Crazy Price for 79 MKII on eBay!!

MKII on eBay


Wow, this price is out of hand. My bike looked just like this when I started customizing it in 1988. Too bad I repainted it - that decision still haunts me to this day.

I just noticed a major issue with this bike - the speedo isn't original!! The 79MKII had a scale with kph also, just underneath the mph. Maybe the mileage isn't even correct on this bike?

I thought the paint looked like it had been redone too, so I asked the owner about it. All he could tell me as "They came in blue with gold/white pinstripes and with dark red with gold/white pinstripes. I don't know if this is the original paint. Thanks.".

Not very reassuring...

I think that's about the usual for a nice MKII.
Arn't they only a 2 year production run? '79 and '80?
I'd love to score one.

European buyers have brought the prices up as well.

The speedo could be different depending on the area it was originally sold in.
I've seen US built bikes with just miles on the speedo and some with both, as well as Canadian models with just KMS and some with both KMS and miles.

Oh, no matter the inconsistencies, I suspect that he'll get that amount and more...A3 and A4's bring top dollar:blink: and if it is a repaint, it is a top-notch job...which shouldn't detract from the value.

The backfiring and smoke might stop after running it for several hundred miles after the valve seals soften and the springs and rings work themselves.

Yeah, right :laugh:

steell wrote:

The backfiring and smoke might stop after running it for several hundred miles after the valve seals soften and the springs and rings work themselves.

Yeah, right :laugh:

Yeah, I didn't even mention that part! I think I bid about $1000 for it since the motor needs rebuilt!

A little pet peave of mine - the "MKII" was actually only built for one year, 1979. The 1980 model wasn't technically a MKII and didn't have that name on the sidecover. That being said, it was almost identical to the 79 model.

If you're going to look at a 2 year run as being rare, how about the 77 and 78 A models? Only a 2 year run there too. I'm not sure whey the MKII is so collectable but the price is sure up there. Everytime I see one go for top dollar I kick myself for modifying mine, especially that factory paint....

79MKII wrote:

If you're going to look at a 2 year run as being rare, how about the 77 and 78 A models?

1977 KZ1000A1: about 32,000 produced
1978 KZ1000A2: about 13,000 produced

1979 KZ1000A3: about 4500 produced
1980 KZ1000A4: about 4000 produced

so, it becomes a function of abundance:)

I bought my mk2 over the phone for 600 dollars. The guy said it was a 1978 KZ1000. I drove all the way to Edmonton (11 hours one way)to pick it up and that's what I ended up with. A 1979 mk2. Complete with spare red tank, side covers and tail section, gauges and one wheel.
The guy that owned it got it from his dad, who owned it since way back when. Because the manufacture date on the data plate said it was made in 1978, It was always registered as a 1978. I still have it registered as a 1978 model. That was easier than trying to explain why it was a 1979 model and the confusion that could possibly ensue.

Yea for sure the sppeedo is not original, but it looks original paint. As mentioned MKII was only 1979 with the MKII badging in blue or red, then in 1980 it was just considered the KZ1000A4 standard that shared the MKII styling. I saw the motorcycle bid up to $3550 with reserve not met a couple days back and was pretty surprised. Here's mine I got in 1983 for $2000, and I was smart enough to *not* fool with the paint. :laugh:

Mcdroid - wow, if those numbers are correct they really are rare. I didn't realize the production numbers were so low. I guess everyone was buying up the LTD models back then.


Tony - that's a great story and what a steal!! Glad to hear you got a good deal and still have the bike.

RonKZ650 - thanks for paint comment!:laugh: :laugh: As if I didn't feel bad enough already.

79MKII wrote:

RonKZ650 - thanks for paint comment!:laugh: :laugh: As if I didn't feel bad enough already.

It's his yob mon.

$5800 and climbing...

They are getting really scarce as well as the a2a model. I had an a2a back in 97-98 that I got from the orig. owner for $1000. It was stolen and wrecked. I have been looking for another one since and have only found one around here. It was in the middle of Idaho (nowhere) and the guy wanted $1500 for it. It looked like it had been sitting in a feild for 20 years or so. Thinking back I should have snatched it up. BTW Tony I'll still give you $700 for yours. :laugh: Oh wait you are building the motor-how about $800?