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| Lot number | 211 |
|---|---|
| Hammer value | £8,600 |
| Description | Kawasaki H2 Mach IV |
| Registration | JTH 905P |
| Year | 1975 |
| Colour | Purple |
| Engine size | 748 cc |
| Chassis No. | H2F46297 |
| Engine No. | H2E46510 |
| Documents | V5C |
On sale from 1972 to 1975, the Kawasaki H2 Mach IV was scarily fast, good looking and succeeded in hammering yet another nail into the coffin of the British motorcycle industry.
Powered by a 750cc three-cylinder two-stroke engine driving through a 5-speed gearbox, it produced an incredible 74bhp at 6,800rpm and could cover the standing quarter mile in 12 seconds on its way to a 126mph top speed, a wheelie-inducing burst of power kicking in at 3,500rpm and continuing all the way to the 7,500rpm redline. With good handling for its era and powerful front disc brakes, it quickly became the production bike to beat on the race track.
In experienced hands it was the fastest production bike in the world, but with someone less skilled on board it was an accident waiting to happen, hence its nickname of ‘The Widow Maker’. To address this issue, in 1974 the H2B engine was modified for less hair-trigger responses which made the bike easier to ride albeit at the expense of 3bhp.
The carburettor jets and cylinder port timing were also revised to improve fuel economy, the oil injection system was improved and the bike received a longer swingarm for greater stability. At heart it was still a hooligan though, and even today it is not a bike for the faint-hearted.
First registered in Carmarthenshire in August 1975, this vivid purple H2 benefits from the optional twin disc front brakes and had just one owner from 1985 until 2012 when the vendor acquired it. Although the bike was in good running order when acquired with a current MOT, it has been kept in storage ever since and will doubtless benefit from some precautionary recommissioning before being used in anger. It is showing just under 12,000 miles on the clock which is believed to be genuine but there is insufficient history to warrant this.
Japanese sports bikes of this era are now becoming seriously collectable and this low mileage cracker could well prove a smart investment at the sensible guide price suggested.
