Highlights

Comprehensively restored to concours-standard during 2022 and early 2023
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 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 four-cylinder 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.

Presented in immaculate condition following a comprehensive, no-expense-spared restoration, this is undoubtedly one of the best H2-Bs in the country and probably also in the world. Never before ridden on British roads and still to be run in, this could be the perfect centrepiece for a superbike collection, or a potential trophy-winner at major motorcycle rallies.

The History and Paperwork

Manufactured in April 1974, this bike, like many H2s, was originally exported to America
Imported into Britain in 2019 as a complete and original matching-numbers bike in need of restoration
Subjected to a full, ground-up restoration throughout 2022 and 2023 by the vendor, who has been restoring motorcycles for the past 12 years
This is one of four 1974 H2-Bs he has restored in that time, so he knows the model extremely well
Registered with the D.V.L.A. on 1st April 2023 but not yet run
Now being sold to make room for new projects
Offered with the current V5 and other registration documents
Certificate of Proof of Year of Manufacture issued by the Kawasaki Triples Club
Central engineering invoice for chrome and zinc plating

The Condition

Professionally painted in March 2023
Immaculate chrome and alloy parts polished to a mirror-like shine
New seat made as per original specification
Original Takasago wheel rims
Undoubtedly one of the best examples in existence

There’s no need to beat about the bush with this bike – its condition is simply exceptional. No corners have been cut during the restoration and, if anything, it’s probably better than new. The vendor is quick to point out that this bike is unlikely to be a concours winner on account of two very minor deviations from its original appearance, which are that a couple of small parts, including the fork yoke, have been polished instead of powder-coated black, simply owing to his personal æsthetic preference. That might bother one or two rivet-counters, but it doesn’t bother us. How could it when it looks so good?

He also 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.

Such things are mere details. What’s really important is that this bike is in absolutely first-class condition all over. We might not be concours judges ourselves but we would think that, in terms of overall presentation, it must defy all attempts at criticism. Since the restoration was finished, it has been kept garaged and protected by dust sheets, which explains why we couldn’t even see so much as a speck of dust on it.

Various parts are entirely original, including the handlebars and gear lever, which were refurbished and restored accordingly - creating a still highly original, highly-presented bike. The outstanding Candy Green paint was applied in March 2023 by Racepaint UK, with new tank decals subsequently applied. The tank was given to Motorcycle Dent Removal and underwent a rust removal process, with the inside being zinc-lined, so we mean it when we say no corners were cut.

Everything else speaks for itself. The brightwork has been polished to a beautiful shine, including the wheel rims which are the original Takasago items, and the brand-new Avon Roadrider tyres still sport their stickers. What’s more, all the hard-to-source original parts are present and immaculate, such as the indicator stalks and brackets which, often get broken and replaced with inaccurate copies. We could go on and on, waxing lyrical about every detail, but it’s not really necessary – take a look at the pictures and decide for yourself if this isn’t one of the finest specimens of a motorcycle you’ve ever seen.

The Mechanics

Engine fully rebuilt by Downpipe 3
Brakes and other systems completely overhauled
Yet to be run following restoration

All that’s been said so far about this bike’s spectacular condition goes for the engine, gearbox, suspension and brakes, too. Without seeing it ridden, just their external cosmetic condition ought to give a good indication that they have been taken care of very well.

One of the vendor’s first jobs was the engine rebuild, which was undertaken by Downpipe 3, with new pistons and more besides. The crank was also rebuilt with new seals and bearings. The brake callipers were completely rebuilt and every other part on the bike received attention as necessary to ensure that it is in full working order when the bike takes to the road for the first time.

Unfortunately, we are not able to say much more as the vendor has not run the bike since completing the restoration. The engine has been kept completely dry, with no fuel or oil in it, but the gearbox has had oil in it. That does mean that the rebuild is still very much fresh, and the Kawasaki will have to be properly run in for 500 miles or so before the really spirited riding can begin. While we are not in a position to make guarantees, all that we’ve seen of the vendor’s workmanship suggests to us that it will perform like a dream.

The Summary

The Kawasaki H2-B is one of the all-time greats in the pantheon of superbikes, but it’s also so rare as to be almost mythical in Great Britain. Any committed superbike collector must surely covet one for their collection, and we don’t think there’s likely to be a better one for sale than this. Stripped to the bare frame and meticulously restored, it now appears in what could reasonably be called better-than-new condition. All it needs is for somebody to cherish it, put some miles on it, and maybe pick up some awards along the way.

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