Kawasaki Triples WorldWide

I was never too fond of my H1. It went like stink but needed some love in the form of a seat and side cover. It was too original and complete to cut up and cafe, but I am the anti-stock.

So I've decided to remove the engine from the H1 and swap it into a spare RD frame, which I'll build up with spare components and very likely assemble cheaper than if I were to finish off the H1. It won't require any modification to the H1 pieces, so if I want to reassemble the Kawi later, I can swap the RD's powertrain from another H1 (or even H2 ) and bolt all the original stuff back in it the Kawi rolling chassis.

Hopefully this package will be much lighter than an H1 and pack a far more aggressive punch than a lightly-massaged air-cooled RD. It ought to be a blast.

Here's what I've completed so far (started 2 nights ago). First I removed the H1 engine and cut out the front mounts of the RD frame for a test fit:



Ample room all around the cradle. I was shocked:





I then made a jig to maintain the mounting hole alignment and tacked it in the RD frame:



My first rough-cut engine mounting tab is shown here:



All while the H1 looks on:



For the initial build, I'm going to take the path of least resistance to assembling a complete bike so I can work out the bugs and see how good it really is (basically, it's going to look like crap for a while). After that, I plan on taking care of the styling, final mounting of the electronics, oil tank, etc.

More to come, and you can find a bit more in-process detail here

You may want to consider rubber mounts

It's a late H1. It is rubber mounted.

(basically, it's going to look like crap for a while)

...prototype phase.

Very interesting, please keep us posted with lots of photos.

Your going to love that thing! Iv'e built 5- H2 powered RDs over the years, even one Big Bear(1965or6)! Have one in my garage now, don't know if you need any help, but if you do, feel free to contact!

PS. i'm sure you already know H1,H2 and KZ swingarms work great!

Cope

Started late today. Took it over to my grandpa's where the acetylene torches are so I could bend and grind the RH mounts. Got them dialed in, took it all home. Shaped all 4 tabs and bam, ready to weld:



So I tacked them in pretty damn hard and cut the jig out:



And set the engine in! What a bitch. I'm genuinely worried about whether or not it will even go in (with the heads on, at least) when the front mounts are in place:





Dead nuts clearance up off the frame rails (whew!):



Everything looks great. Unsure exactly where to go from here, but I've got a day to think about it--school tomorrow.

It would be good to have bolt-on front mounts like an H2. Removing the heads to install/remove an engine isn't that big a problem, and it can make things much easier.



Lane

Mockup:

Gonna be wicked!

Engine looks like a perfect fit in that frame. Just tell ppl it's the R5's big brother. (Can't really call it an RD without the reeds). Cool project. Carry on...

should have some yamasaki stickers made for the tank

Today:

-Final welded (and trimmed down) bottom mounts
-Primed and painted cradle
-Reinstalled engine and bolted in (hopefully to stay that way)
-2/3 coils mounted
-'Electronics plate' mounted
-Spent about an hour making tabs to refit a stock RD oil tank (p/o had cut off the mounts) before realizing it wouldn't work
-Began swapping bar switches. Looks like I'll have to run the higher bars to accommodate the H1 switches .

Major tasks remaining:

-Sort out the bar/switch/cable situation
-Wiring
-Pipe mounting (looks like the mounting is almost at the RD rear axle! That's going to be an adventure)
-Sort the chain alignment
-Front and top/rear engine mounts
-Find and mount an oil tank

or not:

http://yamasakimotor.en.alibaba.com/


Unless you want ppl to think you're riding a chinese bike!

Anyway if you insist of running them here ya go: