In May 2011 the organiser of the Coupes Moto Legende taking place on the French circuit in Dijon has invited a world legend of motorcycle racing, the Canadian Yvon Duhamel.
Yvon came with his son Miguel, who also is a legendary racer and winner of the 200 miles of Daytona.
At this occasion Yvon Duhamel was able to take a ride on one of the rarest works Kawasaki he ever rode, the 1974 H1RW.
Yvon Duhamel was one of the most influencing drivers for the development of Kawasaki racing.
From 1970 to 1977 the racing department of Kawasaki Japan developed several exceptional bikes that marked their period. From the 1969 Kawasaki 125 World Champion of Simmonds to the last KR 750 in 1977.
In 1973 Yvon Duhamel was Kawasaki’s official works rider. He asked the racing department to develop a lighter 500 H1R, easier to handle than the one he was using at that time.
For the 1974 season the official racing department developed two new machines, 500cc three cylinder air cooled, which were called H1RW.
These two bikes were sent to the French Kawasaki importer S.I.D.E.M.M., in order to participate in the 500cc championship driven by the French Christian Léon and Yvan Duhamel.
Christian Léon achieved several top ten results and Yvon Duhamel couldn’t participate in all races.
With the arrival of the Yamaha and Suzuki 4 cylinder in the Championship the battle was though and excellent results very difficult to achieve.
Kawasaki insisted in developing a new liquid cooled H1RW in 1975 for the British rider Mick Grant.
After the 1975 season Kawasaki gave up the 500 category.

The two 1974 “air cooled” H1RW sent to France remained in the racing department of the importer. Subsequently one was dismantled and used as spares.
Only one bike survived. It was located in 2010 by our collaborator Hubert Rigal, former Kawasaki France pilot.

We are proud to present here this unique bike, the only works “air cooled” Kawasaki H1RW still existing worldwide.
This bike is complete and original (with its front brake callipers carved in the fork bottom). The frame is the same as on the KR 750 but made of lower diameter tubes.
This bike was restored in France beginning 2011 specifically for Yvon Duhamel, allowing him to ride the bike again 37 years later in the Coupes Moto Légende 2011 event.
We offer a unique occasion to acquire an extremely rare Grand Prix bike with historic importance.
At the age of 73, it’s probably the last competition bike that the Canadian rider Yvon Duhamel piloted. This is a true collectible.

This vehicle is available immediately.  Please contact us for further details.