Kawasaki H1R 500 RW
With Phil Aynsley
The final version of Kawasaki’s H1R 500 cc machines was the RW of 1975. Only three were constructed, making it a rare beast indeed!
![Kawasaki H1R 500 RW](https://www.mcnews.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/1975-Kawasaki-H1R-500-RW-PA-Mick-Grant-7-1024x678.jpg)
The riders were Mick Grant, Barry Ditchburn and Yvon DuHamel. Grant won both the IOM Senior TT and the North-West 200 in 1975.
![Kawasaki H1R 500 RW](https://www.mcnews.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/1975-Kawasaki-H1R-500-RW-PA-Mick-Grant-001-1024x661.jpg)
They competed in several GPs that year but proved a little underpowered and suffered from poor reliability.
![](https://www.mcnews.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/1975-Kawasaki-H1R-500-RW-PA-Mick-Grant-15-1024x727.jpg)
Grant and Ditchburn continued to race the bikes for several years, with the bikes being upgraded with KR750-style front ends at the end of 1976. The third bike was used for spares during this time.
![Kawasaki H1R 500 RW](https://www.mcnews.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/1975-Kawasaki-H1R-500-RW-PA-Mick-Grant-6-683x1024.jpg)
This is Grant’s bike, as evidenced by the right-hand gearshift. It is fitted with the ’75 fairing and painted in his ’75 TT colours but retains the ’76 front end.
![Kawasaki H1R 500 RW](https://www.mcnews.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/1975-Kawasaki-H1R-500-RW-PA-Mick-Grant-2-1024x683.jpg)
Output is 88 hp at 9500 rpm, and it weighs 136 kg.
![Kawasaki H1R 500 RW](https://www.mcnews.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/1975-Kawasaki-H1R-500-RW-PA-Mick-Grant-16-683x1024.jpg)
![Kawasaki H1R 500 RW](https://www.mcnews.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/1975-Kawasaki-H1R-500-RW-PA-Mick-Grant-20-1024x683.jpg)
![Kawasaki H1R 500 RW](https://www.mcnews.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/1975-Kawasaki-H1R-500-RW-PA-Mick-Grant-19-1024x680.jpg)
![Kawasaki H1R 500 RW](https://www.mcnews.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/1975-Kawasaki-H1R-500-RW-PA-Mick-Grant-18-1024x747.jpg)
![Kawasaki H1R 500 RW](https://www.mcnews.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/1975-Kawasaki-H1R-500-RW-PA-Mick-Grant-8-812x1024.jpg)
![Kawasaki H1R 500 RW](https://www.mcnews.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/1975-Kawasaki-H1R-500-RW-PA-Mick-Grant-14-1024x729.jpg)
![Kawasaki H1R 500 RW](https://www.mcnews.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/1975-Kawasaki-H1R-500-RW-PA-Mick-Grant-12-1024x683.jpg)
![Kawasaki H1R 500 RW](https://www.mcnews.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/1975-Kawasaki-H1R-500-RW-PA-Mick-Grant-11-1024x707.jpg)
![Kawasaki H1R 500 RW](https://www.mcnews.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/1975-Kawasaki-H1R-500-RW-PA-Mick-Grant-10-1024x638.jpg)
![Kawasaki H1R 500 RW](https://www.mcnews.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/1975-Kawasaki-H1R-500-RW-PA-Mick-Grant-3-1024x683.jpg)
Kawasaki H1R 500 RW Specifications | |
Engine | Water-cooled, 498.7 cc two-stroke, inline-triple |
Bore x stroke | 60.0 × 58.8 mm |
Power | 88 hp @ 9500rpm |
Clutch | Multiplate dry clutch |
Induction | Three Mikuni VM35SC carbs |
Gearbox | Five-speed close ratio |
Final Drive | Chain |
Frame | Steel duplex frame |
Suspension | 38mm Kayaba telescopic forks, twin Koni shocks |
Wheels | 3.25 x 18 front, 3.50 x 18 rear |
Brakes | 296mm discs twin-piston calipers, single rear disc brake |
Weight | 136 kg |