to buy or not?

Ok, so I have a line on a new to me bike. It is a 1979 kz1000 the guy is asking $300, but he really just want's it gone. It is a basket case, but supposedly all there except for some bits that the PO was going to replace, like the spokes, which were cut. He says the motor and frame were sand blasted (the motor was blasted assembled, and I know that is dangerous). The frame is in primer.

So what do you all think? I don't really want to part out a bike that I don't need parts from for one of my projects (I would really like to part out a 1990 zx750)... but with spring around the corner, I am thinking of buying it piecing it back together and flipping is, but if something as simple as the coils are missing or shot the price of the rebuild could quickly surpass the cost of rebuilding it.

SO what do you all think? I am on the fence here (I just bought a Winchester model 70 in 300 win-mag and I am about out of play money).

You crazy? Buy it! Could be a build, lots of spares or part out. Either way, offer him $200.00 and if you don't use it right away just sit on it until you decide what to do with it.

I'd do it! Even though you don't want to, you can piece it out if all else fails but you can take your time to find and buy any parts you find you need. This way you won't end up paying too high a price for them. Time is on your side with this one.

Ha, one thing I forgot to point out, time is not on my side. Either way (parted or built) it would need to be gone come spring. I currently live in an apartment, my workspace is in my livingroom

If I build it I would feel the need to add new brake lines (100), chain and sprockets (100), and at least change the fluid in the forks... it would also either need a set of rims or new spokes and turing(100). I could rattle can the paint when the weather breaks up here.

If I get lucky and get away with building it for like $500 + $200 to buy it, what will I get for it in Spring? $1,000?

Every time I buy a used bike, even a complete and running bike, it still usually costs me over $1000 to bring it up to standards.

Then there's my ingrained dislike of leaving any bike stock.

Case in point, currently I have a ZX11 that I bought recently, and it "only needed carbs cleaned". New bodywork, new Kandy Burple paint, new smoke windshield, new tires, convert to Zx9 wheels, convert to coil on plug, convert to EFI, replace exhaust system with Muzzy Titanium, and I'm determined to have it done by May 15th.

I'd have 5 years and $10,000 in a bike in the box :woohoo:


That's why I have close to $4,000 into a 79 750 twin that might bring $1500 on a good day. :dry:

Just can't help it.

If you don't buy it, help a brother out who's looking for another project. Friends don't let friends not buy $300 Kz1000's....

One thing, there were no spokes used on KZ1000s in 1979 so most likely it's a 1978 or earlier. Can't go too wrong at $300 either way.

If it's a 79 MKll the crankcases alone are worth the $300 and you can get that and more for the crank...

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i have mag wheels for you rocco if you ever get back to ny.

sorry, i just can't resist.
buy it, build it.
more go fast parts for a 1000 than a 650. :woohoo:

With the KZX800 project moving forward (slowly) I honestly don't need another money pit bike for myself.

But I think I will call him back on payday. I might as well buy it and see what it needs, worse case I can part it and come out with some extra $$.

I'd defiantly buy it. Hell it's going to cost me $300 to fix my clutch fiasco.