A new-to-you classic sportbike often means wading through multiple previous owner’s improvements and mishaps. Not this time, as the 1991 ZX-7 presented here looks un-modified and never down.
1991 Kawasaki ZX-7 Ninja for sale on eBay
The industry had been expecting the EU to declare 100 hp a street-wise maximum, and tuned a lot of engines into conformance. Not a bad thing for a road rider, since the torque numbers were excellent. Most of the ZX-7’s innovations came in the original ’89, but the 1991 model came with 43mm upside-down forks, and using the engine as a stressed member made the chassis lighter and more rigid. New then was a curved radiator, which saved frontal area but still had the volume to cool the 750. Several liveries were available but the green / white / blue is instantly recognizable from the AMA superbike days.
This St. Pete owner came upon this ZX-7 when it was only ten years old, and evidently continued riding carefully. The tail tidy, low-profile signals, and blue windscreen are entirely normal, but the lack of any apparent rash and the factory muffler are pretty unusual. After a time in the garage, some return to duty maintenance is expected, as noted in the eBay auction:
A very rare and collectible ZX-7 Ninja. The last time it was ridden was 2 years ago and at that point it ran great. The bike has been covered in my garage. It has been an amazing bike for me. It needs the regular maintenance a bike that hasn’t been ridden would need to get it in great running condition. I’ve owned the bike for 20 years.
Though a first-year H-model or race homologation K would be more collectible, the J has a nice set of updates and weight savings. With race kit and Muzzy prep, the ZX-7’s went on to multiple crowns on several continents, making that green a key color to fans worldwide. For a rider not quite ready to take a more rare bike on a trip or park it at a cruise night, this example might be a good choice.
-donn
Beautiful bike. Unfortunately, looking at the mount on the frame for the steering damper, it has been down. Fairly big indent in the frame. If someone is interested, you should ask some questions.
Good catch, I was too busy staring at the rest of the bike and missed that Joe. Shame. But other than that seems to be a nice example. Prices on ZX7s, especially in green for us middle aged Scott Russell/ Doug Chandler Muzzy fanboys, were already climbing pre Covid. Now they are just silly.
I was fortunate enough to pick up my all original low mileage 91 J model over 5 years ago before the prices started going crazy. I could not justify purchasing any of the bikes I have with the prices in this current market.