Remembering my '72 Kawasaki 500 H1B

[TMF]

In '74 I was riding a '72 Kawasaki 500 H1B (2-stroke triple, 60hp). The power to weight ratio compared to a CB750 was greatly in my favor. I blew them away regularly and with ease. About that time I rode to a Lynnrd Skynnrd concert in Mobile, Alabama with a 165 pound passenger. On the return trip running the long straight highway between Mobile and Pensacola I encountered two CB750s that wanted to play. We were at 100 - 115 most of the way. They were just about even with me rolling on from 100 to 115 over and over but I was handicapped with the passenger. In those days you got back, found your chain severely stretched, carbs blowing off the manifold, separate cables to each carb in need of adjustment and with probably a measurable loss of compression either from ring and/or crank seal wear. Those 500's were fast and never broke but did wear through rings and cranks. Bad crank seals got you 18mpg and fouled plugs regularly on the road.

 

[zman]

Oh I do remember my triples, The first was a 1970 H1 with the molded gas tank, then 72 and a 75 H! both were blessed with expansion chambers and sounded wicked, I did have a 750 chambered and oversized carbs, traded that off for a 5 year old 82 GPZ 750, I needed to ride girls on the back and the triple was too squirrely around corners
Like the 82 GPZ the H1 or H2 have dissapeared and command more then I think they are worth, to me anyhow.

 

[dan filipi]

I had a 500 triple 2 stroke for a bit. Dad rode it once and made us sell it, said it was too dangerous after he popped a wheelie when the power finally came on lol.
It was definitely a sleeper with its quiet tone. I remember the sound to this day. Good times!

 

[TMF]

I rode a newer model 500 triple that had been slightly detuned and had a tight feel plus electronic ignition. For whatever reason the '72 had 3 sets of points.

Best two stroke was my '76 Suzuki GT500. Always ran perfectly hot or cold similarly to what you get in a modern water cooled engine. Motor never seemed to wear. Easy starting. Great low end torque and throttle response. Left 4 stroke 500's and 550's in it's dust. I cruised around major highways at 90 all the time. I was looking for something reliable and found it in a guy's backyard under a cover with 6 inches of snow on it. Hadn't been run all winter. Started first or second kick and idled. That was enough for me.

 

[joedrum]

They were wicked bikes and the fastest ones were the year they made 1969 500 ...triple mach 1..there cranks were very light weight and it's biggest flaw .they had so much power the cranks would break the h1 and h2 were fast too they had heavier cranks but not as wicked fast

 

[pidjones]

The Kaw triples killed a lot of sailors. Had too little trail. Back off from a high-speed run while easing into a slight turn, and the forks compress further reducing trail. Death wobble @ about 100 mph with an inexperienced rider aboard. Intersection of 7 and 17 in Charleston, SC had several happen there. Kaw should have included steering stabilizers on all from the factory.