My 750 Triple Project re-ignites

[Redback]

Over the last few days I have been preparing the garage to finally finish my restoration of my 1973 750 Kawasaki H2A, I will be doing a bit by bit account of the resto.

Visiting a few sites for parts that I either don't have or are that bad, they are beyond fixing, thankfully there aren't many I need, mostly cosmetic items, like speedo and tacho covers, handle bars(almost impossible to find), rubber stuff and so on, unfortunately most of these parts have had to be reproductions, but thankfully they are so good, it's only the lack of a OEM part number that you can tell.

So first order of business, clear the garage for a platform to put the bike on, so it's easy to work on and easy on my back.

The biggest challenge is cleaning the electricals, ignition stator and seeing if I can loosen up the wiring harness, it's a bit stiff(I have two) any tips would be good, anyway here we go.

[V8Ian]

:ttiwwp:
All the best with it Baz, looking forward to seeing the final result. :):)

[jerryd]

There's a chap in Dayboro who imports Kawasakis from the usa, he might be able to help with bits.

[rangieman]

:ttiwwp:
All the best with it Baz, looking forward to seeing the final result. :):)

X2 :cool:

[Redback]

A bit more background on the bike, it was used as a parts donor for a race bike from memory, until I turned up, I was racing a Post Classic H1 500 Triple and was at his place picking up some parts he had fixed when I spotted it, I didn't intend on buying it, but when he offered to sell it, I jumped at it, the price was to good to say no, funny because it basically went from his garage to mine and apart from starting it once, it sat there for another 26yrs, until now, it's nearly all there, the only non genuine bits are the engine and mufflers, I did manage to track down the donor bike that the original engine was in, but unfortunately the engine was gone, I can buy an engine in the serial number range to fit in with the frame number range to keep it 99.9% original, but as this project is not to sell the bike, I'm wondering if I should, whatta ya reckon.

Still don't remember his name though, anyway here's some more progress.

Alloy parts that had been chromed, took me ages to do these.




A collection of anodised and chrome parts


The shocks as well, these were terrible and didn't think I could restore them, but to my surprise they came up very good, makes you think about how well Jananese bikes were actually made and are not the crap we thought they were and have stood the test of time and done it extremely well.

[Tombie]

Nice work there Baz.... Please keep the thread updating!

[gusthedog]

I wouldn't worry about tracking down an engine in the correct serial number range, but then I'm not overly fussed by complete originality. For example I'd take the chance to upgrade both forks and shocks. But as you've raced 500 triples, you obviously know your kwaka smokers ;) so do as you like.

Great project and keep the pics coming ;)

[Redback]

I wouldn't worry about tracking down an engine in the correct serial number range, but then I'm not overly fussed by complete originality. For example I'd take the chance to upgrade both forks and shocks. But as you've raced 500 triples, you obviously know your kwaka smokers ;) so do as you like.

Great project and keep the pics coming ;)

Thanks guys,

Yeah I'm kinda thinking the motor in it should be fine, the bottom end is identical, only the top end slightly different, it's not going to be original anyway, I have some early Rick Roberts race chambers that will be going on the bike anyway, I'll probably sell all the later model stuff to give me a bit more money for things I can't do and keep most of the early model stuff as spares.

Because the bike was a donor, there are a few bits from other bikes, both the previous model and the later model and most of the original bike, so I have parts where there are 2 and 3 of those parts, just as an excample, I have 3 instrument sets, the original set, a set with a very rare early model(H2/H2A/72/73) KPH speedo, I'm assuming they were made available once Australia went metric and a 74/75 instrument cluster, with ignitions and keys, the original tank and the tank from the race bike, I even have some Z900 parts, some of the parts from the first Z900s fitted the H2, you can see in the 4th photo that the left front disc is from a Z900.

Anyway, last night I pulled the sprocket hub off and apart to clean it up, then I will pull the wheel apart to clean the rim and centre hub and get it re-spoked, I gathered up all the parts that had been chromed, ready to be sent off to get the chrome removed, the first owner must of liked bling, cause he chromed nearly everything, including the rear sprocket:eek:

This is what my model looked like from the factory.
https://www.aulro.com/afvb/

[Redback]

Little bit of a set back, was polishing the headlight chrome trim/ring, when it got caught and flew up into my eye(ouch!!!)not what I said, but they both have four letters:twisted:
I did manage to get a few things done, took all the stuff that needs to have the chrome removed and the front guard and other stuff to the chrome place to be chromed, took all the spokes out of the rear wheel, polished the sprocket carrier, rim and hub, polished the headlight ring:mad:
After the accident I didn't do that much, spent some time getting stuff online(WITH ONE EYE COVERED) brake caliper, master cylinder repair kits, clutch kit, bushes, seals and bearings.
I'll be going for braided lines, going direct to the brake calipers from the master cylinder, no need to go for a larger master cylinder with this setup(same as my H1 500 race bike)

I'll try and get some pics up tonight.

[Redback]

OK, last week I dropped one of the engine cases off to the bike shop to pull a couple of things out, as I can't do fiddly bits because of my eye injury, it is the last bit of gear that needs de-chroming, so I can send all the gear off to be de-chromed and all of the stuff that needs chroming to the chrome shop.

I picked it up yesterday, when I got home I the last bit of cleaning up of up Hub, sproket cover and rim, pulled the front guard and bracket apart to be chromed.

The hub before
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v293/bazzar/Bike%20Restoration/IMG_2025_zpsdlpo5yon.jpg (http://smg.photobucket.com/user/bazzar/media/Bike%20Restoration/IMG_2025_zpsdlpo5yon.jpg.html)
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v293/bazzar/Bike%20Restoration/IMG_2026_zpsha0dtvlv.jpg (http://smg.photobucket.com/user/bazzar/media/Bike%20Restoration/IMG_2026_zpsha0dtvlv.jpg.html)

After
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v293/bazzar/Bike%20Restoration/IMG_2027_zpsfy4y4f1h.jpg (http://smg.photobucket.com/user/bazzar/media/Bike%20Restoration/IMG_2027_zpsfy4y4f1h.jpg.html)
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v293/bazzar/Bike%20Restoration/IMG_2028_zpsyjklfqkp.jpg (http://smg.photobucket.com/user/bazzar/media/Bike%20Restoration/IMG_2028_zpsyjklfqkp.jpg.html)

Sprocket carrier
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v293/bazzar/Bike%20Restoration/IMG_2029_zpsi61ubi63.jpg (http://smg.photobucket.com/user/bazzar/media/Bike%20Restoration/IMG_2029_zpsi61ubi63.jpg.html)

Headlight, how's that for 42yrs old and in original condition.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v293/bazzar/Bike%20Restoration/IMG_2030_zpst0z3nwhr.jpg (http://smg.photobucket.com/user/bazzar/media/Bike%20Restoration/IMG_2030_zpst0z3nwhr.jpg.html)

The culprit headlight ring/surround
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v293/bazzar/Bike%20Restoration/IMG_2031_zpszqqjm0rv.jpg (http://smg.photobucket.com/user/bazzar/media/Bike%20Restoration/IMG_2031_zpszqqjm0rv.jpg.html)

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v293/bazzar/Bike%20Restoration/IMG_2033_zps9rmprobv.jpg (http://smg.photobucket.com/user/bazzar/media/Bike%20Restoration/IMG_2033_zps9rmprobv.jpg.html)

Oil pump gear, shaft and worm drive, these are like gold, extremely hard to find
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v293/bazzar/Bike%20Restoration/IMG_2034_zpsvojquxfn.jpg (http://smg.photobucket.com/user/bazzar/media/Bike%20Restoration/IMG_2034_zpsvojquxfn.jpg.html)

Oil pump worm drive
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v293/bazzar/Bike%20Restoration/IMG_2035_zpspb1k4kdq.jpg (http://smg.photobucket.com/user/bazzar/media/Bike%20Restoration/IMG_2035_zpspb1k4kdq.jpg.html)

I also removed the seals as well, this case is the clutch cover and oil pump cover, these are also very rare, no replica available for this, most of the other engine cases have a replica available.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v293/bazzar/Bike%20Restoration/IMG_2037_zpsfxszr3w3.jpg (http://smg.photobucket.com/user/bazzar/media/Bike%20Restoration/IMG_2037_zpsfxszr3w3.jpg.html)
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v293/bazzar/Bike%20Restoration/IMG_2039_zpsjfkrnsoy.jpg (http://smg.photobucket.com/user/bazzar/media/Bike%20Restoration/IMG_2039_zpsjfkrnsoy.jpg.html)

Another engine cover(sproket cover)
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v293/bazzar/Bike%20Restoration/IMG_2040_zps6y7bxtm8.jpg (http://smg.photobucket.com/user/bazzar/media/Bike%20Restoration/IMG_2040_zps6y7bxtm8.jpg.html)

Left swith gear horn and indicater switch, master cylinder cap and throttle/chock assembly
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v293/bazzar/Bike%20Restoration/IMG_2041_zpswhyenpa1.jpg (http://smg.photobucket.com/user/bazzar/media/Bike%20Restoration/IMG_2041_zpswhyenpa1.jpg.html)
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v293/bazzar/Bike%20Restoration/IMG_2042_zps7yycto03.jpg (http://smg.photobucket.com/user/bazzar/media/Bike%20Restoration/IMG_2042_zps7yycto03.jpg.html)
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v293/bazzar/Bike%20Restoration/IMG_2043_zpselgbsbag.jpg (http://smg.photobucket.com/user/bazzar/media/Bike%20Restoration/IMG_2043_zpselgbsbag.jpg.html)

Rim
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v293/bazzar/Bike%20Restoration/IMG_2045_zpsvaoyvfnp.jpg (http://smg.photobucket.com/user/bazzar/media/Bike%20Restoration/IMG_2045_zpsvaoyvfnp.jpg.html)

Front guard and bracket
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v293/bazzar/Bike%20Restoration/IMG_2047_zpsskjsyp2z.jpg (http://smg.photobucket.com/user/bazzar/media/Bike%20Restoration/IMG_2047_zpsskjsyp2z.jpg.html)
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v293/bazzar/Bike%20Restoration/IMG_2046_zpsqk7phf16.jpg (http://smg.photobucket.com/user/bazzar/media/Bike%20Restoration/IMG_2046_zpsqk7phf16.jpg.html)

As my eye gets better, I will start to do a bit more.

[V8Ian]

Lookin' good Baz. :)

[Redback]

Last night I began the process of taking the engine apart, I have ordered complete gasket, crank seals and bearing kits, I am hoping the heads barrels and pistons are OK,

If they are, this could save me around $500 to $700, so pulled the heads and barrels off, to my surprise they were in pretty good nick.

Quick trip to the bike shop(2 minutes from my place) and he reckons that a good hone of the barrels might be all they need, of coarse they will need to be measured after to make sure, but it's promising:D

Head they are all around the same good condition
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v293/bazzar/Bike%20Restoration/IMG_2055_zpsed3valyg.jpg (http://smg.photobucket.com/user/bazzar/media/Bike%20Restoration/IMG_2055_zpsed3valyg.jpg.html)

Barrels seem to be reasonable considering
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v293/bazzar/Bike%20Restoration/IMG_2067_zps043gzi8r.jpg (http://smg.photobucket.com/user/bazzar/media/Bike%20Restoration/IMG_2067_zps043gzi8r.jpg.html)

Pistons are very good.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v293/bazzar/Bike%20Restoration/IMG_2074_zpsdblxwjee.jpg (http://smg.photobucket.com/user/bazzar/media/Bike%20Restoration/IMG_2074_zpsdblxwjee.jpg.html)
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v293/bazzar/Bike%20Restoration/IMG_2072_zpseqsilfsj.jpg (http://smg.photobucket.com/user/bazzar/media/Bike%20Restoration/IMG_2072_zpseqsilfsj.jpg.html)

[Redback]

Started pulling the engine apart, so I can see what I need to replace, I have ordered a few things, all from the USA, as that's the cheapest and only place for most parts, clutch kit is winging it's way as we speak, and as I expected, it's knackered.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v293/bazzar/Bike%20Restoration/IMG_2056_zpst0drnbji.jpg (http://smg.photobucket.com/user/bazzar/media/Bike%20Restoration/IMG_2056_zpst0drnbji.jpg.html)

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v293/bazzar/Bike%20Restoration/IMG_2057_zpsun36h8yc.jpg (http://smg.photobucket.com/user/bazzar/media/Bike%20Restoration/IMG_2057_zpsun36h8yc.jpg.html)

The metal plates are too rusty to use.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v293/bazzar/Bike%20Restoration/IMG_2059_zpsiitzm8sv.jpg (http://smg.photobucket.com/user/bazzar/media/Bike%20Restoration/IMG_2059_zpsiitzm8sv.jpg.html)

[Redback]

Pulled the engine out yesterday, with some help from Ness, turned it upside down and split the cases, as I expected there was a fair bit of crap in the bottom case, but not that much in the top, actually the whole motor is not too bad, bit of WD and turps cleaned most of it, bit of a light sand for the bearing supports and all done basically.

Crank and rods, along with the barrels, pistons and little end bearing and gearbox are going to Greg Ball Motorcycle Engineering for inspection to see what is needed, seals are a given, so a complete engine seal kit is winging it's way as I type this, bearings are a generic Kawasaki item for the H2, so can be sourced here, I'm assuming this will be the most expensive part of this resto, along with the paint job, so I'll be sitting down for this bill.

I'll be taking my rims and hubs off to Spoked Wheels (http://www.spokedwheels.com.au/) to be respoked and cleaned, rear only at this stage, front will go afterwards, thankfully these places are nearby, so no postage required, actually the spoke place is a 5min walk from my work.

[Redback]

Some parts started arriving this week, ordered from the US last wednesday evening, first order came Tuesday from Cruzin Image, second order came today from Jessbikes, now that's service and excellent prices, even with the Aussie dollar in the toilet.

Dual disc brake hose kit $37.95 USD
https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2015/11/872.jpg

Front master cylinder repair kit $14.95 USD
https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2015/11/873.jpg

Complete EBC clutch kit $99.99USD($130.00 AUD) and new 5/8 (17mm) dual disc brake master cylinder $109.00USD($140.00 AUD) bloody bargin.
https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2015/11/874.jpg


https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2015/11/875.jpg

[Redback]

More bits turned up this week, 2 brake caliper repair kits, rear guard mounting bolts and bushes, battery box mounting bolts and bushes and a pair of circlip removal plyers for the brake master cylinder.

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2015/11/658.jpg
https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2015/11/659.jpg

[theresanothersteve]

You know Redback, I was going to make a joke about seeing the plasticine hinge in your first photo, but I find myself strangely excited by your project.

I'm even starting to watch eBay, hoping a good GPZ900R shows up...

Keep up the great work! (and keep the photos coming)

[Pedro_The_Swift]

I remember going into the Dealer in Engadine (just across from the station) and he had a floor full of these,, all sizes and colours, all looked identical from the rear. I must have been old enough to travel, but not old enough to own.
https://www.aulro.com/afvb/

[mick88]

A mate had a red 350 triple for many years.
It eventually got made into a dirt track outfit!


Cheers, Mick.

[Redback]

You know Redback, I was going to make a joke about seeing the plasticine hinge in your first photo, but I find myself strangely excited by your project.

I'm even starting to watch eBay, hoping a good GPZ900R shows up...

Keep up the great work! (and keep the photos coming)

Thanks I think, sorry I don't understand the plasticine bit:(

Bikesales has heaps of GPZ900Rs for sale, I had the first model, 84 red and grey, great bike.


I remember going into the Dealer in Engadine (just across from the station) and he had a floor full of these,, all sizes and colours, all looked identical from the rear. I must have been old enough to travel, but not old enough to own.
http://chroniquesmoto.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/05/29-Kawasaki-750-H2A-1973.jpg

I remember that dealer, pretty sure he was a Norton or BSA dealer as well, road my first H2 when I was 18 and working in Port Kembla as a carrage builder/fitter on the railways, scared the life out of me.

Just got off the phone for a quote on painting the body work, not that much more than when I got a quote about 10yrs ago, $1500 from Ace of Sprays n the Capalaba in Brisbane, can't find anyone to do it here or anywhere in NSW.
Just waiting on a call about the crankshaft now, it didn't seem that bad, but he thinks it may need a rod kit, I need a re-bore to 1.5mm over though and new pistons and rings, which I was hoping I wouldn't need, it's OK though, I planned for this just in case.

I'm getting to the expensive part of this resto, it all adds up pretty quickly.

[Geedublya]

Collideascope (http://www.collideascope.com.au/) do all repairs, painting etc.

They repainted my Ossa to original.

[Redback]

Collideascope (http://www.collideascope.com.au/) do all repairs, painting etc.

They repainted my Ossa to original.

Wow I had an Ossa, 250, terrible bike, even worse than my Bultaco.

They didn't come up in my search, thanks I'll shoot them an email.

[theresanothersteve]

Thanks I think, sorry I don't understand the plasticine bit:( ...



Back when I was riding the Kwak triples had a fearsome reputation for performance but handling was *ahem* a bit suspect. The joke at the time was they had a plasticine hinge in the frame that would allow flex when you least expected it.

The late 70s/ early 80s was a great time for Japanese bikes. I remember the Katana setting the world on its ear, the CBR1000R (I loved the C and D models), and finally the GPZ900R. It was when the Japenese finally managed to make frames that matched the performance (and each release had more horses than the last).

And I think the bikes looked so much better than today's[happycry]

[Redback]

Back when I was riding the Kwak triples had a fearsome reputation for performance but handling was *ahem* a bit suspect. The joke at the time was they had a plasticine hinge in the frame that would allow flex when you least expected it.

The late 70s/ early 80s was a great time for Japanese bikes. I remember the Katana setting the world on its ear, the CBR1000R (I loved the C and D models), and finally the GPZ900R. It was when the Japenese finally managed to make frames that matched the performance (and each release had more horses than the last).

And I think the bikes looked so much better than today's[happycry]

It's funny how they had this reputation, I road a few after my first experience, even raced them(and a H1 500)and I found them to be quite a good handling bike compared to others of that era, there is a road test comparing the H2 to 3 or 4 other bikes, including the Z900 and apart from coming second in the 1/4mile test(Z900 came out on top) the H2 won all the other tests, including stopping and handling;)

I'll see if I can find the artical.

Here ya go

The H2 was comparison tested by Cycle magazine in 1973 against the Ducati 750, the Honda CB750, the Harley-Davidson Sportster 1000, the Kawasaki Z1, the Triumph Trident 750, and the Norton Commando 750. The competition consisted of acceleration, braking distance, and road race course lap-times. Each test was run several times including 10 attempts at a fastest road course time. The H2 was the fastest accelerating machine, posting the fastest 1/4 mile run on a drag strip. Experts were surprised at the other results. Despite an uncomfortable feel and slight front wheel hop under hard braking and not giving the sensation of stopping particularly fast it had the shortest stopping distance and highest braking G load of all the bikes. On the road course, despite what had been heard and written about its ill handling, frame flexing and the supposed tendency to speed wobble exiting high speed turns, it was tied for the fastest lap time with the Kawasaki Z-1 to the tenth of a second. Overall the Kawasaki H2 750 had the lowest ET, second-highest quarter-mile speed, the fastest lap time, the strongest braking force, the highest torque and horsepower readings on the dynamometer, the highest power-to-weight ratio, the lowest price and scored by points for performance was by far the least expensive per unit displacement.
Kawasaki's reputation for building what motorcycle writer Alastair Walker called, "scarily fast, good-looking, no holds barred motorcycles" began with the H1.
The H2 was part of the rise of the Japanese superbikes, contributing to the decline of Harley Davidson, and nearly extinguished the British motorcycle industry in the US for a long period.


Kawasaki H2 (Mach IV): Fast facts

A H2 ridden by Mike Steele and Dave Burgess won the Australian 1972 Castrol Six-Hour production race. In New Zealand, H2s ridden by Alan Collison and Owen Galbraith were almost unbeatable until 1975, particularly on short, street circuits where their combination of moderate weight and excellent acceleration was ideal.
The first racing H2-R came to Australia in February 1973 and was raced by Ron Toombs. On it he won 12 races from 14 starts that year. Toombs died after crashing a Yamaha TZ350 at Bathurst in 1979.
At Daytona in 1973, Masahiro Wada on a factory H2-R clocked a speed of 264km/h.
During 1975, Team Kawasaki Australia's riders, Gregg Hansford and Murray Sayle, won 29 races from 31 starts on their H2-Rs and took first and second places in the Australian Unlimited Championship.
Even as late as 1976, Gregg Hansford was having considerable success with the H2-R. At Bathurst he was faster than the new, factory water-cooled KR 750 and TKA was instructed not to race the older bike any more.
It had an unwarranted reputation.
http://classic-motorbikes.net/wp/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/Kawasaki-H2-6.jpg

[Nick S]

Great memories
I had a H1 (500cc) triple in 1972. Mine was the front drum brake model, a truly frightening bike with horrible handling but great fun for a 17 year old L plater. Pulled great monos when you hit 5000 rpm especially with my girlfriend on the back. A bit later I put some expansion chambers on it and changed the porting and it became even more insane!! You sit back these days and wonder how you actually survived.
Nick

[p38arover]

Just got off the phone for a quote on painting the body work, not that much more than when I got a quote about 10yrs ago, $1500 from Ace of Sprays n the Capalaba in Brisbane, can't find anyone to do it here or anywhere in NSW.

Zion Moto in St Marys unable to do it? I was going to ask them to do the XJR fairing to match the bike.

[Redback]

Great memories
I had a H1 (500cc) triple in 1972. Mine was the front drum brake model, a truly frightening bike with horrible handling but great fun for a 17 year old L plater. Pulled great monos when you hit 5000 rpm especially with my girlfriend on the back. A bit later I put some expansion chambers on it and changed the porting and it became even more insane!! You sit back these days and wonder how you actually survived.
Nick

I loved my H1, I had the first of the disc brake models 71/72, road it for a while on the road, and in standard form did a couple of hill climbs at Amaroo Park Hill climb circuit, then stripped it down and started doing outright club days and Post Classic racing, raced it for around 5yrs.

Here she is, I change the colour, same design but in the S2 colour scheme
https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2015/11/590.jpg


Zion Moto in St Marys unable to do it? I was going to ask them to do the XJR fairing to match the bike.

Hi Ron, didn't know about them either, didn't come up in any of my searches, I'll give them a call.

[p38arover]

Hi Ron, didn't know about them either, didn't come up in any of my searches, I'll give them a call.

Naughty Ness! I sent her two text messages for you on 29th Oct with their details and website Zion Motorbike Repairs Re sprays & free DIY Info (http://www.zionmoto.com.au)

[Redback]

Naughty Ness! I sent her two text messages for you on 29th Oct with their details and website Zion Motorbike Repairs Re sprays & free DIY Info (http://www.zionmoto.com.au)

No texts recieved Ron, she went back through her phone and couldn't find anything.

[theresanothersteve]

Stop it, all of you...

Kawasaki certainly knew how to turn out the goods.

A mate had the Kwak turbo.

I can remember taking it through the Torrens Gorge in the Adelaide Hills. Just as you got deep in a corner and backed off, the fuel mix would lean out with the turbo spooled and the damn thing would leap forward. Bit disconcerting when you had just gone past the 'this is quick enough' point.

[p38arover]

No texts recieved Ron, she went back through her phone and couldn't find anything.

I'm not surprised, Baz. SMS seems to be a very unreliable method of communications. I've had many texts delivered to Elisabeth the day after sending them. On Friday, I sent a message saying I'd be late. It arrived an hour after I got home.

She's with Vodafone, I'm with Telstra.

[gusthedog]

I'm not surprised, Baz. SMS seems to be a very unreliable method of communications. I've had many texts delivered to Elisabeth the day after sending them. On Friday, I sent a message saying I'd be late. It arrived an hour after I got home.

She's with Vodafone, I'm with Telstra.

Not to mention texts between apple and android or if you swap brands. I'm now on android and texts to apple are always dodgy at best.

And great thread redback. I'm looking at an old bike to fix up now. My wife says 'Thanks a lot!'A mate has a free to good home 79 cb250 with a 400 motor but I know there are better bikes about. But free is free too :D

Pricey

[Redback]

Not to mention texts between apple and android or if you swap brands. I'm now on android and texts to apple are always dodgy at best.

And great thread redback. I'm looking at an old bike to fix up now. My wife says 'Thanks a lot!'A mate has a free to good home 79 cb250 with a 400 motor but I know there are better bikes about. But free is free too :D

Pricey

It is hard to find any old Kawasakis out there, and when you do, they $20,000 + for them, cheapest H2 I found was $22,500:mad:

Although the H1 500s are around the $6000 to $8000 mark, as is the CB750s of the same era, there are some bargins though, just got to find something that wasn't an iconic bike in it's day.

[carlschmid2002]

If you need some inspiration grab a copy of the latest Australian Motorcyclist Magazine. They have an article on the new and the old H2.

[Redback]

More progress this weekend, Friday I took the engine cases, heads, barrels and rear wheel hub down to get Hydoblasted, took the tank, side covers, ducktail and headlight bucket to the painters.

Some before pics of the engine cases
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v293/bazzar/Bike%20Restoration/IMG_2136_zps1vkfmkkj.jpg (http://smg.photobucket.com/user/bazzar/media/Bike%20Restoration/IMG_2136_zps1vkfmkkj.jpg.html)
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v293/bazzar/Bike%20Restoration/IMG_2143_zpsdeemafgd.jpg (http://smg.photobucket.com/user/bazzar/media/Bike%20Restoration/IMG_2143_zpsdeemafgd.jpg.html)

Crank Shaft
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v293/bazzar/Bike%20Restoration/IMG_2145_zpssyd8eudm.jpg (http://smg.photobucket.com/user/bazzar/media/Bike%20Restoration/IMG_2145_zpssyd8eudm.jpg.html)

Gearbox and top case
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v293/bazzar/Bike%20Restoration/IMG_2138_zps9nbgvrgd.jpg (http://smg.photobucket.com/user/bazzar/media/Bike%20Restoration/IMG_2138_zps9nbgvrgd.jpg.html)

I decided I would go the whole hog with the engine, so yesterday I ordered a new rod and bearing kit along with a 72.5mm Wiseco Piston kit

Rod kit
https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2015/11/301.jpg

Piston kit
https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2015/11/302.jpg

Yesterday I bought 2 cans of semi gloss caliper paint and repainted my front brake calipers, after they touch dried, they needed to be baked at 90deg Celsius for 1 hour, then need to be left for 7 days to cure properly, I think they turned out quite good, I spent a bit more time in the preperation, well worth the extra time.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v293/bazzar/Bike%20Restoration/IMG_2156_zpsecj9oavo.jpg (http://smg.photobucket.com/user/bazzar/media/Bike%20Restoration/IMG_2156_zpsecj9oavo.jpg.html)

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v293/bazzar/Bike%20Restoration/IMG_2161_zpstqyegjzq.jpg (http://smg.photobucket.com/user/bazzar/media/Bike%20Restoration/IMG_2161_zpstqyegjzq.jpg.html)
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v293/bazzar/Bike%20Restoration/IMG_2158_zps3e2suetr.jpg (http://smg.photobucket.com/user/bazzar/media/Bike%20Restoration/IMG_2158_zps3e2suetr.jpg.html)

[p38arover]

Baz, a couple of pics from the motorcycle show today. Warren Willing's Kwaka (or replica? The seat looks out of place on a race bike.)

Sorry about quality, I'd left my Pentax in the bike and only had an iPhone.

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2015/11/248.jpg

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2015/11/249.jpg

[Pedro_The_Swift]

Those rods seem well supported:cool:

[Chops]

Nice work Baz,
Having watched one of these motors in action today at the Rob Roy Hill Climb, albeit in a buggy frame, I am more than interested in seeing you work on this, and then of course, the end product.

[Redback]

Baz, a couple of pics from the motorcycle show today. Warren Willing's Kwaka (or replica? The seat looks out of place on a race bike.)

Sorry about quality, I'd left my Pentax in the bike and only had an iPhone.

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2015/11/248.jpg

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2015/11/249.jpg

I remember that bike, he won a few races on that, even in it's later years, I think 75/76 if I remember, thanks for the photo, a google search is on the cards now.


Those rods seem well supported:cool:

The triple engine is reknowned for being over engineered, actually Kawasaki were known for over engineering all the bikes in that era.

Proof is when you see the bottom end of the Kawasaki 650 W1 (first Kawasaki 4 stroke)and the bottom end of the BSA 650 it was copied from.


Nice work Baz,
Having watched one of these motors in action today at the Rob Roy Hill Climb, albeit in a buggy frame, I am more than interested in seeing you work on this, and then of course, the end product.

Thanks mate, at 72.5mm, it's at 780cc, not a lot to go after this, 73mm is cutting it close,
The H2 (previous model 71/72)came with 105 mains, 35 idle jet and the needle set at the 2nd groove.

The H2A(my bike 73) came with 97.5 main jets, and an idle jet of 35 and the needle set at the 3rd groove, so I put 105s in mine and put the needle up one the same as the previous model.

The H2B/C 74/75) was different again, it came with 102.5 and a larger idle jet of 40 and the needle set at the 4TH groove.

These diferent tunes probably had to do with the different port setups between the models.

I'll see how it performs and go from there, I'm pretty familiar with how to tune these bikes, lessons learnt from racing my H1 and the mistakes I made with it.

Here's the specs for Warren Willing H2.

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2015/11/250.jpg

[Redback]

Picked up all the bits I had powder coated today, they turned out well, I wish all the others were this quick and helpful.

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/ (http://smg.photobucket.com/user/bazzar/media/Bike%20Restoration/IMG_2175_zpslojzwwnu.jpg.html)

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v293/bazzar/Bike%20Restoration/IMG_2170_zps6e5xpdxh.jpg (http://smg.photobucket.com/user/bazzar/media/Bike%20Restoration/IMG_2170_zps6e5xpdxh.jpg.html)

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v293/bazzar/Bike%20Restoration/IMG_2169_zpsggkwlrev.jpg (http://smg.photobucket.com/user/bazzar/media/Bike%20Restoration/IMG_2169_zpsggkwlrev.jpg.html)

Now for the paint, can't wait to see how those turn out.

[Redback]

Bit of an update, rebuilt the calipers, after a lot of swearing trying to slide the bolts through without destroying the O rings, lucky I had spares.

Found a mob to get some new fork tubes, $125 a pair, made by EMGO, from the USA, a new set from a local supplier near home is $499 a pair, what makes me angry about this price, is that he has the same inner fork tubes selling for $299 marked as Z1 Z900:twisted:

Or re-chromed for $350 the pair in Sydney.

S the ones from the US allowes me to buy some more bits I really need to finish this restoration, like wheel and steering head bearings.

Of the 3 sets of fork tubes I have, not one of them had no pitting around the seal area, I'm hoping I can save the top nut of the fork tube, at $70 for a pair of reproductions, it a little saving to go towards other more important parts and forget about OEM they are anything from $150 up to $350.

All the internals are good, just some new fork oil should be fine, I picked the two best lower legs, just need a bit of a polish and should be all good.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v293/bazzar/Bike%20Restoration/IMG_2176_zps2jkmjyce.jpg (http://smg.photobucket.com/user/bazzar/media/Bike%20Restoration/IMG_2176_zps2jkmjyce.jpg.html)

[Fluids]

This is going to be really nice when it's finished Baz !

[Redback]

This is going to be really nice when it's finished Baz !

I certainly hope so Kev, I've put a lot of time and money into it, some bits will be replaced over time once it's all back together, little things like old bolts replaced for new ones, some of the bolts I couldn't resore as well as I wanted, got an insurance quote from Shannons, not bad, got all the info for Club Rego, so getting there.

I cancelled the order for the fork tubes, the freight was a killer, I found another mob that is a little cheaper for the same product.

Saturday I'm hoping to put the steering head bearings in and assemble the bottom steering stock and triple clamp and handlebars.

[Redback]

OK so the Rod kits finally arrived, so they are off to Greg Ball after Xmas along with the pistons and seals.

Only doing little bits and pieces at the moment, like painted the speedo drive, had the steering stock powdercoated and put new tapered bearings in and mounted them on the frame with the triple clamp, fitted the instrument bracket and handlebars, next is putting the build date sticker back on and just generally cleaning bits ready for when the bodywork, guards and engine comes back and work out what other bits I'll need.

Might wait a tad before ordering more bits, just to let the budget account grow a bit more, nothing will be ready till after Xmas anyway.

Top Triple clamp and instrument bracket
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v293/bazzar/Bike%20Restoration/IMG_2175_zpslojzwwnu.jpg (http://smg.photobucket.com/user/bazzar/media/Bike%20Restoration/IMG_2175_zpslojzwwnu.jpg.html)

Factory Steering damper also installed

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v293/bazzar/Bike%20Restoration/IMG_2183_zpsq3x5v03f.jpg (http://smg.photobucket.com/user/bazzar/media/Bike%20Restoration/IMG_2183_zpsq3x5v03f.jpg.html)

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v293/bazzar/Bike%20Restoration/IMG_2184_zps8j6q9yfj.jpg (http://smg.photobucket.com/user/bazzar/media/Bike%20Restoration/IMG_2184_zps8j6q9yfj.jpg.html)

[Pedro_The_Swift]

You may need to update that steering damper---
oh, and your speedo:p
Top Speed of the Meet - Dry Lakes Racers Australia (http://dlra.org.au/top-speed-of-the-meet.htm)

210mph,, :o:cool:

[Redback]

You may need to update that steering damper---
oh, and your speedo:p
Top Speed of the Meet - Dry Lakes Racers Australia (http://dlra.org.au/top-speed-of-the-meet.htm)

210mph,, :o:cool:

120MPH for the H2 is fine for me.

[Redback]

Picking up the paintwork today, I looked at it yesterday when I went out to pick up my crank and barrels, $660 for a complete rebuild and bore, only downside is there is still some pitting in one of the barrels, Ben(Greg Ball Engineering) thinks it will be OK though and shouldn't have any problems with it.

The paint on the other hand is amazing, while there I saw the process of how they get the Candy colour, facinating how they get to the final colour the base colour is grey, before the candy coat is put on.

I'm super happy with the paintwork and worth every penny.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v293/bazzar/Bike%20Restoration/IMG_2285_zps7gcrokip.jpg (http://smg.photobucket.com/user/bazzar/media/Bike%20Restoration/IMG_2285_zps7gcrokip.jpg.html)

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v293/bazzar/Bike%20Restoration/IMG_2287_zpsdwqxh3k6.jpg (http://smg.photobucket.com/user/bazzar/media/Bike%20Restoration/IMG_2287_zpsdwqxh3k6.jpg.html)

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v293/bazzar/Bike%20Restoration/IMG_2290_zpsczmfzwcg.jpg (http://smg.photobucket.com/user/bazzar/media/Bike%20Restoration/IMG_2290_zpsczmfzwcg.jpg.html)

[Homestar]

That paintwork is sweeeeet...

[Redback]

That paintwork is sweeeeet...

Thanks Starman;) the photos don't do them justice.

[theresanothersteve]

:drool:

[Pedro_The_Swift]

What other colours were available?

[Redback]

What other colours were available?

Candy Purple is the most popular colour that I have seen in the 73 model(H2/A my model), gold was not a popular colour back then, the 72 model(H2) came in Candy Gold and Candy Blue, again the gold did not sell well either, hence why you see more Blue ones, then in 74/75 Candy Purple and Candy Green.

74/75 model
https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2016/02/430.jpg
https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2016/02/431.jpg
My model 73
https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2016/02/432.jpg
https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2016/02/433.jpg

72 MODEL
https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2016/02/434.jpg

[Pedro_The_Swift]

yours is very understated:p

[Redback]

Yes, as you know purple was a very popular colour for cars in the 70s, jeez even I had a purple FC Holden Station wagon:Rolling:

[VladTepes]

Mate that paint job is amazing !!!!!!!

[Redback]

Mate that paint job is amazing !!!!!!!

Thanks mate, very pleased with the result.

[Fluids]

I think the gold is the ducks nuts ! :)

[Chops]

I think the gold is the ducks nuts ! :)

Just don't be doing the "low five" after sayin' that, Baz may just give you a fright with a "high five",,,,, :o

[rangieman]

I think the gold is the ducks nuts ! :)

Mate :twisted: Too much MKR for you:p
Yes Baz that is a bloody ripper **** hot !

[Redback]

Thanks guys, I do like the gold better, actually I prefer the gold over the blue as well and besides, it was the original colour of the tank and ducktail, the side covers are off a 72 model in blue, I have an OEM blue side cover in the garage, that's never been fitted to a bike, still wrapped in the genuine Kawasaki oil paper, that will go on Ebay soon.

[Redback]

A bit more progress, after getting my carbys and fuel tap back from the wet blaster and I put them back together last night, they turned out great, I have ordered some new fork tubes from Jessbikes and few bits and pieces from Z1enterprizes, I know it seems silly getting things from two different places, but it worked out cheaper even with two postage charges ordering them normally, I didn't know at the time I could have done the cheaper way by dropping a certain name to get a discount, I'll know next time https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2016/02/132.jpg

Badges for the side covers arrived on Monday, it's coming along and getting close to the re-assembling stage, happy days.

[Redback]

A pic of the fuel tap and carbys after being cleaned

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v293/bazzar/Bike%20Restoration/IMG_2292_zpsxplnrimi.jpg (http://smg.photobucket.com/user/bazzar/media/Bike%20Restoration/IMG_2292_zpsxplnrimi.jpg.html)

[Redback]

Well it's done, 12 mths a a lot of time and money, swearing and cursing, highs and lows, frustration with vendors and suppliers and countless hours in the garage by myself, I had some excellent help from Rick Roberts with lots of info and for the help he gave me putting the engine and gearbox back together, couldn't have done it without him.

So here it is.

http://www.aulro.com/afvb/attachments/motor-cycling/113580d1473143522-my-750-triple-project-re-ignites-img_2614.jpg

http://www.aulro.com/afvb/attachments/motor-cycling/113581d1473144026-my-750-triple-project-re-ignites-img_2616.jpg

http://www.aulro.com/afvb/attachments/motor-cycling/113578d1473143522-my-750-triple-project-re-ignites-img_2606.jpg

Also a first startup video

https://vimeo.com/181423576

[Redback]

Lets try that middle one again.

[Chops]

Awesome work Baz, you must be very proud of yourself, all the effort you've put into this. Well done.

[Homestar]

Supurb work Baz, looks great!

[Pedro_The_Swift]

Exactly how I remember it!!

The sound pinpoints the bike exactly!

:cool::cool:

[V8Ian]

Ah, the memories, thanks Baz. Well done, it looks great.

[rangieman]

Well done mate That is just sweet :thumbsup::thumbsup:

[carlschmid2002]

Love that sound. Music to my ears. Where's all the blue smoke? Well done mate.

[Pedro_The_Swift]

Blue smoke??
you're thinking of LC 250's,, :p

[Redback]

Thanks everyone, there's a couple of things I will improve over the next 12 to 24mths or so once the wallet heels, engine covers aren't quite as good as they could be, they still have a few scratches that need to be polished out, new set of pipes, I'm going with Higgspeed GPs SS chambers from the UK, and a new set of handlebars, the standard ones a bit high.

Oh and there's smoke, wouldn't be a triple without it:D

[jon3950]

Looks great Baz. Even as a non bike person I can appreciate that.

And its good to see you back. I was wondering what had happened to you.

Cheers,
Jon

[theresanothersteve]

Well it's done, 10 mths a a lot of time and money, swearing and cursing, highs and lows, frustration with vendors and suppliers and countless hours in the garage by myself, I had some excellent help from Rick Roberts with lods of info and for the help he gave me putting the engine and gearbox back together, couldn't have done it without him.

So here it is...

When can you drop it off? I've cleared a spot in the shed ready [bigwhistle]

Well done, great to see an old Kwak returned to its past glory.

[Redback]

Looks great Baz. Even as a non bike person I can appreciate that.

And its good to see you back. I was wondering what had happened to you.

Cheers,
Jon

Thanks mate, appreciate that, how are you going, all good I hope.


When can you drop it off? I've cleared a spot in the shed ready [bigwhistle]

Well done, great to see an old Kwak returned to its past glory.

Hahahaha, already had a few offers, they even mentioned money:p

[Redback]

Bike is now on historic rego as of today:MileStone::spudnikguitar:

[carlschmid2002]

Bike is now on historic rego as of today:MileStone::spudnikguitar:

Now you can go and scare yourself.

[Redback]

Funny you should say that, because I gave myself(and Rick Roberts)a major scare when we started the bike last week, the throttle jammed wide open and of coarse it revved it's ring out apon starting, twice:censored:

Turned out to be the throttle cable and the slide in the centre carby, the slide had a bur at the bottom and was sticking at the very top of the barrel, we found that the left side cable was too short and kept pulling out from junction box, which means two carbys where stuck open:o

I fixed the slide, that was easy but we had to modify the cable, the 3 cable from the junction are different lengths but the bare section of the cables that comes out of the outer sheath should bethe same length, 3 1/4in, but the left side was only 3", we had to cut the outer sheath to exspose more cable to give some free play and we superglued the cables into the junction, it was only a tempory fix until the new cable arrived, just in case it did it when the bike was inspected for rego.

So today I will be replacing that throttle with a new one that arrived on Friday, this new cable looks like the OEM cable and none of the cables pop out of the junction like the other one does, all of the bare section of the cable are the correct length too.

Lesson learnt, don't go for the cheap option with major items and check things before you install, don't just assume they are correct.

I've been chasing an oil leak too, found it yesterday, the oil tank has a crack along the join on the bottom where the two halves are joined at the factory, I'm not going to bother fixing it, it's 43yrs old and has probably passed it's use by date and will probably get worse over time even after repairing it, I'll just replace it with a new one which I ordered today, $125, well worth it I think.

A couple more photos

http://www.aulro.com/afvb/attachments/motor-cycling/114053d1474154223-my-750-triple-project-re-ignites-img_2621.jpg

http://www.aulro.com/afvb/attachments/motor-cycling/114052d1474154223-my-750-triple-project-re-ignites-img_2613.jpg

http://www.aulro.com/afvb/attachments/motor-cycling/114051d1474154223-my-750-triple-project-re-ignites-img_2609.jpg

[carlschmid2002]

I hope the kill switch works.:) Just in case. I don't think I would like to be on a 750 two stroke with the throttle stuck wide open.:o I had a XR 250 that suffered from similar cable woes. It was a !985 model with the dual carbies.

[Redback]

No kill switch on the early H2s, only on the later models, key off only on my model.

I've experienced a jammed throttle on my H1, not fun:(

Anyway the new throttle cable is in and carbs are synced, so she's ready to go for the first ride is next weekend, the annual Classic & Enthusiasts MCC rally and show is on at Cooper Park Engadine next Sunday the 25th, should be an interesting day.

[Redback]

Well the new exhausts arrived Friday, started putting them on last night, Friday I will fit the new right side outer head and it's done completely.

Unpacked

120820

[rangieman]

Wow i bet what you paid for them (left and right) your past your family making days[bigwhistle]
Looking good[thumbsupbig]

[VladTepes]

Redback - nice bike, great work :)

[gusthedog]

Wow Redback. The bike is looking great [emoji106] .

The little TTR I bought from you is going fantastically. Ive added a few extras to it now including a bigger tank and some other mods (pipe, frame guards, high bars, bashplate etc). Thought you might like to know [emoji6]
https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2017/03/35.jpg

[Redback]

Thanks guys, Chris you're not wrong, but supprisingly not bad if you compare them to current complete exhaust systems, they are an exact copy of the factory Kawasaki OEM system, right down to the spot weld dimples, which you would expect considering it's the same company that made the OEM pipes for Kawasaki 44yrs ago, just don't have a Kawasaki part number[thumbsupbig]

Mate the bike looks great, glad you're happy with it and are having fun with it, I had a good run with it too, just did not ride it as much as I would have liked.


Wow Redback. The bike is looking great [emoji106] .

The little TTR I bought from you is going fantastically. Ive added a few extras to it now including a bigger tank and some other mods (pipe, frame guards, high bars, bashplate etc). Thought you might like to know [emoji6]
https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2017/03/35.jpg

[Redback]

It's finally finished, now has the factory exhaust on, centrestand and new head.

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/attachments/motor-cycling/121446d1491291665-my-750-triple-project-re-ignites-img_1324.jpg

[rangieman]

That is so 7o`s with the bikini fairing[wink11]
Looking good mate[thumbsupbig]

[Redback]

That is so 7o`s with the bikini fairing[wink11]
Looking good mate[thumbsupbig]

Funny you should say that, I've had the fairing longer than the bike, was given to me by a mate back in 1979, it's Z1R replica, he gave it to put on my girlfriends Suzuki X7 250, we split so I kept it.

[Chops]

Speaking of which,, are you going to paint the fairing in the gold?

[Redback]

Speaking of which,, are you going to paint the fairing in the gold?

No, I did think about it, I don't know if it would look any good or not, I might put some stripes similar to the ones on the tank, I need to see what it might look like first.