I'm Derek, a 50-something motorcyclist in the UK. I've been riding bikes since 1999, so it could be said that I'm a late starter to the game. However, motorcycling is my main hobby and passion! I've created this channel to share some of my motorcycling related experiences, as well as show some of the weird and wonderful machinery that I've encountered along the way. I hope you enjoy the content. Don't forget to like and subscribe!
Thank you for watching. Glad you enjoyed the video. Yes, that RGV was evil sounding lol 😯 I don't know if it'd actually been entered into the concours 🤔
At least your bike has a front disc, so your braking anxiety will be a bit less than mine. What condition is the bike in? Hopefully you'll enjoy the Kawasaki triple experience 😄 Thanks for watching my videos 👍
I had two of those H2s. One just like your bike in color. I had the same problem with mine. I want you to know that I tested top end one night on the highway. According to my gauge It showed me reaching 144 when I passed an 18-wheeler. I realized I couldn't steer it when I slowly got off course by the wind passing the 18-wheeler so closely. I've always wondered how fast other people could go on their H2. Thank you for the video.
Ha ha, you're a braver man than me! 😯 I won't be testing the top end of mine anytime soon. I'm just glad when they get me to where I want to go! Thanks for watching the video 👍
Glad you like the bike 👍 The previous owner commissioned the paint job and mods to make this 1974 H2 look like a 1975 version! Thanks for watching the video 😃
Superb video.We use something similar to Dowty washers on medical gas connections I did not know what they were called.I will consider using them on my GT 500 oil injection system thank you.
Thank you for the kind words 😃 I use the Dowty washer wherever possible. It's a shame I can't use them on the input pipe banjo because of the differing diameters on the fitting. 🤔
Another hack for a slippy clutch take your fiber discs and rub them on the cement to remove the glazed parts of them and that'll help with a grabby clutch or a slippy clutch.
The material on your clutch pads is very soft it's not like you're trying to sand a block of wood You just want to take the shiny parts off of it so it's just like lay it down on a flat table swirl it around two or three times and you're done Bob's your uncle.
You want to make your discs so air can get in between them cuz when they wet with oil It can form a vacuum and they will stick together. Tiny bit uneven in spots or air can get in between there and separate them It will keep them from grabbing at like a stop sign or something along those lines It will break the vacuum.
Ha ha, they'd calmed down a bit by 1974, but mine is still thrilling and dangerous lol 😂 Thanks for watching the video 👍 Nice to hear from you in the USA.
It might sound a bit rough but when I was working on bikes some yrs ago I would scuff up the steel plates to take the shine off of them by putting them on the concrete floor with your hand and fingers spred out on top of then and go round and round with them in big circles, made a huge difference. I still do it on car clutches and brake discs when they glaze up.
I love your motorcycle. I was watching The Terminator 1984 and I love Arnold riding this bike and firing his rifle at Kyle Reese and Sarah Connor. I Google search this bike and it says it was updated wth an Café style. I am guessing the mini windshield or as they say in Australia "windscreen". ❤😂🎉, I need to get my motorcycle 🏍️ license here in the state of Texas, USA. UR BLESSED
Lovely to hear from you all the way in Texas 😄🇺🇸 Yes, I remember that scene from the Terminator. Poor bike meets an unfortunate end though 😯 Good luck with getting your license!
You forgot the mushroom clutch pusher !. but as the clutch works and bike rides; you must have installed it while we were making a cup of tea !!!. Smart devil !!!. I'm sure none of us have done that though. dowty are great . Aluminium washers are one time use anyway.
It was stuck on the back of the clutch plate prior to installation. Probably should have inverted the plate to show it was there. I also didn't mention the removal of the tacho cable prior to the clutch cover removal! 😂
Yes, a straightforward fix. Another solution is to fit thicker washers on the clutch plate bolts, so that the springs compress more, thus increasing the clamping force. Another suggestion was to replace the semi synthetic transmission oil with mineral oil. I didn't find out about this one until after the clutch work.
So the 'faster' '72 H2s have a less restrictive air box set up? I know Kwak made some efforts to sanitise the later bikes but Im not sure just the snorkel change would make that much difference.
@@derekb2765 Having done a little research it seems the snorkel was fitted from 72-75 so all of 'em. it may be the effect of more noise perceived as more power. The transfer ports were lowered twice between those years which apparently is the biggest culprit as kawasaki sought to 'Smooth out the power'
Great video, thanks. Wonder why all bikes of this era didn’t have the exhaust header torqued down with a nut onto a fixed stud (like this one) instead of the prone-to-seize steel bolt into aluminium head option on my yamaha 😢
Thanks for the video, Derek. Great looking H-2 - my favorite color. I have a lovingly restored red 1970 H-1 that I bought nearly new in 1970. One issue that I encountered with the clutch after a lot of miles was the clutch basket loosening up. I had a welding shop fix it and had no further issues. One thing that helped the clutch smoothness for me was to upgrade the actuator, which made the pull a lot nicer. I have over 50K on the bike with two rebuilds, neither of which were the bike’s fault - operator errors. Keep up the great content!
Thanks for the comment. Glad you enjoyed the video. Amazing to hear you're still riding your original bike today. I have a '69 H1, and the clutch is rather heavy. Maybe it could do with an actuator upgrade. Cheers.
It's definitely a 1974 H2B, but with a H2C tank, seat and colour. Check out my Walkaround video for further details 👍 Thanks for the comment, and for watching!
Great work, Derek! I do love that bike, not just because of the colours! Well, partly lol. By the way, I got the two barrels for the DT rebored and they supplied new Wossner pistons, the total was £430. I'm just starting to reassemble the bike, but I noticed that the new pistons don't have holes in the back that line up with the reed valve block. We will soon see if it runs ok!
Thanks mate! Gosh, your rebore didn't come cheap! Mind you, Wossner pistons are supposed to be top quality. I got the remaining two cylinders of my S2A rebored, but unfortunately they came back slightly more than the max tolerance 🙄 I've rebuilt the engine, and it's running great - with no rattles! 👍
Hi Derrick, they all rattle, rebuild your oil pump, check that there is proper sealing of lube pipes, even add additional 2 stroke oil to fuel to see if it rattles as much, compression test, to see if compression is even around 125psi. Good luck, Zen, and the art of motorcycle maintenance 👌
I've checked operation of the oil pump on a number of occasions, it's definitely working (see Stranded at the Roadside video). I believe the piston damage was due to an air leak, possibly through the barrel base gasket. 🤔
Ah, I've spotted the source of the confusion. The text about the CBX isn't the video description, it's a link to the CBX video. 👍 The actual description is viewable by clicking on the 3 dots in the top RH Corner, then select 'Description' from the menu.
Haha, love the imitation bond music. I was always looking for 6th gear on my S2A, my S2 was perfect (previously owned by Rick Brett). Great videos Derek.
The music is from the all time classic N64 console game Goldeneye. Glad you're enjoying the videos. Many a time I've selected that ghost 6th gear lol 😂
Thanks for taking the time to film inside the Superbike Museum - absolutely fascinating! (And I haven't heard "Silver Dream Machine" in decades). Nice one Derek 👍
It's a great place, so well worth a visit if you're in the neighbourhood 👍 I remembered Silver Dream Racer from my childhood, and was determined to use it in one of my vids! 😁
