Kawasaki classic 2-strokesKawasaki Heavy Industries, the parent company of the motorcycle division, is one of the largest industrial companies in the world making the motorcycle part of the business somewhat of a sideline. The company began as a shipyard 1878 founded by Shozo Kawasaki. Prior to World War I, it had branched out to produce locomotives, marine transportation, steel, aircraft and engines. After World War II, all divisions had work except the aircraft plant which still had skilled workers and production equipment.
The plant began to produce motorcycle parts for other makers but in 1958 they decided to produce their own motorcycle. After much initial success in the Japanese motocross racing circuit, Kawasaki reluctantly chose to export as the Japanese market was flooded with lightweight motorcycles. With small displacement engines and nothing to set them apart from their competition resulted in disappointing sales in North America. Kawasaki knew that speed was important in the North American market but concluded that acceleration was key. In 1967 they released the twin cylinder two stroke 250cc Samurai and later released the larger twin 350cc Avenger. The later could drag down the 1/4 mile in 15 seconds at 100mph from a standing start.
The H1 was excellent for wheelies due to its backward weight bias and powerful but peaky motor. It gulped a lot of fuel and had a hard-core reputation. Two smaller versions were also released, the S1 (250cc) and the S2 (350cc). In 1972, a bigger version of the original was produced called H2 or Mach IV (748cc). Production stopped when emissions rules got too strict in the mid 70’s and four-stroke motorcycles such as the Honda CB750Four and Kawasaki's own legendary Z1/Z900/Z1000 bikes came to be seen as more socially responsible and sophisticated. The "Grean Meanies" were no more. Today however, they have a rather large and rabid cult following.
1974 Kawasaki H2 750 tripleHere are some great Kawasaki 500 Mach III pics. A much loved series of 2-stroke bikes from the big K that have become the stuff of legend!
What a shot! Amazing that you consider the Kawasaki 500 MachIII was considered a brute, but it looks just like a work of industrial art here.
Check out the speedometer here. It reads just 37 kilometers travelled! Maybe, maybe not. Looks good enough for me though.
I always thought the white paint looked nicest on the big Kawasaki 2-stroke. Gives it that elegant look this fella below is clearly enjoying.Go easy man, the Starbucks is just around the corner!
...and this is what the Mach III would look like after I gave the Kawasaki 2-stroke a tune-up!
|
