Photos provided by the vendor

Highlights

Comprehensively restored to concours-standard from 2019 to 2022
One of the fastest production motorcycles of the 1970s
Matching numbers with lots of rare original parts
Extremely rare in Britain
A potential trophy-winner at rallies

The Appeal

In the early 1970s, there were no motorcycles more desirable, more exciting or more capable of turning heads than the big triple- and quad-cylinder 750s which stopped the motorcycling world in its tracks when they first appeared. The BSA Rocket III and Triumph Trident were first on the scene in 1968, closely followed by Honda’s legendary CB750 in 1969. The Honda boasted a top speed of 125mph, making it the fastest production motorcycle on sale at the time, but only until 1971, when Kawasaki revealed the awesome performance of its new H2.

Powered by a 748cc inline triple producing a full 74bhp (six more than the CB750 and 16 more than the Trident) and primarily intended for the American market, weight was kept down to a minimum and it had no trouble hitting a top speed of 126mph. Kawasaki wasn’t shy about mentioning this to potential buyers: ‘We’ve just pulled a fast one on the competition. Named the Kawasaki 750cc Mach IV. Of all the world’s production models, it’s the fastest thing on two wheels. Faster than any Suzuki. Faster than any Triumph. Faster than any BSA, any Honda, any anything.’

For many riders, it was a bit too much. Early H2s had a tendency to pull wheelies and get inexperienced motorcyclists into trouble, but Kawasaki made it more user-friendly over the course of its production, which ended in 1975, by which time Kawasaki had raised the bar for speed even higher with its 900cc Z1, which went all the way to a staggering 132mph.

If you like to ride your motorcycles, you’ll be pleased to observe that this example is the significantly improved late-production H2-B model, which was new for 1974 and rather more well-mannered than its predecessor. In Britain, it also happens to be extremely rare – of 47,611 H2s manufactured, just 563 were imported into Britain of which only 120 were H2Bs.

Meticulously restored by a consummate enthusiast – one of four 1974 H2-Bs he has restored in the past 12 years – it is, without doubt, one of the best examples in the country and probably in the world. It has not been run since the restoration and has never been on British roads, so it’s guaranteed to be a show-stopper at events. If, on the other hand, you choose to mount it on a pedestal and simply look at it, we won’t blame you. Sometimes there’s a fine line between a motorcycle and an objet d’art.

The History and Paperwork

Manufactured in February 1974 and, like many H2-Bs, shipped to America
Imported into Britain by the vendor as a complete and original matching-numbers bike in need of restoration
Comprehensively restored from the ground up between 2019 and 2022
Registered with the D.V.L.A. on 5th September 2022 but never used on the road
Now being sold to make room for new projects
Offered for sale with the current V5, a Certificate of Proof of Year of Manufacture from the Kawasaki Triples Club, a letter from Kawasaki UK confirming the engine and frame numbers are matching from factory records, an original owner’s manual and a large file of invoices detailing the all the parts used and work completed during the restoration

The Condition

Professionally painted in January 2022
All brightwork replated where applicable and highly polished
Seat rebuilt with new foam and cover on original steel base
Original Takasago wheel rims
A likely award-winner at concours and rallies

We’re not given to hyperbolizing, but where this Kawasaki is concerned we couldn’t even if we wanted to. ‘Outstanding’, ‘exceptional’ and ‘extraordinary’ are all words which would not be misused in describing it. Its wonderful condition is owing to the extremely high-quality restoration performed by the vendor from 2019 to 2022.

We cannot find one word of criticism for it. The Candy Green paintwork is immaculate, having been sprayed in January 2022 by Racepaint UK, with new tank decals applied. All the chrome has been replated and to look at it now is like looking into a mirror. Pay particular attention to the wheel rims – they’re the original Takasago pieces from the 1970s, but they look just like new. The Avon Roadrider tyres, on the other hand, are brand-new, as their stickers prove.

That accounts for much of what you can see, but let’s not overlook the things which you can’t, like the inside of the fuel tank. The vendor went so far as to give the fuel tank to Motorcycle Dent Removal, which subjected it to a rust removal process and zinc-etched the interior; that ought to illustrate just how thorough his approach to the restoration was.

The vendor modestly insists that the Kawasaki could not be a concours winner on account of some extremely minor deviations from its original appearance, which he incorporated as a matter of personal taste. He has elected to give the fork yoke a polished finish, instead of powder-coating it black, and he mentions that he has polished the forks to a higher shine than they would have displayed originally, but he was wont to do that in period anyway, so the look might still be considered period-correct. For what it’s worth, we don’t think that should rule it out from concours success, though it might depend on the judges on the day.

Since the restoration has been completed, the Kawasaki has been kept garaged and protected by dust sheets, which must have done their job because we didn’t notice so much as a speck of dust. We could go on, but we think the bike really speaks for itself. If you still have doubts, just take a look through the pictures – we’re sure you’ll agree that all this praise is justified.

The Mechanics

Matching numbers engine, gearbox and frame
Engine fully rebuilt by Downpipe 3
Brakes and other systems completely overhauled
Not yet run following restoration

There have been concours restorations before know, we know, which have been cosmetically perfect but neglected the mechanical side of things. This is not one of them – it has been restored for riding as well as showing, and no corners have been cut with the mechanical renovation.

One of the biggest jobs was the engine rebuild which was undertaken by Downpipe 3. New pistons were used and the crank was rebuilt with new seals and bearings, with many other smaller parts also renewed. The clutch was rebuilt with new plates, springs and cable, and the brakes, gearbox and suspension were all checked and overhauled as necessary.

We are not in a position to pass much more comment than that, as the vendor has not run the bike since completing it. The engine has been kept completely dry, with no fuel or oil in it, although the gearbox has had oil in it. To all intents and purposes, this is still a freshly restored bike and the buyer should treat it as such. It will need sympathetic running in for 500 miles or so before the spirited riding can really start and, while we’re not in a position to make guarantees, we have every reason to believe that it will go like an absolute dream.

The Summary

The H2-B is more than just a great superbike, it’s a legend among legends, but since it was primarily intended for the American market, few British enthusiasts have ever experienced it. Its rarity makes it an extremely desirable collector’s piece, and this represents one of the best that any collector could find.

Meticulously restored, some might say to better-than-new condition, we’d recommend placing some bids while you’ve still got the chance.

Notice to bidders

This item is sold on an ‘As is Where is’ basis. The condition of this item is the opinion of the seller and may differ from your own opinion. Photos and listing descriptions are for guidance purposes only*.** Car & Classic do not warrant listing accuracy. Full inspection is recommended. Viewings are at the seller’s discretion. Buyer is responsible for delivery and collection of any item purchased.*

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