Poradnik diagnostyki: Kawasaki 500 & 750 Performance Portfolio 1969-1976

Opis książki

Few motorcycles still stir memories amongst elder motorcyclists as do the Kawasaki H1 500 and the H2 750. The 500 was originally conceived as a 500cc disc valve twin and 500cc triple. Both versions were manufactured - the triple won - the rest is history. Originally sold in 1969 the 500cc triple was Kawasaki's answer to the first true superbike "the CB750". It had similar performance but of course the hooligan element, missing from the CB750, could be extracted from the 500 triple with no effort or rider input. When reading reports, road tests do not equate performance claims to the present day and so disappoint follows when you actually ride one. My first ride on the triple came in 1972, which was in the days when a British 500 struggled to top a true 90 mph, but the H1 could achieve this in 3rd gear with still a lot more to come. One should also be very aware of the more flamboyant road testers of the time. The H1 and, to a lesser extent, the H2 had always enjoyed a reputation of poor handling which was encouraged by the testers of the day to increase the readability of the reports. The H2 750 was introduced to the UK in late 1972 and I witnessed by first example at the 1973 Racing and Sporting Motorcycle Show. To a 20 year old I can only describe the reaction as 'stunned'. The bike, in true Kawasaki style, had more of everything, especially horsepower. However, a ride 20 years later led to much disappointment, no faster than a good H1 and with high levels of vibration, whether it was a bad example I can't say, but my love affair with the H2 ended that day. However, even today the H1 and H2 still turn heads and are correctly regarded as classic motorcycles and nothing can match a triples exhaust note when it enters its power band. Happy reading! This book includes 31 articles on road tests, new model intros, performance data, inside look, racing & model guide. Models covered: H1, H1D, H1E, H1F, H1R, H2, H2R, Mach III & IV. 140 pages, 250+ illus. SB.