RETRO REBOOT

You can keep your overpriced, supercharged stealer of the H2 moniker, we’d prefer the resurrection of the original Kawasaki ‘Widow-maker’

Kar Lee’s amazing Mach V Kwak triple.

Arguably the quickest and most thrilling bike of the era, the 1972 H2 750cc Mach IV earned its bad-boy reputation by duffing up the equivalent Suzuki stroker triple GT750 along with a host of other big four-strokes of the day, including Kawasaki’s own flagship Z1. With a 120mph-ish top speed, unbeatable power-to-weight ratio and the hang-on-to-your-hat power delivery to match, it was an instant hit. Sadly, the writing was on the wall for large capacity strokers and the last bike burbled off the production line in 1975.

The original air-cooled 748cc triple may have been good for 74bhp, but in 2019 we can expect a lot more. Water-cooling may add to the weight and jacketed cylinders might not win in an aesthetics battle with cooling fins, but making big numbers needs a radiator and hoses to manage the heat from extra revs. Kawasaki’s Integrated Power Valve System widens the powerband, making our motor that much more usable in everyday situations such as embarrassing R1s and beating Hayabusas away from the lights. Expect dyno figures in the 160bhp and torque in the 80lb-ft range, which in a bike that weighs 40kg less than the Z900RS, you can expect to get to the café before anyone else. Although electric start is standard, there’s also a kick-start for extra kudos.

A beefed-up cradle frame mated to an alloy central hub, modern-day Z900RS suspension and a hefty alloy swingarm banish all thoughts of this H2 reboot getting too out of shape when the going gets rough. Brakes are also lifted from the Kawasaki parts bin and are leagues ahead of the original bike’s single disc set up. Cast Z900RS wheels are OE, though we’ve opted for the wire-spoke performance option, which also reduces weight. Pillions are welcome to cling on to the back and there are even bungee points to cargo-net their legs in place.

Inspired heavily by the Mach IV, our Reboot’s lines share the same perfect balance of bodywork -v- engine and chassis.a few touches make the difference, though – a hugger keeps crud off the back end and the minimal front mudguard is from the Z900RS parts bin. Colours? Yeah, we’ve got colours… lots of lovely original-aping schemes (if the Z900RS can do it) and some cool single, solid colours.