BIKE OF THE MONTH

1971 Kawasaki H1 500

Congratulations to Nick Cooke of Mission Viejo for winning Bike of the Month with his 1971 Kawaski H1 500. Nick won a Mr. Pete's Grill T-shirt and gift certificate.

Nick just recently purchased this bike from Roger Smith, a well known motorcycle restorer in Michigan through eBay. He had been looking for an H1, and this one seemed too good to be true.

The pictures may not do this restoration justice. It looks perfect. Roger Smith is on the Board for Directors for the Vintage Japanese Motorcycle Club (VJMC) and has won awards and recognition for several of his restorations.

The five year restoration brought the H1 to 100% stock aside from some bits that may not have been chrome from the factory.

Nick has lived in the US for 25 years, originally from England, he has owned many British bikes including a Norton Commando that he rode for 25 years.

Nick seems to prefer the Japanese bikes these days. Along with his H1, he has a 1973 Kawasaki H2 750 triple, a 1985 Yamaha RZ350 and a 1986 Suzuki RG500. He'd better wait a year to bring the Suzuki, but I'd like to see the rest of his bikes at the meet.

Thanks Nick for bringing it to our meet. See all the photos in our October Gallery.