Input On A 1976 KZ900 A4 For Sale....Can't Decide!

Sabian wrote: ... guess the prices here are higher than where you're at.

No I'm just tighter!
Bill

KZQ wrote:

Sabian wrote: ... guess the prices here are higher than where you're at.

No I'm just tighter!
Bill

Me too or else I would have already bought it!

We're assuming you've done your due diligence that it's complete, numbers correct and reasonably unmolested.

There's not much rational when it comes to vintage bikes. That's a nice one. Could probably hop on it the way it sits & ride it coast-to-coast. Only 23K on it, there's still many tens of thousands of miles of smiles left in it. The knowledge base on that bike is deep and broad. Lots of support. And, it'll always be in demand.

Within reason , cost takes a back seat to satisfaction of ownership.

The question for us would be - can something comparable be purchased in a modern bike?

Answer: no. You'd get something smaller & more complex that's likely to leak coolant someday, although admittedly, with superior brakes and suspension. And, a modern bike just won't have the cool factor of a vintage Z-bike.

With that A4 you get iconic industrial art, the soulful sound Z motors are known for, the addicting nature of the power delivery, and the cool factor of tooling around on a true classic. Your common, everyday chrome-addled biker might snub it, but Riders and true motorcycle enthusiasts will be drawn to it. That bike will turn heads.

You'll discover that you can't be in a hurry when you gear up in a parking lot or gas station, because people will be drawn to it, compelled to start a conversation, during the course of which you'll more often than not hear the question "Wanna sell it?".

Life is short. Ask yourself this: Someday, when mortality is making it's presence known, will you regret spending the money, or will you regret not buying the bike?

Good Ridin'
slmjim & Z1BEBE

I wouldn't want anything else as a daily rider.
Steve

Sabian wrote: Hey all! My first "real" bike was a '78 KZ650, been looking for another KZ for a while. I found a '76 KZ900 A4, second owner, a few mods....only issue I can see is a tiny ding in the tank. I've looked at the bike twice now and only noticed it because the angle of the sun was right. He has the original paperwork, a few original parts and a whole stack of receipts. Runs perfect. He's at $5500.....thoughts?

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Youre going to get 5,000 opinions, and only 1 or 2 will affect your decision.

Aside from the seat, its a nice, good condition bike. KZ900's only go up in value and unless you plan to hack it up, in a way, its sort of an investment.

Try to negotiate on the price; if you and the seller can come to terms that dont break the bank, and cause discord in your family, then get the bike. You only live once and sometimes you have to just "leap."

God will take care of you.

slmjim+Z1BEBE wrote: We're assuming you've done your due diligence that it's complete, numbers correct and reasonably unmolested.

There's not much rational when it comes to vintage bikes. That's a nice one. Could probably hop on it the way it sits & ride it coast-to-coast. Only 23K on it, there's still many tens of thousands of miles of smiles left in it. The knowledge base on that bike is deep and broad. Lots of support. And, it'll always be in demand.

Within reason , cost takes a back seat to satisfaction of ownership.

The question for us would be - can something comparable be purchased in a modern bike?

Answer: no. You'd get something smaller & more complex that's likely to leak coolant someday, although admittedly, with superior brakes and suspension. And, a modern bike just won't have the cool factor of a vintage Z-bike.

With that A4 you get iconic industrial art, the soulful sound Z motors are known for, the addicting nature of the power delivery, and the cool factor of tooling around on a true classic. Your common, everyday chrome-addled biker might snub it, but Riders and true motorcycle enthusiasts will be drawn to it. That bike will turn heads.

You'll discover that you can't be in a hurry when you gear up in a parking lot or gas station, because people will be drawn to it, compelled to start a conversation, during the course of which you'll more often than not hear the question "Wanna sell it?".

Life is short. Ask yourself this: Someday, when mortality is making it's presence known, will you regret spending the money, or will you regret not buying the bike?

Good Ridin'
slmjim & Z1BEBE

Great points....!

650Dude wrote:

Sabian wrote: Hey all! My first "real" bike was a '78 KZ650, been looking for another KZ for a while. I found a '76 KZ900 A4, second owner, a few mods....only issue I can see is a tiny ding in the tank. I've looked at the bike twice now and only noticed it because the angle of the sun was right. He has the original paperwork, a few original parts and a whole stack of receipts. Runs perfect. He's at $5500.....thoughts?

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Youre going to get 5,000 opinions, and only 1 or 2 will affect your decision.

Aside from the seat, its a nice, good condition bike. KZ900's only go up in value and unless you plan to hack it up, in a way, its sort of an investment.

Try to negotiate on the price; if you and the seller can come to terms that dont break the bank, and cause discord in your family, then get the bike. You only live once and sometimes you have to just "leap."

God will take care of you.

I'd leave it as is....maybe change the mirrors, find the stock bars. I threw out $5200....he's solid at $5500 or no dice. My wife wants me to take the plunge but doesn't particularly care for the bike, go figure.

Maybe your wife knows you better than you do.
You want it.
She wants you to be happy.
You and the seller are only $300 apart. Is that $300 worth losing the bike over?

Someone will grab it, might as well be you.
Remember, the early worm gets the bird. :woohoo:
Steve

TexasKZ wrote: Maybe your wife knows you better than you do.
You want it.
She wants you to be happy.
You and the seller are only $300 apart. Is that $300 worth losing the bike over?

This is true....

I wouldn't budge either. From the photos it looks like it's definitely worth $5500. I think the problem is you aren't 100% in love with the bike and want to be able to recoup your money if you decide to resell. I NEVER ask someones opinion on a bike purchase, I buy what I want.

I assume you want a bike you can ride so why throw money at that thing ?
Have you looked around at what you can get for that kind of money ?
Once you get it you will end up parking it in the living room as a conversation piece.