KAWASAKI H2B 750.

[reed]

I love that raw power of my GTR it reminds me of my 1974 H2B 750 Kawasaki that i rebuilt.
The Kawasaki has about 71 HP at 6,800 rpm did not stop very well or go around corners.
It was a good fun motorcycle in its day plus the front wheel came up all the time!!
This picture is from 1990 etc i often think Bridgestone engineer's had a hand with these
Models.
Thanks.
Steve.
 

[ziggy stardust]

Great bike Steve, demanding silly money at the moment in the U.K.

This is a photo of my triple, 76 KH400 A3, considered to be the best all rounder of the triples.



Don't you miss the Welsh backdrop in the photo Steve?

Z

[ztnoo]

They have been selling for silly money here in The States too.
I've seen very nice examples go for $8,000 + on eBay and elsewhere in the last couple of years.
That's 4,967 + GBP.
Not chump change, by any means.

There are currently two on eBay, one of which has unbelievably low mileage @ 1,184 miles.

#1:  http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/kawasaki-h2-750-/230778407568?pt=US_motorcycles&hash=item35bb770a90
Currently @ US $8,500 with a little less than 7 hours to run.
Reserve not met.
1,184 miles.

#2:  http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/1972-Kawasaki-H2-750-Pictures-inside-/251046944830?pt=US_motorcycles&hash=item3a7390603e
Now @ US $9,650.
Reserve not met.
8,400 miles

It's wild what is out there and being rolled out of barns, sheds, and garages in this bad economy.

[rocketman]

I believe you are correct Reed. All that Bridgestone tech had to be filtering outward toward the end. Just like it did when Tohatsu's guys ended up at Bridgestone in the early 60's. Suddenly new rotary valve designs and general decimation of the competition in the GP circuits. I got a call a few days ago re:750 Kaw. Around here Im known for my favorite phrase,"If its for free its for me!"  I was sadly disappointed to find it to be a KZ and not a triple. I found it a good home. They can be a decent bike, just not for me.  Mark.

[Sno Jet]

Those are some nice Kawasaki's.  The two on Ebay have not met reserve at this point.

 Kawasaki was also using the rotary valve on their bikes in the 60's.  Was it that different from Bridgestone?

[ziggy stardust]

Good h2s here in the UK can sell for anything between 8k and 11k GBP.

Z

p.s. most now come from the States.

[rocketman]

 On the rotary valves, I don't see any real changes between manufacturers. Its an ancient concept. Its use in industry, goes way back to water systems and steam engines, etc. As far as motorcycles go, I'm not sure who was truly first in its development as far as offering a production model in the numbers Bridgestone did. I think it was Bridgestone though. They brought the first production rotary valved 2 stroke out in '64 for the '65 model year I believe. The design came with the Tohatsu R&D and design staff that Bridgestone absorbed in its entirety in '63. My dates may not be entirely accurate, all this seems to collide roughly between '62 and '65. The GP bikes were wicked little rotary twins and I think Bridgestone liquid cooled their redeveloped bike and it was running a ten speed or so trans. I think maybe Bridgestone was running 50's and 90's too? They sure did it the best, didn't they?!  Mark.

[rocketman]

  Is the color factory on your KH, Ziggy? Great looking bike. Your 350's lookin sharp too. And by the way, I miss the welsh countryside in the backdrop too!  Mark.

[moonpup]

Here's a few on craigslist....... first 3 are 750's and the last is a 400.

http://denver.craigslist.org/mcy/2971860287.html

http://siouxfalls.craigslist.org/mcy/2969995662.html

http://sfbay.craigslist.org/eby/mcy/2969890451.html

http://asheville.craigslist.org/mcy/2953867854.html

[ziggy stardust]

Yes the paint is original rocketman, the tank came from Norway, the side panels from the U.S. and the tail piece from France. It all matches up perfectly, I also have a NOS set of side panels from the U.S.

See how the metalflake shows through in the sun.

No wonder the population of Wales is so low at just over 3 million, you've all moved abroad.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/KAWASAKI-BLUE-h2-750-not-z900-gt750-cbx-rd-classic-bike-/280868921222?pt=UK_Motorcycles&hash=item4165179f86

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Classic-Kawasaki-H2-750-NOW-SOLD-/120899293137?pt=UK_Motorcycles&hash=item1c2628cfd1

Z

[rocketman]

That high metalflake is why I asked. Just beautiful. It seems to actually flip a bit around the edges and across the top from reflecting surrounding colors. The welsh connection. I can only dream about being there. My folks have visited several times in recent years, I have not had the pleasure.  Thanks,Mark.

[coxy]

i wish i still had my h2 i think i sold it for $900 they have been advertised here for anywhere up to $20,000 there were some really nice ones at last months show
hey lee a old work mate of mine had the kh400 in bits under his house i was going to buy that for $300 he got the sack and since lost his address and number it would have been worth it  

[ziggy stardust]

And while I have your attention, this is my KH400 on the front of this worldwide publication.

http://www.amazon.com/The-Kawasaki-Triples-Bible-1968-1980/dp/1845840755

Z

[steve]

Lovely KH Lee...I remember reading about the restoration in the VJMC mag a good while ago

Steve

[rocketman]

Wow lee, Its sure satisfying to have something you own or something you've done make the cover.(Still like your picture better even without the front wheel). I don't have a motorcycle on any covers YET, like you and Reed. But, I do have an Oldsmobile! I did the body and underhood restoration on it for a Maryland man.  Mark.

[moonpup]

My 1972 Datsun 240Z made it to this cover after showing it at one of the National Conventions held in Dallas.
(sorry, this is the best pic I could find with a quick search)

[paul]

Did Yamaha offer a rotary valve bike under 100cc before BS introduced the BS 90?

[rocketman]

 Sweet Mike. Very clean look. Both the car and the cover. I can only seem to blow up the pic just so far on my computer. The wheels look nice, are they Minilights or something similar?  Mark.

[rocketman]

 Thats a good question Paul. Hopefuly someone else will chime in who can expand on Yamahas developement a bit. I'm not that well versed. I think Bridgestones' 90 was out before the 50, around '64.. I don't think any of the others had yet caught on to it. I know the JT1 60 mini enduro didn't come out till about '70. Yamahas' press framed 80 was a bit earlier, but I don't think it was a rotary valve motor. They also had a 100 twin?  Mark.

[moonpup]

Sweet Mike. Very clean look. Both the car and the cover. I can only seem to blow up the pic just so far on my computer. The wheels look nice, are they Minilights or something similar?  Mark.

Mark, I would've loved to put minilights on it but I'd already exhausted my budget on the rest of the car. Those wheels are actually stock Nissan wheels that came on the 83 280ZX, I just polished the heck out of them! I came in 2nd btw at the show and the author of the book took 1st with his car.