69' MACH III 500 KAWASAKI TRIPLE GLENN'S LIFELONG COMMITMENT

[@trblemkr1d106]

I was working for Kawasaki in Tulsa , Oklahoma when my boss let me assemble my brand new 81 GPZ 55O ( 3rd one in Oklahoma) . I took 2hrs. let our best mechanic service it and then rode it to lunch . I assembled 10 bikes that afternoon to make up for the morning 2 at a time . I was heads down and butt smokin' as he said . Hoodoo was the best boss I ever had...I loved that job . PK

[@brutter602]

I have owned five of them over the years . First one in 1975 and still own number five today. Had it fourteen years . Every time I ride it , I’m nineteen again.

[@bluoval3481]

Glen just turned 75 ??!!! Holy great family genes he looks a heckuva lot younger! Hats off to his Mom for that. Thank you Kaplan for filming and posting this "maiden voyage" of an owner and his restored triple. Long live two-strokes!

[@jimmyanderson4865]

In 1984 I was 16 years old I helped my neighbor install a transmission in his truck ..He gave me a 1974 kawasaki 750 triple for the help took awhile but i had gotten it running and rode it for two years before I joined the military .. all these years its been parked since 1990 . certainly dosent look this good . but one day I hope to get it going.

[@richardmorris6365]

No wonder its still fresh,the bikes never seen 3,500rpm! He sure knows how to take care of himself too.

[@KillrMillr7]

Love it, my cousin had a 1970. It was a screamer rocket with both of us on it, great memories.

[@christoph_with_ch_and_ph]

I am German and the main reason I watch your channel is to hear you say "Thanks for watching and God bless America" at the end of your videos.

[@KaplanCycles]

Wow, thanks!

[@archstanton3249]

I remember in the early 7os when my dad brought one home for my older brother. It was a reddish burgundy color. Man, this video took me back to my childhood with the sound of that three in line two stroke idling. My older brother forwarded this to view. Im sure we are both thinking about dad who had the urge to bring it home. Yes, if we only had the brains to keep it like that man did! Thank you so much for taking me and my brother on a journey back to memories we both hold fond to this day. Way cool!

[@MM_in_Havasu]

Every '69 500 triple I ever saw was white w/blue stripe. Sweet ride just the same!

[@billwelter4101]

Yup, Peacock Grey wasn't available until late 1969, so this is a 1970 model

[@sissygoog9456]

What an absolute mind-blowing bike. I've never seen one myself. Absolutely mind-blowing. Thank you sir. Kaplan cycles number one

[@sonnyseabury4051]

My Dad had the same exact bike. He started of with a 350 though. Dad told me that the 350's and 500's cornered pretty well. He said the 750's were only good for a straight line. Mom always told me how much of a madman Dad was when he had his 350 and 500 Kawasaki Two Strokes. Dad got on the 500 piss drunk, opened up the throttle, dumped the clutch, and he wound up pushing the bike back to his and my mom's apartment, according to Mom, with his thigh wide open, and all kinds of muscle hanging out. Lol😂😂......Thank God when I was getting loaded all of those years, I never drove cars, or rode bikes, under the influence. I'd keep my ass locked up inside for days. Beautiful bike, and I hope Glen has alot of fun on it, and stays safe. He was a real nice guy. ML&R. Have a good day at work.

[@dougpeterson3356]

I had a 1970 in this color. No one else wanted such a "dull" color. I love it. The more flashy colors sold better.

[@more.power.]

Great motorcycle and nice chap riding it. Cheers

[@elcapitano1972]

Very cool!!! 😍👊🏼🏡🎨✨ thanks Gents!

[@johnhargis4566]

I was 12 when that bike came out it was the talk of the town

[@will7its]

75 years old....holy crap

[@RealHooksy]

Bloody nice bike and a bloody good story 😎

[@dylisa]

We need to see you ken to open it up 😊

[@cadesmith4278]

Pure music to the ears!

[@wayno23]

What a great story 👌 yes most of the early 500s were white & are highly collectable. 2 stroke triples sound wicked.

[@glennmosley7690]

That is a 1970 model.

[@wayno23]

@glennmosley7690 cool its a beautiful classic with a bit of bite 🚀

[@bnol03686]

75? He looked 55

[@edwardspaccarelli5944]

He looks better than most of our politicians!

[@donbrashsux]

When Ken said purchased in 1969 I thought how old was he .. looks very young

[@richardmorris6365]

He looked surprised when he realized he's 75 now. I'm 66 & look older..

[@seather863]

WOW... Amazing Kawi!

[@mikeschlup5279]

Never seen that color..it needs a Kaplan italian tune up...

[@wataboutya9310]

To me, that front end greatly resembles the Norton Commando of that era.

[@michaeljkasnter]

Fun begins above 4500-rpm, it’s absolutely incredible the power this bike has!!! Sensory overload for sure!!!

[@kennethhacker3014]

Great job sr!!! That bike sounds like a top full dragster when it idles

[@lobstrocity5534]

That would've been a good one for the museum ❤

[@TheKnoxcountry]

Crazy to see a transmission that large. I’m sure they can take the heat! My 79 YZ400 had a lower end the size of a Kleenex box lol. Beautiful bike sir

[@ELECTRICEYE1776]

Sweet ride and great story👍🏻👍🏻

[@michaelarchangel1163]

The electronic ignition of the first Mach 111's was done away with, in favour of points and condensers on the blue H1A models for the UK market, due to complaints about tv signal interference, but was that also the case in America ? Were there any mechanical differences for H1A's, regarding porting at all ?

[@richardleary9085]

I had a 70 with werges pipes on it that would blow perfect smoke rings when warming up on choke. Scary fast but abominable brakes and handling. Solid it for a z1 and never looked back. Long live blue smoke and poor handling !

[@charred6124]

COME ON MAN! That gentleman is not 75 years old. Congratulations on a life well lived

[@stephenwilliams926]

When he parked that in 78 the same year I had my first bike a Yamaha 250 YDS7 1972 model.

[@terrypack7537]

Let me know when you get another 1965 or 63 305 Honda dream . Been looking 👀 for a restoration

[@billwelter4101]

1970 H1 Peacock Grey, how are the crank center seals?

[@kennyrichard2971]

That’s awesome it’s definitely rewarding, putting a smile on someone’s face again

[@TrailThug]

WoW, Great Clip!

[@jethrox827]

This exact model, blue and white, was laying in my mates chook shed in parts 40 years ago, turning into rust. I should have tried to save it

[@bertamusprime618]

Just awesome just strait awesome!

[@hypervigilance1465]

I would love to see a cherry 1985 black and blue nighthawk S my first street bike.

[@vinnyrides]

Wow that guy looks incredible!!!

[@markcdeyoung3118]

'69 baby she was a good year 😁

[@glennmosley7690]

That's a 1970 model.

[@andrewdodwell5844]

Fantastic, had an orange one, hell it was nice.

[@72tx340]

Never seen one this early. Awesome!!

[@stevecarmack6267]

My favorite color 👍H1

[@CoachDomCosta]

This is awesome!!! BLUE SMOKE BABY!!!!

[@miketr732]

One sweet triple. Wow!!!!!

[@brianbly4524]

Nice. The kick starter is not original. It is a later model with the two pivot points. All '69's were white...it's a 1970 model.

[@babyfacenc]

I looked through for this comment. Black and was the other color peacock grey? In 70.. All 69s were white.

[@brianbly4524]

1970 models were available in peacock grey and red only...no black. 1969's were white and 1971's were candy blue.

[@superzuki5831]

Wow, that bike is so cool. I wish I could ride it.

[@DavidSmith-qg4dd]

Nice video

[@Metalhead9187]

Fuckin dream bike

[@hypervigilance1465]

that is so cool and rare.

[@Doobie2100]

Mint!!!

[@AndyPat239]

i was born in 1969! I hope I am in as good shape as he is in 21 years!

[@gpz7525]

💚💚💚💚💚💚💚

[@albertsammut433]

Hopefully in 2 decades or 4 down the track when everything auto turns into full electric,gasoline will still be available to ride these beauties.

[@mikehancock6280]

He's my hero

[@stevoreno6266]

A bike movies are made of . American vagabond in blacknwhite . Classic. GBA🇺🇸

[@glennmosley7690]

If that is original paint, then that is a 1970 model.

[@danielsale3805]

He has to be the youngest looking 75 year old I have ever seen.

[@spookydog6959]

😁

[@mikehancock6280]

Mine was stolen.

[@billbalyx8799]

my first bike, would do 100mph but not a mph more, was not very good in the twisties but it was a lot of fun, easy to scrape the pipes . Blew it up lol.