Post Listing Update: This H1 did not meet reserve despite 7 bids up to $13,990.
The H1 Mach III was easily the fastest 500cc bike around when it debuted, and it quickly garnered a reputation for being unbeatable in a straight line and unmanageable otherwise. For a brief moment in time, it was the most powerful production bike available, and it somehow managed to be reliable and relatively cheap, too. Here’s a beautiful first year example of the H1 that’s been given a frame-up restoration.
The H1 was an instant revelation – Motorcyclist magazine described the power to weight ratio as the best “ever produced in a motorcycle meant to sell to anyone who has the money to purchase it.” The 499cc inline triple two-stroke was fed by Mikuni VM28 carbs and produced 60 horsepower. Dry weight was 384 pounds, so the quarter mile was taken care of in 12.4 seconds and top speed was about 125 miles per hour. For more on the Mach III, check out this article on Autoweek.
This example (VIN: KAF00289) is boldly claimed to be “probably the nicest 1969 Kawasaki H1 Mark III in the country” by the seller. When it was restored, the odometer had 5,631 miles on it – now it shows 53. Per the seller, “all the parts have been rebuilt, repainted, chromed, polished and or replaced.” Find this Mach III for sale in Hawthorne, California with bidding up to $10,7000 and the reserve not yet met