Question: Sell whole or part out?

Hey I’d like some feedback from you guys if you care to share it. I have a 1976 KZ-900 that has been a project of mine for many years. I set out to do a complete restoration/customization and ended up with a pretty decent bike. The frame has been powdercoated and it has new tires, brakes and the forks are completely redone with new progressive springs. The engine was completely dis-assembled and gone thru with new clutch plates/springs installed and the crankshaft was welded. The cylinder head was ported and new valves, springs guides and seals were installed. As I posted here last summer, I had one bad mishap when the performance cams I installed caused the valves to hit the pistons. This resulted in piston damage and the engine losing compression. I took the top end off and installed a different cylinder block with stock (used) pistons and stock camshafts and re-assembled it. Now it seems to run fine with good compression so at least the valves weren't damaged. Also, this bike has a nice new Kerker exhaust, a set of 29mm smoothbores, and a completely new Dyna ignition set including coils.

Anyway, I have taken it on a few rides and it seems to do fine, (aside from one very small annoying oil leak from the cam cap) but I think I am ready to part with it. So the question is: should I try to sell it whole as a running bike or should I part it out? Which would get me the most money? I am willing to wait until Spring – no rush.

Sell it outright. There are enough parts for the bikes that need them. Keep her alive. These bikes are getting harder to find being the age they are.

Just my 2 cents

What is a fair price to ask, do you think?

3k or better.
That bike is in fine shape,and very clean!

And why you want to sell it is beyond me...wow!:ohmy:

I have to agree with Sandy 3 grand plus in the spring should be no problem. The exhaust and the carbs are worth a grand by themselves. The ignition and coils cost another $300.00. Anyone familiar with these bikes would not have any problem paying 3K plus for that bike.

Scoot Jockey wrote:

What is a fair price to ask, do you think?

I think many of us on this site hate to see perfectly good bikes get parted-out. The real question to you is what do you expect to get out of the sale of the bike? If you expect to recoup some of your investment, then you may want to part the bike...additionally, does the bike have the correct motor numbers for the frame...if so, that will inflate the value some...if not, then that supports parting the bike...there are a number of issues that could support either route. Are you capable of gutting your baby?

Those carbs are junk. I'll give you $100 for them and if that ugly black exhaust is in your way I'll pay for shipping to take it off your hands.

would deffinatly sell whole that bike looks in better shape than my 1000 and i gave about 2500 for it but if you do decide to part out that black kerker would be a great replacement for the chrome one i got now

Parting it out would bring you the most $$$, but at a large cost of time and labor. And then there's all the eBay and PayPal fees that come out of the selling price. Taking all that into account, selling it as a complete bike would be my preference.

and somebody in kz land gets a decent bike there are to many bikes that get hacked up as it is i like to resurect the dead and besides you can give him a free membership to kzr

timebomb33 wrote:

and somebody in kz land gets a decent bike there are to many bikes that get hacked up as it is i like to resurect the dead and besides you can give him a free membership to kzr

I could'nt have said it better myself.

Have to agree with others here...

One being the bike looks clean and why sell her is beyond our comprehension but it is your bike to do with it as you please.

As mentioned, parting out will probably gain you a little extra but not without you having to disassemble and ship so it may be a wash regarding costs. With stock components back in the bike, it's not going to gain you that much.

Then there's what do you do with the parts left over that don't sell... Keep them for years? Naw, I don't think so.

Best bet is to sell complete thus giving some poor sole who has been waiting years for a KZ. Someone who will appreciate the beauty of these magnificent old machines.
Someone who hopefully will respect her and keep her going another 30 years...

$3k for a 30 year old bike ain't a bad investment...

Just my worthless 2 cents worth...

OMR