By the mid-1960s, the US had become the largest motorcycle market. American riders were demanding bikes with more horsepower and higher maximum speeds. Kawasaki already had the largest-displacement Japanese machine with their 650 cc four-stroke W series, but it did not fit the niche Kawasaki was aiming for. Honda had introduced its Honda CB450 in 1965 and in 1969, the Suzuki T500 Titan/Cobra appeared. Also in development was the Yamaha XS 650. Already familiar with the Honda CB450, Kawasaki development began work on the top secret N100 Plan in 1967.
The goal was to produce a motorcycle with 500 cc displacement that was able to develop 60 hp and have 13-second quarter-mile times, then considered over the achievable limit for a road bike. When announced in 1969, the H1 was factory quoted in the UK motorcycling press as “the fastest and best accelerating road machine ever produced, being capable of 124 mph and 12.4 sec. for the standing start quarter mile“. Motorcyclist magazine said the Mach III’s power-to-weight ratio was the “best ever produced in a motorcycle meant to sell to anyone who has the money to purchase it.”
This example is VIN: H1F09625.
The odometer shows 692 miles after a restoration performed an unknown time ago. True mileage is unknown.
The seller inherited this bike from his father, who had it for roughly a decade. He is selling off his father’s collection, which included a 1964 Rickman Metisse MkIII that he recently sold here on Iconic. “This bike belonged to my dad, Roger Riddell, who loved really fast, two stroke bikes like this.” He had this bike for about ten years and rebuilt it during his ownership.
Maintenance:
In November 2024, the seller had DK Motorcycle Center in Bountiful, Utah coat the tank, replace the gas cap, replace the petcock, replace the battery, check for oil leaks, and replace the spark plugs and caps. The seller notes that the bike has a stiff clutch.
In preparation for the listing, the seller had us perform a safety inspection, install a new battery, rebuild the master cylinder, flush the brake fluid, change the engine oil/filter, replace the left crank seal, replace the clutch cover gasket, and replace the pulser cover gasket.
Our service department notes the following on their condition report:
Gas Tank Internal Condition: Ok
Engine Oil Level: Ok
Engine Oil Quality: Ok
2T Oil Level: Ok
Coolant Level: N/A
Coolant Quality: N/A
Front Hydraulic Fluid Level: Ok
Front Hydraulic Fluid Quality: New
Rear Hydraulic Fluid Level: N/A
Rear Hydraulic Fluid Quality: N/A
Clutch Hydraulic Fluid Level: N/A
Clutch Hydraulic Fluid Quality: N/A
Final Drive Condition: Needs service
Headlight High Beam: Ok
Headlight Low Beam: Ok
Passing Light: N/A
Parking Light: Ok
Turn Signals: Ok
Tail Light: Ok
Brake Light (Front Switch): Ok
Brake Light (Rear Switch): Ok
Plate Light: Ok
Horn: Ok
Kill Switch: Ok
Brake Pad % Remaining Front: 95%
Brake Pad % Remaining Rear: Drum
Forks: Slight Weeping
Shock/s: Ok
Tire Date Code Front: 1118
Tire Date Code Rear: 0718
Tire % Remaining Front: 99%
Tire % Remaining Rear: 95%
Tire Press. Front: 32
Tire Press. Rear: 34
Battery Standing Voltage: 12.8v
Charging Voltage @ 4k RPM: 13.5v
Running Condition: Runs
Test Ride Completed: No
Test Ride Distance: N/A
Notes:
Oil leak at case halves.
Tachometer not operating correctly.
Modifications:
Aftermarket exhaust.
Airbox delete, aftermarket intake covers.
Inside of the tank:
It is riding on Duro tires with date codes of 0718 and 1118.
The sale includes one key.
Cosmetic Blemishes: please see the album in the “Photos” tab for all known cosmetic blemishes. Here is a selection:
Currently located in Panorama City, California, (please make an appointment for an inspection) this Kawasaki is offered on a clean Utah title. Have any H1 Mach III stories or questions about this listing? Let us know in the “Comments” tab!
