Opinion Question on Value?!

I'm in the middle of a decision on whether or not to buy another motorcycle..... Tough I know, right? What I do know is it is a 1982 KZ1000 CSR with around 12k miles on it. Project bike, no side covers, missing tank emblems. Lots of dust on the bike from what I've seen in pictures and hasn't been inspected or registered since 2005. Haven't seen in person to check the condition of the tank and other odds and ends yet..... but long story short the seller is firm at 800. I have first dibs before the next person in line.

So Worth it?

If everything important is there and the motor turns, the price is probably right based on what I've seen on craigslist in my area. I don't think it's a steal, but you wouldn't be getting screwed. Here are the NADA values based on condition for that year and model:

Excellent $3,465
Very Good $2,270
Good $1,375
Fair $1,065
Poor N/A

Been burned on those 81 and newer bikes. Unless its running you don't know what you have. I don't think a common bike that isn't a pristine original is going to fetch over $1500 running and driving. Its easy to put more then that into starting from $800

PICs are a bad representation of a bike. Do you have, or have you HAD "eyes on"? If not, go take a look and trust your gut. If YOU think it's worth it, I look forward to reading your next post. Many times, when you're on-site, looking at the bike, the price is negotiable. You'll know by reading the guy. Cash talks... C-notes, even more!

Oh, and take a working battery plus a compression tester with you. These are the 2 things I try not to forget... no kick on these bikes.

I'd put a battery in it and do a compression check before I put my money down.

If the compression is right (consistently high) and everything is there, airbox, aluminum covers, etc., his price is fair.

It'll need a lot of TLC.

I was planning on taking a compression tester and battery just in case. From the sounds of it when the family member passed away it was just pushed into the shed and left there. Not even sure if the gas was drained, stilling waiting to hear back from that question.

I agree it'll need a lot of tlc. I have worked a time to go see it on wednesday so we'll see!

It puzzles me that the kz emblems and tank badges are missing, generally low value items but can be difficult to find... but really important to create the 'wow' factor when selling...what other bits are missing? was the 'project' considered such low value not to warrant selling these?

Careful on 'projects' there is always a big unknown. Likewise stories about people dying... sad but true and it happens all the time, and for the bereaved there is a part missing from them for their life. But also a good excuse for the unscrupulous to sell some crap to the unsuspecting.

Just saying look at the bike not the story. You'll spend double more sorting a cheapo as you could have got a decent one. But bargains exist tucked away unseen in garages for years...tread carefully and good luck.

$800 seems pretty cheap, I nearly bough some awful cafe racer style gpz11 abortion ' project' just for the zx11 motor and carbs which was £850 uk sterling. it sold real fast.

Well... had to walk away from the motorcycle this morning. The owner said to make her an offer and she'd consider it. There is a lot of work to be done on this bike. The tank emblems are missing and there is uneven bondo on the tank. They taped off the fuel cap and the tape is so old I couldn't get it clean enough while I was there to even see the inside of the tank. But there was lots of rust spots on the tank. Sidecovers are no where to be found and the exhaust is currently not on the bike. The engine was drained of it's fluids and something is up with the wiring as it wasn't responding to a battery. There was even severe rust spots on the frame. After hearing the story on the bike apparently I was wrong with the inspection sticker and assumed it was a 2005. It is much older bike hasn't been moved in closer to 20 years.

So something I will be pondering on what I really should offer her.... until next time

Too bad... Also too bad for the owner because she won't get anywhere near what she was expecting.

Sounds like you made the right choice. Would have done the same.

I agree with the others, sometimes you just have to walk away. I've done it a few times... but keep your eyes open. (I know you will)