Kawi2strokes.com Forum

Hi All,
First of all, I'm new to the board and wanted to introduce myself. My name is Scott, I'm 30 years old, and I live in Louisiana. Okay, enough of the boring stuff....

I'm getting ready to start on what I think is the best project that I will ever do. My dad bought this bike brand new in 1972 and has owned it ever since. The bike has been sitting in the same spot in his garage for the last 25 years but I've convinced him that we need to put it back on the road. He did a lot of drag racing with it, some legal some not so legal, back in the 70s. As you can see from the pictures, the bike was been painted a different color years ago.





I know the photos aren't great but I will post more as I proceed with the project. I'm sure I'll have lots of questions so I hope you all don't mind!

Welcome!
It's good to see a another younger guy taking an interest in Triples. There is a wealth of info available thru this site, so ask before acting when in doubt about anything. There are manuals and other info at http://kawtriple.com/mraxl/ . It would be good to review manual info before turning a wrench. Looks like you have a gem there to start with.

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Answers are here: http://kawatriple.com/

Hey welcome to the neighbourhood.
Looks like she is all there and just screaming to be restored to former glory.
Like Dale said, use the resource site and ask questions and that should not only be one of the best projects ever, but an easy one with all the knowledge and experience the members here offer.

God Luck. Post pics as you go along too.

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Bad decisions make the best stories.

Thanks guys! I have downloaded and began reviewing both the shop manual and the maintenance manual from Mraxl's website. I'm fairly new to this but I'm amazed at how much triple information is out there.

"I'm amazed at how much triple information is out there."

I seriously doubt you will ever find a forum with as much documented knowledge anywhere else in the world.
Be sure to add your location to your profile.
That way if someone wants to send you something or your swapping parts or what have you, we know where you are.
We do have some members in LA and they may even be near you.

Again, welcome.

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Bad decisions make the best stories.

Right, mraxl has devoted many, many hours to organizing and maintaining the resource site he gave you the link to, and continues to add to it any time he comes across or is sent new information, or dreams up another way to help us by improving the site.

Your H2 is definitely in very good condition, and should be relatively easy to get running. My H2 sat for 18 years in my shed, and maybe because it didn't see modern gasoline during that time, its original crank seals are still sealing. Plan on a seal leak test early in your process though.

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If it surges, that's normal, upshift.

It's been a little while so I figured I would update this thread. Since my last post, I have done the following:
1. Removed tank and cleaned
2. Cleaned and painted gauge bezels
3. Swapped handle bars (put the drag bars that were on it when my dad was racing it)
4. Cleaned carbs and petcock
5. Installed new grips
6. Semi-mounted the 500ex caliper (still need to make a hardware store run to get the proper length caliper to adapter bolt). A big thanks to Jim for the bracket!
7. Got the shifter moving again (just took a little WD-40)
8. Changed transmission fluid

I actually got the bike started last weekend but didn't let it run very long as the garage filled up with smoke rather quickly. On the agenda this weekend is to install the new Bridgestone BT 45s and new rear brake shoes. I just ordered a custom front brake line from Spiegler (http://www.spieglerusa.com/) and should get that in next weekend. Here are a few shots of the progress.

Looking nice. Are you staying with your dad's original paint and decal scheme as pictured to preserve the history?

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"Only cheat the cheaters, boy - you can't cheat an honest man!" Mordecai Jones - The Flim Flam Man.

That's my plan. Aside from a few modern updates (e.g. tires and brakes), I'm trying to put it back to the way it was in the mid 70's. He still has his set of Denco chambers which will go on after the bike is back on the road.

It's all there!
Congrats and good luck.

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There are only two types of motor sport racing:
Nitro and everything else
(Sometimes referred to as fast and slow)