Honda-SOHC

SOHC.co.uk Forums => Project Board => Topic started by: masonmart on December 03, 2019, 05:49:00 PM

Title: Kawasaki Heaven
Post by: masonmart on December 03, 2019, 05:49:00 PM
So sorry that this isn't Honda 4 related this time but I now have a couple of projects that I could only have dreamed about and may bring good memories for those who knew the bikes first time around.

First is a cache of parts to build a complete new Avenger A7. This was a 350cc disc valve twin with an amazing turn of speed. I already have one but this is to build what is effectively a new bike. Parts are NOS or (like frame) professionally restored better than new. Should have the parts in December and will post pics from what I hope is a successful assembly.

Also found a similar parts cache for a 1971 H1 triple. I just can't believe it. I'm at the back end of my biking life but the opportunity to do this assembly and then ride these amazing bikes is beyond belief.  Pics will be forthcoming.
Title: Re: Kawasaki Heaven
Post by: Rob62 on December 03, 2019, 07:22:40 PM
Great stuff   :)
Title: Re: Kawasaki Heaven
Post by: Nurse Julie on December 03, 2019, 07:29:07 PM
I had to look up an Avenger A7, I thought it was a car  :-[ :-[ :-[
Too good an opportunity to pass by with them 2 by the sounds of it....Have fun
Title: Re: Kawasaki Heaven
Post by: Johnwebley on December 03, 2019, 08:15:20 PM
I vaguely remember the A7.

Is it like the Bridgestone twins ?

Good luck and have fun.
Anyone that gets to retirement.
Deserves to have lots of fun

Sent from my SM-A750FN using Tapatalk

Title: Re: Kawasaki Heaven
Post by: masonmart on December 03, 2019, 08:42:45 PM
Yes, like the Bridgestone 350 but not as sophisticated. Pretty devastating performance but so careful with modern Ethanol based fuel.
Title: Re: Kawasaki Heaven
Post by: Bryanj on December 03, 2019, 09:26:11 PM
Hi huh, dubed both widowmaker and licence looser!!
Title: Re: Kawasaki Heaven
Post by: masonmart on December 04, 2019, 08:22:13 AM
Hi huh, dubed both widowmaker and licence looser!!

Bryan, I don't ride fast enough now to get in any real trouble.
Title: Re: Kawasaki Heaven
Post by: Spitfire on December 04, 2019, 10:31:07 AM
The Avenger was a great bike, I had a very early H1 and the electronic ignition packed in so Bill Smith motors loaned me an Avenger and I found that I could get from A to B faster on it than on the H1, it went and it handled well what a great bike.

Cheers

Dennis
Title: Re: Kawasaki Heaven
Post by: adespin on December 04, 2019, 11:34:41 AM
The first time i saw the Avenger was at the 1967 Earls Court bike show when it and the new Norton Commando were the stars of the show.

A biking friend of mine at the time bought that show bike and so it came to Swansea, only for forty years later to end up partly dismantled with bits missing in the back of Ray Williams M/C's in Llanelli. I was interested in buying it  but they wanted £500 for it because of it's history (the first one in the UK and the show model). I baulked at that as i knew i'd have problems sourcing parts.

About two years ago they listed it on Ebay for £1000, i don't know what it sold for.
Title: Re: Kawasaki Heaven
Post by: masonmart on December 04, 2019, 02:42:57 PM
I was lucky and found a genie
Title: Re: Kawasaki Heaven
Post by: BigAl (Alan) on December 04, 2019, 07:14:42 PM
Kawasaki 2 strokes are still very popular today, I'm guess that you have a H1b ?
Title: Re: Kawasaki Heaven
Post by: royhall on December 04, 2019, 09:17:56 PM
The Avenger was a great bike, I had a very early H1 and the electronic ignition packed in so Bill Smith motors loaned me an Avenger and I found that I could get from A to B faster on it than on the H1, it went and it handled well what a great bike.

Cheers

Dennis
My H1A had three sets of points, pain in the bum to get the ignition set correctly. At what point did the electronic ignition appear?

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Title: Re: Kawasaki Heaven
Post by: Bryanj on December 05, 2019, 12:04:01 AM
I thought all the 500 and 750 had electronic only the 250/350 triples had points. Suzuki triples stuck with points
Title: Re: Kawasaki Heaven
Post by: royhall on December 05, 2019, 07:10:37 AM
You may be right Bryan it could have been my 250. It is nearly 43 years ago. Good days for me mid 70s, had so many different bikes it's all a blur now.
Title: Re: Kawasaki Heaven
Post by: Bryanj on December 05, 2019, 07:21:51 AM
Had a 250 triple shop bike that only did 7 to the gallon! Then we built a racing Suzuki GT750 which did less
Title: Re: Kawasaki Heaven
Post by: AshimotoK0 on December 05, 2019, 09:35:55 AM
You may be right Bryan it could have been my 250. It is nearly 43 years ago. Good days for me mid 70s, had so many different bikes it's all a blur now.

You are correct Roy...seems they had CDi and points... The answer is here on this site in my Dropbox link , as copied below

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Kawasaki H Series service manual... Sorry Honda only Fans   ;D

https://www.dropbox.com/s/2jhu87j38ejtd7p/h_manual.pdf?dl=0



[attachimg=1]
Title: Re: Kawasaki Heaven
Post by: BigAl (Alan) on December 05, 2019, 11:05:19 AM
The Hla & H1b had a points ignition system, as the H1.H1d.H1e/f had cdi ignition...all cdi's & wire looms are different on each bike.  Not Honda bikes, but all H1 bikes are very popular.
Title: Re: Kawasaki Heaven
Post by: royhall on December 05, 2019, 11:08:32 AM
That's good then. Thought the old dementia was starting to set in.
Title: Re: Kawasaki Heaven
Post by: masonmart on December 05, 2019, 01:04:35 PM
Kawasaki 2 strokes are still very popular today, I'm guess that you have a H1b ?

It's 1971 so my guess is it's an H1a?
Title: Re: Kawasaki Heaven
Post by: Spitfire on December 05, 2019, 01:36:56 PM
My H1 had the original CDI and pointless plugs, it was supposed to be illegal in the UK as it sent TV sets nuts, it self destructed within a few months and was replaced with points and coils which I always felt slowed the bike down.
Here's a rather poor photo of the bike with my soon to be first wife on board at Oulton Park

(https://imagizer.imageshack.com/img924/9963/ks1PO6.jpg)

Cheers

Dennis
Title: Re: Kawasaki Heaven
Post by: AshimotoK0 on December 05, 2019, 02:54:31 PM
Mr.Silver has this if anyone is interested in a challenge  :D

[attachimg=1]

[attachimg=2]
Title: Re: Kawasaki Heaven
Post by: masonmart on December 06, 2019, 07:12:09 PM
Ash, the problem is that everything needs recoating and that can really rack up the costs. If engine parts were needed it could be £10k or more.
Hate to sound picky but I hate the US style pipes and where can you get low pipes from?
Title: Re: Kawasaki Heaven
Post by: AshimotoK0 on December 06, 2019, 07:55:26 PM
Ash, the problem is that everything needs recoating and that can really rack up the costs. If engine parts were needed it could be £10k or more.
Hate to sound picky but I hate the US style pipes and where can you get low pipes from?

Agree totally ... just copied piccy because a lot of people wouldn't even know what one looks like.
Title: Re: Kawasaki Heaven
Post by: masonmart on December 07, 2019, 05:40:05 PM
It's difficult now when a good restoration costs so much that it is just isn't worth doing under any circumstances; especially when, like the Avenger, parts are so difficult to find at any price. It's happening when the bottom has fallen out of the Classic market too which is sad as fewer bikes will end up being brought back into service. Tbh I'd say that this bike is essentially worthless because the cost to get it into any shape would greatly exceed the value post restoration. That is unless the bikes have a special place in your memory. It is a real sad side of the Avenger in that only 48 were imported into the UK so all bikes on the market are US bikes in poor condition which cost more to import than they are worth. My friend has just done a perfect restoration on a CB450 later model, this is down to well matched polished stainless fasteners all round. It is absolutely better than new, museum quality and he hasn't even got a bike license. He has spent £12k on it and it's worth £5K.
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