NOOB 1972 kawasaki H2

johnny2stroke

New Member
No more creepin' NOOB from Canada

Stumbled across an old 72 Kawasaki H2 last spring, skipped all my important bill payments, ate kraft dinner for a couple weeks and it was all mine! I've always wanted to do up a cafe style road bike, never thought I'd end up with a crazy 2 smoker! So far I've found some nice chambers from my mates at higgspeed, some rear sets from raask, and some good quality parts from z1. I also managed to score a 1970 bell star 120 helmet (came with bike) to cover my mug while experiencing power band o_0

Looking forward to all the great info here!
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Bike came with a H1 front wheel/shocks (don't ask) If anyone here has a h2 front please let me know or any other suggestions for upgrading front suspension and brakes.
 
If you're a noob rider be prepared, 100hp power band on these bad boys. I've also heard they reduced the power after 72' so the 72' has the most power, not sure if its true but was just told that by an old man I buy parts from.
 
Welcome to DTT. Great bike. As stated before, its a real beast when dialed in right. Just respect it and you'll be ok. One thing youbshould definitly look into is properly reinforcing the frame as in stock form they're about as stiff as boiled spaghetti. Upgrading the junky stock suspension is always a good starting point with any old bike also.

Anyway, good luck and keep us posted.
 
That will be a sweet Bike when you finish it. My GT 750 smoker handles well with all modern running gear. Good Luck with the build!
 
Do your self a favor and sign up at www.kawi2strokes.com/forum Anything you would want to know about triples can be answered there.
 
Thx for the replies 8)

These bikes were termed "widow maker" back in the day for good reason. Nimble frame, shitty brakes, shitty suspension and all motor! I'm pretty sure the dealers never told their customers about the high speed wobble they were notorious for. Heh So yeah frame strengthening, new suspension/ brakes, steering stabilizer are on the list.
The kawi2strokes forum is a gold mine of info, met this guy there http://www.3cyl.com/mraxl/aylor/ I'll be sending my heads and cylinders to get worked by him. Should have a bit more power (not that I need it) but the power band should be really cleaned up along with the lower end of the rpm range where these bikes lagged.
 
John is a good guy and will do you well. I think he is also a member on here, nut I don't know how often he stops in.

Before you go chopping up that frame, I know someone that might be interested in it. The hot ticket for a h2 motor is to put it into a H1 frame anyways.
 
Welcome aboard! There are a few Kawi Triples around here. :D

The best thing to do in the handling department is to shore up the suspension with better shocks and springs, rebuild the forks with whatever needs replacing, new swing arm pivot if needed and new tapered steering head bearings. I think you might be surprised at how much better the handling is without any frame bracing or mods.

IMO, a great deal of the "widowmaker legend" is exaggerated. :)

Great bike!! Enjoy!! 8)

(Edit!)

Oh ya... where are you in Canada? I'm in Mississauga, ON! :D
 
VonYinzer said:
Listen to this man^^^^

He knows of what he speaks...

Aww shucks... :-[

Heh, heh. Knowing as much as I do about stock Triples, didn't stop me from modifying my own h2b!! ;D

I'd expect that NOOB has some knowledge himself or access to some serious help by the looks of his shop. ;) :D
 
johnny2stroke said:
If anyone here has a h2 front please let me know or any other suggestions for upgrading front suspension and brakes.

There are tons of options here. Most late h1, h2, Z1 and early KZ1000 forks will slide right into your triple clamps. You can make use of the wheels and brakes from those newer models too! 8)

There will be a ton of other models from other brands that will work, but I'm most familiar with the Kawasaki models. :)
 
Ive heard those lumps will fit in a rd frame but you have to grind that word off the clutch cover
 
Good to see another cafe seduction.
I'm up in Canada too - pop me an email and I'll send you a couple of photos of the H2 my buddy used to road race and a parts / price list in case you want / need something.
Have fun.
Pat
Vintage Motorcycle Fiberglass,
pacomotorstuff@cogeco.ca
 
bradj said:
Ive heard those lumps will fit in a rd frame but you have to grind that word off the clutch cover

I'm guessing that would be some evil handling rig Brad!! :eek: Those motors are hea-vey!! :D

Some have put 'em in 250-350-400 Triple frames and the results are generally not so good from what I hear. :p

I had the plan to try to fit one in a RZ350 frame...

I believe it could work but it didn't happen. :eek: :D
 
Drewski said:
There are tons of options here. Most late h1, h2, Z1 and early KZ1000 forks will slide right into your triple clamps. You can make use of the wheels and brakes from those newer models too! 8)

There will be a ton of other models from other brands that will work, but I'm most familiar with the Kawasaki models. :)

To answer your question I live in winterpeg (Winnipeg for you non-canadians) and thx for the tips, I will def look into the fork options you stated.
Wicked bike too I have some pics of it on my comp! If I have any questions triple related, I'll inbox you.

Since owning the bike I have learned alot about them and I have found almost every part I need to complete it, like I said the kawi forum is a gold mine of info (and thank you ebay).
I'm not gonna go to crazy with the build, I definitely want to keep it a dual springer, original paint, typical cafe stripped down and built for speed :D
It will be a bit slow coming though, I'm right in the depths of building a 51 f1 truck which is priority this winter although I'm sure I'll being doing some mach up, fitting parts etc on the h2.

I've ridden my share of two stroke bikes (all dirt bikes) the quickest one being a cr500 and that thing was insane!! Kinda wonder why they even made shit like that and why they don't anymore! So I'm pretty sure having 3 cylinders, 250cc a piece in one 2 stroke package is gonna be well I don't know yet!! Heh good thing I know how to respect power.
 
johnny2stroke said:
To answer your question I live in winterpeg (Winnipeg for you non-canadians) and thx for the tips, I will def look into the fork options you stated.
Wicked bike too I have some pics of it on my comp! If I have any questions triple related, I'll inbox you.

Since owning the bike I have learned alot about them and I have found almost every part I need to complete it, like I said the kawi forum is a gold mine of info (and thank you ebay).
I'm not gonna go to crazy with the build, I definitely want to keep it a dual springer, original paint, typical cafe stripped down and built for speed :D
It will be a bit slow coming though, I'm right in the depths of building a 51 f1 truck which is priority this winter although I'm sure I'll being doing some mach up, fitting parts etc on the h2.

I've ridden my share of two stroke bikes (all dirt bikes) the quickest one being a cr500 and that thing was insane!! Kinda wonder why they even made shit like that and why they don't anymore! So I'm pretty sure having 3 cylinders, 250cc a piece in one 2 stroke package is gonna be well I don't know yet!! Heh good thing I know how to respect power.

Johnny, you've got the right idea! Get it rolling and running first! Then tackle the mods bit by bit. 8) "Kawasaki Triples Canada" is a great local forum to hang out on for solid info and help! ;)

Because you've tackled other projects ('51 p/u!!), you will be well aware that mods are like domino's... knock one over and usually a few others fall with it! :p :)

A "special build" can be like a runaway train!! Tough to control! Don't ask how I know that. :eek: ;D

Great bike! Can't wait to see what you do with it! 8)
 
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