Spotted during our usual internet window shopping is this 1979 Ian Dyson Special Kawasaki 400cc Triple, which is actually based on a 250cc frame with a KH400 engine. It’s currently up for sale on eBay for £5,888.
This particular bike was apparently restored by a retired engineer, and features a 3-into-one exhaust plus period rearsets.
Ian Dyson Originals
Ian Dyson was based in Yorkshire and produced bodykits for the Kawasaki KH250 and KH400. Specialising in smaller bikes than many of the other bodywork and tuning specialists, Dyson also produced extras for the Yamaha RD250 and RD350LC. Unfortunately the combination of the 1980s recession and 125cc leaner law which removed the 250cc market in the UK, put the company out of business.
The Kawasaki KH-400
The first Kawasaki triples appeared in late 1968 with the H1 Mach III. The first of the 400s was te Kawasaki S3 400 in 1974, and in 1976, the range of models were renamed KH as opposed to the KZ four-strokes.
The KH-500 was dropped for 1977, leaving on the Kawasaki KH-250 and Kawasaki KH-400 produced from 1977-1980.
Road tests and reviews at the time praised the 1972 Kawasaki 350cc triple, and the 1976 Kawasaki KH-400 as being less terrifying than the more unpredictable 500s, but still being light and with a good power-to-weight ratio.
The KH was freshened up with a new air inlet system, a new exhaust, longer gearing and a CDI ignition system.
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