1972 Kawasaki H2 Mach IV 750 “Widowmaker”: History, Specs, Value & Complete Price Guide
1972 H2 750 Mach IV Specs
- H2 Frame Number Range: H2F-00001 to H2F-23670
- H2 Engine Number Range: H2E-00001 to H2E-23157
1972 Kawasaki H2 frame numbers started at H2F-00001 and ended at H2F-23670, engine numbers began at H2E-00001 ending at H2E-23157
H2 Frame and engine numbers may be higher or lower relative to each other, wider gaps of +/- 500 units are common.
Frame number stamps are uniform in depth and aligned in a straight line, always produced in a consistent stamping. In contrast, engine number stamps may vary, with some numbers appearing stamped weak, or occasionally misaligned or offset from the rest.
Frame number stamps are uniform in depth and aligned in a straight line, always produced in a consistent stamping. In contrast, engine number stamps may vary, with some numbers appearing stamped weak, or occasionally misaligned or offset from the rest.
Original paint colors: Pearl Candy Blue (only one color for the United States). In Japan and Europe, a second color was available: Candy Gold
Paint colors varied from the factory, with some bikes having lighter tones or darker shades, brand new on the show room floor colors varied.
The gas tank, tail section, side covers, and front fender were all painted in matching colors.
The engine features alloy cylinders and cylinder heads with cast iron liners, a key design of the Kawasaki H2 750 engine.
Pistons and piston rings were manufactured with high silicon content to better withstand heat.
Temperatures above the exhaust ports could reach an average of 470°F (243°C)
The Kawasaki H2 started mass production 1971.
Early models are identified by a plastic headlight bucket and a single engine mounting tube cradle instead of two.
Over 23,000 H2 motorcycles were produced for 1972, with the majority shipped to the USA. The United States was Kawasaki's target market for sales. Europe and other countries received very few H2s yet the demand was very strong.
The original MSRP was $1,385 in the United States and approximately £700 in the United Kingdom.
Paint colors varied from the factory, with some bikes having lighter tones or darker shades, brand new on the show room floor colors varied.
The gas tank, tail section, side covers, and front fender were all painted in matching colors.
The engine features alloy cylinders and cylinder heads with cast iron liners, a key design of the Kawasaki H2 750 engine.
Pistons and piston rings were manufactured with high silicon content to better withstand heat.
Temperatures above the exhaust ports could reach an average of 470°F (243°C)
The Kawasaki H2 started mass production 1971.
Early models are identified by a plastic headlight bucket and a single engine mounting tube cradle instead of two.
Over 23,000 H2 motorcycles were produced for 1972, with the majority shipped to the USA. The United States was Kawasaki's target market for sales. Europe and other countries received very few H2s yet the demand was very strong.
The original MSRP was $1,385 in the United States and approximately £700 in the United Kingdom.
The Kawasaki H2 Mach IV 750 triple debuted in 1971, setting new benchmarks for motorcycle performance. Known for its raw two-stroke power, speed and design, the H2 became one of the fastest production motorcycles of the 1970s.
The Kawasaki H2 750 was discontinued in 1975 due to the fuel crisis, new stricter U.S. emissions regulations, noise laws and the success of the more refined Kawasaki 900-Z1. The H2 two-stroker was manufactured over a five-year span (1971–1975).
Kawasaki revived the legendary H2 brand name 40 years later in 2015 with the release of the Kawasaki Ninja H2. This modern H2 introduced a supercharged four-stroke engine and cutting-edge technology. Kawasaki also launched the track-only Kawasaki Ninja H2R, once again becoming the fastest production bike. The H2 is still in production for 2026 offering various trim levels.
Kawasaki revived the legendary H2 brand name 40 years later in 2015 with the release of the Kawasaki Ninja H2. This modern H2 introduced a supercharged four-stroke engine and cutting-edge technology. Kawasaki also launched the track-only Kawasaki Ninja H2R, once again becoming the fastest production bike. The H2 is still in production for 2026 offering various trim levels.
kawasaki 750 h2 mach IV: factory production data
After the release of the Honda CB750 in 1969, Kawasaki needed a motorcycle marketed in the 750cc class to compete with the CB750-Four Sandcast. Instead of a 4-stroke, they designed a two-stroke triple based on the Mach III H1 500, and prioritized speed and acceleration.
Kawasaki already had plans for a 750 four-stroke, but halted development to re-design it as a 900cc, leading to the creation of the Kawasaki Z1 900, launched a year later in 1972, which helped define the modern superbike era.
Kawasaki already had plans for a 750 four-stroke, but halted development to re-design it as a 900cc, leading to the creation of the Kawasaki Z1 900, launched a year later in 1972, which helped define the modern superbike era.
At the time of introduction (1971), the Kawasaki H2 750 had the fastest acceleration of any production motorcycle, capable of a 12-second quarter mile. Its high-performance 2-stroke triple engine made it one of the most thrilling bikes to ride of its time. Kawasaki's original 1972 ad brochure noted the H2 was for experienced riders, advertising a 12 second flat quarter mile time.
Due to its extreme power to weight ratio and poor handling, the H2 famously earned the infamous nickname the “Widow Maker” In the USA and the “Flying Coffin” in Europe.
The H2 featured new Candy Pearl paint and unique modern era futuristic graphics, designed by Rollin Sanders (Molly Designs, California). A legendary hot rod and paint customizer. His iconic designs are still instantly recognizable among classic motorcycle & car enthusiasts.
1972 Kawasaki H2 750 Mach IV, Pearl Candy Blue paint, all original stock survivor
Where is the frame & engine numbers on a Kawasaki H2 750? The frame number is located on the steering neck, engine numbers are stamped top of the Mach IV motor
Kawasaki 750SS Japan model
In Japan, the Kawasaki H2 750 was sold branded as the Kawasaki 750SS priced at 365,000 yen.
Strict 1970 Japanese motorcycle laws limited engine sizes to 750cc, preventing larger bikes like the Z-1 900 from being sold domestically. This regulation had a major impact on the industry. It made the Kawasaki Z1 900 exclusively for export, meaning it was not allowed to be sold new in the country it was made in. Japan did not want 900cc speed machines on their domestic roads, prioritizing safety by controlling engine sizes over unrestricted performance.
In 1970, the Japanese government introduced strict motorcycle safety laws and licensing requirements that made it difficult for riders to obtain a license operating bikes over 500cc. These regulations were part of an initiative to promote safer, small-displacement (low cc) motorcycles for everyday riders.
As part of this push, school students were instructed not to ride on or accept rides from 750cc motorcycles, reinforcing the perception that high-displacement bikes were dangerous.
The 750cc class was regarded as reserved for expert racers, and Japanese lawmakers capped the maximum engine size sold at dealerships in Japan to 750cc, effectively banning the sale of any motorcycles over 750cc within the entire country.
Strict 1970 Japanese motorcycle laws limited engine sizes to 750cc, preventing larger bikes like the Z-1 900 from being sold domestically. This regulation had a major impact on the industry. It made the Kawasaki Z1 900 exclusively for export, meaning it was not allowed to be sold new in the country it was made in. Japan did not want 900cc speed machines on their domestic roads, prioritizing safety by controlling engine sizes over unrestricted performance.
In 1970, the Japanese government introduced strict motorcycle safety laws and licensing requirements that made it difficult for riders to obtain a license operating bikes over 500cc. These regulations were part of an initiative to promote safer, small-displacement (low cc) motorcycles for everyday riders.
As part of this push, school students were instructed not to ride on or accept rides from 750cc motorcycles, reinforcing the perception that high-displacement bikes were dangerous.
The 750cc class was regarded as reserved for expert racers, and Japanese lawmakers capped the maximum engine size sold at dealerships in Japan to 750cc, effectively banning the sale of any motorcycles over 750cc within the entire country.
Anything exceeding that threshold was banned from being sold domestically, creating a hard ceiling in the market. As a result, high-performance motorcycles with engines larger than 750cc were restricted to export-only status.
A prime example of this policy’s impact is the Kawasaki Z1900, a groundbreaking 1973 900cc motorcycle that could not be sold new in Japan despite being manufactured there. Instead, it was developed exclusively for international markets, where demand for large, high-performance motorcycles was growing rapidly. Ultimately, Japanese lawmakers prevented powerful 900cc “superbikes” from entering domestic roads, prioritizing safety with regulatory oversight over high-speed performance within the country. This made the 750cc H2 "750ss" king of the road in Japan.
Most Kawasaki H2 750 motorcycles were exported to the United States as the primary market, while European demand remained high Europe only received a small limited supply.
The H2 was ultimately replaced by the more refined Kawasaki Z1-900, which offered:
- Identical or better performance
- Better fuel efficiency (twice the MPG)
- Improved reliability and handling (far better overall refinement)
Kawasaki H2 750 gauges feature green numbers and lettering, a distinctive detail of 1972 models.
The bike uses a CDI ignition system, with a crankshaft-mounted generator. Each cylinder is equipped with an individual trigger, amplifier, and ignition coil.
Several production changes occurred throughout the 1972 model:
The bike uses a CDI ignition system, with a crankshaft-mounted generator. Each cylinder is equipped with an individual trigger, amplifier, and ignition coil.
Several production changes occurred throughout the 1972 model:
- Brake lever and torque link updated around frame number H2F-05000
- Pinion nut size changed from 27mm to 29mm around engine number H2E-05200
- Engine mounting shims revised around H2E-09000
- Brake pads updated around H2F-10500
- Fork seals improved after H2F-19000
1972 Kawasaki H2 750 Factory Specifications
- Engine: 748cc two-stroke triple engine
- Horsepower: 74 hp
- Top Speed: 126 mph
- Quarter Mile: low 12-second range (1/4 mi time)
- Dry Weight: 423 lbs
- Fuel Tank Capacity: 4.5 gallons
- Fuel Economy: approximately 17 MPG
Identify speedo / tach by year:
1972: No center console, green numbers
1973: No center console, white numbers
1974: The trip meter was moved to the bottom of the speedometer, the odometer to the top, the stop lamp to the bottom of the tach, and the instrument lights from the tach to the new center console.
1975: Center cluster
1972: No center console, green numbers
1973: No center console, white numbers
1974: The trip meter was moved to the bottom of the speedometer, the odometer to the top, the stop lamp to the bottom of the tach, and the instrument lights from the tach to the new center console.
1975: Center cluster
1972 Kawasaki H2 750 Speedometer & Tachometer
1973 Kawasaki H2A 750 Speedometer and Tachometer
|
1974 Kawasaki H2B 750 Speedometer and Tachometer
|
Tail section, light and grab bar were the same for 1972 & 1973 but re-designed starting for the 1974 H2.
Original 1972 kawasaki H2 Tail section and light
|
1974 kawasaki h2b 750 taił section, grab rail and brake light
|
The H2 and Z1 shared several of the same parts
Detailed page dedicated to the 1973 H2 750 Mach IV H2A
Detailed page dedicated to the 1974 H2 750 Mach IV H2B
Detailed page dedicated to the 1975 H2 750 Mach IV H2C
Detailed page dedicated to the 1974 H2 750 Mach IV H2B
Detailed page dedicated to the 1975 H2 750 Mach IV H2C
How Much Is a Kawasaki H2 750 Worth in 2026?
The price range for a 1972-1975 H2 is $1,000 – $15,000. Actual value depends heavily on condition, year and originality. A professionally restored H2 motorcycle can sell for over $25,000.
What Affects Value of a Kawasaki H2 750 Triple?
- Overall condition is the number one factor
- Restoration quality
- Restored with original parts
- Matching engine and frame numbers
Who Buys Kawasaki H2 750 Motorcycles?
If you’re wondering who will buy a Kawasaki H2 750 motorcycle, KawGuy.com is a dedicated vintage Kawasaki collector actively purchasing H2 Mach IV 750 triples. Buying bikes in all conditions and providing fast value estimates, fair cash offers, and local pickup. If you’re looking to sell your H2 750 triple, contact KawGuy.com with photos and details to get started.