500cc Models (Mach III)

The one that started it all. the 500 began as a very different bike from what it ended as. The original H1 had a then revolutionary CDI ignition and very sixties styling. At least partly because of the size of the early ignition units the 1969-1971 500 used a distributor, one of the few bikes to do so. The 500 was known for peaky power and evil handling, but did spawn a racing model on the H1R. Popular for racing and other things, the 500 has long lived in the shadow of it's big brother, the 750. The 500 made it until 1976 as a detuned KH model, a shell of it's former self.

		H1 1969	Engine: KAE-00001~ Frame: KAF-00001~	Original Triple. Surface Gap plugs, Distributor CDI, and drum brakes. Metal oil tank and stainless steel fenders. Unique; neutral at bottom shift pattern. Earliest models had bridged intake ports on cylinders. UK models supposedly fit with points due to electrical interference with TV's. Distributed to all markets except Middle and Near East. Rated at 59 HP.
Midnight White	Peacock Grey
		H1 1970	Engine: KAE-06315~ Frame: KAF-06727~	High cover; fit on distributor cover, several variations of CDI- (black, green and brown caps and rotors).     (See note in limited production models about grey.)
Candy Red
		H1A 1971	Engine: KAE-21876~ Frame: KAF-23626~	Markings updated to match '71 scheme for all models. Raised scallop lines taken out of gas tank.
Candy Blue
		H1B 1972	Engine: KAE-54101~ Frame: KAF-48763~	Instruments and paint scheme updated to match other triples, but generally still has earlier styling. Front disc brake, fitted with points ignition.
Pearl Candy Orange
		H1C 1972	Engine: KAE-43902-45902 Frame: KAF-48664-52100	Paint scheme matches H1-B. Front drum brake, fitted with H1-A CDI ignition & instruments.  Chrome fenders.   (See note in limited production models about the model.)
Pearl Candy Orange
		H1D 1973	Engine: KAE-70024~ Frame: H1F-00001~	Styling very much resembles '74 models, fit with oil type steering damper and H2 type CDI ignition.
Candy Lime	Candy Green
		H1E 1974	Engine: KAE87001~ Frame: H1F-17001~	New type of CDI ignition adopted, check valves fitted to bottom of crankcase.
Candy Red	Candy Green
		H1F 1975	Engine: KAE102400~ Frame: H1F-32400~	Decal was added to the tail. Side panel decals were in white instead of chrome. Footrests were changed. Small change to the controls. Small change to the instruments.
Candy Brown	Candy Sky Blue
		KH500 A8 1976	Engine: KAE117100~ Frame: H1F-47000~	Same overall changes to KH series- three fuse system and locking gas cap, etc. Brighter headlight, conventional shifting pattern adopted, horsepower lowered to 52 HP, 50 HP for West Germany.
Deep Burgundy	Copper