Classic Kawasaki Two Stroke Buying Guide and Motorbikes For Sale (UK)

Kawasaki's Two-Strokes of the 1970's and 1980's were all about the engines. There range of sports two-strokes was dominated by their beautiful looking air-cooled inline triple cylinder engines. These engines were the centre-piece of iconic bikes such as the H1 500 Mach III and H2 750 Mach IV. The H2 was nicknamed the "widowmaker" which helps to explain my statement that the bikes were all about the engines which were notoriously fearsome, housed in chassis that were dreadful to the point of being dangerous when combined with speed. However, motorbikes that are a handfull and have a scary reputation always attract respect, awe, attention and ultimately desire in biking circles (consider GSXR1100's, RG500's, Hayabusa's) and this has helped support the high collectable status of these Kawasaki models. The aforementioned unusual inline triple-cylinder layout and also achingly beautiful flowing design and bright chrome secure these motorbikes' status as seriously classic machines.

While this family of air-cooled two stroke triples was extensive they can be hard to come by these days. The first model to be launched was the 500 cc H1 in 1969. The H1 had a styling makeover in 1971 and in 1972 was joined by the 250cc S-1, the 350cc S-2 and the 750cc H2. All models received styling updates and upgraded brakes (disc front brakes) over the years. Subsequent models received an A, B, C etc suffix so the H1 became the H1A, H1B, H1C etc. In 1974 the 350cc S-2 was bored out to be the 400cc S-3 and in 1976 the 750cc H2 was dropped from the line-up while the other models were renamed KH 250, KH 400 and KH 500. While the later KH models were very similar to their predecessors they put on weight and were mildly de-tuned to calm them down a little and also meet ever more restrictive emissions regulations. This made them a little less exciting and wild than the originals but on the plus side they may be easier to get hold of and cost less. The KH 250 was the last model sold, being available right up until 1980.

KAWASAKI 250cc S1 & KH250: AIR-COOLED 250 cc INLINE TRIPLE

PERFORMANCE & SPECIFICATION: S1: Max Power: 32 bhp @ 8500 rpm, Max Torque: 2.54 m/kg @ 7000 rpm, Dry Weight: 149.5 kg / KH250: Max Power: 28 bhp @ 7500 rpm, Max Torque: 2.7 m/kg @ 7000 rpm, Dry Weight: 160 kg, Top Speed: 90 mph, Standing 1/4-mile: 15.8 seconds.

Kawasaki's 250 cc S-1 and later KH250 were the babies of Kawasaki's famous family of 1970's air-cooled inline triple cylinder two-strokes. As you would expect this 250cc version had substantially less power than the notorious 500cc H1 and 750cc H2 models and being relatively heavy for a 250cc, was not very quick. So as the entry level model, lacking fire-breathing performance it is by far the cheapest of the 3 models. While good 500's and 750's will cost a small fortune you can get a good KH250 for less than £ 1500. The KH250 was first introduced in 1973 and at that time was the quickest, sportiest and most stylish 250cc motorbike on the market. It was also eligible for learner riders to ride in the UK so good numbers were sold (and abused).

The KH250 was blessed with beautiful styling with the tank and seat swooping in an arc a bit like a banana. Early models had drum brakes at the front and back whilst the front drum was replaced by a typically poor single cylinder disc brake on the later models. By 1977, when Yamaha introduced its RD250D model complete with cast alloy wheels and disc-brakes front and back, the Kawasaki started to look a little dated though still very stylish. when Suzuki's lithe X7 was introduced in 1978, both the Kawasaki and Yamaha became significantly overweight compared to the new standard set by Suzuki for the 250cc sportsbike. The Kawasaki still had it's old style spoked wire wheels identifying it firmly as a bike from and earlier generation.

Pictured on top left of this page is a standard model KH250, most significantly fitted with the original exhausts. The other pictures in this section show modified versions of the bike and clearly show the massive difference a set of aftermarket expansion chamber type exhaust make to the look of the bike. The original exhausts were extremely bulky and ruined the look of the bike and also the potential good looks of the two stacked pipes exiting on the right-hand side. As you can see in these other pictures, a set of aftermarket pipes transforms the looks of the bike, making it look lighter, sportier and far more purposeful.

The final picture here shows how a bit more work and modification can result in a fantastic looking motorbike. In this case the bike has had a modern square-section alloy swingarm fitted with modern twin shock absorbers. The wider swing-arm than standard, combined with a more modern set of front forks has enabled the fitment of wider, modern three spoke alloy 17" wheels giving the bike a lower stance and ability to fit modern tyres. The bike is finished with a very nice looking set of performance exhaust pipes. Something like this might cost anything up to £ 3000 and even beyond. Just remember one important thing; the green ones are faster !

Any S1's or KH250's currently for sale on Ebay in the UK will be listed below. To make a bid or buy them, click on the advert and follow the instructions.

KAWASAKI H1 500 Mach III & KH500: AIR-COOLED 500 cc INLINE TRIPLE

PERFORMANCE & SPECIFICATION: H1: Max Power: 60 bhp @ 7500 rpm, Max Torque: 5.85 m/kg @ 7000 rpm, Dry Weight: 174 kg / KH500: Max Power: 59 bhp @ 8000 rpm, Max Torque: 5.4 m/kg @ 6500 rpm, Dry Weight: 192 kg

In terms of looks, Kawasaki's H1 500 Mach III was very similar to its smaller S1 / KH250 sibling with the same distinctive three cylinder engine layout, flowing lines, high swept-back bars, chunky chrome exhausts and wire wheels as standard. What looked like a fairly unthreatening machine was actually far from it. The clue in the picture on the left is an apparently otherwise totally standard example fitted with a modern-day steering damper ! The H1 500 delivered over 60 bhp with a (low for the time) bike weight of 174 kg. This gives a power-to-weight ratio of 345 bhp per tonne compared to the 175 bhp per tonne delivered by the KH250. With the high bars, raked out front forks, rear biased weight distribution and flexible frame this power difference added up to a very lively machine and a reputation. In fact, in 1969 was one of the fastest accelerating production motorbikes ever made, achieving recorded standing 1/4 mile times between 12.4 and 12.9 seconds with terminal speed of 100.7 mph. The racing version H1R made 80 bhp and hit 159 mph at the Daytona 200 in 1970. So rapid was the H1 that it completely exceeded the capabilities of its chassis and scared the hell out of many riders of the day with its speed combined with bouncy shocks and bendy frame and forks.

There's something about these air-cooled triples from Kawasaki that makes them perfect for modifying into the cafe-racer style bikes you can see here. The lack of a water-cooling radiator gives them such clean lines over water-cooled alternatives like Yamaha's RD350LC that I think these are some of the best looking modified bikes available. Purists will hate modifications that stray from standard issue and I respect that but each to his own and I like the modified bikes as long as they keep the basic lines of the original.

The KH and H series of Kawasaki triples don't have any major reliability issues though the middle of the three cylinders does have an understandable tendency to run hot an is likely to need or benefit from different jetting from the outer cylinders to compensate. If you buy a good one then hopefully this will have been taken care of but be aware. The only other problem you are likely to have is finding one for sale. While the KH250's do come up for sale fairly regularly the H1's are really quite rare (at least in the UK). If you like them and find one in good condition, don't hang about - go for it !

Any examples currently for sale on Ebay in the UK will be listed below. To make a bid or buy them, click on the advert and follow the instructions.

KAWASAKI H2 750: AIR-COOLED 750 cc INLINE TRIPLE

PERFORMANCE & SPECIFICATION: H2: Max Power: 74 bhp @ 6800 rpm, Max Torque: 7.9 m/kg @ 6500 rpm, Dry Weight: 192 kg, Top Speed: 120 mph, 1/4 mile: 12 secs (terminal 105 mph).

The Kawasaki H2 750 is the Daddy of the range. That's not to say Daddy in a caring paternal way. This Daddy was and is a hard drinking (literally), gun toting, risk taking, loose living bad-boy. It didn't get the nickname "Widowmaker" for nothing. In the same way that the 500 had a big step up in power over the 250, the 750 took the two-stroke triple format as far as it could go without going overboard. The H2 delivered a class leading 74 bhp (at the crankshaft). Compare this to Triumph's rival of the time, the 750 Trident which had 58 bhp. The H2 was a bike of legend in the 1970's and 1980's scorching up the 1/4 mile strip in 12 seconds and on to a top speed of 120 mph.

The bike, or at least its engine, was popular with drag racers and tuned examples still hold records for the fastest normally aspirated 750 cc motorbike over the 1/4 mile at 8.24 seconds (153 mph terminal).

As with the 500, relatively light weight biased to the rear and high peaky power made wheelies and tank-slappers easily achievable and a common occurrence. But the frame was still flexible and suspension poor resulting in loss of control and crashes on corners (and straights) by a number of riders. Few other bikes have had such a distinct reputation for being quite simply dangerous. For those buying today, remember the throttle goes both ways and if you want to go round corners quickly either buy a more modern machine or update the suspension and running gear with modern equipment.

Like the smaller 250 and 500 models the H2 was and still is a popular bike to modify with less bulky and racier looking exhausts that can also add performance. The pictures above contrast a standard H2 with a modified model. Again, I think the sporty exhausts are the making of these bikes and look fantastic with dropped bars and rear-set pegs. I apologise to purists who think such classics should be kept standard. I appreciate this approach and sentiment but just don't like the standard model's heavy exhausts and high bars which make it look more pedestrian than it really is.

Models do come up for sale in the UK. Many of them appear on Ebay and any examples currently for sale on Ebay in the UK will be listed below. You can make a bid to buy or 'buy them now' directly from these listings.

More Classic Kawasaki Two-Strokes to Come - Keep Revisiting for New Models and More Bikes For Sale.