For Sale: 1985 Kawasaki KZ1000 R Eddie Lawson Replica (ELR)

Today’s find is a *relatively* rare ’85 Kawasaki ELR. The part that really gets me is that this bike is located in Budapest, Hungary. How did a replica model of what was a very US-based AMA Superbike competition find its way so far from our shores?

I would think that a US racing commemorative bike (highlighting Steady Eddie’s ’81 and ’82 Superbike championships) would not translate well in other countries or languages. While it is true that racing is universal, the regional specifics are sometimes lost in translation. Note the comments from the seller, below. Ten points to whomever spots the error first.

From the seller:
Model year: 1985
Engine size: 1000 cc
Number of cylinders: 4
Power(PS): 125
Mileage: 59306 km
Condition: Perfect, completely renovated
Documents: with documents

Description: In honor of the Australian world champion, Eddie Lawson the Kawasaki factory made this limited edition, signed by the world champion on the seat. 4-in-one Kerker exhaust, gas adjustable suspension, the unique design based on the motor of the champion. Completely new chain set, new tires, new brake pads, registration

These ELR models are not exactly a dime a dozen. Sure, they lack the homologation exclusivity of a RC30/45 or OW01/02, but neither are they common. Prices are reasonable, and this bike has apparently received some restoration treatment under care of the current owner. Mileage is higher than most we have seen (approximately 37,000 miles when converted from KM), but this is not usually a deal killer on the KZ-based powerplant.

This auction is going on right now, and the asking price is a very reasonable $3,650 – or best offer. This deal is going to be far sweeter for our European readers who have less distance to travel, as shipping this back to the US will not be cheap. But count on RSBFS to scour the globe to find those rare and collectable models, wherever they might be! For your chance to check this one out, click the link and jump over to the auction. European delivery of an ELR in Hungary anyone?

MI

Location: New York

Mileage: Who knows, who cares

Price: Auction, starting at $13,000

To honor the upcoming MotoGP race at Laguna Seca, which the RSBFS staff will be attending, here is a race bike being offered for you to consider. What the seller is offering here is an AMA Superbike GSX-R 1000 campaigned by Aaron Yates for Jordan Suzuki in 2009. Yates has been racing on a Suzuki for a while and won the Superstock title in 2005. He joined the Jordan Suzuki effort in 2007 and finished 7th overall in AMA Superbike in 2009.

Let’s get right to what the seller has to say-

Up for auction is a real JORDAN SUZUKI 2008 GSX-R1000 , it is a 2009 AMA American Superbike top 5 Finishing Race Bike.  It was riden by Aaron Yates.  The bike was used in the 4th round of the championship, Daytona, Fontana and Road Atlanta.  It was purchased from Gemini Technology Systems, (partner/ Jordan Motorsports) in 2010 & put into my personal collection & never riden.  The bike has the following:

Ohlins TTx Shock,   Ohlins Steering Dampner,   Attack Bodywork,  Braided Brake lines,  DID 520 Chain,   Quik Shifter kit,    Vortex Sprockets,

Vortex Rearsets,  Vortex Clip-ons and Bars,   Radiator and Oil Cooler Guards,  Leo Vince Exhaust, Single sided ss,  Yoshimura EMpro ECU,

Vortex Frame sliders, Vortex Swing arm spools, PFC Brake Pads,  Zero Gravity Windscreen, Vortex Rear Stand.

I just took it out of my collection & brought it down to Rich Alexander’s race shop, he put a new battery in it & fired it up , Its all set for some serious track days or keep it looking good in a collection. The bike also has a clear New York Tittle. I have a copy of the original tittle from Gemini Technology Systems.

also included in the auction , I have 2 pairs of size 11 Jordan 6 Ring Premier sneakers in the boxes never worn, 1 pair of Jordan size 11 Retro 6 Premium, (very rare)  1-xl Team pit shirt, 1-lg Team pit shirt, 1-m Team pit shirt, 2 -m tees, 3-lg tees, (all never worn)  1, framed numbered Aaron Yates print 5/230, 2-leo Vince Aaron yates posters. 1 signed 2008 Superstock Champion,  stickers, race cards.

The winning bidder is responsible for all shipping cost for the bike as well as the extra items listed. 

*. NO RESERVE * AUCTION * NO RESERVE * AUCTION * NO RESERVE * AUCTION *  NO RESERVE *

And a truckload of photos-

So apparently here’s your opportunity to own an AMA Superbike, complete with Ohlins suspension and many other performance upgrades. The seller provides plenty of photos of the bike and documentation to show the bike’s authenticity. Also included is a boatload of Jordan Suzuki swag in the form of shirts and shoes. From everything that’s shown this appears to be the real deal. However, any serious buyer would probably want to work with the seller to confirm everything, as I suspect this machine will go for a bit higher than your standard ’09 GSX-R 1000.

So maybe you want a AMA Superbike for your track days (of course you’re that good, you just need the machine to prove it), or maybe you want a killer living room display. Or maybe your the ultimate Jordan fan.

Whatever the case, if you want to get in on the action, go check this auction out!

-RN

Life Before The RSV4:  Aprilia Factory RSV1000R

There is Aprilia before the RSV4 and Aprilia after the RSV4.  In my opinion it is that dramatic a change if you are seriously into sport bikes.  The RSV4 simply reset the bar of what a modern sport bike can be.  Considering that, I’d find it hard to believe this bike would find its’ way back to serious racing.  For the 99 percent of us that dabble in racing or tip toe around the track on track days;  well,  I’d think this bike would be a dream come true.

I want to meet the guy that turns his nose up at the chance to own a former AMA spec super bike, ridden by Chaz Davies.  This is actually the second time around for this bike as it was part of the lot KWS was selling directly a few months ago.  It is now up for auction and wrapped in stealthy preseason bodywork.  You better set your budget now as someone is already asking about shipping the bike to Cambodia!  You have to love the reach of the web.

The list of goodies:

I’d be curious what has been done internally with the KWS engine build.  Any factory Aprilia unobtanium hiding in there?

Who’s up on their Ohlins specs?  Are these still top shelf items?

The tank Kevlar and 7.5lbs lighter than stock.  Nice!

What would you pay for a piece of race history or to be the guy that wads up a factory bike at a track day?  I’m going to take a pass on trying to put a number on this one.

Happy bidding here.

OntheThrottle posted a hour and a half season review of KWS’s race season with the bikes:

Ian

Location: Winchester, Virginia
Mileage: 31,143
Price: Auction, BIN $12,000

People have said many times that bikes pop up in bunches here at RSBFS and it seems to be true. Andrew posted a rare and interesting FZR 750R and I thought “wow, won’t see one of those again anytime soon.” Wrong. Here’s another one. Andrew’s post points out the details on this fine and rare machine. Production was 200 as a homologation special by Yamaha for AMA Superbike racing. Yamaha didn’t put out any other 750 in the FZR lineup at this point. The bike features well known Yamaha features of the time – the Delta Box frame and five valve per cylinder Genesis engine.

Here’s some more pics-

Here’s the description from the seller-

This 1987 Yamaha FZR 750R is a very rare superbike. this bike, as shown in the V.I.N. number, is #101 one of only 200 superbikes imported to the USA and was a factory AMA competition model. This is not the same production bike as the more common FZR 600 or 1000 street models.

It is my understanding that Yamaha VIN number sequential digits began with number xxxx101, therefore this bike is #1, the FIRST produced.

Whats it worth? I have no idea, but I have been told the range could be from $8,000. to the mid twenties, therefore I started the bid at $8k.

Here’s what I know:
These 200 superbikes were the pre-cursor to Yamaha’s famed OW01 FZR 750RR Homologation.
There were only 200 of them made to satisfy the AMA Homologation rules
There are very few left as most of them were raced just like any other LE Homologation production model.

This bike is #101 of only 200 made for the US market. To homologate the FZR for AMA racing, Yamaha had to bring 200 street-spec 750 into this country. This bike escaped the racetrack, instead becoming a garage queen. The bike is entirely stock. Never safety wired, never put on the track.

This bike has been in our family for many years, it has been in storage and it’s time for me to let it go. The bike has new tires and a new battery. I put some fuel in it and it started right up, it sounds good and everything appears to function properly, ie. clutch, brakes, etc. The bike has normal wear and some minor fairing cracks, paint chips, etc. I can send additional photos of any area if needed.

I have a clear Virginia title in hand for the successful bidder!

So it sounds like the bike runs and has been fairly well maintained. It does look to be missing a mirror. Might want to get some more detail on that. Never been raced but does have quite a few miles on it. Certainly, 1 of 200 (I don’t know if I buy that it’s the first one- maybe someone can weigh in) is also rare. But, does all of that add up to BIN of $12,000?

The seller admits not much knowledge of worth and seems to have just picked a starting point ($8k). While it’s a cool ride, it’s not an OW01 or 02. I would argue those are more impressive and important machines, so maybe not a fair comparison. The other one posted here by Andrew doesn’t list a BIN or reserve, so hard to immediatley compare.

Bottom line: I do think this bike is cool, I don’t know if it should command the price of say a GSXR750LE. You may certainly disagree.

So while there may be debate on value, I see little debate on cool. Decide for yourself by checking this bike out.

-RN

This is a FZR600 Vance & Hines limited edition with 9,500 miles!  Located near Sacramento, California is a 1992 Yamaha FZR600 Vance & Hines limited edition #505 Of 600 with 9,500 original miles.  The seller states that this bike has been garaged kept and comes with a cover.  This bike looks to vary from stock in that it has color matched seats, purple exhaust/rear peg mounts, purple sprocket, smoked windscreen and polished lips on the wheels.  The asking price is $4,000 which isn’t outrageous if you’re looking for a LE FZR even though these are all cosmetic except for the Vance & Hines exhaust.  See the two other FZR600 V&H bikes we posted in the past here.  If you’re interested in this low mile FZR with period correct modifications, see the bike on Craigslist here.

AG

This is a ZX-7R with extremely low miles.  Located in Hopatcong, New Jersey is a 2000 Kawasaki Ninja ZX-7R with 400 original miles.  The bike has just been fully serviced with new spark plugs, fluid flush, carb clean, synch and jetted to match the Hindle titanium full system.  The bike comes with the original exhaust system too.  The seller mentions that the only modifications are the windscreen–very period–and the exhaust.  The asking price is $4,000–and I wouldn’t regret paying that for this bike at all.  The majority of these late ’90′s superbikes gained a lot of weight and the ZX-7R wasn’t an exception coming in at 448lbs.  However, regardless of weight, the bike still features a very good chassis and suspension set up.  The ZX-7R features fully adjustable front and rear suspension.  The weight penalty shows on the road during acceleration but, these bikes were designed to go racing and these Kawasaki’s did quite well during the 750cc period.  This is a fantastic example of the end of the ZX-7R line and would be a great addition to any garage.  See this bike on Craigslist here.  See more photos of the bike here.

AG