The H2 Mach IV 750 triple made its debut setting new standards for road bike performance having the fastest acceleration of any motorcycle available.
It was infamously nicknamed the "Widow Maker" or "flying coffin"
After Honda released the CB750 in 1969, Kawasaki wanted a model to market in the 750 class. They decided to go with a two stroke based on the Mach III H1 500. Kawasaki knew their yet to be released Z1 900 four stroke would crush the 750 class and create a whole new bench mark for all other makers.
The new candy pearl paint and graphics were designed by Rollin Sanders of California (Molly).
Kawasaki's brochure noted the H2 was for experienced riders advertising a 12 second flat quarter mile time
The H2 was sold in Japan badged as the 750SS and priced at 365,000 yen
In 1970, the Japanese government passed license requirements and safety laws making it hard to obtain a motorcycle license on bikes over 500cc. Japan was a small engine capacity market. Even tho 750's & 900's were all made in Japan the Japanese government did not want 750cc speed machines on their roads. School students were instructed not to accept rides on these motorcycles. The 750cc class was for expert racers and the Japanese government went so far as to cap the maximum engine size to be sold at dealerships in Japan at 750cc, making the Z1 900 exclusively for export and not allowed to be sold new in the country it was produced in. Almost all of the 23,000 1972 H2's made the first year of production went to the USA (Kawasaki's target market). Europe received very few H2's yet the demand was very strong there. The motor has alloy cylinders and heads with cast iron liners. Pistons and rings with a high silicon content to withstand the heat (the temperature above exhaust ports average 470 degrees).
The H2 was discontinued after 1975 do to new emissions & noise laws, the fuel crisis, and also Kawasaki's own Z1, which offered almost identical performance in a more refined overall package.
It was infamously nicknamed the "Widow Maker" or "flying coffin"
After Honda released the CB750 in 1969, Kawasaki wanted a model to market in the 750 class. They decided to go with a two stroke based on the Mach III H1 500. Kawasaki knew their yet to be released Z1 900 four stroke would crush the 750 class and create a whole new bench mark for all other makers.
The new candy pearl paint and graphics were designed by Rollin Sanders of California (Molly).
Kawasaki's brochure noted the H2 was for experienced riders advertising a 12 second flat quarter mile time
The H2 was sold in Japan badged as the 750SS and priced at 365,000 yen
In 1970, the Japanese government passed license requirements and safety laws making it hard to obtain a motorcycle license on bikes over 500cc. Japan was a small engine capacity market. Even tho 750's & 900's were all made in Japan the Japanese government did not want 750cc speed machines on their roads. School students were instructed not to accept rides on these motorcycles. The 750cc class was for expert racers and the Japanese government went so far as to cap the maximum engine size to be sold at dealerships in Japan at 750cc, making the Z1 900 exclusively for export and not allowed to be sold new in the country it was produced in. Almost all of the 23,000 1972 H2's made the first year of production went to the USA (Kawasaki's target market). Europe received very few H2's yet the demand was very strong there. The motor has alloy cylinders and heads with cast iron liners. Pistons and rings with a high silicon content to withstand the heat (the temperature above exhaust ports average 470 degrees).
The H2 was discontinued after 1975 do to new emissions & noise laws, the fuel crisis, and also Kawasaki's own Z1, which offered almost identical performance in a more refined overall package.
1972 H2 750 Mach IV
Frame Number Range: H2F-00001 to H2F-23670
Engine Number Range: H2E-00001 to H2E-23157
Colors: Pearl Candy Blue. Japan, Europe other countries got a second color: Candy Gold
Paint tone varied from the factory. You will find variations of darker and lighter shades straight out of the crate
The H2's made in 1971 have a plastic headlight bucket and one engine mounting tube cradle instead of two.
MSRP was $1385 in the US, £700 in the UK, 365,000 yen in Japan
Frame Number Range: H2F-00001 to H2F-23670
Engine Number Range: H2E-00001 to H2E-23157
Colors: Pearl Candy Blue. Japan, Europe other countries got a second color: Candy Gold
Paint tone varied from the factory. You will find variations of darker and lighter shades straight out of the crate
The H2's made in 1971 have a plastic headlight bucket and one engine mounting tube cradle instead of two.
MSRP was $1385 in the US, £700 in the UK, 365,000 yen in Japan
CDI ignition system, crankshaft mounted generator, each cylinder had individual trigger, amplifier and coil
Brake lever and torque link were changed after frame number H2F-05215
27mm pinion nut was changed after H2E-05228 to 29mm
New set of shims for the engine mountings, after H2E-09082
New brake pads and shim after H2F-10491
New Fork seals after H2F-19037
748cc, 423 lbs dry weight, 4.5 gallon tank, 17mpg, 74hp, top speed 126 mph, 1/4 mi in the low 12 seconds
Brake lever and torque link were changed after frame number H2F-05215
27mm pinion nut was changed after H2E-05228 to 29mm
New set of shims for the engine mountings, after H2E-09082
New brake pads and shim after H2F-10491
New Fork seals after H2F-19037
748cc, 423 lbs dry weight, 4.5 gallon tank, 17mpg, 74hp, top speed 126 mph, 1/4 mi in the low 12 seconds
1973 H2A 750cc Mach IV
Frame Number started at H2F-23671
Engine Number Range: H2E-23158
Candy Gold or Candy Purple
New striping on tank and tail, side covers have Emblems
Chrome Front Fender
Changed Speedo and Tach with center instrument console
Helmet Lock
Locking Gas Cap
A few slight changes were made during production but the model was basically unchanged.
Black fork ears, New distributor gasket, oil pump cover has a grommet, slightly larger CDI cover.
Trim on the seat was changed to black, the grab rail changed.
Frame Number started at H2F-23671
Engine Number Range: H2E-23158
Candy Gold or Candy Purple
New striping on tank and tail, side covers have Emblems
Chrome Front Fender
Changed Speedo and Tach with center instrument console
Helmet Lock
Locking Gas Cap
A few slight changes were made during production but the model was basically unchanged.
Black fork ears, New distributor gasket, oil pump cover has a grommet, slightly larger CDI cover.
Trim on the seat was changed to black, the grab rail changed.
1974 H2B 750cc Mach IV
Frame Number Range: H2F-32201
Engine Number Range: H2E-32401
Colors: Candy Brown or Candy Green
Longer tank, seat and tail section
New Tank Graphics
Reflectors relocated from tail section to shocks and under fork ears
Mach IV in white letters under 750 side cover emblem
Oil tank filler moved from under side cover to under seat
Hydraulic Steering damper
Longer wheelbase
Larger rear grab rail
Round tail light
Frame Number Range: H2F-32201
Engine Number Range: H2E-32401
Colors: Candy Brown or Candy Green
Longer tank, seat and tail section
New Tank Graphics
Reflectors relocated from tail section to shocks and under fork ears
Mach IV in white letters under 750 side cover emblem
Oil tank filler moved from under side cover to under seat
Hydraulic Steering damper
Longer wheelbase
Larger rear grab rail
Round tail light
1975 H2C 750cc Mach IV
Frame Number Range: H2F-42547
Engine Number Range: H2E-42827
Colors: Candy Purple or Candy Super Red
Updated lubrication system, oil wasn't pumped into the intake passage it went through the carburetors
The crankshaft now featured part round counterweights reducing the primary compression ratio
power was reduced to 71hp
the carbs were rubber mounted.
Longer tank and shorter seat
The hydraulic steering damper was also moved to the left
With the milder engine came more weight 458lbs and 13 second 1/4 mile
Frame Number Range: H2F-42547
Engine Number Range: H2E-42827
Colors: Candy Purple or Candy Super Red
Updated lubrication system, oil wasn't pumped into the intake passage it went through the carburetors
The crankshaft now featured part round counterweights reducing the primary compression ratio
power was reduced to 71hp
the carbs were rubber mounted.
Longer tank and shorter seat
The hydraulic steering damper was also moved to the left
With the milder engine came more weight 458lbs and 13 second 1/4 mile