KAWASAKI 750

  KAWASAKI  750

  KAWASAKI  750 blue body paint

For sheer excitement, there was nothing on two wheels to match the 750 H2 two- stroke triple that Kawasaki unleashed in 1972.

Fast, loud, smoky, thirsty and ill-handling, the bike that was also known as the Mach IV was a wild ride that quickly earned a reputation for unmatched speed and aggression.

"It's so quick it demands the razor-sharp reactions of an experienced rider,' bragged Kawasaki 750 publicity material, and few who rode the triple disagreed.

The basis of the H2 was Kawasaki's first three- cylinder two-stroke, the 500cc HI (or Mach III), which had been launched in 1969. This too was a fast and fiery machine that became popular, especially with American riders who valued acceleration from a standing start above all else.

This group, labelled 'stoplight-to-stoplight freaks' by one magazine, was even better served by the larger model, whose 748cc air-cooled engine had a peak output of 74bhp at 6800rpm.

That was not only 14bhp up on the smaller triple, but also put rivals such as Suzuki's liquid- cooled GT750 triple and Honda's CB750 four in the shade. Physically the new model closely resembled the Mach III, with fairly high and wide handlebars and fuel tank that was narrow despite the compact three-cylinder engine's thirst. The chassis layout of twin-downtube frame, twin rear shocks and slim forks holding a 19-inch front wheel and single brake disc also matched that of the smaller machine.

Searing acceleration

As well as its extra capacity the H2 had milder porting and ignition timing, which helped give a usefully broad spread of power.

But although that meant the triple could be ridden gently, with minimal use of its five-speed gearbox, that was not what this bike was built for. Sheer speed was its forte, not so much the maximum of about 120mph (193km/h) as the searing acceleration that enabled it to reach over 1OOmph (161km/h) from a standing start in less than 13 seconds, and to leave the line in a cloud of smoke with its front wheel in the air.

Chassis performance was less impressive, as the triple's blend of power, light weight and barely adequate frame and suspension could provoke what one report described as a 'deadly wobble'.

Owners were well advised to supplement the standard friction steering damper with an optional hydraulic damper, for which a frame lug was provided. At least the single front disc brake was reasonably powerful, although many riders boosted the system by fitting an optional second disc.

Plenty of riders were happy to accept the triple's handling and thirst because it was competitively priced and, most of all, so fast.

  KAWASAKI  750

'The Mach IV rates as the ultimate stud bike now available in terms of raw power and sheer speed,' concluded American magazine Cycle World. 'If being the fastest on your block appeals to you, so will the Mach IV! Although tightening emissions legislation meant that the triple was first detuned, then dropped, it would not be forgotten.