That’s one hell of a bike. You did the bike justice for sure. Improvements are def a bonus and needed as you stated. They def are fast bikes. It’s a great paint job too. Great job !!! I got a 77 kz650 b1 love these older Kawis Enjoy
I started my motorcycle career at Kawasaki dealer in 1975 and cut my teeth on h1 and h2, brought the place in 1985 when when all bikes where four strokes,sure miss the two cycles
I owned an H2 back in the day and it never tried to kill me. It was more a matter of me trying to kill myself. I was inexperienced but rode fast anyway. The bike never went into a tank-slapper or experienced any other loss of stability -- in fact, it cornered okay and the brakes were excellent. The blinding acceleration was what most H2 riders were not ready for. Including me. One time, going up a steep hill on rolling pavement, I nailed the throttle as I crested the top. The bike stood straight up on its rear wheel at around 80 mph. I hung on and waited to be launched over the back. But instead the bike recovered itself and got the front wheel back down on the ground. Just bullshit luck on my part. So don't call this legendary bike a widow maker unless you don't have the balls to admit you are the one who got yourself in trouble because it was too much motorcycle for you.
I owned a 72 H2 in purple. That 2-stroke monster was crazy. It was difficult to cruise at a steady speed because it always wanted to accelerate. And when you did, the front wheel didn't like sticking to the pavement. After one year on it I sold it and bought a 73 Z1...wish I still had that bike.
It baffles me why people want more power from a bike that already has a Frame /Brakes/Handling that can barely handle its stock power . Buy a ZX-10-RR if you want to ride faster/safer also. There is nothing I love more than riding my 1969-H1-500, 1975-H2-750 in stock form, I have never 1x thought I needed more power on either bike, it’s the experience and sensory overload that never gets old!!!
Sir, any chance you could list your mods, especially the ignition? I just acquired a 72' H2 barn find, probably one of the last in the country, with three complete long blocks, and am in the process of restoring it. I plan to create something similar to what you have, not a concourse stock, but a ridable period correct resto-mod. I want the bike to be safe, and rideable, but also cool as shit! The wheels are very rough and need a complete rebuild/replacement. I was thinking of using a set of mags from a Z1R or KZ550 with the rear drum. I want a 18" front for better tire choice and late model brakes. Any advice is much appreciated and that is a very very cool bike, well done.
Yea, they had a hinge in the middle somewhere, Yoshamura designed a frame for these for this exact problem. I followed one into the hills behind Malibu, he left the road on a tight right hander, all I saw was some dust off the roadway. He had to climb back up, we took him to a hospital, creasote bushes are sharp Ha... I just knew he would not make that turn, too fast for conditions....
Cool bike; why not go a step further and envelope the pipes in the original silencer. Spannies never looked good (or as good as the original ones) on the H1 H2.
LOL you're right. I know almost nothing about bikes, but my dad didn't know how to make a video for RU-vid... so together we made a video for you to enjoy.
I have a 72 H2. Totally apart. Would like to build it back with marchasini (sp?) wheels. Where did you get your wheels if you don’t mind me asking. Good looking bike you have there! Great job 👍
Que de souvenirs de ma jeunesse, et quel regret que les normes de pollution ont assassiné l'avenir des 2 temps, dommage je pense encore à ma première h2 de 73, ça ne m'a jamais passé......
The "Original"Freaks will hate the modifications. Indeed a very nice built with modifications at the very right places. "OriginalLovers": Have a ride on an original one, enjoy the Wobble and the gears jumping out ..... This one appears like the modern variation of an oldfashioned theme. Congratulations!
I got mine on my 20th birthday in 1972. Still ride it almost every summer day. By far my favorite bike. Never jumped out of gear. Wheelies are the best part. Wobble never bothered me a bit, wobble taught me throttle control and how not to panic. Modifications are in all the wrong places. Why not buy a Ninja if that is what you want?
@Domino I have about 10K miles on my engine since I rebuilt the top and bottom ends. The two stroke oil I use is Castrol GO because it is an old school type oil similar to 2-stroke oil from back in the day. An added benefit is that it is super cheap. I use Motul Transoil Expert for the tranny, and it works well. Just for your interest I have put almost 70K miles on this bike in the many years I have owned it.
