Project Tetanus - H1 500 - Never Again

[Tonto]

About 6 years ago I decided I needed a H1 or KH 500 triple, so I looked for a project bike, I found one (from a supposed reputable source) which, sadly turned out to be an absolute and perpetual nightmare. I've restored a few bikes in my time, but this one sold on eBay as a running H1f resto has been a lesson I will never forget. A true case of Caveat Emptor.
The more I took the bike apart the more I realised I had been sold a bag of bits put together to resemble an H1f, so I put it under a cover and left it for 3 years - hidden out of sight.

Anyway, enough of the whinging: I eventually plucked up the courage to start the rebuild - and oh my what fun that turned out to be , but after a lot of time, pain and expense (i could not believe how expensive parts are for H1's) I've almost done - just finishing off the paint set and she'll be complete. It turned into a total nut and bolt job: I expected both major cosmetic and engine work, but it surpassed my worst case scenario: crank, Wossner pistons, gear box rebuild, complete NOS clutch, new ignition, stator rebuild, all electrics etc etc.

What the hell have I bought !

Almost done

I know she's not perfect, but I'm well pleased with the end result: jeez - what a job though !

[Z1streetfighter71]

Looks fairly perfect to me, great work!

[r3sc]

It’s going to be a stunner! Well worth it!

[Garry.L]

Fantastic Bikes.... despite the bollocks Widowmaker tag that people who've never actually owned one keep saying.

Shame you've done the box as with a little Work the last KH500 (A8) gearbox will fit thus converting it to the standard 1 down - 4 up box.

With modern rubber they'll handle just fine, just watch the on/off switch power delivery when you hit 5.5K revs. Enjoy.

My old D....

27751716_112970886191893_2083886196276297719_n.jpg (99.28 KiB) Viewed 27343 times

[Philippe]

Hi Tonto
you did a great job! Congratulations!
GrtZ
Philippe

[Bill P]

What a stunner Tim , but i never doubted it after what i saw last year.
Roll on summer and your first ride then the trauma and expense will soon be forgot

[chrisNI]

Looks great hopefully worth all the grief

[Kev1R]

Over the last 15 months, I too have had a similar ‘triples’ experience – but with a smaller ‘74 s3. I thought I had bought a runner that needed some tuning and ended up in shock after investing a significant amount of time and expense including (but not limited to!)–
All new electrics, loom / generator /accent ignition –
Rebore & 1st oversize Wossner pistons
New seals and bearings
I managed to pick up some of the parts I needed from Ebay but the engine work is not cheap if you do not have expertise or well appointed workshop! And I have neither.
I have only just received the engine back, so that has yet to go back in the frame – but I am definitely in sympathy with your state of mind. I will need to “run in” my bike initially but could meet up sometime next year to get some miles on the clock.

In my case the moral of my story is very similar to yours - just because a bike looks outwardly cared for – never assume anything else has been done. Bizarrely I would probably have bought it anyway!

[Tonto]

Kev, that sounds so similar to my triples experience.
This was the first resto that I nearly walked away from - although I was fortunate to know an "old school" mechanic / garage owner (who races 2 strokes - and I discovered had built / restored a few Kwak Triples) - he sorted the engine for me when I realised things were not as they should be, and defo beyond my capabilities. The previous owner had had the engine apart - and bodged whatever he touched - bits missing, wrong parts fitted . Looked like he had set fire to the clutch actuator.

Just out of interest, the mechanic who helped me is just down the road from you, near Nottingham.

Yep, be good to meet up when the weather is warm and dry again.
Cheers Tim

[Kev1R]

Seems to me we might have both used Alan as "Project Co-ordinator".
I have used him for one or two things on my Z1000 and found his advice to be sound and his work is second to none.
To be honest I am just looking forward to getting the thing running properly and for anyone else who might have bought a two stroke to do up, the golden nugget of advice which I wish I was more familiar with a year ago is:
"Everything is a waste of time if your seals are knackered"
I think we have met up before at Willingham so that would be great and I might try and drag 'Zapo' out too as he is into his two strokes.

Cheers
Kevin

[BAFF1960]

Hi.
After purchasing my well abused restoration project S2 triple back in in 2017 I can confirm the cost of restoring it [ and
any triple ] exceeded expectations by a mile and then some.
Having completed a light resto on my GPZ acquired last year I've found part costs [ NOS ] are similar but harder to find.
It takes perseverance but you get there in the end.

Alan

[Tonto]

Kev, yes Alan was my source for help on the H1: honest genuine guy who knows his stuff.
I do remember meeting at Ted1Rs Z1OC meet Willingham, also maybe the Skeggy venture ?

Alan, nice work on the S2 - I had a GPZ1100B2 back in the day, cracking bike and proper quick.
Cheers Tim

[zapo]

Seems to me we might have both used Alan as "Project Co-ordinator".
I have used him for one or two things on my Z1000 and found his advice to be sound and his work is second to none.
To be honest I am just looking forward to getting the thing running properly and for anyone else who might have bought a two stroke to do up, the golden nugget of advice which I wish I was more familiar with a year ago is:
"Everything is a waste of time if your seals are knackered"
I think we have met up before at Willingham so that would be great and I might try and drag 'Zapo' out too as he is into his two strokes.


Cheers
Kevin

Yep, always up for following a nice smelly two stoke.
The tales of woe is probably the reason that I have not got another one yet

[Tonto]

Well, the world of pain concerning my H1 mongrel project never seemed to end, but finally I finished the rebuild (apart from that I've misplaced the speedo cable ) - now just the challenges of DVLA to overcome.

As it's a mongrel (part H1f, part kh500) I wasn't too concerned about going with the standard paint - so it's a nod to the early purple H2a, in KH500 markings: which I think looks very nice on the bike: looks a lot better in the flesh as the candy really pops in the sunlight.

I'm classing this as a lesson learned, never buy another triple project

[Z1streetfighter71]

Stunning looking bike, well earned!