750 H2 Triples

[Andrew_s]

I remember riding a mate's H2 in the mid-70's and a wicked thing it was, back then! But ever since a friend bought a very nice purple US spec H2C last year I've had a hankering for one even though I'm not particularly a big blue-mist fan and know little about H2 specs, but I am reading up.......

This UK 74 H2B is local to me, so any thoughts on it from those past and present triple owners who ride amongst us? https://www.classicsuperbikes.co.uk/catalogue/bikes-for-sale/kawasaki-750-mach-iv.html

[zapo]

I am watching with interest to the replies.
I've had triples before but not the H2C.
Like Andrew, I often think about getting one for the experience, although like many classics the prices are getting silly.

[Mathh]

Me too, have had 5 in total except the H2c. I restored a H2B myself long time ago in the same gold colour, still love that colour. Looking at the prices I sold way too early but I needed the space. The H2B in the advert looks like it has most hard-to-get parts.. Centre stand, rear mud guard, seat-strap and chrome strips, air filter, double discs, nice exhausts, spare spark plugs holder, tool kit ...
I found the first year the most "scary" and the H2B the most sensible to ride but there are people who disagree hahaha

[Garry.L]

The One linked is a rarer UK bike in the much rarer Candy Brown. However the B is the least desirable of the 4 models, the C in Candy Purple being the most desirable.

I had the B below but never really got on with it. One too many little quirks for me, the deal breaker being the common H2 off throttle low speed surging making the bike truly horrible to ride in any kind of traffic. If you can get a test ride first on a fully warmed up bike then do so before buying.

I've owned all the triples and Personally I'd go for a H1D-F or better still a KH400 which is easily the best riding Triple and in Candy Royal Purple nearly as good looking as a H2C

h2023_zps2522b453.jpg (132 KiB) Viewed 6216 times

[Andrew_s]

Thanks folks.

Mathh,
Yes, it has most of the hard to find parts (and some incorrect parts unseen in the photos) but it does have the wrong rear mudguard as the UK version didn't have the rear reflector; the one fitted is a Euro one, easily sorted but expensive to do so.

Garry,
Your experience is a very useful insight.

[Garry.L]

Thanks folks.

Mathh,
Yes, it has most of the hard to find parts (and some incorrect parts unseen in the photos) but it does have the wrong rear mudguard as the UK version didn't have the rear reflector; the one fitted is a Euro one, easily sorted but expensive to do so.

Garry,
Your experience is a very useful insight.

The H2 is a unique riding experience and in many ways very 'un' 2 Stroke like, ie they have bags of torque and power delivery is very linier. 'On' throttle the bike is Fab and the exhaust bark on gear changes is very addictive.

Like all H series the gearbox is '5 up', ie neutral is at the bottom of the box, and you have to remember to fold up the footpeg the use the kick start. Engine vibration through the bars is a little excessive over 60mph and the clutch is very heavy. It also goes without saying they are fond of a Drink. To be honest I could have lived with all these little quirks, but the Surging killed it for me. That said there are jet kits available which help, but from what I've read the results are mixed.

Good Luck with the search.

[zapo]

An interesting summary and I can certainly relate to ...."the exhaust bark on gear changes is very addictive".

[baz]

I have all four h2's in my mates lock up, not rode them for a few years now due to one thing and another, but like its been said on here.....they are what they are.
Theres a definite improvement through each model, you can see why the 72 model was called the widow maker.....great fun if your a good rider....lethal if your not.
The 75 h2c is the one you want if its going get some use.....for me the best looking one is the h2a

[MrDavo]

As a student in the 70's, the UMIST bike club had a couple of lads with H1 and H2 triples, which they club raced as well as used on runs etc. Due to the appalling mpg, they were always keen to take passengers to split the fuel cost, so when my Triumph 750 went horribly wrong I found myself on the back of these rather more than I'd expected!

I was surprised how well they did handle when ridden right, but they weren't the sort of bike that suffered fools gladly. My only attempt at riding one resulted in a near vertical H1 when I suddenly hit the power band with a wide open throttle, I was so close to flipping it! I was also on the back of an H2 when it seized, luckily the rider, Neil, was an experienced two stroke racer, and whipped the clutch in before the back wheel locked solid. We later found sand in the bottom of the oil tank, which we put down to sabotage while parked up.

I always fancied one just because of the sheer insanity of it, same as I like small light cars with stupidly large engines.

[Bicycle Repairman]

I have one of those. I’ve never ridden the early ones, so I can’t comment on them.
This one is ex Mr Brett, going by the title certificate, an import from the Land of the Free, (not Texas, the other bit).
The bike is unusual in that it is often well-mannered, good-tempered and great fun. Occasionally and when you least expect it, it will try to kill you. A bit like a Russian postal bride I imagine.
You have never experienced proper range anxiety until you’ve ridden out on one of these. Battery car drivers really are behind the curve on this. It does 25mpg or so if doodled, 10mpg or so if encouraged. That’s not a whole lot of very far at all with that smallish tank and difficult to judge. I get a bit funny about passing petrol stations without calling in. It very much likes very expensive synthetic oil that comes in boutique-size-zero carafes and at “all ahead flank” makes Greta-melting amounts of smoke. Which is nice.
Would I recommend an H2C? Oh yes!

[baz]

couldn't have put it better myself

[Andrew_s]

I have one of those. I’ve never ridden the early ones, so I can’t comment on them.
This one is ex Mr Brett, going by the title certificate, an import from the Land of the Free, (not Texas, the other bit).
The bike is unusual in that it is often well-mannered, good-tempered and great fun. Occasionally and when you least expect it, it will try to kill you. A bit like a Russian postal bride I imagine.
You have never experienced proper range anxiety until you’ve ridden out on one of these. Battery car drivers really are behind the curve on this. It does 25mpg or so if doodled, 10mpg or so if encouraged. That’s not a whole lot of very far at all with that smallish tank and difficult to judge. I get a bit funny about passing petrol stations without calling in. It very much likes very expensive synthetic oil that comes in boutique-size-zero carafes and at “all ahead flank” makes Greta-melting amounts of smoke. Which is nice.
Would I recommend an H2C? Oh yes!

Great summary! Yes, this H2B was owned by Rick Brett (twice), but it's not an import as RB confirmed to me it's a genuine UK bike - interested to know why you thought it was imported as a title certificate is not mentioned or shown in the ad - or did I miss very some subtle wit?

[Bicycle Repairman]

Ah, no special powers, sad to say.
My purple H2C (pictured) is the import and once of Mr Brett.

[Andrew_s]

Ah, no special powers, sad to say.
My purple H2C (pictured) is the import and once of Mr Brett.

Note to self: 'read posts at least twice to get the context'......

Lovely 'purple people eater' by the way.