Other manufacturers had to scramble a bit when Suzuki pulled the rug out from under them with their thoroughly modern GSX-R750. But they recovered quickly, and the Seven-Fifty Wars of the late 1980’s and 1990’s produced some terrific motorcycles like this Kawasaki ZX-7 that have been neglected for a long time. They weren’t particularly rare when new, but very few nice examples survive today, and interest is picking up, along with prices.
Kawasaki’s ZX-7 was powered by a 749cc, liquid-cooled inline four that made 105hp. With a top speed of over 150, it was in the hunt, with very little between it, the GSX-R, and the FZR in terms of performance, although the Kawasaki was well known for its stability, front-end feel, good riding position, and strong braking.
With prices for all 80’s/90’s sportbikes on the rise, good examples are in demand, and this one is claimed to be in terrific shape.
From the original eBay listing: 1989 Kawasaki ZX7 for Sale
FULLY RESTORED and RARE! Super clean condition, current registration for 1 year, I even have the original owners manual. I recently had this professionally serviced and changed a few things:
New Michelin front and rear tires, New Battery, Rebuilt the carbs, new spark plugs, had a valve adjustment, oil and coolant change, lubed the chain & chassis, changed brake fluids & air filter, changed fork seals, changed temperature sensor, changed radiator fan, and replaced a few hoses and clamps. (work cost me over $2000 but worth every penny since this bike rides amazing!)
Bike has 25,000 miles and it runs like a champ. Very solid bike, original and in great condition. This is an amazing bike to add to your bike collection. Very few of them in the USA.
Alright, as far as I’m concerned, this bike is pretty clean. But fully restored? “You keep using that word. I do not think it means what you think it means…” Note the missing and off-colored fasteners, and the scuff on the tail. The flush-mount signals are at least relatively un-tacky, although obviously not original.
With no bidders yet at $6,000 and just about 24 hours left on the auction, I think this seller isn’t way off the mark, but needs to lower his expectations somewhat. Or maybe get a set of hex-screws that are all the same color so he can at least pretend the bike’s had sympathetic maintenance.
-tad
lesson – when someone says fully restored, take a good look…oem things like turn signals dont seem to be in place, also there seems to be a lot of non-oem frame and swingarm polishing going on. ALso whats up with the blue bar ends?
Also, as a note to tad, I say the following:
Vizzini: HE DIDN’T FALL? INCONCEIVABLE.
Inigo Montoya: You keep using that word. I do not think it means what you think it means.
Interesting that it has a salvage title. I wonder why there is no mention of that minor detail in the description.? Laughable.
The tank sticker is also wrong. Original was blue lettering with white border. Fairing upper has stickers from the ’90 model. Frame polishing, wheel polishing, fasteners all wrong. This one’s a mutt.
I wouldn’t discount the bike because of a polished frame or fairing probolts. If it’s solid mechanically and 90%complete, it’s worth a look. I think the first generation zx7″s are underpriced and a collectible bike. You don’t see many in good shape these days.
I agree with everyone else. It’s not restored as much modded to the owners taste. You can’t unpolish a frame, swingers, forks, etc. It’s worth a look to just ride around, for like $2500. To get the money he wants, the more original the better, which this isn’t. Best of luck to seller.
Not an accurate description from the seller. Incorrect stickers on front fairing, tank and rear fairing. ’90 model had the green mirrors. Says fully restored but only changed ‘some’ hoses and clamps. I’d be very wary of this one.
“Modded” would be a far more accurate term here. If I’m looking at a “restored” bike, then I’m looking at a machine that has been brought back to factory OEM condition, not one that has had the fender chopped (try getting a replacement one of those, and why do people butcher their bikes like this anyway…?), the frame, swing arm and wheels polished to within an inches of life. Tell him he’s dreaming!
Tank paint was also not done correctly.
so – is it worth turning into a vintage racer? if so, what’s a fair price to do that?
Randy has got it right! As a collector-once the frame is polished–forget it.
If you can believe it, he dropped the price. I saw it on CL for 7500 last week or so I think. Obviously a little out of touch with reality.
“Restored”? More like “rebuilt”. Salvage title says it was wrecked and put back together with many incorrect (possibly aftermarket) parts. $6K? Keep dreamin’. I’ll give $3k for it, not a penny more.
This bike is worth $2500 max.
pretty sure the seller will be holding on to it for those numbers, gl finding a decent one for 3 grand let us know how it goes
I asked the seller on eBay if the bike had been repainted… He said no. I’d be steering well clear.