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Was searching for parts for my son's 1983 Suzuki Tempter and came across this site. Can't wait to peruse all the different topics, etc. I got my first bike in 1973--a 1971 Kawasaki H-1 that I paid $600 for. Eventually wrecked it due to sand and gravel on a curve. Next came a 1978 Honda Hawk. Sold it to my college roommate and went 20 years without one. My wife bought me a 1981 Honda CB750 Custom for my birthday in 1996 with 11,700 miles on it for $500. Had a Vetter fairing, saddlebags, and a 4 in one pipe for accessories. Still have it with 32,000 miles on it. Was going to sell it to help pay for the 1998 Honda Pacific Coast I just bought, but my son let a friend drive his Tempter and the guy wrecked it, so my son has been riding the 750 this summer until he goes into the service next month. Look forward to help from site members and checking out all the different forums listed.

M

Hi Mark, welcome to our Motorcycle Community, one of the friendlist motorcycle forums on the 'net!

Sounds like you have had quite the interesting biking career! I really would have liked to try that Kawasaki H1 you have long ago, how was it? Can't wait to see photos of your old/new bikes and read you posts, I'm sure you have quite a bit to share with everyone.

Mike

Mike:

I just went to a car show in Traverse City, MI Sunday that was part of the National Cherry Festival. There was a guy from Empire, MI (west of TC) who had several Kawasaki triples there--250, 350, 400, 500, 750 that were largely untouched. The '71 H-1 he had like mine had 8900 miles on it. I remember that my H-1 was a rocket in a straight line. It would pick up the front tire just by torque even in 4th gear!!!!

Conversely, my PC800 is a performance pig, but the trunk is wonderful for commuting, it is very quiet, economical and handles well.

Welcome aboard. Pacific coasts are very cool bikes. I got to ride one for a few days some years back for a customer of mine. He wanted me to go over it for him and insisted I drive it for a few days as he was going cross country on it. Was a very nice bike / utility van lol. I do not have any more room in my garage so I have to go think about something else now lol........

Thanks for the nice note. I see you have a Nighthawk--I always liked the looks of those. In fact, I just saw a Nighthawk S that I really wanted to take for a spin!

Welcome. I remember when the Pacific Coast debuted. It was one of those bikes that while getting pretty good reviews in the rags, it was just bit too radical for the mainstream and tanked on the sales floor. Today, its a bit of a collectors item and has a bit of cult like following amoung its fans. Honds seems to be pretty good at doing that, releasing interesting designs that aren't a hit when released, but later become in demand from their fans. Wonder if the DN-01 will follow that path as well?

I was seriously looking at a Concourse or an ST-1300 as an option for me. My boss has an ST that I got to ride, and I didn't like the heat that the engine gave off. Surprised the fuel wasn't boiling! However, it was fun to drive, and I imagine your Kawasaki is too! Thanks for the nice note.

M

dorado202 wrote:Mike:

I just went to a car show in Traverse City, MI Sunday that was part of the National Cherry Festival. There was a guy from Empire, MI (west of TC) who had several Kawasaki triples there--250, 350, 400, 500, 750 that were largely untouched. The '71 H-1 he had like mine had 8900 miles on it. I remember that my H-1 was a rocket in a straight line. It would pick up the front tire just by torque even in 4th gear!!!!

Conversely, my PC800 is a performance pig, but the trunk is wonderful for commuting, it is very quiet, economical and handles well.

Wow. It is amazing that there are classic bikes likes these just sitting around in mint condition. I bet he wanted a mint for it too eh?

My first bike was a 1971 widow maker H-1 as well. You're correct about the unbridled power and straight line speed, the killer part of that bike was it's inability to corner. To this day I have a healthy respect of corners I just can't seem to get over, thanks to that bike...

Welcome to TMW...


(Mike, that pictured bike has aftermarket pipes on it, I can't imagine the noise that triple would make with those on iy...)

Hi and welcome!