Kawi2strokes.com Forum

Hello 'kawi stroker fanatics. This is Kie in Seattle and I recently took on trade an H2 at my used bike sales store in Seattle.

I've known of this machine for about 5 years. The previous owner (Rick) had been restoring it in his spare time for the last 12 years. He finished a couple weeks ago. This bike was to be his lifetime "keeper" but he caught wind of a Z1R-TC that I had been restoring since 2009. My 'TC got finished back in May/2012 and Rick decided to trade in his H2 towards the 'TC. We did the deal even though the H2 was not done at the time. He finished it though and I took delivery last week.

I have a couple-3 or 4 customers with serious interest in this H2. I am trying my best to properly/accurately document the bike, hence my post/inquiry here.

The engine/trans was built by Ron at Purple Haze several years ago. It just recently was fired up and ridden for the 1st time a few weeks back. When Ron had the engine, he called Rick and asked him questions about the serial number, pro date, whether or not it had a 2nd front disc, whether or not it had a centerstand assist handle, etc.

The story goes that Ron told Rick this was a "Type 2" or some sort of early prototype version of an H2. Evidently the porting from the factory was different and that was what led Ron to ask Rick the other details.

This bike does in fact have a factory 2nd disc and grab handle. The frame number is H2F-05300 and the engine is H2E-05320 with a pro-date of 12/1971.

So is there in fact such as a thing as a "Type 2" or prototype version of a 1972 H2? I just spoke with Laurie at Purple Haze and she was not certain. She did mention that she remembered Rick and elaborated that whatever he might have to say would be the truth. All I have to go on is what Rick is telling me Ron told him like 8 years ago. And of course Ron passed away so I can't ask him.

I can post tons of pics if necessary or requested. If that happens I hope no one freaks out due to the fact I have a shop and am in the beginning process of selling the bike. I'm just trying to determine the veracity of this story.

Below the is the exact email I got from Rick when I asked him to document as best as he could remember what Ron told him years and years ago. Any and all commentary is welcome.




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Good Morning Kie,

Hope the morning is going well !! Just to give you a little brief on the 1972 Kawasaki 750 H-2, When I started to restore this H-2 Ron Reichert from purple haze racing called me one day and had some questions about the H-2.He asked about the serial part number on the frame as he had the engine in his shop and ask me to identify a few things on the bike. (1) was the serial part number on the frame (2) was there a twin Disc Brake system (3) was the the grab handle on left side near the seat. With that said Ron then tell's me ! "Do you know what you have?" My reply was "No" Ron told me that I have a H-2 racing production model H-2 which was manufactured a very short time because it cost Kawasaki too much to manufacture .How Ron Identified this was There where 2 engines produced (Type) 1 and (Type) 2,I have the Type 2 Ron explains the only way to know is the porting for the intake is bigger then the Type 1 I have the type 2 which gives 2% more horsepower and the only way to know is when the engine is apart.Type 2 engines were only on this racing production models When this engine was rebuilt it was Ron Reichert and George Dean together at that time ! There where a lot of good people help restoring this H-2 such as Russ Foy,Art Brass,Purple Haze racing ," Walter" Seattle cycle service,RMC and Performance Coatings just to name a few !! "Kie" If you have any questions please feel free to call anytime !!

"You have a great day"
Rick !!

What you have is a pretty regular "1971" H2, there are some abnormalities about the bike but nothing radical, the 1972 model (as in manufactured 1972) had some minor changes throughout the bike, the biggest single factor of desireablity would be that your bike should have the early ported cylinders which are the same horsepower as the later bikes but are ported in such a way that the ride is more exciting. Summing up, your bike is an early version (but late in the run) and would be more desireable to the discerning collector/investor

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Always remember, there will be greater and lesser people than yourself . . . you can learn from either!

Thanks for that R.B. That all makes sense to me. The engine sure has a "hit" as she comes up the rev range that much I know.

What is the deal with the 2nd disc on some H2 models and not on others? Is there any rhyme or reason to that?

No street-triple left the factory with 2 discs.

The Dual disc kit was sold by Kawasaki as an aftermarket "add-on", and quite rare.

This kit basically allowing you to mount a RH disc/caliper assembly
This kit featured a mirror image of the LH caliper, all necessary brackets and mounting hardware (also mirror images of standard LH stuff) additional disc, brake pipe, and a 5/8" Master Cylinder which will have 5/8" actually stamped on the top, near the lever.


Many, Many times.... Converted LH calipers are used as a "poor-mans" dual disc kit, where the brake line is actually routed front to back instead of back to front.. Easy to spot these.

There are now people reproducing the RH mount bracket allowing one to modify a LH caliper to look/work like an original...

Do you have photos that you could post of the front of your bike?, and is 5/8" stamped in the Master Cylinder?

Welcome to the board Kie.

RB is the ultimate worldwide history buff on triples, just so you know.

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Twist the throttle, tilt the horizon, and have a great time. What triples are all about...........

Much of the story related by "Rick" has little factual info and I would suggest you not repeat it if you want to maintain credibility with a knowledgeable buyer. As RB stated, there were some minor differences with the early H2's. Probably the most significant is the factory cylinder porting. These bikes are often referred to as '71 H2 even though they are '72 models. They were not "racing" models. The Type 1, Type 2, reference can get you in trouble..... best refer to it as early H2. Of course, it makes little difference as Ron has modified porting anyway.

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

left caliper



right caliper



splitter



5/8" mc. You can just make it out under the powder coating. This bike has been "overdone" in a few areas.



front wheel

Good to know thank you!

looks to be an authentic kit...

And yes, while "Overdone" as far as concourse resto's go, that looks like a NICE bike!

another detail to note is that the Left Hand Caliper is more than likely original as it has the "early" Torx head indentations inside of the large allen bolts. This caliper (or at least the bolts) would only have been found on the earliest of H2's (and I believe some of the H1b's as well?)

Actually, those torx bolts are on my right side caliper. Perhaps they got swapped around when they got rebuilt?

Yes, clearly, way over the top in some areas this bike is. Polished and plated in areas the factory never paid attention to.