Posts by tag: Kawasaki

Kawasaki February 16, 2019 posted by Mike

Old School Awesome: 1982 Kawasaki GPz 750

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.

Old School Awesome: 1982 Kawasaki GPz 750 for sale on eBay

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.

From the seller:
1982 KAWASAKI GPZ 750 , I have the original stock seat and rear shocks, this bike runs like new, I Just installed Michelin Pilots front and rear, the bike has been freshly serviced and a Dyno Jet carburetor kit installed to enhance the Horse power with the period correct Bassani exhaust. The bike has been kept in doors it's whole life and has zero cosmetic issue's. It gets attention where ever I ride. they made this model only 1 year so these are very rare to be seen in show room condition.

I bought brand new spare brake pads, clutch kit, gaskets, spare starter motor etc . these are included in the sale. every thing electrical works perfectly, I just freshened up the battery with a Yuasa OEM original. so it's ready to ride from California to New York.

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. And this particular example is no garage queen - with 20k on the clocks (eBay advert lists 18k) this bike has been ridden. But there is life yet in that robust motor, and all the appeal of the "arrest me red" paint still applies. It may be on the far side of 30 something, but viscerally this bike still has all its mojo.

Located in the sunny state of California (which bodes very well for issues such as rust and corrosion), this 1982 GPz750 is looking for a new home. The paint looks good despite the age, and there have been few modifications. The aftermarket exhaust is not stock, but a Bassani is not the worst pipe you could image for this application. There are a number of spares that come along with the purchase, which is a good thing from a maintenance point of view. Parts are still readily available for the mechanicals, although cosmetic trim might be getting scarce. Fortunately, all of those pieces are still attached. Check it out here. If you are of a certain age, you KNOW you wanted one of these. Maybe you had one (lucky bastard), and now miss it. Was this the bike you regretted selling all those years ago? Jump over to the Comments section and share your stories. Good Luck!!

Kawasaki February 12, 2019 posted by Mike

Puffed Up: 1978 Kawasaki Z1-R TC

In the 1970s the Kawasaki Z1 was the big dog of the sporting world. Long in the tooth as the decade neared to a close (the Z1 platform was introduced way back in 1972), Kawasaki introduced an updated model - the Z1-R. Largely a warmed-over refresh rather than an all new design, the R model had the looks to help it along in the showroom, but lacked the technology, refinement and performance that competitors were offering. Enter a unique partnership between Alan Masek and his newly formed Turbo Cycle Company and Kawasaki. Masek was a former Kawasaki executive - and knew that the Z1-R was faltering in the showroom. That meant there was a stockpile of bikes that Kawasaki couldn't sell. By marrying these unsold units to an American Turbo Pak kit and selling the bikes through the dealership network, Kawasaki was able to put itself back into the horsepower game with relatively low risk. Thus the Z1-R TC was born.

1978 Kawasaki Z1-R TC for sale on eBay

Beneath the sticker kit, the TC model was all Z1-R. Same brakes, suspension, controls, engine and trans. Outside of the bolt-on turbo and boost gauge, wastegate and associated piping, there wasn't much else. Your $1,400 premium to the already expensive Z1-R bought you graphics and outrageous horsepower. And voided your warranty. And while the Z1 platform was robust for its time, the lack of any engine controls (no fuel injection, no rev limiter, etc) meant that you were only one missed shift away from mechanical catastrophe. Keep in mind that all other engine internals were shared with the standard Z1-R. Therefore it was suggested that new owners upgrade to stronger valve springs, weld the crank and upgrade the clutch if the bike were to be used aggressively. Did I mention it also voided the warranty?

From the seller:
This 1978 kawasaki Z1RTC bike is one of 220 made and sold through kawasaki dealers. This bike is in good original condition and has had several new oem parts. Bike has been stored in climate control house garage. Lights and turn signals horn and other electronics work including the fuel and amp gauge. This bike has not been repainted. Worse thing on it is the fuel tank does have some light few chips in the paint by the neck. The engine cases are the original ones for the bike. It does have brand new correct size tires on it. New battery also. It is ready to ride. The motor has been rebuilt with new gaskets, seals and new paint on the cases. They are the only thing that has been painted. Has correct gas valve and wind screen. The seat is in excellent shape and comes with the hard to find kicker, the rubber is there for it but I do not have the bracket to hold it. Brakes have been all rebuilt front and back with hard to find parts.the turbo is in excellent shape also.

The wild paint scheme you see here was introduced on the second generation of TC bikes. These are identified by the "Molly Designs" logo on the tail section. Numerous small upgrades were incorporated on the Gen II bikes, including an upgraded collector and exhaust system, and a factory-limited wastegate (now set at 6 PSI, rather than adjustable). This was all in the name of making the bike more rider friendly, and to aid in the ultimate longevity of the mechanicals. And while the TC was certainly fast, it was by no means a showroom winner. Sure, it gave Kawasaki street creds and horsepower bragging rights - but it was a "for experts only" motorcycle that commanded a serious premium. Many were pressed into service as drag bikes - and endured a difficult life full of breakages and modifications. Today finding a totally clean and stock Z1-R TC is a rare sight.

This particular 1978 Z1-R TC looks to be in pretty nice shape. Wearing original paint and still holding onto the stock boost gauge, decals and info plates, the bike looks very close to original. The engine has been gone through (not surprising given the age and the history of the model), but no information as to any potential internal upgrades (i.e. welded crank, etc). With fewer than 10,000 miles, this forty-something year old wonder is looking for a new home. This is an iconic motorcycle in the annals of turbo charging, as it was the first TC bike that was officially offered by a major manufacturer (even if it was a partnership and not a full fledged in-house model). Prices for these bikes continue to rise, given the rarity and importance of the model. This particular one jumped quickly above $12k - with more to come and reserve still in place. Check it out here, and then jump back to the comments and share your thoughts on turbos. Good Luck!!

Kawasaki January 20, 2019 posted by Aaron

Angry Ninja: 1993 Kawasaki ZX-7R M1

It's not that hard to come across clean Kawasaki ZX-7Rs these days, even after many of them were used and abused and thrown away. But this 1993 Kawasaki ZX-7R M1 is a lot more special. It's not quite an RR, but the M1 is an early homologation special of the ZX-7R, and it wears a plethora of very sexy race track-oriented bits. To wit: an aluminum gas tank, a rack of four 39mm flatslide carbs, adjustable suspension front and rear, an adjustable swingarm pivot and a close ratio gearbox. There's also a solo seat cowl to really hammer home the idea that this ain't your average street bike.

To take full advantage of the bike's potential, you needed to spring for the race kit, which would get the thing ready for whatever series you wanted to throw it at. With 121 horsepower at the crank pushing around about 440 pounds, the M1 was no slouch. This one has been in the care of a Kawi tech for the last decade, and he says he purchased it from his friend who is the original owner. He claims it has never been raced, and all 21,000 of its miles were racked up on the roads around Burnaby, BC, where it lives. It got an extensive going over last year, with a catalog of new parts listed below.

The bike is in beautiful condition, with the exception of a very scarce few blemishes.

From the eBay listing:

Motorcycle is a Canadian M1 model.
Originally purchased new from my local Kawasaki dealership, Burnaby Kawasaki in BC Canada, est. 1975.
Previous owner is a friend and I have always wanted my first love, a 1993 ZX7R M1.
I purchased the bike June 2009.

Currently has 37,385 kilometers / 23230 miles

Wheels do have some minor light scratches where balance weights were removed when changing tires in past. Front fairing, above headlights, where Kawasaki silver lettering / black decal has, small Nick in decal. See pics.

Two things are missing:
Bike is missing fuel filter bracket, I've never had it, didn't really bother me, but I ordered one last year, it never showed up. Bit disappointed. They are used ones out there.
The remote idle adjuster is bit shorter than the original. I do not know what happened to the original, I bought it like this, and again, never really bothered me. Its just short to reach the holder bracket.

All service work completed in 2018 by myself, factory Kawasaki trained tech.
All the fluids and oil filter have been changed.
Valve adjustment, shims changed as needed.
Carbs cleaned, adjusted as needed and synced. Bike runs great, see video of running operation, link below.
Brakes front and rear rebuilt, oem seals.
Fork seals replaced oem.
New sparkplugs.
New oem air filter.
New oem butt pad.
New brake pads and new oem brake rotors front and back.
Replaced the brake lines with spieglers, I do have the oem brake lines front and rear.
Zero Gravity tinted screen.
I do not have oem windscreen. These can be made to exact oem match by a company in Florida, www.bikescreen.com
New Michelin pilot tires with less than 300kms.
I do have the side fairing left and right side reflectors.
Two ignition keys plus the key code tag.
New chain and sprockets, went with blue chain, reminds me early 90's. Stock oem gearing.
New battery, new thermostat. New brake reservoirs. All the lights, speedo lights etc work, nothing burnt out. Charging system checked, ok.
Bike starts up, idles, operates properly. I do have video https://youtu.be/M0ofJBc2JXI

Call me if you have any questions, Jason @ 1-604-816- 2915 Try to call between 9am-10pm PST
Much appreciated.

Buyer is responsible for shipping. Bike is located in Vancouver, BC, Canada,
1 hour north of USA border.

Motorcycle is listed for sale locally as well, so auction can end anytime.

Since the bike is in Canada, it will take a little bit of paperwork for U.S. buyers to get it on the road, but for a bike this cool and in condition this nice, it should be worth the hassle.

Featured Listing December 4, 2018 posted by Aaron

Featured Listing: 1985 Kawasaki Ninja 600R

The seller of this early-run 1985 Kawasaki Ninja 600R recently completed a fastidious restoration of the bike, down to changing the aged rubber charcoal canister strap for an OEM replacement. He also sourced new gaskets for the anti-dive system in the forks, which took some parts hunting, elbow grease and careful planning. The forks got a new coat of paint and fresh seals when the rebuild was done.

1985 Kawasaki Ninja 600R for sale on eBay

The list goes on from there, including freshened carburetors and a couple invisible fairing repairs. The bike was evidently a solid rider before the current owner got ahold of it and made it into a running and riding museum piece. It has fewer than 7,000 miles on the odometer and was looked after properly over its life, so there shouldn't be much cause to worry about engine internals.

These bikes were far ahead of their time when they were launched, and forecasted aggressive riding positions, handling-friendly 16-inch wheels, full fairings and weight savings. By the time the Honda Hurricane came along two years later, Kawasaki was already preparing to refresh the Ninja 600R. The early bikes, known as the GPZ600R in other markets, pushed out about 75 horsepower (some say 76), which was good for 135 mph. The engines responded to revs, and contemporary reviewers said the bikes felt a little flat until the party got going around 8,000 rpm. Keep the engine on the boil, though, and the 600R would sing, and was nimble, if not totally sure-footed, on the tiny 16-inch tires.

From the eBay listing:

Completely original 1985 Kawasaki Ninja ZX600A California.
This is the first year of the Ninja, this model is a first run #2460 made 12/84. It has just 6610 miles. It was purchased in California by the first owner (it has the CA vent box) . I am the second owner and have put no miles on the bike other than test rides.
This is a rare bike in original/collector condition. No resto-queen here, this is the real deal. You are not likely to find another in this condition, and if you do you'll be faced with a great deal of work to get it into this ready to ride condition.
The bike starts and runs beautifully. I wouldn't make it a daily rider, but if you're a collector that likes to run your bikes - this is the one.
I found the bike in great condition, as the previous owner was an older rider who used the bike as a commuter and always stored it inside with proper storage habits.
The bike is in 99.9% original condition, with all original parts or updated OEM parts. It is the perfect survivor, the perfect collector (all original parts that were replaced are included).
This is my 4th nut-and-bolt restoration in the last 10 years (and likely my last). I’m moving to custom builds from here on out. In some ways it was the hardest restoration I’ve done, as I felt it was very important to keep the bike absolutely original and to be non-destructive instead of trying to reach “perfection”. I believe I’ve succeeded to the best of the situation – the following items have been addressed:
Fairing repair:
The previous owner dropped the bike in his garage, resulting in a the left turn signal hitting the wall, causing a silver dollar sized series of cracks around the mounting hole. The previous owner repaired the damage, but it was simply glued and the cracks were still visible.
I carefully grooved the cracks and seams, filled and repaired things properly with a professional plastic welding solution, I filled the area with vinyl body filler and sanded all things smooth.
It was professionally painted (only on the repaired spot) with perfectly matched paint and then clear coated to blend, and properly buffed. It is impossible to see the repair – except on the inside where you may see the weld seams when the fairing is off.
A similar process was followed on the nose cone, where a couple of scratches and rock dings necessitated proper attention. This repair is impossible to see as well.
Tank:
First, the tank has a very small, dime-sized impression on the back/top/left side (see photos) and the blue ring has age cracks (normal for an original bike of this age).
I have replaced the cap and repainted the outer cap ring (old parts included and in near perfect shape). I have also sourced and replaced an EOM fuel-level sending unit from England, as the old one failed due to corrosion.
The tank was fairly clean on the inside, but it was beginning to gather some rust on the surface. It was cleaned with muriatic acid and flushed, but still needed further cleaning – so I recently did a round with OTC rust remover. It’s very clean now.
New OEM petcock was installed as the original was beyond repair.
Forks:
If you are at all familiar with these bikes you know that they included a very complicated anti-dive system (known as ADVS) that used the front brake fluid pressure to dynamically control the compression dampening.
Great idea, but it was prone to leaking and corrosion over time - as there were many rubber parts inside. It is very common for the piston to corrode and leak out onto the fork – as was the case on the left fork of this bike.
As with the fairing, I carefully matched and repaired the paint on the fork, clear coated it, and completely overhauled the ADVS and fork seals with all new rubber (which is not easy to source BTW – OEM parts were found in England and Japan).
Everything was properly painted and overhauled – and all original fork stickers unaffected by the repairs. It is impossible to see the repair.
Brakes:
Just like all the other rubber on this bike, the brake calipers and levers were completely dried out and either seized or leaking.
I sourced all of the proper OEM seals for the calipers and primary/secondary cylinders and overhauled all, repainting a couple of items that showed corrosion.
The rotors were repainted and surfaces sanded and scuffed. Everything looks like new. New brake OEM brake pads have been installed on all three brakes as well (see photos).
Carbs:
The carbs were actually in perfect condition – but just like everything else, the rubber was dry. So, all new rubber gaskets were installed, and new fuel lines (I have placed a filter in-line as an insurance policy – not stock).
Misc:
Plugs, oil, filter, battery, chain, new charcoal box rubber strap (OEM), windscreen is original – outer face was sanded and polished, windscreen trim tabs replaced (OEM), etc. – no detail left out, all parts OEM.
Any small rust/dings were eraser sanded and airbrushed or spot brushed with the correct paint. These repairs are also impossible to see.
As you can see by the photos, everything on this bike is in great shape and very clean. It’s hard to believe a bike this old can still look this clean and perfect under the hood after all these years. It was a bit dusty, so I’ve cleaned literally every nook and cranny on the bike – including the entire motor (which was cleaned with bio-degreaser and toothbrush).
Please feel free to message me with any questions.

If the description doesn't convince you, the pictures will. If you're looking for a pristine version of the ancestor of modern sport bikes, look no further.

Featured Listing: 1985 Kawasaki Ninja 600R

Kawasaki November 24, 2018 posted by Aaron

Green Machine: 1991 Kawasaki ZX7R-K

Kawasaki built the ZX7 line for what seems like the last third of the last millennium, ending its run with a reputation for being smooth, comfortable and reliable, but behind its 750cc-class competitors as a track bike. The reputation gained by the later bikes belies the roots laid by the 1991 Kawasaki ZX-7RK. An out-of-the-box racer, the K bikes had 39mm Keihin flatslides, a single seat subframe and adjustable suspension and were a little more than 10 pounds lighter than the standard bikes.

1991 Kawasaki ZX7-RK for sale on eBay

This example looks very well kept, and the odometer shows fewer than 6,000 miles. The pictures leave some detail to be desired, but the fairings appear to be blemish free and the running gear is used, but not filthy. It has an aftermarket Muzzy pipe, but the ad doesn't mention whether the stock piece is available.

From the eBay listing:

1992 zx7r-k model for sale. Very low miles, very nice condition!! Have not seen another one in as nice of condition ever! No scratches, no seat wear, never dropped, abused or raced since owned by me. Bought bike in 06 with 3,500 miles and been in heated garage ever since. Just had carbs rebuilt and tuned.....bike runs amazing! Will not disappoint! $500.00 non-refundable deposit.

The buy-it-now is set at $9,000, steep for a used sportbike, but the K bikes are rare as hen's teeth, and a cool alternative to the more numerous GSXRs and CBRs.

Kawasaki September 25, 2018 posted by Aaron

Superbike gold: 1983 Kawasaki KZ-1000R Eddie Lawson Replica

Before he ripped his way to four 500cc Grand Prix World Championships, Eddie Lawson had become a hero to legions of American kids on the back of his lime green and electric blue AMA Superbike Kawasaki KZ1000Rs. The series was huge at the time, with riders pulling down proper pro athlete salaries, and the street replicas of Eddie's bike were the top of the street bike heap in their heyday.

1983 Kawasaki KZ1000R ELR for sale on eBay

This 1983 Kawasaki KZ1000R Eddie Lawson Replica is an unrestored original, which is insane given how nice it is. Sure, it carries some patina here and there, but it's an honest, well-cared-for rider, and the all-important green-white-blue paint scheme looks flawless. It also comes with the original owner's manual and tool kit, and an extra set of original wheels, which are, as you might imagine, nigh on impossible to get.

Remarkably, the bike has just over 10,000 miles on it, which means it spent most of its time waiting for the right moment to rip. According to the seller, everything, from the electronics to the drivetrain to the brakes, works as it should. We'd expect nothing less given the condition of the rest of the bike, but the assurance is a nice bonus.

From the eBay listing:

Really nice example of a 1983 Kawasaki Eddie Lawson replica. ELR. This bike has spent most of it's life in storage. Only 10,974 original miles in 35 years. The extra set of wheels was picked up years ago, and are included with the bike. The owners manual and tool kit are also included. This is a rare bike. It has a clean Indiana title. The bike starts, runs, shifts, and rides great. The gas tank is clean. The brakes and all the electrical work fine. The Dunlop tires only have a few miles on them. This motorcycle sounds incredible. This bike is ready to ride right now. They are only original once. You can restore it or have one of the few originals left. Local pickup only. We will assist in loading it on your truck. Buyer will be responsible for all shipping arrangements. Thank you for looking.

Given this bike's rarity, originality, condition and position among the elites of AMA Superbike lore, the $18,500 buy-it-now isn't half bad. There are fewer of these around every year, and they won't get any less desirable.