1974 Kawasaki H1E 500 Motorcycle

Description

The Kawasaki H1also known as a Mach III was a high-performance two-stroke 500cc production motorcycle manufactured by Kawasaki Motorcycle Corporation. The goal was to produce a motorcycle with 500cc displacement that was able to develop 60hp and lay down 13-second quarter-mile times, then considered an unachievable limit for a road bike. The H1 appeared in the U.S. in 1969 with a white sculpted fuel tank and blue racing stripe along the lower part of the tank, and special Dunlop K77 tyres. The engine, developed through Kawasaki's N100 Plan was a three-cylinder two stroke with a displacement of 499 cc (30.5 cu in) and weighing 173.27 kg (380 lb). Fuel and air mixing was provided by three Mikuni VM 28 mm carburetors. Ignition was through a Capacitor discharge ignition which increased the 12 volt system to 400 volts. A thyristor-based switching system then increased the voltage to between 25,000 and 30,000 volts leading to more efficient fuel burning. The H1 was an extremely successful motorcycle for its time and its speed attracted many owners. It had a standing 1/4 mile (400m) run of under 13 seconds and a top speed of 115+ mph.Kawasaki Mach III's successfully raced with Ginger Molloy aboard his "Green Meanie" finishing 2nd just behind Giacomo Agostini's MV Agusta in the 1970 500cc World Championship. Production ran from 1969-1976.These bikes have attained a worldwide fan club and are highly sort after by collectors.