I remember my '72 H2 vividly. Rode it for 4 years and loved every minute on it. It never lost a street race. Sold it before it killed me so I could continue to support my wife and two young kids. Mine looked as clean as the example you show here. I bought it "used" , with only 100 miles on the clock for $1200. The first owner was afraid of it, and rightly so. They were not a bike for new riders.
If you still had it, old man ;-), it'll still fight the newest models too....with the right pilot..About 25 years ago I smoked a Vmax on my water buffalo. Then I bought the Vmax. What a nice machine
dougtilarin.....Was the Vmax running on 3 cylinders, or was the rider 86 years old?😅😅😂😂😂 Stock for stock, the Suzuki buffalo wouldn't have any chance. They were great for touring, but they were slow on the street. An H2 would annihilate a Suzuki buffalo! Vmax would be a mile ahead of BOTH in a 4 mile race. It'd also be a second and a half ahead in the 1/4 mile. I rode and raced bikes starting in 1971 and didn't stop until 1987. The H2 was mighty quick for it's day. New 500 four cylinder 4 stroke crotch rockets would eat it alive. Time marches on. Back in 1972, drag bikes with built H2s, chambers, ported, etc., ran about 135mph in the 1/4, give or take. Now, if you start modifying......A modded H2 is still damn quick. In a straight line only.....
I had a 1975 750 H2. A friend of mine bought it new and I bought it from him in 1977. These bikes scared the hell out of most guys but I was used to riding dirt bikes and the first time I rode it I hit 3rd gear and pulled the front tire 2 ft. off the ground and said HELL YES. It wasn't the most comfortable bike I ever rode but it was by far the most fun. Unfortunately I needed money in 1982 and had to sell it. That's something I still regret.
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Love your comment , the H-2 was so much fun to ride , had a 1973 , and even when the Z-1 came out , and a few guys in town had them , they were scared to run against me ....... so much fun cranking it up , leaving a nice cloud of blue smoke behind me for the losers to gag on .
@@zebrabike9 Yes they were fun to ride. And anyone that was fool enough to race was left in a cloud of blue smoke. It's been almost 40 years since I had mine and I still can remember the smell and sound of that 2 stroke. I miss that rush when you roll the throttle.
I bought my 1972 H2 750 at the the young age of 16yrs old. That was 1976. I rode the bike thru high school and into my 20's, 30's and beyond. In the mid 90's I did some performance mods (like Fast by Gast pipes and such) and tried my hand in 1/4 mile racing. I quickly found that i needed wheelie bars ( as demanded by race track techs) So i had a nice titanium set made and installed them. I was able to run mid to high 10's with my combo. Then came the collector bike phase in the early 2000's. As I ramped up work hours I found my bike sitting quietly in the garage and maybe being driven once a season. I struggled for many years thinking about maybe selling it. For the first time ever I attended a classic bike event. I drew a lot of attention. Me and my bike made it to the internet and a chap from the south of France looked me up and persuaded me to sell my bike to him. That was in 2013 after some 37 yrs of ownership. I guess a person could say...I survived owning a H2 750 !
One in my shed for about 40 years. Gets out a couple of times a week. It is an exciting ride. Doesn't smoke so much with synthetic oil and proper adjustments. Peace
OMG i miss my 1974 Green H2 she and the purple one are my favorite , in 1979 i was 18 years young and got my green h2 we loved the so cal PCH and Hwy 1 so much fun times :) God i wish i had her Now at 61 years young !! :)
In the mid 70's, I had a Honda 550-4. A friend of mine bought a 750 Kawasaki Triple and let me take it for a ride. That was the most BRUTAL bike I had ever ridden! Turn the wick and hang on for dear life! What an AWESOME bike!
Thirsty, Rattly, Smokey and sometimes a little unpredictable but back in the day the most fun road bike I ever owned (1973-74) Thanks for reviving great memories guys, love your channel, please keep these videos coming.
I had a blue 72h2750 when I was 20 years old, I weighed about 130 lbs then and had to lean way out over the gas tank to keep the front wheel on the ground I never lost a drag race and it was a absolute rocket on the straightaways however when you got to a corner that was a different deal! Absolutely scared the crap out of you going around corners! I'm a lot older and wiser now but I still wish I had it back!
Sounds like what I suspected, a straight line rocket, light in the loafers up front under throttle, probably felt like cheating death after every ride.
1972, I was in the USAF and was 21 years old. Knew what I wanted and went to the Kawasaki dealer in OKC. $1200 and drove off with one of these beauties. Forearm muscles got toned up in a hurry with it. Oh how I loved the H2. Not surprised at their value now. Love the video and rattling the gray matter. What memories!!!
Old Boomer here , We used to call it “The Hemi-Cuda Eater” along with the “Widow maker” It’s unique triple sound was a Death Rattle to many muscle cars
Two stories when I was a young Sailor in the late 70's and early 80's. My LPO AT1 Bogan bought one for a couple of hundred dollars and would drive it to the El Centro Airfield. This was my first knowledge of them. The second was while I was doing Navy Reserves at Point Mugu. One of our AT1's worked for a company which made printers, somewhere around Northridge CA. They needed a part and the plant in Palmdale had the part. One worker volunteered to go and another offered to let him use his motorcycle. The owner warned the guy not to quickly open the throttle while at speed. He went and got the part and upon return, the motorcycle owner asked him how he liked his bike. The guy told him it was a really peppy bike. He then came and confessed to the AT1 Reservist the bike scared the crap out of him. He told the AT1 he was driving at the intersection of the 5 and 14 freeways and popped the throttle open at 55MPH and was instantly looking at the sky trying to get the front end back on the ground. He thought he was going to flip in the middle of traffic in the convergence zone of the 5 and 14.
I had the H2 750 triple WITH tuned pipes ported and polished. I sold it after I knocked 2nd gear out. This death trap almost went over backwards at 90. What a ride it was back in the day,,, and still even today
I had a 73' H2 750, it had a wild power band. I traded up for a KZ 900, a great bike in it's time. The H2 tried to kill me alot! Luckily, I never dropped it, but back then it's trade in price wasn't $45,000.00 dollars. The KZ 900 was a mild mannered bike in comparison, but pulled 125 mph easy, without the drama! The H2 was like it was waiting to bite me. Allen Millard made a 4 cylinder 900 and change cc two stroke ride that's in a museum today. Keep it IN the museum!
1973 Massachusetts lowered the drinking age to 18 . The same year my friend bought a used 72' H2 Kawasaki. Unfortunately that proved to be a lethal combination for him. RIP Glen F.
I could get a fantastic long 2nd gear wheelie on my 750 2 stroke but I had a hard getting much of a 3rd gear wheelie. But it would pull like a bull even in 4th gear. To me it had more power than the braking system could handle.
I use to ride an H-1 for transportation when I was 15. I lived in the country over ten miles from school, use to make there in seven minutes. Still own one 42 years later.
I had a 1973 500 and even with my motocross background, it was all I could handle. A friend of mine with zero experience bought the 750 and wrecked it within a week - spent some time in the hospital.
I had an H2 from 1974 to 1980. It was very reliable. I drove it to work every day that it didn't rain from April to November. I did a few mods and changes; better rear shocks, top line Michelins, plastic front fender, no side covers, flat bars and a bunch of other stuff. Can't remember everything, I'm 70 now. It was a thrill to power slide it, both feet on the pegs, going around highway entrance ramps. The only quirk I found it did was, it would flex when leaned over on moderate speed left hand turns when you pulled a good handfull of throttle. An after-market swing-arm and new damper shock fixed that. It was a totally different from the Norton P11A that I owned prior to the H2. Although this video doesn't explain why, technically, it was so dangerous, it's nice to see a restored H2. The person doing the talking in this video says the H2 has a wicked power band, he obviously never drove an early H1. Enjoy.
I had one of these in the 90’s.... I dumped it twice taking corners carefully..... Never rode a bike that was that unpredictable and haven’t since... Just crazy power
I upgraded into a 72 H2 from a 100 cc yamaha dirt bike. My best friend had one and we drove them all of high school. Great fun. HOWEVER, PLEASE BE AWARE - There was a defect in the stock carbs, where they would snap all the way open, and stay open, usually 20 minutes or so after you started it in cold weather. No kill switch. Runaway, very unfortunate on this bike. There was also a problem with the front fork coming apart when the wheel was off the ground. We bought ours second hand, but Kawasaki tracked both of us down, and replaced the carbs and the forks. Also, the other comment mentioned the flexible frame, and both of them vibrated really bad at 105 mph, but you could get through it, and it settled down. Some people put a hydraulic stabilizer on the forks, but I never did. Not sure it helped.
A friend of mine had one in the late 70s and I rode it occasionally. A beast. To the best of my knowledge, the nickname "widowmaker" not so much refers to the engine characteristic - few are killed in surprise wheelies - but to the not entirely stable characteristic at high velocity. I got into high speed oscillations with it once and that was a close call. The frame and fork just weren't as fast as the engine.
The high speed oscillation was a problem with the 500 H1 but not so much with the 750 H2. When compared to the H1, it was far more stable as the engine was moved more forward in the frame.
@@martyjohnson5859 My 1974 H 1 had the high speed wobble. Not so much on the way up but once you backed off the throttle it would start. The added steering stabilizer helped some and probably saved me more than I know.
Ohhh, ya! Now i remember that too! Also if you went too hot into a turn (like DUH!) ... and you hit the brakes, fukker would STAND UP and go off the end of the turn!
@@fm2dmax Actually, every bike does that. It's physics: The friction between tyre and road can only transmit a certain maximum force. In a fast turn, that force is mostly cornering grip. You only have a small reserve (if any) for acceleration or braking. So if you brake, you have to reduce cornering force by going straight(er). If you force the bike to maintain its curve radius while adding brake, you exceed the maximum force transmittable to the road and tyres slip, also letting you leave the bend on a straight line, just lying on your side, this time. Of course the better the grip, the later the fly-off. Those 70s bikes had rather narrow tyres and gave you less leeway in fast bends. A fat slick on hot asphalt will allow you to either take the bend faster, or brake without going straight, but even that will not allow both at the same time. So if you're coming in hot, you'll better be sure that you can finish the turn at the current speed.
Yes, I had one! It replaced my Kawasaki 500 H1 Triple. Both bikes were wicked quick! No other bikes of that era could touch either one of them. I remember how many Harley and Triumph riders I surprised with both bikes! The only time I lost a race is when I missed a gear. Other than that, I was undefeated! The method to stop it from wheelstanding was to lean way forward with my chin between the tach and speedometer. I was so far forward on the seat that I was almost sitting on the tank. I'd rev it, pop the clutch, and the rear wheel would break loose a bit laying a patch as the bike launched forward. By then, the opposing bike was already left behind choking in the wake of my two-stroke smoke! Ahhhh.... good times, for sure!
I had a 1969 mach 111 500 that I had a full rebuild done to it with porting and polish and stinger pipes, this bike would pull you off the handlebars and accelerate so fast that with the drum brakes you would fly through the red street lights with no way to stop, you just skid through them, hence the widowmaker caption of these bikes, back in the 60's through the 90's there was zero competition untill the susukie gs 1150E came out and I only lost that race because I pushed too hard and missed 4th gear, and snapped my crank, but I was neck to neck with this guy when it happened, ha ha.
I've had mine since 1975. Traded my 1970 383 Magnum Plum Purple Super Bee for it plus $500. I'd like to have the car back! Never lost a street drag with the bike. Best run was against a 454 Corvette. We were stopped at a red light on a Saturday morning. The guy looked like a father with his 8-9 year old daughter, maybe his visitation rights? At first I thought to let him win to impress the daughter. Then he challenged me by revving that 454. Challenge accepted. Light turned green and we took off up a hill/bridge over the Hudson River going into Troy, NY from Watervliet. At the top of the hill I was at about 80, he was half way up the hill. Fun bike! Just starting too restore it.
A friend from high school convinced me to buy his H2 and he bought a Norton 750. We had a lot of great cruises in So California, including a trip to the Bay area. I later sold it and bought a used Kawasaki 900 - and it was a mere bling behind the H2. Back in the day, the H2 was very fast and had one hell of a snap with an amazing power band. Definitely not good in turns, but a real screamer.
Sometime around 1975 I was passing by a gas station on my RD350 and noticed an H2 with a for sale sign. Stopped in and fed the owner a line about trading up. He gave me the keys and I immediately took the highway on ramp to check the acceleration. It was terrifying and I didn't get close to redline. Brought it back and told him I'd think about it. Sorta wish I'd done the deal.
It's funny talking to the youngsters about the H2 performance, they ask how much power it delivers and then wonder what the fuss is all about, BUT go down a country lane at 80 mph and the thing will be all over the road and that is without considering how you are going to stop, but very exhilarating & satisfying to ride....Let the Good Times Roll.
A friend let me ride his new KH400 triple back in 1977. He rode his older brothers KH500 triple. I was 18 and had very little experience riding a motorcycle - especially on the street. After a couple hours cruising the streets of Northern VA, I decided to get cocky and twist full throttle from a roll in 1st gear. It seemed mild enough for about a second until that 2-stroke hit it's power band and it came ALIVE. It caught me totally off-guard, and I was faced with the decision of either letting go of the throttle and coming off the back of the bike, or holding on until the power peaked and hope I hadn't hurt the motor. I managed to hang on, but let me tell you, even the small 400 triple was plenty quick with a 140lb. rider on it. What a blast.
I owned a modified version of this bike. I found a 500, complete bike, but the crank was twisted apart. As luck would have it a friend had the 750 H2 engine. Bolted right up! Had the swingarm extended eight inches, to keep the front end down. Installed a 15" harley wire spoke rim, and volkswagon continental fat tire on the rear. Raked the front end to give it a "sweeped" look. 3 aftermarked two stroke chambers to replace stock exhaust. After a re-tune, this bike would clock a quarter mile between 10.5 and 11. Back in the day nothing could touch it, and because of the mods, the front end would stayed down. Much fun!
Hiya CycleDrag, good channel I've just been turned on to. You have a New Subscriber already. And this bike is part of my racing history. I bought my first H1D 500 triple New in 1973. I road raced and drag raced it for a handful of years (with decent success; 2nd in 500GP at Ontario Motor Speedway was one of my best finishes), and then bought and built that 1972 H2 to go road racing here in So. Cal. I raced it against bikes "8" years newer. I ran 18 races that year, managed to get x2 podiums and finished well into the top Ten (7th) ,out of about 25 bikes in class. SO, much fun. As an FYI: Bone stock, triples had a 45/55 rear weight bias, a sit up and beg handlebar and a 2 stage power band. You wonder why the did wheelies? Kawasaki couldn't spell the word "dampening", let alone build shocks that worked better than the Pogo Sticks they put on stock. Install some proper Gas shocks, Bronze swing arm bushings, tapered steering head roller bearings and a modest rise/Superbike Handlebar, and the bike will work pretty well. Add a 18" front wheel, Dual discs, Brace and triangulate the frame and rework the fork spring rate and damping rods and you had a bike that worked. I did that and proved it. I road raced up until the mid 80's, then I restored triples from 1990 to 2010. That's looks like a nicely turned out 72 H2. $14K is cheap for that bike. It takes at least $8-10+K just to restore it without counting the labor or having the donor to build. Ride safe and have fun. If you see this comment in the present day (7-20-2022), I just spoke with a guy who has one he will probably see for the right/decent price. Give me a call and I'll see if we can make the connection. cheers Boots Langley La Mesa, Ca 619-466-7298
Had an immaculate H-1 500 with chrome chambers. Loved it. Fast. For what ever reason, on crispy cold nights it would turn into a screamer. 0 to top of the pipe in no time. Turned a corner next to a porsha with my friend on the back seat and it was on. Smoked him! Ah the memories.
Well I'm restoring a barn find I got about four months ago, 72 H2, three engines with it, one is ported to the hilt, we'll see what she'll do in about 6 months I hope.
I can tell you how they rode and felt on the street and dragstrip. The engine overpowered the frame big-time. You could get 30mpg out of it unless you rode it hard then it would get about 2mpg. Mine was a 1975 that I bought off showroom floor in 1977. Dealer tried hard to talk me out of it. $1750.00 and out the door. Most people wiped out because they held themselves on by the handlebars. In '75 they built them with a 2 inch longer swingarm to control the wheelies. High speed power runs on curves they would wobble around in the rear. First motorcycle I ever owned! Smoked the clutch doing power take-offs, had to machine clutch to add more plates and heavier springs. Even though I rode it for six years street and strip sometimes it would hit the power band at full throttle and scare the beejesus out of you. Wound up with unmuffled racing expansion chambers on it. Scared anybody around and sounded WAY loud. XS11, GSX, CBX didn't have a chance against me. Did 6.90's in the eighth with wheelie bar and street K291's on it.
I had H2 in 1972 and loved it. I took it "Production Racing" in the UK (Street Class?) It was totally standard and could touch the engine casings on the ground while cornering. The way it handled just suited the way l rode back then. I often took it into the "Unlimited Class" for extra track time and would finish in the top ten and sometimes in the top five. I would turn on the lights on the last lap just to rub it in how standard it was. Fantastic machine.
Yes I did. Miss it. Ran this in the Boston/Waltham MA, in the mid 70,s early 80,s. I was born 1951, Rt. 128, 146, 2 even took it to RI 95. After a long ride you vibrated along with body parts numb. Like some gabbing you by your belt and yanking you off the back,. Turns, I stood on the pegs to force the lean into the turns. love this bike!
I had an H2 years ago I ported the heads myself Made expansion chambers And built a custom swingarm I drag raced it around Seattle In the 90's It was not comfortable to ride I had it on struts and lowered the front . I surprised a whole lot of people with it
@@cycledrag Maybe somewhere i might Wasn't big on tech stuff back then If I couldn't drink it or smoke it I didn't have much use for it..... If ya know what I mean
That is cool. I did almost the exact same thing, swingarm, (8" extension) chambers, only I raked the front end out like a chopper. Reworked the rear wheel retainers and put a harley spoke rim and a volkswagon continental car tire on it. Used to pour bleach on the road and do burnouts. Big plumes of white smoke. Fun, fun, fun. (but I was young, lol)
@@moparerrnocar You don't. And "Milling" the heads for more compression isn't something you do either. That's 4 stroke territory. Even then you have to know what you are doing. You can reshape the "Squish Band(s)" and "CC" the heads but it's the cylinder's ports, that are matched and reshaped higher (to change the port timing) that do the best improvements to a piston port 2 stroke. If you don't match the expansion chambers to the porting though, all that work will be for nothing.
I had a Kawasaki 400 two stroke triple cylinder when I got out of the USMC; mine was the green machine. Used to get plenty of tickets when I'd do wheelies at red lights. I got mine in either '73 or '74. Loved it til I sold it just before it quit running. I totaled a 750 2 stroke triple when I was in the USMC. I traded my MG-B with a friend, Jim, who wanted my car for a date. All he had was that Kaw and I totaled it while he had my MG-B. That H2 was a torque monster. I used to ride behind Jim and we would leave Cherry Point on one wheel. Jim could ride better on one wheel than most could on two. We'd ride like that on one wheel for 12 miles down to Morehead City, NC. Just wish I'd kept up with Jim after my hitch in the Corps.
Friend of mine had one with two steering dampers on it. Inevitably he crashed it. The lads with him discovered him in the middle of a wheat field, but no sign of the bike. They could see where the bike had impacted the road, but after combing the hedges they happened to look up and found what was left of it stuck in the branches of a large tree.
I had 3 of this. I tuned one up to 10 000 rpm, had to put an extra hardend chain on, extra clutch plate, bigger jets, fine balance crankshaft, to compensate vibration. Unfortunately the tank lastet only 75 miles. So I sold it. The unlucky buyer killed himself flipping the bike over on a traffic light, I felt realy bad. In normal condition they were fun.
Had a 74 model bought from another solider who just came back from Germany. Paid 400 bucks for it and kept it for 5 or 6 years. Had the motor modified, bored, ported, different squeeze band cut into the heads, removed oil pump and pre-mixed Bel-Ray racing oil, expansion chambers...very rarely lost a drag race in the 1/4, never in the 1/8. Wheelie bars were a must!! Gave it to ex-brother-in-law, wish I had kept it. Beautiful
I had that year! Much tamer than the widowmaker but i could still lay a black stripe thru 3 gears AND a wheelie! The triple didn't buzz my hands so bad, that part was nice.
I had a 1973 Mach 4 750 and yeah that bike was not only a lot of fun but it was the bike which made you of motorcycle enthusiasts real experienced riders because one mistake alone could be your last mistake! It really separated men from boys! I did 28000 miles on it and heck yeah I would love to have one again but this time as a second bike beside my Harley Panhead!
Never had the privilege of owning the 750 but had two of it's little brothers, the 350 and 500. Both were crazy fun, even the 350 but handling was something that other bikes did, lol. Super simple, smokey, loud and massive fun.
My Cuz had one in the late 70's... Kaw H2 750. It was an experience riding that Chain Saw Fuel, Burning triple. Love-ed that 2 cycle 40:1 (+-) 32:1 fuel oil lube ENGINE sound on acceleration. ONE OF A KIND. Music to the ears.
Under full power the frame would wiggle. Mine did a 10.83 at Hollywood in Florida. Good pipes and a re-jet and two extra teeth on the rear sprocket made a 1.2 second difference. Boca John was proud, he helped with the mods.
The Blue Meanies, as Cycle magazine called them. If you can find a copy, Cycle did a 750cc shootout in 1972. Had a 903 Z1 in the test, too. Totally stock (but tuned by Jack Murphy to within an inch of its life!!), the H2 ran a 12.283@110.29 1/4 mile!!!
You are mostly correct, but the "Hinge on the Middle" on the early H1's was from the pogo stick shocks, and Plastic swing arm bushings that all wore out within 1000 mi. The steering damper, when set on hard, would actually accentuate the wobble/tank slapper.
Believe it are not I had the chance to ride a 500 Mach III my best friends Dad owned one and my buddy rode it often and was brave enough to let me ride it when I was 16 I’m 36 now and it’s something I’ll never forget !!!! My best friend has passed away since then unfortunately but seeing these bikes brings back great memories!!
In 1982 I was 16 years old and bought my first street bike. It was a 1973 Kawasaki Z1 900. When I brought it home my dad, who is not a fan of motorcycles, went ballistic. He said you will get rid of that bike even if you have to give it away! Needless to say that bike was sold to a friend that day. I then asked my father if we could negotiate a smaller motorcycle. He mentioned we would take it on a case-by-case basis. I located a motorcycle and sat down with my father to discuss it. I told him it was not a 900 cc but a smaller bike at only 750 cc and that it was not a four-cylinder but only a three cylinder. He agreed and that is when I got my first 1973 Kawasaki H2 750. I still have it to this day. Damon Kirkland, RIP, used to rebuild my crankshafts for me. I mentioned to him one day that I would be interested in buying his tooling should he ever decide to sell. Long story short is I now rebuild these crankshafts and have been doing it since 2010 and still love every minute of it! Kawasaki Triples have changed my life!
Didn't own one but rode many of them. 750, 500, and the 350 triple. I used to tune up the 350 triple for my friend pretty often. Had 3 sets of points if I remember correctly. The 750 and 500 were pretty scary when you first ride them. The 350 had same type of power band but was way more tame then the bigger ones. Also had a few friends with RD350s, they could also pull the front wheel up just by giving it the gas.
I had one of those in the 70's. It was a great bike and I rode it all over Oklahoma, Kansas and Missouri. It was a street racing beast, but it would get sideways in a heartbeat, if you were too eager with the throttle. Like an idiot, I sold mine. Wish I had it back.
I was 20 years old newly married and I cashed in a whole life insurance policy my parents bought me when I was born. Next stop Wilson Triumph Kawasaki in Fresno, CA to pay cash for new 1971 Iconic Blue Kawasaki H1 500. Coming from a 125 Yamaha I thought I died and went to heaven. Forty nine years later I still have the wife and wish I still had the bike too.
Kool, I grew up with RD 400 and H2 750. I have a few RD's. sold my H2 15 years ago, something i wish I never did. Well, a month ago found a 1972 H2 750 in a barn, Been sitting for 20 years. Well I brought it!!
I love these bikes. I want to own one soon. Thanks for the feedback. Please subscribe and get some of your moto friends to do the same. Lots more coming!
@@josephallen6968 Where at? Thank you for your comment and thank you for subscribing. Please check out my latest videos and please get as many friends as you can to subscribe as well. All motorcycle speed freaks are welcome here! Thanks
Walked into a junkyard looking for a mirror last week and on the way out I noticed this bikes twin sitting in a junk pile. I went inside and asked about it before even looking at it, someone had just scraped it out and it almost went to the chipper. The junkyard paid $25 for it with the title. I got it for $400 and sold it a few hours later for a hefty sum!
She is a beauty, very historic model from Kawasaki, allways had a soft spot for the Suzuki 750 waterbuffalo, that "waterpipe" gurgle comming out of the pipes was so cool, once you have heard one you never forget, never owned either of them, just the memories.
I had a 500 Kwakka in the 70,s. Ported it, polished the ports, blue printed with expansion boxes. Revved to 13,000 rpm. Dynamite in a straight line, hinges for a swing arm in the bends. The only motorcycle that overtook me ever was Ducati 900 Desmond super sport .
i got a 72 as a "objekt". rebuilt it with twin diskbrakes and a expansion chambers exhaust (+ 10 hp), Marsozzi shocks, and reinforced the swing. First, second and third gear never got any wear at the front weel. It was the funniest, and most easely handling bike i ever had
My father had one when I was a kid in like 1983. He used to rip wheelies with me sitting on the tank in front of him. His best time on the track in Englishtown nj was like a 9.2 in the 1/4 mile. Dont remember the speed he got exactly but i believe it was around 142. Cool bike I'm a Harley guy but would like to find a h2 just cause
There is no way a H2 that you could ride on the streets do a 9.2. The Mach 4 was a 12 second flat Stock Motorcycle. stock class NHRA record was 11:81 , the stock class ahra record 11:86. you have no clue what a low 9 second quarter mile is. I used to drag race my H1 and my H2. I broke 12 seconds just one time at 11:98. that's a couple of seconds faster been any Harley you've ever been on
@@jackhammer111 hey buddy I got the notification you replied to my comment. I am in no way shape or form disputing displacement or compression ratio. All I was saying is my father had one that he worked to death. And yes it was a bike that he rode on the street and track. I dont remember the exact times he ran on the track because in 83 I was 3 and don't have the papers from his runs. Thats like saying I can't make my f250 6.8 v10 run high to mid 9's. I absolutely can but won't. Like I said I was a kid but I do remember him running a 9.2 on a worked bike in the 80's
I just bought a barn find 72, just like the one here...with three engines, needs restoring but I got it for a great price. Been wanting one for 35 years.
Had one in '77 - '79 wish I still had it. Cut my teeth on Yamaha YR5 350 and Kawasaki S2 350. I was 19 when I bought it and by then I could handle it. Great fun through gears 1,2 and 3 as it lifted front wheel on each gear change especially with a scared pillion. Had a 3 in 1 expansion pipe and it sounded gorgeous. Oh how I wish I still had it. If you never rode one youll never realise the sheer brutality of the H2 Triple
My friend's big brother had one of these and I thought it was the coolest bike around. I particularly liked the noise it made. I did get an X7 when I passed my biked test and I have fond memories of the two stroke bikes (the RD350LC was another great bike) but I never got to ride an H2. It's probably just as well though given its reputation.
We made aluminum bushings for the swingarm. Tamed it's handling a bit. Added 40mm Carbs with reed valves and a set of expansion chambers. I rode on the back of my friends out to the dragstrip every weekend all season long 1978 or 79. Toolbox under one arm and wheelie bars and struts under the other. Ran somewhat (For a two stroke!) consistent low 10s at Portland International Speedway. Afterwards we would put the shocks back on and ride it back home! My friend's name was Steve Wilson but we called him "Stoner" make of that what you will. lol
I had one of these over here in england back in the 70's, swingarm, ,3 into 1 exhaust, race fork, yoshimura stage 3 heads massive carbs and no air box. nobody today gets excited over a 120 hp bike today, but in those days it was plenty for me ,the local cops were not impressed! I eventually crashed it ( surely not lol) and cracked my right kneecap, but i enjoyed every minute of owning that bike, 25 mpg, and earplugs at all times! that knee still makes a klicking sound though.......
I had a first year H2E w/denco pipes and wiseco pistons, like you said, it was a handful. The first time I rode it I nearly went off the back of the seat. It was so light and flimsy and super pipy, if I remember right the H2E was 115hp out of the showroom? I know Kawasaki backed them down several horses the following year. If you didn't know what you were doing it would stand up on you in a heartbeat whether you were at 45mph or 90mph.
I still have one of those in exactly that paint, bought from a guy who it scared the shit out of with less than 8000 miles, It is sitting in my garage now yes in need of restoration but it’s all there, and I wouldn’t say it was ever “nimble or light” the KH500 maybe but not the H2
If your like me and owned one of these bikes you know these things weren't made for man or beast , they were truly awesome machines that could get the adrenaline going. I only lost one race with this bike , but that was to anther H2
i had the 1974 and these bikes were a dream to ride and were not dangerous no matter what speed you drove i heard people say they handled like crap bull shit they handled great it is the driver not the bike and not just owning one i use to build these things right out of the crate
BS video. You never covered the quirks of this nasty rocket. I had one and this was a bike you HAD to ride correctly. It was the nastiest bike I ever owned and the one I still love today. Wish I still had it.
@@MichaelRoosendaal Didn't break the chain, but did torque the rear sprocket so hard that it pulled the axle and lock nut loose and then snapped the tensioner in the process. Suddenly the bike seemed to want to go sideways. Much like it did in a hard turn anyhow. And I do recall getting better mileage from my car at the time as well.
I don't know. It had performance. You just had to know how to use it. It had a better spread of power, better handling and brakes than the H1. Definitely quicker point to point but the H1 was actually sweeter. Certainly sounded great!
@@humandroid53 - No the 1974 H1 500 cornered better - it had stronger bracing under the tank leading to the fork tree. I could never drag race my H2 750 as I couldn't keep the front wheel down. It would power wheelie at 150 km/hr when I had expansion chambers on it. They wouldn't hold a chosen line in a fast corner as the frame would bend. Even a modern rider today would have to be careful not to kill himself on one of those H2 750s.
I love old 2 strokes they may smoke and sound like a weed wacker but there is nothing like them. I have a old Can Am 250 dirt bike from the 70's and it has a bunch of racing parts on it and that bike has tossed so many people off it's crazy
I had 500 1971 bored it out added Teflon impregnated rings and was beating snot out 750. It was beginning of name crouch rocket. Having road since I was 12 years old. I got it at 18 while in Marines. Nothing including new 900 4 stroke touched me on it. Folks swore I litterly would blur out when I hit power range.
I had a’75 H-2 in burgundy. Bill Werges expansion chambers and tricked carbs. Quicker throttle response than a chainsaw! My friends said it sounded like “ring-ding-ding” going down the road because they could never hear it from the front….I was always leaving them in the dust.
I had a '72; I rode it 25K miles. I was 19 years old; it's a wonder I'm still a live. I bought it new for $1000 (borrowed a couple hundred from my girlfriend) and sold the 500. I ran it in the mid 12's at the drag strip (SIR) wearing jeans and a light jacket. Kept it through college riding it the 300 mile distance over the Cascades between school and my parents home. Lots of stoplight drag races on a Friday night.
I remember my '72 H2 vividly. Rode it for 4 years and loved every minute on it. It never lost a street race. Sold it before it killed me so I could continue to support my wife and two young kids. Mine looked as clean as the example you show here. I bought it "used" , with only 100 miles on the clock for $1200. The first owner was afraid of it, and rightly so. They were not a bike for new riders.
If you still had it, old man ;-), it'll still fight the newest models too....with the right pilot..About 25 years ago I smoked a Vmax on my water buffalo. Then I bought the Vmax. What a nice machine
Well it is called the widow maker for a reason lol
I was the owner of one of these. One night of racing it had me afraid of it...the thing slid my ass off the back so quick I didn’t know what happen...
dougtilarin.....Was the Vmax running on 3 cylinders, or was the rider 86 years old?😅😅😂😂😂 Stock for stock, the Suzuki buffalo wouldn't have any chance. They were great for touring, but they were slow on the street. An H2 would annihilate a Suzuki buffalo! Vmax would be a mile ahead of BOTH in a 4 mile race. It'd also be a second and a half ahead in the 1/4 mile. I rode and raced bikes starting in 1971 and didn't stop until 1987. The H2 was mighty quick for it's day. New 500 four cylinder 4 stroke crotch rockets would eat it alive. Time marches on. Back in 1972, drag bikes with built H2s, chambers, ported, etc., ran about 135mph in the 1/4, give or take. Now, if you start modifying......A modded H2 is still damn quick. In a straight line only.....
I had a 1975 750 H2. A friend of mine bought it new and I bought it from him in 1977. These bikes scared the hell out of most guys but I was used to riding dirt bikes and the first time I rode it I hit 3rd gear and pulled the front tire 2 ft. off the ground and said HELL YES. It wasn't the most comfortable bike I ever rode but it was by far the most fun. Unfortunately I needed money in 1982 and had to sell it. That's something I still regret.
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Love your comment , the H-2 was so much fun to ride , had a 1973 , and even when the Z-1 came out , and a few guys in town had them , they were scared to run against me ....... so much fun cranking it up , leaving a nice cloud of blue smoke behind me for the losers to gag on .
@@zebrabike9 Yes they were fun to ride. And anyone that was fool enough to race was left in a cloud of blue smoke. It's been almost 40 years since I had mine and I still can remember the smell and sound of that 2 stroke. I miss that rush when you roll the throttle.
I bought my 1972 H2 750 at the the young age of 16yrs old. That was 1976. I rode the bike thru high school and into my 20's, 30's and beyond. In the mid 90's I did some performance mods (like Fast by Gast pipes and such) and tried my hand in 1/4 mile racing. I quickly found that i needed wheelie bars ( as demanded by race track techs) So i had a nice titanium set made and installed them. I was able to run mid to high 10's with my combo. Then came the collector bike phase in the early 2000's. As I ramped up work hours I found my bike sitting quietly in the garage and maybe being driven once a season. I struggled for many years thinking about maybe selling it. For the first time ever I attended a classic bike event. I drew a lot of attention. Me and my bike made it to the internet and a chap from the south of France looked me up and persuaded me to sell my bike to him. That was in 2013 after some 37 yrs of ownership. I guess a person could say...I survived owning a H2 750 !
One in my shed for about 40 years. Gets out a couple of times a week. It is an exciting ride.
Doesn't smoke so much with synthetic oil and proper adjustments.
Peace
OMG i miss my 1974 Green H2 she and the purple one are my favorite , in 1979 i was 18 years young and got my green h2 we loved the so cal PCH and Hwy 1 so much fun times :) God i wish i had her Now at 61 years young !! :)
In the mid 70's, I had a Honda 550-4. A friend of mine bought a 750 Kawasaki Triple and let me take it for a ride. That was the most BRUTAL bike I had ever ridden! Turn the wick and hang on for dear life! What an AWESOME bike!
Thirsty, Rattly, Smokey and sometimes a little unpredictable but back in the day the most fun road bike I ever owned (1973-74) Thanks for reviving great memories guys, love your channel, please keep these videos coming.
I had a blue 72h2750 when I was 20 years old, I weighed about 130 lbs then and had to lean way out over the gas tank to keep the front wheel on the ground I never lost a drag race and it was a absolute rocket on the straightaways however when you got to a corner that was a different deal! Absolutely scared the crap out of you going around corners! I'm a lot older and wiser now but I still wish I had it back!
Sounds like what I suspected, a straight line rocket, light in the loafers up front under throttle, probably felt like cheating death after every ride.
1972, I was in the USAF and was 21 years old. Knew what I wanted and went to the Kawasaki dealer in OKC. $1200 and drove off with one of these beauties. Forearm muscles got toned up in a hurry with it. Oh how I loved the H2. Not surprised at their value now. Love the video and rattling the gray matter. What memories!!!
Old Boomer here , We used to call it “The Hemi-Cuda Eater” along with the “Widow maker”
It’s unique triple sound was a Death Rattle to many muscle cars
Yup-A LOT of 427 Corvette owners went home crying 😢to mama!!
Just "Boomer" would suffice. 🍻
Ol blue would suck the headlights out of a hemi cuda.12 seconds my ass/ When you hit third the inside of your helmet was soaked,,,,with tears
@@divechart4269 🤣
Two stories when I was a young Sailor in the late 70's and early 80's. My LPO AT1 Bogan bought one for a couple of hundred dollars and would drive it to the El Centro Airfield. This was my first knowledge of them. The second was while I was doing Navy Reserves at Point Mugu. One of our AT1's worked for a company which made printers, somewhere around Northridge CA. They needed a part and the plant in Palmdale had the part. One worker volunteered to go and another offered to let him use his motorcycle. The owner warned the guy not to quickly open the throttle while at speed. He went and got the part and upon return, the motorcycle owner asked him how he liked his bike. The guy told him it was a really peppy bike. He then came and confessed to the AT1 Reservist the bike scared the crap out of him. He told the AT1 he was driving at the intersection of the 5 and 14 freeways and popped the throttle open at 55MPH and was instantly looking at the sky trying to get the front end back on the ground. He thought he was going to flip in the middle of traffic in the convergence zone of the 5 and 14.
I had the H2 750 triple WITH tuned pipes ported and polished. I sold it after I knocked 2nd gear out. This death trap almost went over backwards at 90. What a ride it was back in the day,,, and still even today
I had a 73' H2 750, it had a wild power band.
I traded up for a KZ 900, a great bike in it's time.
The H2 tried to kill me alot!
Luckily, I never dropped it, but back then it's trade in price wasn't
$45,000.00 dollars.
The KZ 900 was a mild mannered bike in comparison, but pulled
125 mph easy, without the drama! The H2 was like it was waiting to bite me.
Allen Millard made a 4 cylinder 900 and change cc two stroke ride that's in a museum today.
Keep it IN the museum!
1973 Massachusetts lowered the drinking age to 18 . The same year my friend bought a used 72' H2 Kawasaki. Unfortunately that proved to be a lethal combination for him. RIP Glen F.
I rode kwaka 500 triples in the 70's and 80's, loved pulling wheelies down the road on them, lots of fun.
Owner of 500
I could get a fantastic long 2nd gear wheelie on my 750 2 stroke but I had a hard getting much of a 3rd gear wheelie. But it would pull like a bull even in 4th gear. To me it had more power than the braking system could handle.
I use to ride an H-1 for transportation when I was 15. I lived in the country over ten miles from school, use to make there in seven minutes. Still own one 42 years later.
I had a 1973 500 and even with my motocross background, it was all I could handle. A friend of mine with zero experience bought the 750 and wrecked it within a week - spent some time in the hospital.
I had a '72 . Modded with over-sized mikuni carbs and expansion chambers. My friends called it the "rocket". What a blast !!!
I had an H2 from 1974 to 1980. It was very reliable. I drove it to work every day that it didn't rain from April to November. I did a few mods and changes; better rear shocks, top line Michelins, plastic front fender, no side covers, flat bars and a bunch of other stuff. Can't remember everything, I'm 70 now. It was a thrill to power slide it, both feet on the pegs, going around highway entrance ramps. The only quirk I found it did was, it would flex when leaned over on moderate speed left hand turns when you pulled a good handfull of throttle. An after-market swing-arm and new damper shock fixed that. It was a totally different from the Norton P11A that I owned prior to the H2. Although this video doesn't explain why, technically, it was so dangerous, it's nice to see a restored H2. The person doing the talking in this video says the H2 has a wicked power band, he obviously never drove an early H1. Enjoy.
I had one of these in the 90’s.... I dumped it twice taking corners carefully..... Never rode a bike that was that unpredictable and haven’t since... Just crazy power
I upgraded into a 72 H2 from a 100 cc yamaha dirt bike. My best friend had one and we drove them all of high school. Great fun. HOWEVER, PLEASE BE AWARE - There was a defect in the stock carbs, where they would snap all the way open, and stay open, usually 20 minutes or so after you started it in cold weather. No kill switch. Runaway, very unfortunate on this bike. There was also a problem with the front fork coming apart when the wheel was off the ground. We bought ours second hand, but Kawasaki tracked both of us down, and replaced the carbs and the forks. Also, the other comment mentioned the flexible frame, and both of them vibrated really bad at 105 mph, but you could get through it, and it settled down. Some people put a hydraulic stabilizer on the forks, but I never did. Not sure it helped.
A friend of mine had one in the late 70s and I rode it occasionally. A beast. To the best of my knowledge, the nickname "widowmaker" not so much refers to the engine characteristic - few are killed in surprise wheelies - but to the not entirely stable characteristic at high velocity. I got into high speed oscillations with it once and that was a close call.
The frame and fork just weren't as fast as the engine.
The high speed oscillation was a problem with the 500 H1 but not so much with the 750 H2. When compared to the H1, it was far more stable as the engine was moved more forward in the frame.
@@martyjohnson5859 My 1974 H 1 had the high speed wobble. Not so much on the way up but once you backed off the throttle it would start. The added steering stabilizer helped some and probably saved me more than I know.
Ohhh, ya! Now i remember that too!
Also if you went too hot into a turn (like DUH!) ... and you hit the brakes, fukker would STAND UP and go off the end of the turn!
@@fm2dmax Actually, every bike does that. It's physics: The friction between tyre and road can only transmit a certain maximum force. In a fast turn, that force is mostly cornering grip. You only have a small reserve (if any) for acceleration or braking. So if you brake, you have to reduce cornering force by going straight(er). If you force the bike to maintain its curve radius while adding brake, you exceed the maximum force transmittable to the road and tyres slip, also letting you leave the bend on a straight line, just lying on your side, this time.
Of course the better the grip, the later the fly-off. Those 70s bikes had rather narrow tyres and gave you less leeway in fast bends. A fat slick on hot asphalt will allow you to either take the bend faster, or brake without going straight, but even that will not allow both at the same time. So if you're coming in hot, you'll better be sure that you can finish the turn at the current speed.
Yes, I had one! It replaced my Kawasaki 500 H1 Triple. Both bikes were wicked quick! No other bikes of that era could touch either one of them. I remember how many Harley and Triumph riders I surprised with both bikes! The only time I lost a race is when I missed a gear. Other than that, I was undefeated!
The method to stop it from wheelstanding was to lean way forward with my chin between the tach and speedometer. I was so far forward on the seat that I was almost sitting on the tank. I'd rev it, pop the clutch, and the rear wheel would break loose a bit laying a patch as the bike launched forward. By then, the opposing bike was already left behind choking in the wake of my two-stroke smoke! Ahhhh.... good times, for sure!
I had a 1969 mach 111 500 that I had a full rebuild done to it with porting and polish and stinger pipes, this bike would pull you off the handlebars and accelerate so fast that with the drum brakes you would fly through the red street lights with no way to stop, you just skid through them, hence the widowmaker caption of these bikes, back in the 60's through the 90's there was zero competition untill the susukie gs 1150E came out and I only lost that race because I pushed too hard and missed 4th gear, and snapped my crank, but I was neck to neck with this guy when it happened, ha ha.
I've had mine since 1975. Traded my 1970 383 Magnum Plum Purple Super Bee for it plus $500. I'd like to have the car back! Never lost a street drag with the bike. Best run was against a 454 Corvette. We were stopped at a red light on a Saturday morning. The guy looked like a father with his 8-9 year old daughter, maybe his visitation rights? At first I thought to let him win to impress the daughter. Then he challenged me by revving that 454. Challenge accepted. Light turned green and we took off up a hill/bridge over the Hudson River going into Troy, NY from Watervliet. At the top of the hill I was at about 80, he was half way up the hill. Fun bike! Just starting too restore it.
A friend from high school convinced me to buy his H2 and he bought a Norton 750. We had a lot of great cruises in So California, including a trip to the Bay area. I later sold it and bought a used Kawasaki 900 - and it was a mere bling behind the H2.
Back in the day, the H2 was very fast and had one hell of a snap with an amazing power band. Definitely not good in turns, but a real screamer.
Insanely quick and brakes as good as the Flintstones car
I had two of these back in the day. Both 72 models, loved them. Beautiful and fun.
Sometime around 1975 I was passing by a gas station on my RD350 and noticed an H2 with a for sale sign. Stopped in and fed the owner a line about trading up. He gave me the keys and I immediately took the highway on ramp to check the acceleration. It was terrifying and I didn't get close to redline. Brought it back and told him I'd think about it. Sorta wish I'd done the deal.
My dad had a triple 750 back when he was younger, he always told me crazy stories about it.
I owned one when I was in the USAF in George AFB, Victorville CA about 4 decades ago. What a screamer. I loved the sound of that smoker.
It's funny talking to the youngsters about the H2 performance, they ask how much power it delivers and then wonder what the fuss is all about, BUT go down a country lane at 80 mph and the thing will be all over the road and that is without considering how you are going to stop, but very exhilarating & satisfying to ride....Let the Good Times Roll.
Mine thought me respect immediately on my first ride at 15 years old. Wow
A friend let me ride his new KH400 triple back in 1977. He rode his older brothers KH500 triple. I was 18 and had very little experience riding a motorcycle - especially on the street. After a couple hours cruising the streets of Northern VA, I decided to get cocky and twist full throttle from a roll in 1st gear. It seemed mild enough for about a second until that 2-stroke hit it's power band and it came ALIVE. It caught me totally off-guard, and I was faced with the decision of either letting go of the throttle and coming off the back of the bike, or holding on until the power peaked and hope I hadn't hurt the motor. I managed to hang on, but let me tell you, even the small 400 triple was plenty quick with a 140lb. rider on it. What a blast.
I owned a modified version of this bike. I found a 500, complete bike, but the crank was twisted apart. As luck would have it a friend had the 750 H2 engine. Bolted right up! Had the swingarm extended eight inches, to keep the front end down. Installed a 15" harley wire spoke rim, and volkswagon continental fat tire on the rear. Raked the front end to give it a "sweeped" look. 3 aftermarked two stroke chambers to replace stock exhaust. After a re-tune, this bike would clock a quarter mile between 10.5 and 11. Back in the day nothing could touch it, and because of the mods, the front end would stayed down. Much fun!
Been looking for one for 3 years.
Hiya CycleDrag,
good channel I've just been turned on to. You have a New Subscriber already.
And this bike is part of my racing history. I bought my first H1D 500 triple New in 1973. I road raced and drag raced it for a handful of years (with decent success; 2nd in 500GP at Ontario Motor Speedway was one of my best finishes), and then bought and built that 1972 H2 to go road racing here in So. Cal.
I raced it against bikes "8" years newer. I ran 18 races that year, managed to get x2 podiums and finished well into the top Ten (7th) ,out of about 25 bikes in class.
SO, much fun.
As an FYI:
Bone stock, triples had a 45/55 rear weight bias, a sit up and beg handlebar and a 2 stage power band. You wonder why the did wheelies?
Kawasaki couldn't spell the word "dampening", let alone build shocks that worked better than the Pogo Sticks they put on stock. Install some proper Gas shocks, Bronze swing arm bushings, tapered steering head roller bearings and a modest rise/Superbike Handlebar, and the bike will work pretty well. Add a 18" front wheel, Dual discs, Brace and triangulate the frame and rework the fork spring rate and damping rods and you had a bike that worked. I did that and proved it.
I road raced up until the mid 80's, then I restored triples from 1990 to 2010.
That's looks like a nicely turned out 72 H2.
$14K is cheap for that bike. It takes at least $8-10+K just to restore it without counting the labor or having the donor to build.
Ride safe and have fun.
If you see this comment in the present day (7-20-2022), I just spoke with a guy who has one he will probably see for the right/decent price.
Give me a call and I'll see if we can make the connection.
cheers
Boots Langley
La Mesa, Ca
619-466-7298
I have 2 1973 H1 500s and a project 1972 H2 in the garage as I speak. My dad was the original owner of one of my 73 500s
Had an immaculate H-1 500 with chrome chambers. Loved it. Fast. For what ever reason, on crispy cold nights it would turn into a screamer. 0 to top of the pipe in no time. Turned a corner next to a porsha with my friend on the back seat and it was on. Smoked him! Ah the memories.
if your dad rode a H1 he had balls like a bull
Well I'm restoring a barn find I got about four months ago, 72 H2, three engines with it, one is ported to the hilt, we'll see what she'll do in about 6 months I hope.
I can tell you how they rode and felt on the street and dragstrip. The engine overpowered the frame big-time. You could get 30mpg out of it unless you rode it hard then it would get about 2mpg. Mine was a 1975 that I bought off showroom floor in 1977. Dealer tried hard to talk me out of it. $1750.00 and out the door. Most people wiped out because they held themselves on by the handlebars. In '75 they built them with a 2 inch longer swingarm to control the wheelies. High speed power runs on curves they would wobble around in the rear. First motorcycle I ever owned! Smoked the clutch doing power take-offs, had to machine clutch to add more plates and heavier springs. Even though I rode it for six years street and strip sometimes it would hit the power band at full throttle and scare the beejesus out of you. Wound up with unmuffled racing expansion chambers on it. Scared anybody around and sounded WAY loud. XS11, GSX, CBX didn't have a chance against me. Did 6.90's in the eighth with wheelie bar and street K291's on it.
I had H2 in 1972 and loved it. I took it "Production Racing" in the UK (Street Class?)
It was totally standard and could touch the engine casings on the ground while cornering. The way it handled just suited the way l rode back then. I often took it into the "Unlimited Class" for extra track time and would finish in the top ten and sometimes in the top five. I would turn on the lights on the last lap just to rub it in how standard it was. Fantastic machine.
I had 2 of these in my youth and still have the scars to prove it. Broken right femur. Loved them both!!!
Yes I did. Miss it. Ran this in the Boston/Waltham MA, in the mid 70,s early 80,s. I was born 1951, Rt. 128, 146, 2 even took it to RI 95. After a long ride you vibrated along with body parts numb. Like some gabbing you by your belt and yanking you off the back,. Turns, I stood on the pegs to force the lean into the turns. love this bike!
My best friend had 2 of these. 1 was bone stock, and the other 1 was wicked fast. Even his 6 cylinder CBX couldn't beat it.
I had an H2 years ago
I ported the heads myself
Made expansion chambers
And built a custom swingarm
I drag raced it around Seattle
In the 90's
It was not comfortable to ride
I had it on struts and lowered the front .
I surprised a whole lot of people with it
Very cool. Do you have any pics?
@@cycledrag
Maybe somewhere i might
Wasn't big on tech stuff back then
If I couldn't drink it or smoke it I didn't have much use for it..... If ya know what I mean
How does one "port" a 2 stroke head?
That is cool. I did almost the exact same thing, swingarm, (8" extension) chambers, only I raked the front end out like a chopper. Reworked the rear wheel retainers and put a harley spoke rim and a volkswagon continental car tire on it. Used to pour bleach on the road and do burnouts. Big plumes of white smoke. Fun, fun, fun. (but I was young, lol)
@@moparerrnocar You don't. And "Milling" the heads for more compression isn't something you do either. That's 4 stroke territory. Even then you have to know what you are doing.
You can reshape the "Squish Band(s)" and "CC" the heads but it's the cylinder's ports, that are matched and reshaped higher (to change the port timing) that do the best improvements to a piston port 2 stroke. If you don't match the expansion chambers to the porting though, all that work will be for nothing.
I had a Kawasaki 400 two stroke triple cylinder when I got out of the USMC; mine was the green machine. Used to get plenty of tickets when I'd do wheelies at red lights. I got mine in either '73 or '74. Loved it til I sold it just before it quit running. I totaled a 750 2 stroke triple when I was in the USMC. I traded my MG-B with a friend, Jim, who wanted my car for a date. All he had was that Kaw and I totaled it while he had my MG-B. That H2 was a torque monster. I used to ride behind Jim and we would leave Cherry Point on one wheel. Jim could ride better on one wheel than most could on two. We'd ride like that on one wheel for 12 miles down to Morehead City, NC. Just wish I'd kept up with Jim after my hitch in the Corps.
@Sally Hillal Yep, ain't that the truth!
Friend of mine had one with two steering dampers on it. Inevitably he crashed it. The lads with him discovered him in the middle of a wheat field, but no sign of the bike. They could see where the bike had impacted the road, but after combing the hedges they happened to look up and found what was left of it stuck in the branches of a large tree.
I had 3 of this. I tuned one up to 10 000 rpm, had to put an extra hardend chain on, extra clutch plate, bigger jets, fine balance crankshaft, to compensate vibration. Unfortunately the tank lastet only 75 miles. So I sold it. The unlucky buyer killed himself flipping the bike over on a traffic light, I felt realy bad. In normal condition they were fun.
Had a 74 model bought from another solider who just came back from Germany. Paid 400 bucks for it and kept it for 5 or 6 years. Had the motor modified, bored, ported, different squeeze band cut into the heads, removed oil pump and pre-mixed Bel-Ray racing oil, expansion chambers...very rarely lost a drag race in the 1/4, never in the 1/8. Wheelie bars were a must!! Gave it to ex-brother-in-law, wish I had kept it. Beautiful
Had a 1972 H1B Bought it Brand New in November 1972 I was only 14 years old, believe it or not and I'm still alive and kicking 49 years later! 🇺🇸
i bought a new 1977 RD 400 Yamaha. work of art!
RD's were NAST-EEE
I had that year! Much tamer than the widowmaker but i could still lay a black stripe thru 3 gears AND a wheelie! The triple didn't buzz my hands so bad, that part was nice.
@@audieconrad8995 My '77 RD400 felt sooo CIVILISED after struggling to stay alive on my Kawi 3 cylinder 400.
That Triple really WAS a "widowmaker"!
@@fm2dmax agreed!
My father has one. Bought it brand new. It has sat in my grandmother's garage my whole lifetime. I want to restore it and ride it so bad.
I had a 1973 Mach 4 750 and yeah that bike was not only a lot of fun but it was the bike which made you of motorcycle enthusiasts real experienced riders because one mistake alone could be your last mistake! It really separated men from boys! I did 28000 miles on it and heck yeah I would love to have one again but this time as a second bike beside my Harley Panhead!
Never had the privilege of owning the 750 but had two of it's little brothers, the 350 and 500. Both were crazy fun, even the 350 but handling was something that other bikes did, lol. Super simple, smokey, loud and massive fun.
I'll never forget that bike. Fastest ride ever.
The most radical,crazy,ass fast bike of it's time. I just loved the first gear power wheelie mine provided!
My Cuz had one in the late 70's... Kaw H2 750. It was an experience riding that Chain Saw Fuel, Burning triple. Love-ed that 2 cycle 40:1 (+-) 32:1 fuel oil lube ENGINE sound on acceleration. ONE OF A KIND. Music to the ears.
The Mach 111 & Mach IV are the most memorable bikes ever. I hope they do a retro.
Under full power the frame would wiggle. Mine did a 10.83 at Hollywood in Florida. Good pipes and a re-jet and two extra teeth on the rear sprocket made a 1.2 second difference. Boca John was proud, he helped with the mods.
I had a 73 with denco king cobra porting and expansion chambers. It would straighten your arms out.
Two strokes have their place but I always liked the sound of four strokes better. 👍👍👍
I had a 71 H1 500 in 1975 and a 72 H2 750 in 1976 - good times, my H2 had the original Blue paint just like the featured bike !
The Blue Meanies, as Cycle magazine called them. If you can find a copy, Cycle did a 750cc shootout in 1972. Had a 903 Z1 in the test, too. Totally stock (but tuned by Jack Murphy to within an inch of its life!!), the H2 ran a 12.283@110.29 1/4 mile!!!
My uncle had one long ago. Unfortunatly the guy he sold it to did die riding it. A true widowmaker.
I always thought the widow maker was the early H1 500cc model triple, so much so they fitted a steering damper to it to stop tank slap.
You are mostly correct, but the "Hinge on the Middle" on the early H1's was from the pogo stick shocks, and Plastic swing arm bushings that all wore out within 1000 mi. The steering damper, when set on hard, would actually accentuate the wobble/tank slapper.
I had BOTH the H2 and Z-1 900 bored to 1170. paid $1600 for the Z-1 in about 1980. They were both great. And I LIVED!!!
Believe it are not I had the chance to ride a 500 Mach III my best friends Dad owned one and my buddy rode it often and was brave enough to let me ride it when I was 16 I’m 36 now and it’s something I’ll never forget !!!! My best friend has passed away since then unfortunately but seeing these bikes brings back great memories!!
In 1982 I was 16 years old and bought my first street bike. It was a 1973 Kawasaki Z1 900. When I brought it home my dad, who is not a fan of motorcycles, went ballistic. He said you will get rid of that bike even if you have to give it away!
Needless to say that bike was sold to a friend that day. I then asked my father if we could negotiate a smaller motorcycle. He mentioned we would take it on a case-by-case basis.
I located a motorcycle and sat down with my father to discuss it. I told him it was not a 900 cc but a smaller bike at only 750 cc and that it was not a four-cylinder but only a three cylinder. He agreed and that is when I got my first 1973 Kawasaki H2 750. I still have it to this day.
Damon Kirkland, RIP, used to rebuild my crankshafts for me. I mentioned to him one day that I would be interested in buying his tooling should he ever decide to sell. Long story short is I now rebuild these crankshafts and have been doing it since 2010 and still love every minute of it! Kawasaki Triples have changed my life!
I had one of those. That color too. With a set of expansion chambers, it made 90 HP. It never ever, ever, ever got beat.
I had one of these! it was bored 3rd over full port and polish too! it was unbeatable horribly fast !!
OH you bet they are. Not called widowmaker for nothing, They were insanely quick and had that two stroke power band. Oh yeah man. Good times!!
I cannot believe that Bob Carpenter isn't mentioned in the history of h2 750 pro stock racing. He was THE MAN!
Didn't own one but rode many of them.
750, 500, and the 350 triple. I used to tune up the 350 triple for my friend pretty often. Had 3 sets of points if I remember correctly.
The 750 and 500 were pretty scary when you first ride them.
The 350 had same type of power band but was way more tame then the bigger ones.
Also had a few friends with RD350s, they could also pull the front wheel up just by giving it the gas.
I had one of those in the 70's. It was a great bike and I rode it all over Oklahoma, Kansas and Missouri. It was a street racing beast, but it would get sideways in a heartbeat, if you were too eager with the throttle. Like an idiot, I sold mine. Wish I had it back.
My neighbor had one...could wheely in third gear! Amazing bike.
I was 20 years old newly married and I cashed in a whole life insurance policy my parents bought me when I was born. Next stop Wilson Triumph Kawasaki in Fresno, CA to pay cash for new 1971 Iconic Blue Kawasaki H1 500. Coming from a 125 Yamaha I thought I died and went to heaven. Forty nine years later I still have the wife and wish I still had the bike too.
Kool, I grew up with RD 400 and H2 750. I have a few RD's. sold my H2 15 years ago, something i wish I never did. Well, a month ago found a 1972 H2 750 in a barn, Been sitting for 20 years. Well I brought it!!
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@@cycledrag I do know of one for sale, the guy wants 2500. The bottom end needs rebuilt plus the Frame has been modified.
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Walked into a junkyard looking for a mirror last week and on the way out I noticed this bikes twin sitting in a junk pile. I went inside and asked about it before even looking at it, someone had just scraped it out and it almost went to the chipper. The junkyard paid $25 for it with the title. I got it for $400 and sold it a few hours later for a hefty sum!
She is a beauty, very historic model from Kawasaki, allways had a soft spot for the Suzuki 750 waterbuffalo, that "waterpipe" gurgle comming out of the pipes was so cool, once you have heard one you never forget, never owned either of them, just the memories.
Had a 500 back in the day.power came on like a hammer...clutch couldnt hold the power...Loved it
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I had a 500 Kwakka in the 70,s. Ported it, polished the ports, blue printed with expansion boxes. Revved to 13,000 rpm. Dynamite in a straight line, hinges for a swing arm in the bends. The only motorcycle that overtook me ever was Ducati 900 Desmond super sport .
i got a 72 as a "objekt". rebuilt it with twin diskbrakes and a expansion chambers exhaust (+ 10 hp), Marsozzi shocks, and reinforced the swing. First, second and third gear never got any wear at the front weel. It was the funniest, and most easely handling bike i ever had
My father had one when I was a kid in like 1983. He used to rip wheelies with me sitting on the tank in front of him. His best time on the track in Englishtown nj was like a 9.2 in the 1/4 mile. Dont remember the speed he got exactly but i believe it was around 142. Cool bike I'm a Harley guy but would like to find a h2 just cause
There is no way a H2 that you could ride on the streets do a 9.2. The Mach 4 was a 12 second flat Stock Motorcycle. stock class NHRA record was 11:81 , the stock class ahra record 11:86. you have no clue what a low 9 second quarter mile is. I used to drag race my H1 and my H2. I broke 12 seconds just one time at 11:98. that's a couple of seconds faster been any Harley you've ever been on
@@jackhammer111 hey buddy I got the notification you replied to my comment. I am in no way shape or form disputing displacement or compression ratio. All I was saying is my father had one that he worked to death. And yes it was a bike that he rode on the street and track. I dont remember the exact times he ran on the track because in 83 I was 3 and don't have the papers from his runs. Thats like saying I can't make my f250 6.8 v10 run high to mid 9's. I absolutely can but won't. Like I said I was a kid but I do remember him running a 9.2 on a worked bike in the 80's
I just bought a barn find 72, just like the one here...with three engines, needs restoring but I got it for a great price. Been wanting one for 35 years.
Had one in '77 - '79 wish I still had it. Cut my teeth on Yamaha YR5 350 and Kawasaki S2 350. I was 19 when I bought it and by then I could handle it. Great fun through gears 1,2 and 3 as it lifted front wheel on each gear change especially with a scared pillion. Had a 3 in 1 expansion pipe and it sounded gorgeous. Oh how I wish I still had it. If you never rode one youll never realise the sheer brutality of the H2 Triple
Very nice! I always wanted one, but will never be able to afford a beauty like this.
My friend's big brother had one of these and I thought it was the coolest bike around. I particularly liked the noise it made. I did get an X7 when I passed my biked test and I have fond memories of the two stroke bikes (the RD350LC was another great bike) but I never got to ride an H2.
It's probably just as well though given its reputation.
You should certainly try to ride one someday
We made aluminum bushings for the swingarm. Tamed it's handling a bit. Added 40mm Carbs with reed valves and a set of expansion chambers. I rode on the back of my friends out to the dragstrip every weekend all season long 1978 or 79. Toolbox under one arm and wheelie bars and struts under the other. Ran somewhat (For a two stroke!) consistent low 10s at Portland International Speedway. Afterwards we would put the shocks back on and ride it back home! My friend's name was Steve Wilson but we called him "Stoner" make of that what you will. lol
I had one of these over here in england back in the 70's, swingarm, ,3 into 1 exhaust, race fork, yoshimura stage 3 heads massive carbs and no air box. nobody today gets excited over a 120 hp bike today, but in those days it was plenty for me ,the local cops were not impressed! I eventually crashed it ( surely not lol) and cracked my right kneecap, but i enjoyed every minute of owning that bike, 25 mpg, and earplugs at all times! that knee still makes a klicking sound though.......
I had a first year H2E w/denco pipes and wiseco pistons, like you said, it was a handful. The first time I rode it I nearly went off the back of the seat. It was so light and flimsy and super pipy, if I remember right the H2E was 115hp out of the showroom? I know Kawasaki backed them down several horses the following year. If you didn't know what you were doing it would stand up on you in a heartbeat whether you were at 45mph or 90mph.
favorite year ,favorite color .
I still have one of those in exactly that paint, bought from a guy who it scared the shit out of with less than 8000 miles, It is sitting in my garage now yes in need of restoration but it’s all there, and I wouldn’t say it was ever “nimble or light” the KH500 maybe but not the H2
Send it to me please.
Had one. Still have the flyer. What a bike! Thanks!
I had a 72 S2 350 cc.
I was the first owner.
The 3rd owner died on it.
That's a legendary bike!!Would lobe to try one one some day...
If your like me and owned one of these bikes you know these things weren't made for man or beast , they were truly awesome machines that could get the adrenaline going. I only lost one race with this bike , but that was to anther H2
My brother had one and It is everything you say it is. I cracked the throttle and it almost left without me. The scariest bike I ever drove.
i had the 1974 and these bikes were a dream to ride and were not dangerous no matter what speed you drove i heard people say they handled like crap bull shit they handled great it is the driver not the bike and not just owning one i use to build these things right out of the crate
That's a good price,absolute legend.a real dime pc.
BS video. You never covered the quirks of this nasty rocket. I had one and this was a bike you HAD to ride correctly. It was the nastiest bike I ever owned and the one I still love today. Wish I still had it.
..i owned one , broke rhe chain twice, Needed FUEL every 30 kilometres..lol
@@MichaelRoosendaal Didn't break the chain, but did torque the rear sprocket so hard that it pulled the axle and lock nut loose and then snapped the tensioner in the process. Suddenly the bike seemed to want to go sideways. Much like it did in a hard turn anyhow. And I do recall getting better mileage from my car at the time as well.
I don't know. It had performance. You just had to know how to use it. It had a better spread of power, better handling and brakes than the H1. Definitely quicker point to point but the H1 was actually sweeter. Certainly sounded great!
@@humandroid53 - No the 1974 H1 500 cornered better - it had stronger bracing under the tank
leading to the fork tree.
I could never drag race my H2 750 as I couldn't keep the front wheel down.
It would power wheelie at 150 km/hr when I had expansion chambers on it.
They wouldn't hold a chosen line in a fast corner as the frame would bend.
Even a modern rider today would have to be careful
not to kill himself on one of those H2 750s.
AGREED! I'm pretty sure the term "Crotch Rocket" was invented ti desceibe THESE TRIPLES!
KINDA like riding a BOMB.
I love old 2 strokes they may smoke and sound like a weed wacker but there is nothing like them. I have a old Can Am 250 dirt bike from the 70's and it has a bunch of racing parts on it and that bike has tossed so many people off it's crazy
I had 500 1971 bored it out added Teflon impregnated rings and was beating snot out 750. It was beginning of name crouch rocket. Having road since I was 12 years old. I got it at 18 while in Marines. Nothing including new 900 4 stroke touched me on it. Folks swore I litterly would blur out when I hit power range.
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I had a’75 H-2 in burgundy. Bill Werges expansion chambers and tricked carbs. Quicker throttle response than a chainsaw! My friends said it sounded like “ring-ding-ding” going down the road because they could never hear it from the front….I was always leaving them in the dust.
I had a '72; I rode it 25K miles. I was 19 years old; it's a wonder I'm still a live. I bought it new for $1000 (borrowed a couple hundred from my girlfriend) and sold the 500. I ran it in the mid 12's at the drag strip (SIR) wearing jeans and a light jacket. Kept it through college riding it the 300 mile distance over the Cascades between school and my parents home. Lots of stoplight drag races on a Friday night.
Had a 1973 purple paint n could run low 11s straight from the factory, I loved it.
That's moving! Any mods later on?