Kawasaki triple
1969 H1 Mach III 500
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| Manufacturer | Kawasaki |
|---|---|
| Parent company | Kawasaki Heavy Industries |
| Production | 1968–1980 |
| Engine | 250 to 750 cc (15 to 46 cu in) air-cooled piston port two-stroke triple |
1970 Mach III H1 500SS
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| Production | 1968–1976 |
|---|---|
| Engine | 498.75 cc (30.436 cu in) air-cooled piston port two-stroke triple 3 Mikuni 28 mm carburetors |
| Bore / stroke | 60.0 mm × 58.8 mm (2.36 in × 2.31 in) |
| Compression ratio | 6.8:1 |
| Top speed | 183–201 km/h (114–125 mph) |
| Power | 45 kW (60 hp) @ 7,500–8,000 rpm |
| Torque | 5.6 kg·m (55 N·m; 41 lbf·ft) @ 7,000 rpm |
| Ignition type | CDI (except 1972, points) |
| Transmission | Wet clutch, 5-speed, chain drive |
| Frame type | Steel double cradle |
| Suspension | Front: telescopic fork, Rear: Preload adjustable shock, swingarm |
| Brakes |
Front/rear 180 mm (7.1 in) drum (early models) Front disc, rear drum (later) |
| Wheelbase | 1,430 mm (56.3 in) |
| Weight | 174 kg (384 lb) (dry) 188 kg (414 lb) (wet) |
| Fuel consumption | 10.2 l/100 km (28 mpg‑imp; 23 mpg‑US) |
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| Production | 1972–1975 |
|---|---|
| Engine | 748 cc (45.6 cu in) air-cooled piston port two-stroke triple 3 Mikuni carburetors |
| Bore / stroke | 71 mm × 63 mm (2.8 in × 2.5 in) |
| Compression ratio | 7.0:1 |
| Top speed | 190 km/h (120 mph) |
| Power | 55 kW (74 hp) @ 6,800 rpm (claimed) |
| Torque | 77.4 N·m (57.1 lb·ft) @ 6,600 rpm (claimed) |
| Ignition type | CDI |
| Transmission | Multi-disc, wet clutch, 5-speed, chain drive |
| Frame type | Steel double cradle |
| Suspension | Front: telescopic fork Rear: twin shocks, swingarm |
| Brakes | Front: disc Rear drum |
| Tires | Front: 3.25×19" Rear: 4.0×18" |
| Wheelbase | 1,410 mm (55.5 in) |
| Dimensions |
W: 810 mm (32.0 in) |
| Seat height | 830 mm (32.5 in) |
| Weight |
206 kg (454 lb) |
| Fuel capacity | 17 l; 3.7 imp gal (4.5 US gal) |
| Oil capacity | 2.0 l; 3.5 imp pt (4.2 US pt) |
The Kawasaki triples were a range of 250 to 750 cc (15 to 46 cu in) motorcycles made by Kawasaki from 1968 to 1980. The engines were air-cooled, three-cylinder, piston-controlled inlet port two-strokes with two exhaust pipes exiting on the right side of the bike, and one on the left. It was the first production street motorcycle with capacitor discharge ignition (CDI). Right from the first triple model, the 1968 Mach III H1 500 cc, it was a sales success that gained a reputation for almost unmatched acceleration as well as an air of danger for the difficulty in controlling the bike's power with its limited chassis, suspension, and brakes.
Front/rear 180 mm (7.1 in) drum (early models)
The market for motorcycles in 1968 had been changing from time, utilitarian transport to more aggressive sporting motorcycles that disregarded fuel economy and noise, in favor of quicker quarter mile times, which were prominently advertised by manufacturers. While Kawasaki had an inline-four four-stroke in development, it was not going be ready in time to upstage the 1969 Honda CB750, so instead they moved up the release of their conventional piston port two-stroke triple to "make a real splash". They turned to the N100 Plan, a project begun in June, 1967, whose intent was to design the most powerful production motorcycle engine in the world. They first considered increasing the bore of an existing engine but instead created an all-new engine, experimenting with both inline and L cylinder arrangements, with both two and three cylinders. They settled on an inline-three arrangement after testing showed that an inline layout did not adversely affect cooling of the middle cylinder.
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