Kawasaki Triples Club

Ok so I finally picked up my first H2. It is indeed a beauty. It was running a bit lumpy, the left cylinder wasn't very hot at first but it hasn't been used in a long time. Apart from a service/oil problem fixed, via Kawasaki in May. I couldn't test ride it as it was piss...istently raining.

I still haven't had a chance to ride it but hope to today. One thing that confused me already is the dipstick doesn't seem to have any definitive marks that my eyes can see. There did look to be a very faint red mark in what I'd say was the usual upper level area. so I had to add a whole litre more to reach it...Not screwed in...Hopefully that's ok.
First time in my life I've been confused by a dipstick. Hopefully the rest of the bike isn't so hard...

Lovely example. Your good health to enjoy.

The dipstick has two fine lines for upper and lower oil level and should be measured with the cap screwed in.

https://kawatriple.com/partid/dipstick.html

Level is checked with the dipstick screwed in, so you have over filled it! They only take just over a litre when empty.

Download an Owners Handbook here... https://kawatriple.net/riders-owners-handbooks

Ah ok thanks for that! I'll drain a little out then.
Well I just had my first short ride, and after reading so much about this beast over the years. It's my first ride on a triple in my life too. Like all (proper) bikes, this has it's own personality. I found myself riding it like I'd just stolen it. It really doesn't like to cruise, it just bucks, shakes, judders and protests if you try. It's an all or nothing bike.
After hearing so many bad things about the brakes I was surprised how good they were...No issues there. The engine does sound like bunch of angry wasps on steroids trying to smash their way out of 3 beaked bean tins. i love it!
The idle was hanging up a bit, I'm guessing the idle speed screws are cranked up too much...

Ive got a H2A and with speed limits EVERYWHERE on the island at the Manx recently and lots being 50MPH we were doing 50/60MPH most of the time and I found the bike ran well even at these lower speeds.
Took it up to 100MPH going up the mountain as technically no speed limit
Some smoke screen out of the back!!

That's a great looking bike! I do love that colour!. I haven't taken it out of town yet for even 50/60mph , but will do asap. I just screamed it around a few back streets. My carbs might need a tweek though.

Congratulations on your purchase.
Personally I would do a search on here on how to set the fuel level ( not the float height)
And also search on how to balance the carbs.
With these 2 settings done, you should find that the hunting and surging are greatly reduced
Welcome to the madhouse

scouse wrote: ↑Wed Sep 10, 2025 8:50 pm Personally I would do a search on here on how to set the fuel level ( not the float height)
And also search on how to balance the carbs.
With these 2 settings done, you should find that the hunting and surging are greatly reduced

Indeed, all the information (and much more) is in the Workshop Resources section... viewforum.php?f=29

Thanks guys! Will do that right now!

Fineline wrote: ↑Thu Sep 11, 2025 11:43 am Thanks guys! Will do that right now!

If I've learned anything in my short ownership of triples,it's the fact they will school you. If you don't already,you will know lots about carburettors eventually.

You right! I just took the wife out on the back for 10 minute ride. It was like trying to "wild bull whisper" It surged violently, pulled an unintentional wheelie, which the wife loved...NOT! But me and the bike reached an understanding...sort of. I do love it though!

Yes those carbs are going to have to come off .

Awesome looking bike Fineline. However, I’m biased.
My H2-A looks virtually like a twin to yours. Only obvious difference being that I’ve been able to fit a twin disc kit to mine.
Your description of your first ride, sounds just like my experience too.
If I had a picture of small enough size for the forum, I’d upload it. Job for tomorrow!
Cheers,
Jeff from DownUnder

I originally wanted purple but when I saw this bike in this colour, something in my head went ping, and I just knew it was the one. I did have to sell my 77 Trans Am to get it though. The bike came with a box of parts including twin front discs, but I'd need a new master cylinder to use them. The brakes worked fine for me. I generally only ride old bikes so it's all relative I guess. Would love to see a pic of yours. Did you adjust the carbs to tame the surging ?

I rode my H2-A again yesterday. With 16 bikes in the shed, it only gets out on nice sunny days.
It still surges a bit. I keep promising myself to buy an Ivan’s kit for it, to try to smooth it out a little. But, if I want a smooth ride somewhere, I can take my Z13 or my ‘05 Z1000!
I don’t hammer the H2 super hard, but do like to give it a bit of stick now and then… and then you don’t notice the surging .
So, short answer, no. Haven’t done much about the surging.

The second disc is a bonus for you! Hopefully that included the r/h caliper. A master cylinder will be easy to get compared to the caliper. It does add a bit of weight to the front end, but I have noticed a decent amount of extra braking.

Purple models were rare in Australia, almost all -A’s sold here were gold. I think the gold looks a hell of a lot better anyway.

Thanks, wow that is a beauty! It has become my favourite colour for these bikes now, I hadn't seen many in this colour before.
16 bikes! That's great! I do miss my Z13, it's sort of the polar opposite of the H2 but I would have both if possible.
Sadly it didn't come with the caliper, so I'll live with it like this I think.
I'll rebuild the crabs asap, but if there's no great improvement, I'll go nuclear and get Ivan's kit.

Anywhere near pevensey bay ?

I go though Pevensey every now and then. I like the chippy there (the one nearer the beach ). I was in Eastbourne, (still am sometimes) but moving myself gradually to the south west of France, which is where the bike is right now. The roads are just great!