My "new" '74 H2B

[ballvo]

This is a one-owner bike, purchased new in 1975, by my brother-in-law. Last insured/driven in 2002. Approx. 39K miles. Always stored inside and covered so no rust anywhere (just a layer of dust).





Cylinders were honed once at around 10K miles and rings replaced – still on stock pistons. The bike has never been dropped. Original owners manual and Kawasaki shop manual included. Chain oiler is missing. He added some fresh gas and it started on the 4th kick. Tank's kinda rusty inside from sitting with a part tankful. He worked in a machine shop so made a number of custom mods to it but had the wit to hang on to all the stock bits that were ever removed.

I never thought he'd part with it but he recently proposed a trade with me for a '61 Volvo 544 project that I've had sitting mostly disassembled for the last 20+ years plus my wife's '83 GPz 550 that's in excellent shape but hasn't seen pavement for almost 20yrs either.

Here's a quick shot of some of the extras that came with it, some original, some aftermarket, some custom one-offs.



You guys tell me what all you can see that's non-stock and I'll elaborate a bit more in my next post.

Cheers,
Neil

[drewski]

Nice!! It's cool that you know the history on the bike!

It looks like non-stock "euro" rear fender, rear sets, bars and seat at first blush!

[autofobe]

Drilled disks,flanged wheels, rear shocks. ;D

Brad

[bake]

Welcome to the board, add air filters to non stock list.

[zambia]

Wow! Nice bike Neil...now if you don't intend to use those sweet Dencos..hmmm.. ;D ;D

[machz]

Chrome chain guard, missing steering damper. I'll take those crappy rims off you when you put the stock ones back on

[North]

Oct 26, 2010 22:40:11 GMT -5 zambia said:

Wow! Nice bike Neil...now if you don't intend to use those sweet Dencos..hmmm.. ;D ;D

Hey now Ian.... you do remember Neil is here in Winterpeg right? ;D

Sweet ride Neil... now I have my work cut out for me getting my H2 on the road!

[ballvo]

Thanks, guys. It is a beauty. I've only taken it around the block but man does it fly.

Some of the mods on the bike are:
- Akront Al wheels laced to stock hubs
- drilled front disc
- shaved and polished right lower fork leg
- shortened signal light stems
- custom seat pad and cover on rust-free stock pan
- shortened rear fender
- one-off custom rearsets
- one-off custom oil tank
- custom-fitted automotive 7” headlamp
- chrome swingarm (& chainguard)
- Marzocchi rear shocks w/ custom springs
- K & N pod filters
- custom paint
- custom SS rear brake rod

Spares included:
- chrome Denco baffled chambers (almost perfect)
- custom baffles for Denco pipes (originals included)
- original rims (excellent)
- 7-position hydraulic steering damper (OEM)
- drag bars and superbike bars
- spare cables
- OEM foot peg assemblies
- several rearset prototypes
- OEM air cleaner incl. snorkel
- spare sprockets and chain (16/48)
- bar end mirror
- two Kryptonite locks and motorcycle cover
- NOS fork boots
- assorted other bits and pieces

What it needs is a good cleaning, tapered head bearings, swingarm bushings, carbs cleaned, tank cleaned, new tires, etc.

I'm trying not to touch it till my H1A is done - I kinda stalled out on it once summer arrived but I'm now re-motivated and will be getting it done sooner rather than later.

I'll try to keep this thread up to date with any progress and some detailed photos once I get at it.

Cheers,
Neil

[Deleted]

nice bike Ballvo, cool it's been in the "Clan" since new.
What's with the Western bikes and that ugly Euro
fender. Was that a provincial law or something? Never
seen one in Onterrible. You should hook up with
North and make the trip to Paris this June coming.

[machz]

Regarding the euro fender. Ballvo's bike appears to have the plastic fender in there as well. I had an H2b original with the euro fender back in the 70's and I don't recall there being both at the same time. Makes me think the fender extension was added later. I could be wrong...
I shortened mine back then too.

[ballvo]

My bro-in-law didn't like the length of the rear fender so he trimmed the upper end of it to shorten it.

[ballvo]

It's been a while so I figure it's time to resurrect this thread.

I've gotten frustrated with my H1A so I decided to put it on the back burner and get something done on this H2.

Here's where I'm at with it. Other than cleaning and lining the tank (Caswell) and rebuilding the petcock, this is pretty much how I got it.



Ya got yer Akront alloy wheels an yer custom oil tank,



Custom 70s paint and seat,



Homemade rearsets,



Spark plug holder and Mad Max tool pouch,



I pulled apart the front end and installed tapered head bearings. The forks aren't leaking at all but the dust boots were shot so they were replaced.



Headlight, fork ears and front signals were all removed as I'm going with this half fairing,



Final color to be determined...

Stock bars replaced with drag bars. New rubber dampers for the handlebars, hydraulic steering damper is going back on along with a bar-end mirror.



Didn't get the front wheel and fender cleaned up yet so this is how it sits.



Have to order up some BT45's, Uni pod filters and front and rear wheel bearings. Stock pipes will be replaced with the chrome Dencos that came with the bike.

I hope to keep this thread updated as I proceed (but I know I've said that before...).

Cheers,
Neil

[zambia]

Neil, that's going to be a cool bike. If its anything like the A...I can't wait to see it! Are you planning any engine mods?

[ballvo]

Thanks, Ian.

Since it's a runner I'm going to concentrate on getting it fitted out the way I'd like before I do anything with the motor. I'll be tearing apart the carbs, checking the top end, etc. but wasn't planning on a major engine overhaul this winter. I'd like to get a season in on it in it's current state.

N.

[Curtis]

Your not repainting the entire bike are ya?? The Retro paint is pretty cool