Kawasaki H1 Decals: Complete Year-by-Year Reference
The H1 500cc Triple
The Kawasaki H1 Mach III ran from 1969 to 1976 — a longer production run than the H2, more variants, and a wider range of colour and graphic changes across the years.
Gloss self-adhesive polymeric vinyl with a white permanent adhesive (low initial tack). These are vinyl decals. We don't make water-slide transfers.
The H1 launched in 1969 worldwide; it reached the UK market around 1970.
The 500cc triple built a reputation early. It was fast in a straight line and demanding to ride.
What matters for restoration is that the H1 changed meaningfully across its run. The variant codes are the guide. This article covers each one.
H1 Variants at a Glance
| Year | Variant | Stocked by OCD | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1969–1970 | H1 | No | Unsuffixed model ran two years. 1969: Midnight White only. 1970: Peacock Grey and Candy Red. |
| 1971 | H1A | No | Factory colour: Candy Blue. |
| 1972 | H1B | No | Factory colour: Pearl Candy Orange. |
| 1972 | H1C | No | North America only. Not stocked. See note below. |
| 1973 | H1D | Yes | Re-design from previous models. Graphic shape stayed the same for H1D through H1F. |
| 1974 | H1E | Yes | Chainsaw style — same style as H2B 750 but different size. |
| 1975 | H1F | Yes | Shark fin style. Final H1 designation year. |
Note on H1C: The H1C was a North America-only variant. We don't stock it and it isn't in our catalogue — if you need something specific, get in touch and we'll see what we can do.
Year-by-Year Decal Reference
H1 — First Year
1969 H1 (first year): One factory colour confirmed — Midnight White. This is documented as the sole colour for the 1969 launch year.
1970 H1 (second year): Two factory colours — Peacock Grey and Candy Red.
Candy Blue, Candy Gold, and Firecracker Red are NOT documented 1969 or 1970 H1 colours. Candy Blue appears as a 1971 H1A option, not the original H1.
The first H1 set the graphic pattern that the later variants developed from.
H1A
The H1A was the 1971 model year. Factory colour: Candy Blue.
H1B
The H1B was the 1972 model year. Factory colour: Pearl Candy Orange.
H1C
The H1C was a North America-only variant with very limited production. We don't stock H1C decals. If you have one, get in touch and we'll discuss options.
H1D
The H1D (1973) saw a re-design from the previous models. From the H1D onward, the graphic shape stayed consistent through to the H1F.
H1E
The H1E (1974) carries a chainsaw-style graphic — the same style as the H2B 750, but a different size.
H1F — Final Year
The H1F (1975) carries the shark fin style graphic. It's the last of the H1 designation.
How to Identify Your Variant
The frame number is the definitive identifier. It is stamped into the steering head.
- H1 through H1C (1969–1972): frame prefix KAF- followed by a sequential production number.
- H1D through H1F (1973–1975): frame prefix changes to H1F- — not to be confused with the H1F model variant. The prefix H1F appears two years before the H1F model exists.
Note: the H1F- prefix begins at the H1D (1973) — two years before the H1F model exists. The letters are shared; the prefix does not indicate the model variant.
The year cannot be read directly from the prefix — cross-reference the sequential number against the production ranges at kawatriple.com/serialno.html or send us the number and we'll confirm the variant.
Engine numbers use the prefix KAE- throughout all H1 variants. Engine swaps are common enough that the engine prefix alone is not a reliable year identifier — the frame number is primary.
Some H1s have been reclassified or rebadged over the years — a bike presented as an H1D may have an H1B frame. If the number and the style do not match what the seller claims, trust the number.
Common Mistakes When Ordering H1 Decals
The H1 run is long enough that the later variants look noticeably different from the early ones. The most common error is ordering by year from memory rather than from the frame number. A bike acquired as "a 1973 Mach III" is an H1D — that suffix covers the 1973 model year specifically.
One note worth knowing: from the H1D onward, the frame prefix changes from KAF- to H1F-. The H1F- prefix does not mean you have an H1F model (1975); it just means it's a 1973 or later chassis. The 1975 H1F model and the 1973 H1D frame prefix share those letters, which has confused more than one ownership history.
The second common error is applying an H2 set to an H1. The bikes are related, but the graphics are not interchangeable. Tank profiles differ. Decal proportions differ. The result does not sit right.
If you have the frame number, send it to us. We will confirm the variant and the correct set.
Browse the H1 Range
We carry reproduction decals for the H1D, H1E, and H1F variants — the years we stock. Each set is matched to the correct variant year. We don't carry filler listings — if it's on the site, it's been done properly. A link to the fitting guide comes with every order. If you only need part of a set, get in touch and we'll see what we can do.
Send us the frame number if you are not certain of the variant. We will take it from there.
— Valerie and Andy at Orchard Classic Decals
Related Reading
If you are working through a full triple restoration, the colour guide for the H2 runs alongside this reference — many of the same colour families appear across the triple range.
