With the sleek, Luminous whiteness of its body, accented by dark blue stripes along its tank, shining asymmetrical triple mufflers, and powerful engine with maximum output of 60hp @ 7,500rpm the MACH III captured everyone’s heart. Not only that, but retailing at just $995 in the US at a time when the average price for a 750cc machine was around $1,400 the growth of the new machine’s popularity was nothing short of explosive and it became a best seller almost overnight.
The new Kawasaki in Peacock Gray with black stripes went on sale in the Japanese market in September 1969 under the name 500SS MACH III.
June 1970 saw the launch of a candy red bike with white stripes and a few minor changes. This was followed in September 1971 by the H1A, a variant model without the sculpted “eguri” gas tank.
In January 1972, the company brought out the H1B with battery powered ignition, disc brakes at the front and a front fork like the H2 and a hydraulic steering damper. Graphics were updated in line with the new 1972 range of triples.
The H1D, which came out in 1973, had a seat cowl added like the H2, the CDI unit was changed to that of the H2, and the steering damper and rear brake air scoop were both dropped. Subsequently, the H1E, which was introduced with a new CDI, evolved into the H1F with a different color and graphics.
The final throw of the dice for the 500 came in 1976 with the KH500. The writing had been on the wall since the 1973 oil crisis and Kawasaki detuned and sanitised it to meet US emissions regulations, but it had lost its fiery edge. Still a great road bike though.
