Dont know why a lot of people seem to think if you own a 2 stroke you have to ride it like an idiot. I had this H2 for about 7 years and only wheelied it few times. I have had every variation of Kawa Triples over the year, and ride them sensibly.
Yes it was a great little bike, sold it shortly after I made this video and bought a Kawasaki 750 Triple which I had for about 7 years, now sold that one and have a KH 400 which I plan to get on the road this year. Kawa Triples are addictive fun.
Bill - yes the 500 was a fun bike to ride, wish I still had it, bt I sold it and bought an H2 which I had for something like 7 years, I have since sold that one as well, and bought a KH 400 - oddly enough that has period allspeeds fitted. In the process of rebuilding it at the moment, but when I get it going I will post up a video of it.
Nice DT, I just recently picked up a 76 IT400 a few weekends ago. It's rough and missing some things like a lot of old vintage bikes but it's mostly in one piece for the most part. It seems like any reproduction part that's available for the IT400 only starts at the 1977 year, so if it's a 76 and you need a tank or a seat you're pretty much looking for hens teeth. Since the threads for the gas cap are broken off of my tank I'm going to try fixing it with a threaded replacement filler neck for Sea-Doo/Jet-Ski. The seat is also missing so I bought some plywood and some seat vinyl to make a custom seat for it. Both side panels for the air box are missing so I'm gonna rid of the air box all together and do a duel-stage foam pod filter with a pre-filter sock. Mine's pretty much a mutt as it sits, the fellow I bought it from replaced the front forks with those from an early 90's YZ250 so it now has hydraulic disc brakes on front with golden YZ wheels front and back. The engine that's in the frame now is that of a DT400, but it came with the original IT400 engine that the seller took out of the frame. Now that I've purchased all the tools to take the second engine apart properly as well as some new OE Yamaha seals I can start hoarding parts to fix it up. For some of your performance issues have you ever thought about switching the original stock reeds out for some Boyseen dual-stage power reeds? Or possibly trying a more up to date carburetor? I'm no bike expert but those might help your surging. I can't guarantee it'll solve the issue but it doesn't hurt trying updated replacement parts. :)
Sounds like you have quite a project there, but I would say stick at it and you will be pleased with the results. I was recommended not to fit any reeds apart from the stock ones, and that is what mine had in it, aparrently any other reeds can cause you a headache in terms of tuning. I more or less got rid of the surging by fitting a larger pilot jet and main jet as well as messing with the needle height, it also need very careful adjustment of the air screw. I more or less tuned it out to a level where it was acceptable, but all large capacity 2 strokes are prone to surging so it is unlikley you will ever get rid of it all together. I no longer have this bike, but it was fun while I did. I replaced it with a Kawasaki KH 400 which I am currently in the process of restoring.
@@bikebloke5570 That's too bad you no longer have it, but it's nice that you have the KH400 instead. I actually have two other bikes besides this one that need work, right now I'm just collecting everything to work on this one. The IT400 is just going to be a dirt bike and nothing more. Since it's never going to see the road I'm actually going to buy two sets of reeds to try out on it, the Boyseen Power reeds and the ones made by VintCo which are just a stock reproduction petal made of fiber instead of metal like the originals. People tend to ask way too much for original NOS parts so I'm avoiding spending an arm and a leg on that. I'm also trying an updated carburetor on it to see if there's an improvement. My other two bikes are my 1980 Honda CX500 which just needs new carbs to run. It was my fathers bike and it's been sitting since 2004 so it's going to need new tires too. But just getting it running is the main focus. Then there's my 1981 YZ465 which I've also needed to work on as well for a while. Now that I FINALLY have to tools to split the engine properly I can get around to that as well. :)
Not had any problems with it as such. The recal was from Triumph to replace the MAP sensor pipe - aparrently they can cause problems, even stop the engine in some cases, it was not a problem as such but a Factory recall. If you are thinking of buying one take one for a test ride first to see if you like - you wont be dissapointed. Have fun !!
Only thing I would say is that the frame is physically very small. I am not particularly tall - about 5'9" but it was just too small for me which is why I sold it, I just could not get comfortable on it, but yes it went very well, as well as handling and stopping. KX500 would be interesting. Good luck !
Hi Andy, nice bike and and a nice little spin along the country roads. I could remember some of those roads, it had changed a little since I used to go along them, but a quick check on street view confirmed that it was the A37 etc.
Indeed, after the start of the ride I went right onto the A37 past the Mendip Inn towards Shepton Mallet, a road you would have probably travelled many tiimes in your youth. I then went left onto what is known as the old Frome Road. One of my favourite stretches of road.
Great bike to ride, sold this one and bought an H2. Still keep in touch with the guy that bought it from me. My current project is a KH 400, said by some to be the best of the triples.......tiime will tell. I'll post up a video once I have re comissioned it.
I had this bike for nearly 7 years and made this short video at the request of the buyer just before I sold it. They are a great ride, and the power delivery has to be respected hence the label "widowmaker"
Did that on mine as well, was quite happy cruising at around 60 with plenty in hand. Sold this one a little while ago so no longer have it. Bought myself a Kawasaki KH400 to replace it - I love Kawa Triples.
Great bike.I ordered mine with Quick Shifter,Frame sliders,Bobbins & love it. I took it easy on Quick Shifter when running bike in but once at about 500km used it more & more makes a huge difference shaves about .8-1second off changing from 2nd-6th. The mirrors shape is fantastic allowing great vision behind you.I done 3100km now & got a Evotech Tail tidy & Evotech Radiator guard & Hepco Becker Grab Rail too & it looks alot better now.Getting me a Ermax Nose 👃 fairing in about a month's time same colour as bike & tank.I got black bike with white decals on tank.
Thanks for the comments - yes they are great litle bikes. Back in the day I had a couple of air cooled Triples, the T160 ad T150 this bike still has that lovely Triple sound and is a lot quicker than I remember the T160 and T150 were. I am planning on an Evotech Tail tidy and Rad guard, also contemplating an Ermax nose fairing. Soon be time to put it away for the winter months, during that the "goodies" will be fitted. Enjoy your bike 👍
@@bikebloke5570 Trident 🔱 _ Tiger 🐅 recalled for wrong air hose. I just rang my Dealership & said I had to bring it in.Sounds like easy fix & free but inconvenient.All Tridents & Tigers from 2021-2023 models. Booked in 2weeks to do it.
@@ruahinesrider Had mine done a few weeks back by the dealer - a "safety recal" by all accounts. Felt like it ran a little better afterwards, but may be just imagining it.
@@OogleTheGreat All I can say is that I have had a lot of 2 strokes over the years - I ride them pretty much any other bike, and never had any problems with them. Yes 2 strokes do like to "sing" it's true but you dont have to thrash them all the time.
Oh no! I thought my lite under my headlite made mine unique, the only one! ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-NFniuPFPovc.html Kidding, nice bike!
Great minds think alike ! Quick question - does your 400 surge a lot on the overun? Almost got rid of it on mine but not quite. May be something I have to live with unless you have any suggestions.
@@bikebloke5570 I'm not sure what you mean by 'surge on the overrun', but I don't have any surges unless I gas it. It does chug and jerk a bit on deceleration at certain conditions though.
Curtis - a good question. Some people say that the DT175 is the best of the bunch. Personally I just wanted a big 2 stoke single and always fancied a DT 400 so I bought myself this one. The 400's have a reputation for "surging" and can be hard to tune out. If you have the option of trying a 250 and a 400 I would say give each a test ride and choose what you like best. My 400 is great to ride and have not regretted buying it. Good luck.
Trouble with porting is that yes you can get a lot more power, but you can end up with an engine that is very peaky / has a narrow power band. The DT400 as it is, is pretty docile and very tractable as it is which makes it a lot of fun to ride. Can remember back in my youth a mate of mine used to do motocross, those bikes were highly tuned and put out massive amounts of power, but you really had to know what you were doing to be able to ride it. Too old for that sort of stuff these days, I just want an easy life 😀
Very cool! Wanted to buy DT 175 when i was young, in the 1980's.After i had DT 50 M. But TY was always my favorite bike series. Wanted to have. one of these.. .now it's too late 😢. But love to watch those videos. And people like you keep them in very good conditions. Everything in our Western World seems to be going electric, sooner or late. So keep those bike monumentes alive!
Just can not work out why they use up so much gas. Unburnt down the exhaust? Do not need to rev the knackers off it to get away; not exactly heavy either so why I say? My GT750 was dreadful but... Have you done the KH500 ride on this one yet BikeBloke?
My H1 500 Mach IIIwas capable of 50 mpg, but the way I rode it back in the 70's, (in Montana, no speed limit then) 20mpg was closer to the norm. Two strokes can put out tons of power, but that requires a lot of gasoline.
The biggest difference is the low down torque. The H2 is a lot more torquey - you can almost ride it like a 4 stroke, the KH just does not have that bottom end. The KH is also a lot smoother than the H2. Each have their own merrits. I would be quite content to have another KH500, or even 400 which is supposed to be the best of the lot. Having said all that the H2 is a lot of fun to ride.
@@bikebloke5570Just done this ride with you again. Cider at the end huh... Love hearing those fins resonating. £829 to buy one new when I was at that age but did not... I always adored the 350 S2 in red. Just noticed your Spring on the H2B. Gonna have a squizz. Have you watched the French bloke on the blue H2? Monsieur!
Steve - yes, the ride was out of Wells up and over Pen Hill Mast, on through Chewton Mendip, and then right towards Emborough. Guess you must be local then? I no longer have the KH500 I now have an H2.
@@bikebloke5570 hi yes I live in Cannards grave, I'm sure I followed you when you were on your H2 as mandy and I commented that they aren't a common sight around here, I myself own a KH 500 and now ride these roads 😁
@@stevelester9015 Steve - I often ride up through Pilton to the junction at Cannards grave then out towards Frome so you may have seen me around, if you ever spot me dont hesitate to flag me down for a chat. Seeing any Kawa Triple on the road is a rare sight around here! Keep the good times rollin...........
@@bikebloke5570 will do, if ever you ride up the lane in Cannards that comes out between the two pubs, I own the first and only place only place on the right (the yard with the lorries in it) if the doors are open please call in 👍
@@stevelester9015 Steve - rode past your place yesterday, no signs of anyone around. I seemed to attract a lot of attention from blokes in the pub though ! Catch you sometime.
Good video! Sounds awesome. I'm also planning on using a gpz305 frame, swing arm, and shock to make a Japanese bitsa/franken'. Going to try and squeeze an EN400 engine in with a chain conversion.
