Kawasaki Sportsbike Riders Club - Australia - Online Forum

helpful?
http://www.ebay.com/sch/sis.html?_nkw=Kawasaki-H1-KH500-Exhaust-Chambers-muffler-denco-triple-

http://www.ebay.co.uk/sch/i.html?_nkw=kawasaki+kh500

Definitely a 1976 model mate - maybe built towards the end of '75, but the A8 is the last of a long run. 1976 was the swansong year for this model. Being sold in 1978 does not surprise me a lot, there were a lot of brand-new 4T bikes released in the 76/77 year which all would have taken sales away from bikes like this - the new z650 Kawasaki being a prime suspect. Also the first GS750 was released in 1977 and this bike was a big seller for Suzuki.

Being the last of the range - the A8 had the best equipment for any 500 triple. The headlight is the same as the 1976 Z900, all the electrics were upgraded as well (same thing happened with the 1976 Z900A4 - it had the best electrics of any z9).

Have a look at the main jets when you can - they were reduced from 92.5 mains to 75, as part of the overall *detuning* process which took place with this model. The A8 is the best-behaved 500, but also probably the least powerful. By this time (1976) - Kawasaki were even de-tuning the big 4 strokes.......

I'll scan some of the pics from one of my books - the Triples Bible. It has some good info about the 500's, especially this model.

kawadave wrote:

Stuzrx wrote:The only no no IMHO is the owner building the bike the way other people think it should be done!!

I don't know if your having a bit of a dig there or not ?...Stuzrx

Not having a go at all dave.You've restored stuff before,so you know there are 2 camps.
As per showroom floor and modified.I'm happy with whatever way you go,as long as it's your decision to do so,not
what someone else reckons.
Plenty photos plez mate I love a good stroker rebuild.Have done one myeslf with an S1 250 starting next year.

Cheers dave.....Stu.

Yer thanks Stu...I thought that's what you meant.


What did I get done today I hear you ask ??.....

Everything is as solid as...no nasty rust to be had.

Frame and associated bits ready for blasting then powder coat...

still reckon you should pack up and move to Tamworth and buy the house next door to me

h.b.bear wrote:still reckon you should pack up and move to Tamworth and buy the house next door to me

To bloody cold down that way Gazz...



Whats the go with spokes and chrome rims?

I've noticed the front wheel has a flat spot....probably looking to ditch the old and get some new.

Any advise or links to new... would be much appreciated.

Gosling1 wrote:Definitely a 1976 model mate - maybe built towards the end of '75, but the A8 is the last of a long run. 1976 was the swansong year for this model. Being sold in 1978 does not surprise me a lot, there were a lot of brand-new 4T bikes released in the 76/77 year which all would have taken sales away from bikes like this - the new z650 Kawasaki being a prime suspect. Also the first GS750 was released in 1977 and this bike was a big seller for Suzuki.

Being the last of the range - the A8 had the best equipment for any 500 triple. The headlight is the same as the 1976 Z900, all the electrics were upgraded as well (same thing happened with the 1976 Z900A4 - it had the best electrics of any z9).

Have a look at the main jets when you can - they were reduced from 92.5 mains to 75, as part of the overall *detuning* process which took place with this model. The A8 is the best-behaved 500, but also probably the least powerful. By this time (1976) - Kawasaki were even de-tuning the big 4 strokes.......

I'll scan some of the pics from one of my books - the Triples Bible. It has some good info about the 500's, especially this model.

Gos

you got either of these when you talk 'bible?

try this
http://3cyl.com/mraxl/

heres a start
bit pricey though
http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/KAWASAKI-KH5 ... 19d44d2b95

h.b.bear wrote:still reckon you should pack up and move to Tamworth and buy the house next door to me

Hey bear...do you know megsy from VJMC??

The big orang -o- tang sure do he's a pretty good mate of mine.Oh hang on ! your the stu that tried hiding your rex in the long grass a while back ? By the way stu i am Diesel on the VJMC forum if i am on the right track

Smitty wrote:......Gos....you got either of these when you talk 'bible?.......

yes mate got both of those ( plus an original factory manual for the first H1 of 1968 - it is actually bound between 2 hardcovers - almost like a manuscript of some type )

The bible - is The Kawasaki Triples Bible by Alastair Walker. It is a fairly new publication, published in Nov 2010. A really good reference book for all triples from 1968 through to 1980, with specific chapters on the H1R and H2R factory racers. Front cover has the pick of the bunch pictured - an S3 400.

Great book for anyone who is a fan of these bikes.

h.b.bear wrote:The big orang -o- tang sure do he's a pretty good mate of mine.Oh hang on ! your the stu that tried hiding your rex in the long grass a while back ? By the way stu i am Diesel on the VJMC forum if i am on the right track

Yeah thats me . Still paying the price for that one.

Your on the right track!

hey Gos...would you happen to have a factory manual for a '72 S1 250 by any chance???

UPDATE....frame and associated bits back from powder coat.

As this will not be a concourse restoration...I've chosen to do these parts gloss black.....