The H2 Mach IV 750 triple made its debut in 1971 setting new standards for road bike performance.
At the time it had 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 needed a model to market in the 750 class.
They went with a two-stroke triple based on the Mach III H1 500 designs. Kawasaki already had plans for a 4-stroke 750, but halted the project to re-design it as a 900. Ultimately becoming the Z1 900 which would crush the 750 class, and create a whole new class of super bike when launched in 1972.
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
Previously in 1970, the Japanese government passed safety laws and new license requirements making it hard to obtain a motorcycle license for bikes over 500cc. Japan wanted to stay a small cc engine market. Even tho 750's & 900's were all made in Japan, the Japanese government did not want 900cc speed machines on their roads and banned selling anything over 750cc. School students were even instructed not to accept rides on 750cc 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. The Majority of the 23,000 1972 H2's went to the USA (Kawasaki's target market). Europe received very few H2's yet the demand was very strong there.
The H2 was discontinued in 1975 do to the fuel crisis, new US emissions & noise laws and because Kawasaki already offered the Z1, which boasted identical performance, twice the MPG, and far better overall refinement.
At the time it had 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 needed a model to market in the 750 class.
They went with a two-stroke triple based on the Mach III H1 500 designs. Kawasaki already had plans for a 4-stroke 750, but halted the project to re-design it as a 900. Ultimately becoming the Z1 900 which would crush the 750 class, and create a whole new class of super bike when launched in 1972.
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
Previously in 1970, the Japanese government passed safety laws and new license requirements making it hard to obtain a motorcycle license for bikes over 500cc. Japan wanted to stay a small cc engine market. Even tho 750's & 900's were all made in Japan, the Japanese government did not want 900cc speed machines on their roads and banned selling anything over 750cc. School students were even instructed not to accept rides on 750cc 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. The Majority of the 23,000 1972 H2's went to the USA (Kawasaki's target market). Europe received very few H2's yet the demand was very strong there.
The H2 was discontinued in 1975 do to the fuel crisis, new US emissions & noise laws and because Kawasaki already offered the Z1, which boasted identical performance, twice the MPG, and far better overall refinement.
1972 H2 750 Mach IV
Frame Number Range: H2F-00001 to H2F-23670
Engine Number Range: H2E-00001 to H2E-23157
Frame/Engine numbers may be higher or lower, gaps of +/- 500 units are not uncommon.
Frame number stamps are uniformed depth and in a straight line, while some engines numbers may vary having numbers stamped weaker or deeper and positioned offset higher or lower than the rest.
USA Color: Pearl Candy Blue ONLY. Japan & Europe got a second color option: Candy Gold
Paint tones varied. You would find variations of darker or lighter shades, brand new out of the crate.
Tank, tail section, side covers and front fender were all painted uniformed colors.
The engine has alloy cylinders and heads with cast iron liners.
Pistons and rings have a high silicon content to withstand heat
(the temperature above the exhaust ports average 470 degrees).
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 or £700 in the UK
Frame Number Range: H2F-00001 to H2F-23670
Engine Number Range: H2E-00001 to H2E-23157
Frame/Engine numbers may be higher or lower, gaps of +/- 500 units are not uncommon.
Frame number stamps are uniformed depth and in a straight line, while some engines numbers may vary having numbers stamped weaker or deeper and positioned offset higher or lower than the rest.
USA Color: Pearl Candy Blue ONLY. Japan & Europe got a second color option: Candy Gold
Paint tones varied. You would find variations of darker or lighter shades, brand new out of the crate.
Tank, tail section, side covers and front fender were all painted uniformed colors.
The engine has alloy cylinders and heads with cast iron liners.
Pistons and rings have a high silicon content to withstand heat
(the temperature above the exhaust ports average 470 degrees).
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 or £700 in the UK
Gauges have green numbers & lettering
CDI ignition system, crankshaft mounted generator, each cylinder had individual trigger, amplifier and coil
Brake lever and torque link were changed around frame number H2F-05000
27mm pinion nut was changed around H2E-05200 to 29mm
Shims for the engine mountings changed around H2E-09000
Brake pads changed around H2F-10500
Fork seals changed after H2F-19000
Specs: 748cc, 423 lbs dry weight, 4.5 gallon tank, 17mpg, 74hp, top speed 126 mph, 1/4 mi in the low 12 seconds
CDI ignition system, crankshaft mounted generator, each cylinder had individual trigger, amplifier and coil
Brake lever and torque link were changed around frame number H2F-05000
27mm pinion nut was changed around H2E-05200 to 29mm
Shims for the engine mountings changed around H2E-09000
Brake pads changed around H2F-10500
Fork seals changed after H2F-19000
Specs: 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 Started at: H2E-23158
Candy Gold or Candy Purple
New striping on tank and tail, side covers have Emblems
Chrome Front Fender
Locking Gas Cap & Helmet Lock
Gauges re-designed with white numbers & lettering.
A few slight changes were made during production but the model was basically unchanged.
New distributor gasket, oil pump cover has a grommet, slightly larger CDI cover.
Frame Number started at H2F-23671
Engine Number Started at: H2E-23158
Candy Gold or Candy Purple
New striping on tank and tail, side covers have Emblems
Chrome Front Fender
Locking Gas Cap & Helmet Lock
Gauges re-designed with white numbers & lettering.
A few slight changes were made during production but the model was basically unchanged.
New distributor gasket, oil pump cover has a grommet, slightly larger CDI cover.
1974 H2B 750cc Mach IV
Frame Number Range: H2F-32201
Engine Number Range: H2E-32401
For the 1974 model, the bike was redesigned.
Colors: Candy Brown or Candy Green both with new graphics
A longer, redesigned frame was introduced, with revised seat, fuel tank, side covers, and tail section to fit the new frame.
New Speedo and Tach with center instrument console
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, new chain guard, non locking gas cap, Round tail light, Chrome Fork Ears
Frame Number Range: H2F-32201
Engine Number Range: H2E-32401
For the 1974 model, the bike was redesigned.
Colors: Candy Brown or Candy Green both with new graphics
A longer, redesigned frame was introduced, with revised seat, fuel tank, side covers, and tail section to fit the new frame.
New Speedo and Tach with center instrument console
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, new chain guard, non locking gas cap, Round tail light, Chrome Fork Ears
1975 H2C 750cc Mach IV
Frame Number Range: H2F-42547
Engine Number Range: H2E-42827
Once again the 1975 model was redesigned before being dropped from Kawasaki's lineup.
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
Once again the 1975 model was redesigned before being dropped from Kawasaki's lineup.
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
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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 |
Tail section, light and grab bar were the same for 1972 & 1973 but re-designed starting for the 1974 H2.
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The H2 and Z1 shared many of the same parts