After years of storage, I decided to bring my cherished Kawasaki 500SS Mach III (H1-B), affectionately known as the "Orange Machine," back to life. It's been over a decade since its full restoration, during which time I also worked on other bikes, but the Orange Machine has always remained with me.​

With encouragement from Mr. Inoue of Inoue Boring, I opted for their ICBM™ (Inoue Boring Cylinder Bore Finishing Method) treatment. This innovative technique replaces the original cast-iron sleeve with an aluminum sleeve, coated with a special plating, allowing for a fresh start from the standard bore size—even for engines that have experienced seizures.​

Previously, I had installed a Wiseco 100OS piston due to past seizures, but I expressed my desire to return to the standard size when renewing the vehicle inspection. Mr. Inoue assured me, "That's exactly when ICBM™ is the solution!"​

Taking this opportunity, I wanted to go beyond a simple ICBM™ conversion. I aimed to incorporate a "bridge port" into the intake port—a feature found in the earliest H1 models, known for its unique shape but also its tendency to cause seizures. With ICBM™, such port shapes are no longer a concern, making this an exciting prospect.​

I didn’t just stop at the look—I set out to recreate that original factory feel and unique riding character, and the result has been a spectacular success—I’m absolutely thrilled. By expanding the scavenging area at the cylinder base to approach a bridge-port setup, the finished ride has exceeded every expectation, and I can’t stop grinning!

Mr. Katsumi Taguchi　Kawasaki H1-B Owner

Japan