Description
Here we have my gorgeous 1973 500 Mach III (H1D) in candy green (the best colour!). I’ve owned this for 4 years and I’ve done nothing to it (because it hasn’t needed anything) – however, the previous owner completed full restoration when the speedo showed 14975 miles, and the bike has only done 442 miles since then. The mileage cannot be verified of course, but based on the condition of the bike before restoration, it is thought to be genuine.
The H1D was the last of the unrestricted models, and this one showed 65bhp at the tyre on a portable dyno at the 1066 Café (later models are around 50bhp at the tyre).
This bike was imported from the US in 2018, fully restored during 2018-2019, and UK registered on an age-related plate (L Reg.) in Aug 2019.
The V5 confirms that this bike is registered as a historic vehicle so no MOT or tax is required and cheap classic insurance is available – and a dating letter from the VJMC confirms that this is an H1D in the correct & original colour, with the correct & original engine and frame numbers.
There is a history file full of restoration receipts, and amongst other things, the bike benefits from:
2 keys and a V5 in my name showing 1 previous owner
Stove-enamelled frame & cycle parts
New wiring harness
Excellent chrome throughout
Ricks Electrics electronic ignition system (original ignition also included)
Iridium plugs
Engine vapour blasted and fully rebuilt
German Wossner ceramic coated pistons with a 0. 5mm oversize re-bore
Fully rebuilt and digitally balanced crank
Carbs vapour blasted & fully rebuilt with all-genuine parts
K&N air filter fitted with removeable stay-clean cover
New fork legs, seals, etc. (original legs included)
New Avon period replica tyres (they look like the originals but perform much better)
New chain and sprockets
Takasago rims (believed to be original)
Professionally re-upholstered seat
The tank was taken back to bare metal and resprayed to a high standard.
Original spare spark plug holder under the seat (this is missing on many bikes).
Higgspeed stainless steel expansion chambers (original exhausts are included but they need work – main problem is a dent in one of the downpipes – other than that, they are not too bad).
Note that there are 2 small marks on the right side of the tank (see photos).
This bike starts first kick hot or cold and sounds amazing. It turns a lot of heads as you ride up the road, it generates a lot of “thumbs up” from pedestrians, bikers and even car/ van drivers – and it pulls a crowd at any bike meet. But buyer beware… This is your old fashioned “hairy-chested” motorcycle with a very strong motor. It is very smooth, docile, and torquey at lower revs – so if you can just pootle around the lanes very easily and comfortably, enjoying the wonderful crackle from the pipes – but be aware that when it hits about 6500rpm things get very lively very quickly and it takes off big style (it will wheelie off the throttle easily in the lower gears - especially with a pillion on board!). And unlike modern bikes, it doesn’t weigh much, so in a straight line, it’s probably as fast as most modern stuff up to about 70/ 80mph (it certainly surprises a few on their itchy-fanny-thousands or whatever!). However, it is a 1970s machine so handling is not the best and stopping on a sixpence is not its forte. So, to sum up, it is a very useable and easy-going bike to cruise around on if you keep the revs between down to between 3000 and 6000 (it will run happily and it pulls very well in that rev range) – but if you wind it up, it all goes a bit mad – so while winding it up is an experience you need to have, doing it on a regular basis is definitely not for the feint-hearted!
