Description
Walk-Around Video:
Riding Video:
Additional photos of this 1969 Kawasaki H1 Mach III are available here for your perusal.
When it debuted in 1969, Kawasaki advertised their H1 Mach III as “the fastest and best accelerating road machine ever produced.” It quickly garnered a reputation for being unbeatable in a straight line and unmanageable otherwise, which led to its popular nickname of “The Widowmaker.”
Not only was this the most powerful production bike available, it somehow managed to be reliable and relatively cheap, too. The H1 was an instant revelation – Motorcyclist magazine described the power to weight ratio as the best “ever produced in a motorcycle meant to sell to anyone who has the money to purchase it.” The 499cc inline triple two-stroke was fed by Mikuni VM28 carbs and produced 60 horsepower. Dry weight was 384 pounds, so the quarter mile was taken care of in 12.4 seconds and top speed was about 125 miles per hour.
This example is VIN: KAF-11260, Engine #: KAE 10234.
The sale includes an “as-new manual,” which is stamped with Action Cycles in Tulsa, Oklahoma. “It is the manual that I received with the bike. I can confirm it is not a reprint.” The seller notes that he has the original tool kit, though he has misplaced it and is trying his best to find it.
It was restored by a previous owner. The seller acquired it a year ago from the restorer’s estate – at the time it had zero miles and was on display in a pub. Since then, he has covered all 174 kilometers (108 miles) and notes that it is still being broken-in.
Per the seller: “This motorcycle not only presents great, it runs and rides great too. It starts right up and can even be started right up using one’s hand, as demonstrated in the walk-around video (found on the top of the listing).”
It is in impressive cosmetic condition, with only two minor cosmetic blemishes – the middle “I” of the Mach III is missing the red and there is are a couple of small rub marks on the right engine case. The seller states that “this could be the closest someone could come to finding a new bike, as the level of restoration is really 10 out 10.”
Currently located in Johannesburg, South Africa, this Mach III is offered on a clean South Africa title. Have any Mach III stories or questions about this listing? Let us know in the comments!
Iconic’s White Glove process for an auction winner that requires shipping out of South Africa:
We release money to the seller once it’s dropped at our transport company. From there we get the necessary clearances and in this case, we’ll include it in one of our containers as we currently have approximately 40 bikes in South Africa that are ready to ship (which drastically amortizes your cost). We handle Customs and receipt into the port of Los Angeles. We can also help with the USA title process.
As Adam says, “we pretty much do it all. It does take a little time but typically but it’s worth the wait as the examples we’ve seen so far from this particular Seller are all quite excellent!”
