Okay, so I’ve been wrenching on bikes for a while now, and I recently got my hands on a classic – a Kawasaki H2 750. This thing is a beast, a two-stroke triple that’s known for being, well, a bit wild. My goal? Get this bad boy running smooth and looking good. Here’s how it went down:
Getting Started
First things first, I assessed the situation. The bike was complete, which was a huge plus, but it hadn’t run in years. The paint was faded, the chrome was pitted, and the engine… well, let’s just say it wasn’t pretty.
- Drained all the old fluids – gas, oil, everything. That old gas smelled like varnish!
- Pulled the carbs. Oh boy, were they gummed up. Years of sitting will do that.
- Checked the spark plugs. They were fouled, as expected.
The Carb Rebuild
This was a major part of the project. Those Mikuni carbs are pretty straightforward, but they needed some serious love.
I disassembled them completely, soaked all the metal parts in carb cleaner, and scrubbed everything with a toothbrush. I replaced all the jets, gaskets, and O-rings with new ones. Getting the float heights just right was a bit fiddly, but I got it dialed in eventually.
Engine Time
With the carbs sorted, I moved on to the engine. I did a compression test, and thankfully, the numbers were decent. That meant I probably wouldn’t have to tear down the whole top end. Score!
- Cleaned the points to check the status.
- Replaced the Battery.
First Start Attempt
I reinstalled the carbs, hooked up a temporary fuel tank, and hit the starter. It cranked, coughed, and sputtered… but no fire. Dang!
After some head-scratching, I checked it and try it again, and it works!
Fine-Tuning and Finishing Touches
I spent the next few days dialing in the carbs, adjusting the timing, and generally making sure everything was running smoothly. Then, it was time for the cosmetics.
I’m no painter, but I did manage to clean up and polish tank and side covers, It’s not perfect, but it’s a heck of a lot better than it was.
The Result
The H2 750 is now a runner! It starts easily, idles smoothly, and pulls like a freight train. It’s still a bit of a handful, but that’s part of the charm. This project was a lot of work, but totally worth it. Taking a classic bike from sitting to running, there’s just nothing like it.
