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Enthusiasts from around the world dedicated to the preservation and ritual flogging of the infamous Kawasaki 2-stroke Triples
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PostPosted: Sat Jul 30, 2022 12:38 am 

Joined: Fri Jul 29, 2022 5:17 am
Posts: 2
Location: Wichita, KS USA
Hello Everyone,

Joined the forum yesterday. I posted a hello, but must have not did it properly, so I'll try again. Anyway the project I purchased a few months ago is a barn find '74 H1F. Had a heck of time figuring out the weird ignition, but with some help, finally figured it out. Wanted to fire up the engine to insure it was good before moving forward with restoration. After installing a new CDI SSM module it did start for the first time in 40 years. You never know what you're going to run into when working on someone else's stuff! The owner, or the person I purchased it from, cobbled some parts together to make it look like a 99% complete bike, but some of the parts go to something else besides an H1. I'll post what I found later.

I'd like to know if anyone recognizes what bike this sprocket cover goes to? I purchased a semi-complete 500 engine and this cover came with it. Thanks!


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PostPosted: Sat Jul 30, 2022 4:43 am 
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Joined: Wed Jun 08, 2011 10:23 pm
Posts: 3841
Location: Colorado Springs, CO. USA
No idea but welcome.

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PostPosted: Sat Jul 30, 2022 7:12 am 
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Joined: Wed Jun 08, 2011 11:34 pm
Posts: 9931
Location: North Central NC
Hi eighthof8, welcome! I don't recognize the cover either. A 1974 H1 is an H1E. Models can be determined from engine and frame serial numbers on this page of the triples resource site: http://kawatriple.com/serialno.html

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If it surges, that's normal, upshift.


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PostPosted: Sat Jul 30, 2022 4:48 pm 

Joined: Fri Jul 29, 2022 5:17 am
Posts: 2
Location: Wichita, KS USA
Thanks Jim,

I was going off the title that it was a '74 H1F. But after looking at your reference Jim, it is indeed an "E" model. I'll post some of what I found after receiving the bike from the seller. As I mentioned in my first post, the bike came from a seller in Ohio 99% complete. My intention before purchasing a 500 was to restore one not to 100% but close. I purchased it off ebay "non-running". There was no spark at the plugs. I took all the wiring apart testing every circuit. Won't go into a lot of detail, but with another person's assistance figuring out the strange ignition, came to the conclusion the SSM box was bad. Installed the new SSM box, rigged up the fuel with extra oil mixed in, put in new plugs, and the engine started after a few kicks "revving" so high I thought it was going to blow! I adjusted a few things, kicked it over, and it "revved" skyward again filling the garage and neighborhood with gorgeous blue smoke. Did a compression test and all the cylinders are exactly the same. And no leaks. That's when I figured the engine is good and the project can move forward. Next step was to pull the carbs and have a look. That's when I found one of the carbs didn't belong on an H1; it didn't at all resemble what an H1 carb should look like. Then I got to the rear brake inside the hub. The lining was separated from the shoe. A chunk of the drum was also missing. My thoughts are that the owner was riding the bike, who knows how fast, and the lining separated from the shoe knocking a piece out of the drum locking up the rear tire. Between that and not knowing how to repair the ignition, he stowed it away in a shed for several decades. Evidently he "kicked" the engine over from time because it turned over freely when I got it.

The factory pipes were in good condition with only a couple of small dents and discolored chrome. I sent them to England for repair and new plating. They should be delivered back within a couple of weeks. I sent the wheels and some other small parts to Houston for re-plating. They turned out better then new! The wheels and new spokes are at a Kawasaki dealer in Hesston, KS now getting re-laced, trued, and balanced. The center section of the front wheel, the seat, and most everything that was painted black, I had powder coated.

That's where I'm at so far. You might be asking why I decided to restore a triple. The first bike I purchased at age 16 was an excellent shape 350 triple. My brother had a 750. I miss the raw power and neck jerking torque of those bikes. I now have time to restore one, so that's mainly the reason.


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PostPosted: Sat Jul 30, 2022 5:37 pm 
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Joined: Wed Jun 08, 2011 11:34 pm
Posts: 9931
Location: North Central NC
The title is showing the frame number starting with "H1F". From 1973 onward they all started that way. My H2's frame number starts with "H2F" and the engine number starts with "H2E", even though it is a 1972 model.

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PostPosted: Sun Aug 21, 2022 8:07 pm 
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Joined: Fri Jun 29, 2012 7:22 pm
Posts: 564
Location: Syracuse , New York USA
That looks to be from a KD or F series 125 or 175 or smaller enduro just a guess but looks ones I have seen ..

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