1982 Kawasaki GPz750

1982 Kawasaki GPz750
Miles: 4,200
Second Owner
Clean AZ Title
Bid at post: $2,200
Auction ends: Oct 21

Straight from BaT
This 1982 Kawasaki GPz750 remained with its original owner in Colorado for approximately 27 years before the seller acquired it in 2009, and it now shows 4,200 miles. Power is provided by a 738cc DOHC inline-four mated to a five-speed transmission, and the bike is finished in red with black and silver stripes. It features an air-assisted fork, seven-spoke alloy wheels, triple-disc brakes, a quartet of Mikuni carburetors, and a black-finished four-into-two exhuast system. Additional equipment includes a quarter fairing with a tinted flyscreen as well as a black vinyl two-up seat, a digital fuel-level gauge, and both center and side stands. Work in preparation for the sale involved replacing the battery and spark plugs. This GPz750 is now offered at no reserve with an owner’s manual, a tool kit, service records, and a clean Arizona title in the seller’s name… along with a copy of a March 1982 Cycle World article featuring the model.

Listing Details

• Chassis: JKAKZDR16CA001583
• 4,200 Miles Shown
• Air-Cooled 738cc DOHC Inline-Four
• Five-Speed Transmission
• Red Paint w/Black & Silver Stripes
• 19″ & 18″ Seven-Spoke Alloy Wheels
• Air-Assisted Fork
• Triple-Disc Brakes
• Black Vinyl Two-Up Seat
• Quarter Fairing w/Tinted Flyscreen
• Four Mikuni Carburetors
• Black-Finished 4-Into-2 Exhaust
• Center & Side Stands
• Owner’s Manual & Tool Kit

RSBFS
At first glance I thought, “oh, another red and black GPz. We’ve seen a bunch of these.” And that is true. But most have been 1984 and 1985. This is only the second 1982 GPz750 that has graced our site in over 15 years.

Mike covered that ’82 GPz back in 2019 and below is his review.

“There comes a point and time when nearly everything becomes valued – nostalgically if not financially. Such just might be the case with today’s find, a cherry 1982 Kawasaki GPz750. In the early 1980s the GPz was generally a top-dog kind of sport bike. Pitted against Honda’s CB and Suzuki’s GS models, the GPz looked and acted like a sportbike. With an air cooled inline four, double overhead cams and a brace of Mikuni constant velocity carbs, the 750 could pump out 80 HP – good for nipping into the 11s in the 1/4 mile. By today’s standards this is all relatively tame – and old tech such as air cooling, carburetors and twin shocks seems laughable. But it was good enough to put a young fellow by the name of Wayne Rainey on the top step of the AMA Superbike championship on a Muzzy-prepped bike and cement the GPz as a sporting weapon with serious intent.

1982 was the first year of the 750, as both the GPz550 and GPz1100 were introduced a year earlier. 1982 was also a bit of a one year only model, based on the older architecture. Follow on years found a revised fairing setup (from quarter fairing to half), as well as the introduction to Uni-Trak, Kawasaki’s rising rate linkage, single rear shock setup. Fuel injection was also on the horizon (the 1100 introduced it to the series), but liquid cooling would have to wait for the introduction of the revolutionary Ninja model. So while one can view the GPz as a mass-produced motorcycle and therefore likely never to become truly rare, the combination of a one year only configuration and the survivor status does elevate this one into something worth considering.

Most GPzs have lived multiple lives. Purchased new by aggressive riders, many found their way to the racetrack in amateur and privateer formats. Those that stayed on the streets passed through a few owners, with the price likely dropping with each change. That quickly put these bikes into the financial reach of younger riders, driving up insurance rates everywhere. Not all were flogged and forgotten, but enough were to make finding a good example difficult today.”

Then we were flooded with comments. This bike really stirred up some nostalgia.

Ed Harty chimed in, “Amazing how prolific were the Japanese with new models in the early 1980’s, new models almost every year. Perhaps it was the golden age of the industry. Great to see a well preserved model from this time. Bikes from this era are virtually non-existent here in Australia, most examples are US imports.”

Richard Pattison also noted, “These bike are so comfortable and easy to ride compared to today’s bikes. Not hyper fast but still thrilling and nostalgic to ride. I have a perfect condition 81 550 that is bone stock and unrestored right down to the original tires and break-in sticker on the tach. Less than 2,400 miles too. Every time I walk by it I just smile.”

Gary boldy stated, “In my opinion, this was the bike that started the super bike craze”

Though only 5 years have passed, a lot has changed since 2019. I’m curious to hear some thoughts on this bike for sale in today’s market. How do you see the GPz750 fitting into sportbike history? Did it start the craze? Would you love to ride one today? Or would you consider it ‘furniture’ as Aaron often remarks?

Check out the BaT listing for many, many more photos. This survivor has low miles and looks to be in great shape.

Good luck to the buyer and seller!