'82 KZ550 LTD

Hi, I am brand new to the site, and have a couple questions. I don't own a KZ bike yet, but have the opportunity to buy a 1982 KZ550 LTD for $650. I looked on Kelly Blue Book to see what the bike was valued at for excellent condition, and found it said about $830. This bike has about 23K miles on it, which is a bit high, but from what I have seen on the forums, these engines can last quite a bit longer than that. The bike itself has a bit of cosmetic issues, having been dumped a time or two. There are some scratches on the engine guards, a droopy rear signal, and rust spots on a bit of the chrome, especially on the front of the bike. The paint on the body of the bike, however, is in good shape, only with a scuff or two that could be buffed out fairly easily. Having gone and looked at the bike, it seems to run well. A little finicky starting up, but once it runs, it runs, and picks up really quick. Each time the gear is shifted there is a rattle/tapping noise that I am almost certain is due to the chain being slightly loose. The guy selling it says he hasn't tried to tighten the chain because he knows it needs some give in it, and doesn't want to damage anything. My question is concerning the value of the bike.

Is it worth the $650 that I can get it for?

My other option is being forced to by a 1985 Honda Rebel CMX250 from my dad, which is in comparable shape. I have ridden that bike for quite some time, and am aching for something with more power between my legs.

I appreciate any help that is given.

Thanks


C. Tupper
Spokane, Wa
Potential owner of a 1982 KZ550 Ltd

I would say go get it. Dont spend any more time riding around town on a little Rebel. Any problems with a KZ, these guys here can help you fix.

You could buy the Rebel and unload it on eBay for a profit. Use the Cash to pay for the 550... The Honda Rebels seem to be commanding a ridiculous price.

cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Honda-Rebel-
CMX250-250-REBEL-1985-HONDA-CMX250-250-
REBEL_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQcategoryZ50007QQihZ018QQitem
Z280008873839QQrdZ1


well I tried to post a link!!!:silly:

Post edited by: tganek, at: 2006/07/24 16:54

tganek wrote:

You could buy the Rebel and unload it on eBay for a profit.

That might not be a bad idea.... Rebels must be popular because they look (sorta) like the bigger cruisers, but without the weight and price. Good for getting a motorcycle license.

C. Tupper- do you call your clothes "Tupperware"? Haha, bet you never heard that before, huh?

Most of the members here use the old 1$/cc rule. So a running 550 should be worth $550. I think that's a minimum starting point, then you get to add or subtract, depending on the good or bad things you see.


$650 for a strong running 550LTD sounds like a fair deal. Just be sure you're OK with the unusual engine noises you hear. The chain should have SOME slack in it. You should be able to move it about an inch (bottom to top) when you push it up and down. It will be looser in some spots than others, so you have to move the bike some to try the chain in different positions. If the PO has been running with a ton of slack, it's bad for the chain, and the sprockets.

go for it
i got a kz550a or b in the spring for 600$ put 2 new tires on it and did the usual stuff and took a 525 mile
ride 2 weekends ago
deep down inside you know you want the kz

go for it
i got a kz550a or b in the spring for 600$ put 2 new tires on it and did the usual stuff and took a 525 mile
ride 2 weekends ago
deep down inside you know you want the kz

go for it
i got a kz550a or b in the spring for 600$ put 2 new tires on it and did the usual stuff and took a 525 mile
ride 2 weekends ago
deep down inside you know you want the kz

sorry but the $1 a cc rule is kind of out dated these days.

With gas prices soaring and more people looking for bikes, the prices of even the older bikes have gone up accordingly.
$1.25 to $1.50 a cc would be a more realistic view - depending on location of course. Major metropolitan areas will usually be more than rural areas - the coasts are usually higher than the middle of the country....
it boils down to supply, demand, & location.

as an example - i paid $500 for my 550 two years ago - could easily get about $1000 for it today - and i live in a more rural area in central Wisconsin.

Post edited by: heartless, at: 2006/07/29 09:21

I would agree with heartless on this. In todays market I think a running bike that is in good shape and clean title, should easily be worth $1000. I know many guys get the proverbiable "deal of a lifetime", and some guys seem to get bikes given to them for free, but most of us have to buy them and the market today is getting better for good gas mileage machines. By the way, a lot of 550's are getting over 50-55 mpg, so go for it.

I say buy it. It sounds like a good fixer upper. A Rebel is ok,(It IS a motorcycle) but the KZ is cool IMO. It's funny about prices, the guy at the Kaw cycle shop where I got mine inspected said a decent jap bike goes $2000 easy around here, which I thought was pretty high. Maybe thats what THEY sell them for huh? I see them for plenty less. Good luck on it and be careful no matter what you get ok?

I say go for it too. I paid US$1,500 for my KZ1000 but liked the KZ550 so well I couldn't part with it. The hardest part for me is deciding each morning which bike I should ride.
It's not like having two wives, I just chose whatever bike I feel like riding in the morning:laugh: