'72 H1 For Sale in SC. 1800 Miles!

Here's his post:

I just recently registered on this forum and have spent at least three hours reading posts and replies. I enjoy forums and have been impressed with the people here who sound so cordial and helpful. Its folks like you who give bikers a good name.

I am looking for some advice however. I own a 1972 Kawasaki 500. I bought it new and only put 1,840 miles on it. I’ve had it in my garage, covered, and have only started it from time to time; the last being about five years ago. Other than some garage dust it in original condition. I do have some pictures that I can post if anyone is interested.

I’m retired and moving into an apartment and must sell the bike. I’d really like a collector or someone who appreciates the history of performance bikes to own it. Can anyone tell me how (and where) I can advertise it and an idea of what its worth.

I may not be a bike owner much longer but will certainly continue to read posts on this site. Thanks to all of you for any help you can provide.

Here's the link to Kawasaki Motorcycle Forums:
www.kawasakimotorcycle.org/forum/vintage...-kawasaki-500-a.html

He's posted pics....looks cherry!

post it on tomcatloftis triple web site or craigs list..dont let that bike go cheap i used to own one..she will bring you top dollar if in good running condition.

o yeah and the second fastest bike i have rode next to a kz.lol

look on walnecks classic bike web site and look what they get for them

The H1's & H2's are rembered fondly by anyone old enough to remember them.

Not everyone!

I owned one that looked just like that one (before the fire, but that's another story), and in my opinion the 500 and 750 triples were the worst handling bikes Kawasaki ever made. They went pretty good in a straight line, but when they got to a curve they earned their nickname of "Flexible Flyer".

I have absolutely no desire to ever own another one.

First of all that bike is a 71 not a 72. I've already emailed the seller about the bike and I'd really like to own it. The reason I'd like to have it is because I started working in a Kawasaki shop in 71 at the tender age of 12, back then the 500 was the baddest bike on the street. For me it would be all about back in the day, the sound, the smell etc. I can't see myself riding that bike more than say 100 miles a year but I would love and care for it treating it as a rolling piece of art. I don't have much hope of being able to put a deal together on it but it sure gave me a woody just seeing the pics, right down to the red Klotz oil showing through the oil tank level tube. I guess you had to be there back when this bike was new to understand.

steell wrote:

I have absolutely no desire to ever own another one.

OK, probably lots of people that'll agree with steell regarding the triples.
I never owned one, and I've never ridden an H1. I rode with a buddy that had an H2 back when I was riding a KZ650. I rode that 750 a few times, and I never felt at ease on it. Not like on the 650. But my pal loved that bike; rode it HARD and never got into serious trouble with it.

I've had the H2 for 29 yrs. It's not all that bad a handling bike, but sure definately not what you'd want to road race on.
For years this older guy would come in the shop and tell me he had a 1971 H1 that was like new with some low mileage. I forget, but somewhere around 2000. Finally after hearing about this for 10 or more yrs he was buying a new Zenith 35" TV from me that I had like $800 in and he agreed if I wanted the H1 we could trade out the TV straight across for the bike. I went out there and looked at it. Kawasaki did wonders on the 72s vs this 71 first of all, but then of course it was not all that mint, then I rode it and oh my gosh I see vividly why this bike has been ridden only 2000 miles. That was enough H1 for me so I get my money for the Zenith and leave the H1 there.

I briefly had an H1 back in about 78 or 79. It was used and beat to hell, but ran great. It was scary as hell, wouldn't turn for nuthin, and taught me that bad things happen when it hits the power band when you're already in a wheelie.
I don't remember what model year it was.
Anybody know what year they put the purple one out?

yep many nicknames for the triples...the widow maker, the quick and the dead.. there is only one way to ride these bikes and thats all out no in between at all..and they cost an arm and a leg to get parts for now..i got my 74 when i was 15 and i am 37 now, but i have moved on to kzs. and im glad i did