For Sale: 1982 Kawasaki Eddie Lawson Replica KZ1000R
Before the influx of the Ninja, GSX-R, Hurricane and FZR, this is what real men rode on the racetrack. Cutting edge by the current day standards, this KZ1000-based replica racer pays homage to the Superbike titles won by Eddie Lawson in 1981 and 1982 – fighting the likes of Freddie Spencer, Wayne Rainey and Fred Merkel, amongst others.
With an inline four cylinder, air cooled powerplant, the KZ1000 was tricked out with cast alloy wheels, a four-into-one Kerker exhaust from the factory, bikini fairing taken from the GPz line, upgraded piggyback shocks in the rear, triple disc brakse (drilled), an oil cooler and a special paint job commemorating the Superbike championship. These bikes were made in limited numbers, and finding a clean example today is not easy; they are around, but not plentiful.
From the seller:
This is a collectors item and extremely rare bike. 1982 Eddie Lawson Replica KZ1000 R1 (US Model) 37,800 miles on odometer,300 miles since total restoration.This is bike number 422 of a limited 900 ever produced. Chassis has been powercoated. All bearings inspected,greased and or replaced.Forks have fresh oil and seals,has Marzocchi shocks in place,also have stock shocks to be included. New chain and sprockets,brand new Dunlop D404 tires,new brake pads with steel braided lines. Engine is original bottom end that has been dis-assembled and inspected. Cylinders have been overbored 3mm with wiseco pistons. Head has been rebuilt to include 3 angle valve job and resurfaced. Stock air box with K/N filter. Cosmetics are 100% factory orginal 8 on scale of 10. Bike speaks for itself. The bike is owned and restored by Dan Batterby of Danco Performance, a motorcycle mechanic of 35 years, pro race tuner/engine builder, proven in roadrace, supercross, and off-road circuits.
ELRs have graced the pages of RSBFS many times in the past few years, and each time the prices reflect the quality of the bike. This particular example is one of the higher mileage bikes we have seen, yet is in terrific condition and appears to be very clean and very well cared for. One look at that rear sprocket tells me that this seller has prepped this bike very well indeed!
This bike had been listed previously by the seller – it was bid up to $8,100, with reserve not having been met. Top level ELRs will draw between $12k and $15k – but those figures are top dollar for very low mileage, perfect examples. Most ELRs will be in the $7k – $9k range, and it is unknown how much the “total restoration” plus upgrades adds to the bike.
The auction is on right now, and there have been a small number of interested bidders. Currently this bike sits at just over $1,000, with a reserve in place. It is hard to tell what will make the seller happy, but I would consider anything over $8,500 to be fair money for this bike – even if that does not cover the cost of the full restoration. A collector bike can only be original once, and originality is what pulls in the big bucks. For more information and to check out all of the action, click on the link and jump over to the auction. Good Luck!
MI
Where is the bike located…