also love the S2 (1972 350). I don't like the looks of the S2A as they changed the body work but I own a handful of S2s as I like the looks of them a lot. I am also a taller person at about 6' 3" and I stand flat footed on the H2. They are tall bikes and even the smaller S2 and S3 fit me very well. Riding a triple provides a ton of smiles per mile!!

ericsattic · Posted: Mon Apr 30, 2012 8:53 am Post subject:

Hey Brad, that's quite a herd of triples you have there, keep the photos coming! One could argue the factory correct bikes in the photos are the eye poppers, but I bet the ones with the chambers on them are clearly the "ear poppers!" Laughing

H2Brad · Posted: Mon Apr 30, 2012 1:01 pm Post subject:

Hi Eric. I just picked up a couple H2C handbooks from you today. Needed to use up my eBay bucks before they expire and have wanted to get some handbooks for awhile now.
Very Happy

Here are a couple more bikes. Obvious resto candidates. The H2C is a very low mile bike and while it looks rough the engine and the internals are all in near mint shape.

Here is an early build (7/71 I think) S2. A good friend of mine was parting it out and when I got a hold of him and told him I would take the entire bike he had already sold the pipes and carbs. I will be using one of my other S2s as a parts bike for this one. Out of the 5 I own this is the earliest one and one other one is also an early build.

And here is my hybrid. H1F (75) with a H2A (73) engine. Tons of mods and it now wears a stock H1D body set as I put the lime green on my KH500. This bike had a Purple Haze Racing port job and re-cut heads. It is now getting the nasty reeded top end I have with welded heads and 40mm Lectrons. This is going to be my drag bike although it will still be fully street legal and streetable.

And lastly here is a picture from garage cleaning day. Not all the bikes I own but a number of them. You can see the hybrid now wearing the H1D bodywork.