Kawasaki H1 500 Mach III (1972-73)

The Kawasaki H1 500 Mach III was a motorcycle produced in 1972-73. It had a two-stroke, transverse three-cylinder, piston valve engine with a capacity of 498cc. The bike was air-cooled with a compression ratio of 6.8:1 and a lubrication system called Injectolube, which used automatic pressurized injection. Induction was via three Mikuni VM28SC carburetors and ignition was a CDI system. The bike had a maximum power output of 60 hp and a maximum torque of 56 Nm. It had a wet multi-disc clutch, a five-speed transmission, and a chain drive. The frame was a double tubular steel cradle, with telescopic hydraulic forks in the front and dual shocks in the rear. The front brakes were a single 296mm disc and the rear brakes were a 180mm drum. The bike had a wheelbase of 1400mm and a dry weight of 174kg. It could reach a top speed of 200km/h and complete a standing quarter-mile in 12.4 seconds. A road test of the Kawasaki H1 vs the Triumph X-75 was published in Bike magazine in 1974.

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Technical specifications:

Make Model: Kawasaki H1 500 Mach III

Year: 1972 -73

Engine: Two stroke, transverse three cylinder, piston valve

Capacity: 498 cc / 30.4 cu-in

Bore x Stroke: 60 58.8 mm

Cooling System: Air cooled

Compression Ratio: 6.8:1

Lubrication: Injectolube, automatic pressurized injection

Induction: 3x Mikuni VM28SC carburetors

Ignition: CDI

Starting: Kick

Max Power: 60 hp / 45 kW @ 7500 rpm

Max Torque: 56 Nm / 42.3 lb-ft @ 7000 rpm

Clutch: Wet multi-disc

Transmission: 5 Speed

Final Drive: Chain

Frame: Double tubular steel cradle

Front Suspension: Telescopic hydraulic forks

Rear Suspension: Dual shocks, swing arm

Front Brakes: Single 296mm disc

Rear Brakes: 180mm Drum

Front Tyre: 3.25-19

Rear Tyre: 4.00-18

Wheelbase: 1400 mm / 55 in

Dry Weight: 174 kg / 384 lbs

Wet Weight: 188 kg / 414 lbs

Fuel Capacity: 15 Litres / 4.0 US gal

Standing 1/4 Mile: 12.4 sec

Top Speed: 200 km/h / 124 mph

Road Test: Kawasaki HI vs Triumph X-75 Bike magazine 1974