Any knowledge about the 1974 Kawasaki S3?

[Rubin]

I have been looking at one of these for sale fairly cheap, but I don't have much information on the model other than it is a two stroke. The guy is selling a spare parts bike ('76) and a seized engine with it for about $500. Besides the usual used/beaten things to look for, are there any known issues with these bikes? This could make a great starter bike for my gf, and a fun around town bike for me. Anyone owned one have some good/bad things to say about them?

Thanks!

[randy]

If you mean the H-3, that is NO starter bike. I once helped a friend pick one up 'cause he didn't have a MC license. They are scary fast. Killer fast. If memory serves, I think those were the bikes responsible for the introduction of rim locks 'cause they would spin the rubber right off the rim.

[Rubin]

Haha - Now you are just making me want it for myself. Found a great article on a '75 vintage that is making me really interested. Never had to play with points before and it is apparently hard to get parts for these. The exhaust is in good shape, but that is just the seller's opinion - I have asked to go see it this week to see for myself. Always wanted a kick start two-stroke.

[cueball]

used to ride a 500 Kwaka as the shop bike for local repairer many moons ago. it was fairly basic until 4000 then best to have pointed in desired direction. handling left much to be desired. also interesting when braking hard, or cornering in spirited manner. designers put invisible hinge in frame, flex when pushing at not much beyond moderate levels was sometimes scary. that was on stocker, various nutters here ported engines and fitted expansion chambers.

[tw1980]

Randy is right(as usual)it's an H-3.Not a beginners bike.I've had plenty of two stroke road bikes as well as a 750 kaw two stroke.Neither is for the lighthearted.My favorite was my 79 Yamaha RD 400.Very quick,handles well,good breaking and reliable.A lot of fun around town and on the twisties.
Terry

[Geezer]

While not mild mannered the S3 350cc triple was not the evil bike the H1 and H2 were. It was more comparable to the Yamaha RD350. All in all not a bad little bike and I wouldn't mind having one if the price was right and I could sneak it past my wife.

Geezer

[kjohnson]

my father in law recently sent a 73 s3 to a friend/business contact in the uk. it only had 12000 miles on it. my understanding is that the gent that got it was very happy to get it, even though it needed one piston and a lot of paper work for him to get it on the road.

kindof an interesing looking bike though

[tw1980]

Sorry Rubin I forgot about the s-3 350.I think my brain is getting soft.Terry

[Paintman]

S3

S3 is a fun bike ive owned a few H2-750's and they were rockets lol just didnt like to turn very well i just picked up another H2 basket case that has been sitting since 81 i beleive and i got it for free lol in 5 diff boxes.wouldnt mind finding a RD400 to play with either

[GNEPIG]

S3 is the 400, the S2 was the 350 and the S1 was the 250 (I have only seen one of the 250s ever) and they were all triples. I have owned 2 of the 350s and 1 of the 400s. I still have pics of the two 350s:





These bikes were awesome fun to ride especially after I set up the black one with a longer swing arm, the 400 clutch pack, the Denco expansion chambers and a set of H1 carbs. That one would hit 110 mph in a flash.
One thing I hated about them was that they only got about 45 miles per tank of gas.

Oh yeah, and the cats name was Charley, she loved sitting up there.

[GNEPIG]

500 bucks seems like a great deal, if it has a title.

[foreda]

Kawasaki Triples

I've had the 350, 500, and 750. Like someone said earlier in one of the posts, best have all of them pointed in the right directhion cause when you hit the power band, you will see the speedometer very close to you're face. Drum brakes on the 500 were horrible, I know this from experience!!!!Still have the scars to prove.

[Rubin]

Was a sad day - I drove out to see them and they were already sold and picked up. So instead I bought a 'new' truck. '89 Cheyenne 1500, V6 reg cab 2WD. Low miles at 150,000 km and mechanically perfect. A few rust spots on the cab corners and the fenders, but otherwise in great shape and for the same price of 500 Canadian. Least I don't have to borrow one now when I see that special project bike at a low cost. Think that is what lost me the S3's.