1970 Kawasaki H1 500

[@sydneysheppard4979]

My brother worked 3rd shift...I would hook off school an ride his bike all day..I'd sneak the keys an I'd push it out of our garage an start it down the street..❤💪🇺🇸

[@donbrashsux]

😂I would have done that also 👍

[@patrickkillilea5225]

Awesome!

[@sydneysheppard4979]

Nice kappy!!! My brother had a brand new h1 ..it was that beautiful forest green metal flake..with the lime green kawasaki center..

[@OogleTheGreat]

Love it, Ken. When I was in college, my roommate's buddy rode his 1973 H1 to visit. He was complaining that it wasn't running right. I jumped on the bike, ran it thru 1st & 2nd gear, and when I banged 3rd gear the speedo was climbing north of 80mph at an incredible rate. I shut it down because I was riding thru town - speed limit 45mph (oops!). In short, I took it back to the friend and told him he needed to learn how to ride a 2-stroke.

[@sonnyseabury4051]

Lmao. Yeah, 2 strokes and 4 strokes are two totally different animals to ride. A 2 stroke can put the Fear of God into somebody that is not used to them, when the powerband comes on the pipe, which is The Best Thing About 2 Strokes. A year or so ago, I bought an amazing and beautiful 1985 Yamaha 2 stroke RZ 350 Kenny Robert's Edition Bike, that I LOVE! Before it, I owned a 2007 Honda 919 Hornet 900cc Naked Bike. While the Honda was fast, and it could get pretty aggressive, when I would open it up, it wasn't as much of an aggressive ride, as my 2 stroke 350cc Yamaha. Take Care, Brother.

[@Troy-f2h]

Brother youre love and respect for motorcycles is above and beyond any man i have ever seen my respect for you is utmost thanks for letting it shine i know at least one other person in this world loved bikes as much as i lol God bless the Bunch of you guys and long live you all to ride

[@KaplanCycles]

Thank you brother! ML&R

[@pgmurray76]

Dude! You must be one of the TOP companies finding and restoring survivor bikes!! Alerts of lusty bikes abound.

[@dougpeterson3356]

I had that identical bike, same color. Bought used in 72. Your example is cleaner than mine was in 1972. Beautiful work, mechanics are to be commended.

[@Off-Grid-World]

Ooof, sounds supreme. Can't wait to get these flaming stubborn barrels off mine so can fix her up and get out for a ride. They just will not budge. I need to fashion some sort of puller tool but haven't seemed to find the blueprints for such tool. Cheerio and awesome bike guys! I would love a Peacock grey!

[@sanfranciscobay]

Aug 2024. A 1969 Kawasaki 500 H1 Restored Condition sold for $22,000 at Mecum Auctions Monterey CA.

[@Larry-ez4ls]

Fantastic!!! I have 2 - white 1969 + blue 1971. Missing frame decal, hydraulic steering damper & distributor drain plug. The "Peacock Grey" is a very are colour here in Austraila.

[@postersm7141]

Over the past 40 years I’ve had all of the Main for Japanese bikes mostly Kawasaki for whatever reason. I purchased a 2021 Z 900 RS café and thought I was going to keep it for a while. Two years later I test the 2023 Yamaha MT 10 and unfortunately I had to let the Kaw go and I haven’t looked back.

[@hazepennington9303]

I love that sound of a two stroke , I had the 72 H1 500 Mark 3 what a beautiful beast it was,, ❤

[@stmboat]

Mind blowing. This is thee first one in all practicality. 15 years ago, the CB750/550 fours and Ninjas were all the rage but.... Pretty soon you wont be able to put a price on a bike like this.

[@sonnyseabury4051]

That is one gorgeous and badass 2 stroke streetbike. That's the exact one that my Dad had, before I was born in 1973. Dad had a 350cc and 500cc triple. He wanted to get a 750cc. He told me, that they didn't handle anyway near as well, as the 350's and 500's, and that they were pretty much just good, for racing in a straight line. I had no idea that the Overhead Door Company was a business outside of Louisiana too. I have an overhead door, on my garage, which was built in 1988, where I keep both of my bikes. Their doors seem like they'll last forever if you take good care of them. They're not cheap, but you get what you pay for.

[@robertreasor7522]

The H1 I rode home for my buddy that couldn't ride yet after he had just bought it was white with blue stripes. I wasn't yet 15 but had a dirt bike a rode nearly every day. I just loved the thing. It would wheelie at will anytime anywhere . Just a mean little mother! He ended up crashing it and that's the last time I ever saw it. I really miss those 2 stroke monsters with the hair trigger power bands. And the smell of 2 stroke oil burning! God those really were the days!

[@oceanhome2023]

Hair trigger power bands exactly scary but SO addictive !

[@pgmurray76]

WHAT A TWO STROKE!! Chills, hair standing, and round objects tingling

[@1622yamaha]

My pops had one, took me on many rides. Up to Big Bear one time, out thru the desert. Mant memories

[@antoniohosino145]

HE’S LEAVING MORE SMOKE BEHIND THAN A LOCOMOTIVE !!!! TIME FOR SOME KENDALL SMOKELESS SI OIL !!!!

[@harrybenson9983]

Owned two of them. The first one was stolen. It took me a year and a half to save enough money to purchase the second one. The H1 in this video obviously has the baffles removed from the exhausts, they weren't that loud.

[@postersm7141]

Five grand is actually pretty damn good I think. Excellent job.

[@scottw550]

There was a brown 1976 Kawasaki H1 500 sitting in the display window of a Burnaby BC Kawasaki dealer for the last 30 years. Last year when I drove by, it was on sale for about 5K but it would have needed to be rebuilt and I live in an apartment. It sold very quickly. I sort of wish I had bought it anyway now.

[@geoffhess2267]

Awesome bike, especially in that 1970 color Peacock Gray. Looks amazing with the stainless fenders and chrome. I really like the colors for the first three years starting with Midnight White in 69, Peacock Gray and Candy Red in 70, and Candy Blue in 71. I had a 71. Man, I wish I still had it!

[@toddgreim9254]

Great bike love the H1 and H2!

[@itllbeawrightyep5579]

I need that 2 stroke to spray the mosquitoes around my house! Nice bike.

[@stephenwilliams926]

Nice to see rear mudguard and Airbox still original.

[@KaplanCycles]

Sure is!

[@jamesa6272]

Ken you make every monster bike look like a toy lol

[@AudiophileTubes]

2-stroke HEAVEN!!!

[@Troy-f2h]

Love it

[@tony-ce7qp]

Can the town which you pay taxes put up some signs that state motorcycle testing zone???......we need to keep all you people safe as you do a lot for us your viewers and your town and the whole industry you represent...no doubt!

[@MoleyMoley-u6g]

Lovely bike my brother's had lots of them yrs ago S1 250 and S1350 what a beautiful sound

[@alfredstevens9586]

Cool bike just gotta love those two strokes

[@patrickkillilea5225]

Yes sir. Gotta Love that machine! Sounds really nice too. I'd want to throw on a set of Bassani;s, K&N's and flow some more fuel. LOL

[@KillrMillr7]

Man that’s an original old school screamer. My cousin had a green one 72, that thing was fast with both of us on it.

[@julianlaustsen1991]

I wonder why they didn't put expansion chambers on theese old 2 strokes? musta have added more power if it had it?

[@markkimball1569]

My brother had a 74. I did ride it in the late 86 or so. .. my other brother may still have it 👍

[@TrailThug]

Love these bikes...

[@kincardinepair1442]

had one bought it new went like a jet but one issue I had was the crank broke and it took a summer to get it fixed

[@sergiososa5855]

hello friend kaplan america!!! it's the rear brake cable I don't like how it looks!!!! it's a classic motorcycle!!💙💙💙🤍🤍🤍💙💙💙💯💯💯💯💯💯

[@Juppausempott]

Nice ........very nice😊

[@bassdestroyer1670]

What oil you use in the mix? And what would you recommend for a bike with a oil pump? The bike is a 1974 suzuki gt185. any tips for longevity?

[@mikeschlup5279]

Redline,Amsoil ,Maxima, Motul...Amy of the ester based or fortified products...

[@matthewtarka2804]

have a 71,by accident left fuel on,filled crank chamber with fuel,sucked out with small long hose thru carb at tdc each cyl,lotta crap came out,to my surprise when started again,A LOT LESS SMOKE!!!!!....if i knew where to drill a 1/8 drain hole,at the bottom of these chambers they could be drained occasionally and plugged with a small screw.if not mistaken like 8psi there....I think if 2 strokes had this,would be less smoke,any thoughts.....anyone? harry at klemm you there?

[@ninakim7282]

Great.

[@wayno23]

Epic motorcycle 💯

[@joeyholthusen6495]

My uncle Gene Holthusen from viking mn, has a 1929 Harley in awesome shape, been sitting for 25 years minimum. I was last person that he had ride on it. Value of classic bikes? Idk but he turned down a offer of a new road king someone wanted to trade him straight up for. 29 has more respect if going to a bikers rally

[@pgmurray76]

Ok YOUR resto, so that why it is extra mint. Excellent as always.

[@mr.m325]

Sweet bike...Fastest bike in the world when it cam out....but sorry...the gold chains..just look cheesy on vintage bikes, you should know that as a judge. On a sidenote the Rockville Mosquito population just took a Direct Hit

[@KaplanCycles]

This bikes not being judged, and i dont really care what you like. I did this as a favor for a friend. but thanks anyways. Its not for sale and a chain can be switched to stock grey one in 5 minutes if it ever was. lol

[@UOO303T]

Gets no better than that...fantastic

[@reggit123]

Love that blue haze

[@gdmofo]

Do a Laverda Jota

[@bobcohoon9615]

You might change your title to "1970 Kawasaki H1 500 " . Dec/69 is a 1970 . July ( 07 ) is usually where new models start being made , I think . Nice bike !

[@KaplanCycles]

Yes right! My bad

[@sohibovamaysara7799]

Dommage qui fumme de trop et bruit de tak tak tak comme tracteur mélange et coûte si cher 😂 incroyable vraiment 🎉

[@timr31908]

Very dangerous.. . Widowmaker

[@joeyholthusen6495]

I'd like to think you peeps absolutely could benefit from a 3D printer. Need a custom air box ect.... just print one. 😉

[@KaplanCycles]

That would be cool!

[@ryanfry390]

Appreciate all of these videos, my collection of Japanese sport bikes is small but growing. Just acquired a 1980 Yamaha XS850 Special. I’ve heard parts availability it tough. What do you recommend? Find NOS parts? or is there a good source for reproduction parts? Thanks a bunch!

[@-bollox]

Did he say 1959 at the beginning ? Had helmet on maybe..

[@pgmurray76]

Dry ice cleaners probably extremely expensive, even a small unit. I only have two hands too for cleaning.

[@malcolmmitchell6529]

Wrong exhaust, and black??

[@Freimopp777]

wrong exhaust? Peacock Gray was a factory colour

[@chriscadman6379]

Well there's yer problem, Ain't got no gas!

[@Lightnin42]

Awesome sounds 👏🇺🇸

[@mick0846]

Honesty is the best policy! You could have easily kept the air filter box situation to yourself but you never 👊

[@tom1263]

Hey Ken, great video! I seem to notice most of you two stroke videos are pretty good smokers. Do you guys run 'em rich for any reason other than keeping them nice until they're sold?

[@KaplanCycles]

Yes we do

[@matthewtarka2804]

there not two strokes.....there two smokes!!!!!!

[@gregscott9170]

The Kawasaki triples were the burnout kings of the high school parking lots.

[@habitmoto]

Looks great!

[@philthome1303]

Beautiful. Very nice 👍

[@alissamejia2743]

Ride it home from the dealership (brand new) and park it in the garage next to your new 1969 Z28 😁

[@richardmorris7063]

Kudos to not flipping this thing for 55 yrs. This bike was raw,the original widow maker. Ladies if you're husband has one ,get insurance!!

[@stephenwilliams926]

Do you read these comments ?.

[@KaplanCycles]

Yes

[@stephenwilliams926]

@@KaplanCycles you got me !

[@chriscadman6379]

Had one for a summer. I think it was better than the 750.

[@Heyhey-ns7fv]

Can someone start a petition to get rid of huw jackman as wolverine and replace with kappy❤️

[@KaplanCycles]

Im down!

[@theamerican7080]

Gorgeous.

[@pgmurray76]

Proper horn too.

[@Onlybhstrpes]

Sounds like a two-stroke orchestra.

[@AAs-vb7pv]

Amazing bike wish i had a friend to look after my bike like that and not rag the pants off it 😂 great job sr

[@markbaum9615]

If I had that....... I'd be spraying for skeeters All summer and beyond....

[@bananabrooks3836]

'Lost' Airbox: cubic dollars! Fork stantions should've been rechromed. Never seen a black one from the factory??

[@KaplanCycles]

It is 100% original! Rechrome it and its gone!

[@bobg1219]

If it was manufactured in December of 69, wouldn't that make it a 1970 model?

[@KaplanCycles]

Yes woops my bad

[@bobg1219]

@@KaplanCycles all good👍

[@JeanClaudeLeMonnier]

❤❤❤😂😂😂!!!

[@deanhackett349]

Not the original grips Ken!

[@KaplanCycles]

You are correct, my bad,

[@pgmurray76]

DO NOT SELL IT.

[@savage22bolt32]

I want it...

[@pgmurray76]

@@savage22bolt32 You can't can't have it! You can't handle the truth! You cannot have the Mango!!

[@richardmorris7063]

Turn it over to someone who will enjoy it. You can't take it w/ you.

[@travisguide4516]

Total radmobile

[@bartjacobs3394]

I like the way you blowed it out clean klean so it would show its true colors .

[@robertraft]

Rippahhhh!❤