I was given a Kawi H1 that's been sitting around. Being as I'm not too bright, this sounds like a great vintage racer project to me. The more flexible the frame, the more you can turn it, right? Aren't brakes overrated anyway? Seriously, any one set one of these up for racing? What should I know and look out for when getting this puppy runnin'?
Greg, I raced a 1969 H-1 in 1972. I bought it from a guy who was getting out of racing and he had made it as close to an H-1R as you could with a stock bike. I had been racing a 750 Commando and H-1s seemed so fast on less twisty circuits with long straights that I thought I'd race the H-1 at places like Mugello and the Norton on twistier circuits like Modena and on hillclimb circuits which were run on regular roads that were closed off to traffic. These were all part of our regional championship. It turns out that I was always slower on the H-1 (than the Norton) on the fast circuits. The guys that would fly by me on the straights were (when I raced the Norton), in fact, a little deranged and/or much braver than me at 19-20, and I was pretty crazy at that time. Above 100 MPH you had a choice of turning up the steering dampener full stop and weave or turn it down and wobble. I sold the H-1 to another guy the next winter. Hope it isn't too disheartening, but that was my experience. If you decide to make it a racebike anyway, make sure the CDI works. I've seen them asking 800-1000 bucks for the things and I doubt you can find the limited production FEMSA no-battery systems that my bike had. Ciao, Fred
Easy , he won't ask you to ride it. JUST KIDDING! It was an easy dis, that's all. Really... it's just a joke. Anyway, I had a bud awhile back with a screamingly fast H1 that just couldn't keep a line. He built an Egli (Egli-Ugly... there you go, Pam_G. Easy fodder for you to build upon) replica frame for the motor and all was hunkey-dorey. One major complaint he had, though, was that the motor ran pretty hot, even during the mild New England summers.
Fred, thanks for the lowdown. Just confirms what I've heard. I'm really not expecting it to be competetive, just looking for a "fun" project. Pam_G, It'll look much better once I get on it! Jens, The Ugly frame idea sounds like a fun project, hmmm...What about a front end? Any suggestions on a complete front end swap? That'll improve the brakes, too.
You might want to check out Tommy Ds bike. (wera roadracing school instructor at nelson,summit) His is an H-2, hinge has been removed from frame by adding bracing (removed or at least limited in range of motion) upgraded forks, wheels, swingarm. Don't make the frame to stiff, what fun would a vintage bike be without a little frame flex. Other riders will slow down when they see how much the thing is flexing, they will want to stay clear, thinking its going to spit you off
If you use that H1 you will be when it spits you off. LOL! tis ok, I've thought about doing vintage too.
