I Can't Believe It - 1972 Kawasaki H1 500

I was THIS close to owning a classic 1972 Kawasaki H1, but things didn’t go as planned. In this video, I take you through the entire journey—finding the bike, negotiating the deal, and the unexpected twist that left me questioning if I was meant to own it.

Was it fate or just bad luck? Find out what went wrong in my pursuit of this iconic motorcycle.

Don’t forget to like, comment, and subscribe for more motorcycle adventures!

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CHAPTERS:
0:00 Let's Go Shopping
1:25 The Reveal
3:00 A Closer Look
6:56 Almost Died
8:29 More Parts
9:51 A Side Note
11:18 Let's Make a Deal
14:57 Out To Lunch
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[petermosdell]

Sometimes you have to walk away but I suspect this story isn’t over. I think he’ll reach out to you again once realty hits home. Tricky situation when memories and emotional attachment are involved but you’ve given him the time and space to reflect.

[sm]

The stories the seller told, tells you how much he loves the bike and consequently overvalues it - he still feels the adrenaline rush of cresting that hill toward an oncoming truck

[thejunkman]

Nice video! Would have liked to see you come home with an H1. I have several triples to get to on my channel as well.

[derekb]

So the seller reached out to you, but didn't have a firm idea of what he wanted for the bike?
That would have peed me right off, especially if I'd have expended significant time and money to get to him 🤬
I've bought two bikes from long distance sellers, and both times agreed on a ballpark price before going to see them 🤔

[noelwarner]

Wow that is so cool.Expansion chambers and all stock parts and the owners manual.He will still have it in a year.

[MarkTyndale-ljzd]

Here in the UK, 4 to 5000 pounds for a tidy one, last Sept I paid 3200 pounds for mine, been standing long time but complete, standard and original, nice paint, crankshaft rebuild 650pounds, new pistons, rings little ends 190pounds gasket sets 65 pounds and so on, I see this at less than three to be honest, and I would've told him to stick it, if he'd pissed me about like that, there's no cheap way to recomition these old bikes I've been doing it for years it's a labour of love

[mmotorcycles]

That is a bummer but yeah that’s the business sometimes. I wouldn’t be surprised if they call back. The internet asking prices give owners an unrealistic price comparison.

[doctordirk]

When his neighbour starts counting the rebuild costs you may yet get a phone call.

[timtrillwood]

Great video Pete. I don't know where he got that pic. Sorry about the disapointment.

[TheCbxmaster]

I have a 72H1B clean and running probably $9000 in immaculate perfect shape no rust spokes look brand new everything it would be $15, 000 the bike you were looking at being all torn apart probably dry crank seals $5000 maximum.

[michaeljkasnter]

Motorcycling is something that you are Born with, it’s in your Blood, all it takes is that first ride on a Motorcycle at any age, and the desire and gravitational pull towards riding a Motorcycle is unleashed!! Either you have it or not!!! Clearly this Guy doesn’t have it. I have a 1969-Kawasaki H1-500, the experience is the Pinnacle of Motorcycling that will never leave my collection!!! Just wait till you take it past 5, 000-RPM, better be in straight line with plenty of space infront of you!!! The 500 is way more scary than my 750, the 750 is way more civilized. If you have never ridden a 2-stroke triple, you’re missing out!!!! What a Dick move making you drive 4-hrs for nothing!!!!

[kjrutter]

Had one back in the day 500 h1b 72 I should have guessed it wasn't going to be reliable when the previous owner handed me a bag of spark plugs with it, as an 18 year old it was the fastest thing I'd ridden by far, there was always issues with it though part exd it for a yamaha xs500 which wasn't a good bike either had that 3 months finally bit the bullet and bought a new suzuki gs550 lovely bike.

[hutch]

Hopefully they come to their senses and you get the bike. Maybe the wife not wanting it around will help in your favor. 🤞

[zxtenn]

Thinks its worth a million bucks, it need TONS of work like complete restoration! Who even knows if the motor has been done and its been sitting for ages its a can of worms! I agree maybe worth 10-12 done, i am in NC and someone had an original 500 for about 10K, it was very clean and i think 8500 miles, green. That guy is funny, a 10-dollar sprocket in his mind is worth 500.00 bucks. People run SMALLER front sprockets not bigger ones, let him keep looking for basket cases and see what its worth which isn't much!

[neilmoore]

That dude should have had a number before you even got there especially the distance you traveled.

[jaygdav]

Maybe he was uncomfortable with the camera on him during the transaction. Just a thought.

[worldofameiso]

The seller was an idiot, just walk away and leave it with them. The gall of the man getting you to drive for two hours in the snow and then not even having any idea about what he wants for it...total time waster.

[birkfield]

You should have been given a price before you travelled to view. Then once there you can haggle, but at least you would have a rough idea of how much he wanted. The market is dead at the moment, unless it was cheap it would have been a money pit.

[bargeman]

Sounds like he doesn't really want to sell. What he's selling is a basket case and he's not in a position to negotiate. He's probably been watching the Mecum auctions and thinks it's worth more than it really is.

[franbrinda]

He wants to hit the jackpot and was hoping he would break your bank. It’s ok he will still have in 10 years and his wife will call you one day.