・Like-new condition 

・Low mileage              

・Import from dry climate                           

・Matching numbers with manufacturer confirmation

2-stroke, 3 cylinders, 5 gears, 42 bhp, 400cc, 70s styling, 339 lbs, 100 mph top speed. The figures for the Kawasaki 400 Mach II make for some admirable reading, translate that to the riding experience and the Kawasaki continues to impress. At the time of Launch, the 400 Mach II was praised by testers and critics alike for its agility and handling. Whilst not having loads of power, the little Japanese 2 stroke had plenty of oomph in the first few gears to get you into trouble. Add this to a lean dry weight of 339lbs/154kg, and the Mach II keeps on delivering the lift through the gears. 

Being one of the tamer models of Kawasaki’s 3 pot oil-burners shouldn’t take away from the fact this bike is an incredibly fun, usable, appreciating classic that’s capable of delivering plenty of smiles per mile. 

Kawasaki, capitalising on the success of their 3-cylinder H1 Mach III, which broke the American market in 1969 with its impressive power, introduced a ‘trio of triples’. One of these was the bike the 400cc S3 Mach II you see in this advert was developed from, the 350cc S2 Mach II. The model of bike you see here, is reported to be the best of the bunch from this era, with enough power to get yourself into trouble, whilst delivering it in a way that you don’t have to test the limits to get fantastic feedback from the bike. The engine was rubber mounted to a new, strengthened frame at the time of production, winning it lots of praise from journalists, critics and riders alike. 

The only criticism found at the time of release was down to the natural characteristics of 2 stroke engines, delivering power in sharp bursts as opposed to broad peaks. The inclusion of the ‘smooth-shifting’ 5 speed gearbox goes a long way to combat this however, resulting in a bike that shone against competitors in the sub-500cc class.

The current owner purchased this bike a year ago from a classic bike dealer in Bournemouth called ‘Conquest’ in this immaculate condition. Previously an import from California, it enjoyed a warm climate before coming to the UK. It was running a bit off however, but through perseverance and investigative work, the fault was found to be the wrong jets in the carburettor. This was lovingly and professionally rectified, and the bike now reportedly runs like a dream. The current owner is very reluctantly selling due to moving house, and should it not reach reserve, they are more than willing to keep it.

Paperwork for the bike is not extensive, however it comes with receipts for recent servicing relating to the carb work, some MOT certificates and the V5. Most importantly and crucially, it comes with the letter from Kawasaki showing the bikes authenticity and confirming the matching engine and frame numbers.

The exterior of the bike is arguably the most appealing aspect. Believed to be all original and without a mark on the entirety of the bike, this surely must be one of the best examples of a 400 S3 Mach II in the country. It also comes with the original key which the owner tells me, usually break due to their brittleness, along with a spark plug case which came with the bike from new and is a rare addition to find in such original condition. To top off the special original additions, the factory owner’s manual is present, hidden in a little compartment under the seat. 

The frame’s pristine condition held up during inspection with no marks or chips found in the paint or on the frame anywhere. The front fender/mudguard is a new part and is in fantastic condition, however in the interest of originality, the factory one is present and will be included in the sale. Another new part fitted in the interest of safety was the front brake disc, however the original again is present and will be included. 

All the brightwork around the bike – the headlight surround, indicators, rear grab handle, springs, front forks and handlebars appear to be in excellent condition with the seat as well showing very little signs of wear if any at all.

The paint on the tank and side pods is again in time warp condition, reported to be completely original with multiple layers of paint put down as was standard back in the day. The red colour has a deep shine and attractive metallic fleck that really stands out in the sun. 

The only slight blemish on this time capsule of a bike is the exhaust, which is just starting to show signs of the chrome flaking, shown in the gallery below. Enquiries by the owner into getting them re-chromed however suggest this is an easy fix, the originality of the bike being the only thing stopping the owner from going ahead with this.

With only 2311 miles from new on the clock, the bike has barely been run in. The owner reports that all the mechanicals and running gear of the bike are as sweet now as they were when it rolled off the factory floor, due to the correct carburettor jets being fitted. All electrics were reported to be working, and the tyres are in great condition with lots of tread and life left in them. The owner recalls fondly that the bike never fails to turn heads during the sparing times it is used, due to its 2-stroke raucousness and fantastic condition. 

An absolute time capsule bike if ever you’ve seen one, one with an interesting story being a Japanese bike that wowed critics in the 70s, breaking into the American market with huge success before making its way to UK soil. Being a bike nearing its 50th birthday, to look and ride this good is testament to the legendary reliability of Japanese built products and the care the bike has received over its years. 

This bike turns heads and generates smiles wherever it goes, it’s a hugely different experience to the power bulging superbikes of today but one that rewards its rider just as much. For those warm summer evening trips round the local B roads or heading off to the pub the long way round, this has to be an absolute favourite, and one that will continue to please for many more years to come. 

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