1978 KZ1000 A2A

I've been trying to sell my bike for over a year.  I need some ideas.  This is NOT a restored to original condition version.  I have a current Craigslist ad but all I'm getting from that is scammers who send bad checks and are not local.  I've had the bike since 2017 and bought it with all the parts off the frame. Even after I got all the engine parts back on the frame it would not run because the previous owner removed the air box and did not know how to re-jet the carbs and re-tune.  I ended up doing that myself.  Then I made my own upgrades and modifications to make it a long distance version with Vetter branded saddle bags and all LED lighting.

I'm adding the link to the ad below.  if someone thinks it would be better for me to re-post the photos here, I will do that.

CraigsList Ad for KZ1000

I just renewed the ad, and unfortunately when I did that, the URL changed.  If the link doesn't work, respond to this about an error message.
 

I have heard that craigslist is no longer a very effective place to sell things, as the audience has shrunk. 
I hear Facebook marketplace gets a lot more attention.  Or you could try eBay?

I look on Craigslist all the time form older bikes and have not had issues selling bikes up until recently. Im have trouble selling my 2020 Tracer 900GT. Had a few people look but then nothing. I ran it for 3 months and in mother cities that were close. I'n general I think all sales haven dropped for motorcycles. Even BAT it looks like sales ant quite as robust as they had been. You will always get the people who want you to give it away and that ain't happening. I would wait until after the 1st of the year and try again. The price you have looks about right and the bike looks pretty good. I do have to admit not to many would be interested in the Vetter Items and most would remove them and toss them in the garbage. But everything else looks to be a good start for someone. Looks a bit like what I'm working on minus the bags. 

Sorry for not replying sooner.  I'm not getting email notifications.  The Craigslist link has changed.  I can't figure out how to modify my original post.  Here is the new one as of Dec. 27th:

Craigslist Ad Dec 27th

You said you ran in other cities on Craigslist.  How do you do that?  Do you have to set up separate accounts?  One of the problems I have with Craigslist is that every time the ad auto renews, the URL changes.

I had a friend put the Craigslist link on Facebook Marketplace and all I got was people from CA not wanting to show up in person and send me bad checks to arrange shipping.  I realize that I'm gonna have to wait until after the holidays to try this again.

Does anyone know about the service called "Bring A Trailer"?  They want $100 for a basic listing.

To Cra-z1... You said buyers would not want the Vetter items?  Why is that?  I never intended this to be a restoration bike.  Without the bags, how would you do a long distance trip and where do you put clothing layers on your bike? Not making sense to me.  I had to pay for custom welding to get the bags on the bike and you're saying to just throw them away?  They did not come with the bike.  I thought they ADDED value.  You're telling me they are worthless?

The picture you posted is of a AUCTION bike fully restored.  That's not what I'm trying to selling.

I addressed the Facebook replies I received in my last post.  Was never a good experience.

Ebay is your best bet.
Post some photos here, you should get some advice on price.

Sorry Bill.  I'm not sure what to do now.  Should I reply to the original post with photos.  Or, should I start a new thread?

Mark_KZ1000 wrote:

Sorry Bill.  I'm not sure what to do now.  Should I reply to the original post with photos.  Or, should I start a new thread?

You can simply reply to this thread with pictures (it's already in the correct "for sale" section)

wrote:

Does anyone know about the service called "Bring A Trailer"?  They want $100 for a basic listing.
 

Bring a Trailer is a reputable site.  It has become quite popular lately, and has become a particularly popular place to buy and sell cars that are collectible or rare or just plain odd but with low miles.  I'm not sure the typical BaT bidder would likely pay a higher price for this specific bike.  It's hard to say, but my guess is that you would have similar success with Ebay.  

One interesting thing about BaT is that there is a comment section. Folks often ask questions and have discussions about the specific vehicle for sale.  This is sometimes informative, and may give you a chance to share specific details that might help the bike sell.  But it may also be annoying.

To Cra-z1... You said buyers would not want the Vetter items?  Why is that?  I never intended this to be a restoration bike.  Without the bags, how would you do a long distance trip and where do you put clothing layers on your bike? Not making sense to me.  I had to pay for custom welding to get the bags on the bike and you're saying to just throw them away?  They did not come with the bike.  I thought they ADDED value.  You're telling me they are worthless?
 

It's great that you found the Vetter fairings useful, you valued them, and you enjoyed them.  But it's very unlikely that they add any value to the bike.  They are only going to appeal to a very small subset of those interested in the KZ1000, and are more likely to be regarded as a hassle for the buyer to deal with, discouraging buyers.

Most people looking for a KZ1000 today do not intend to use the bike for long distance touring.  It's an old school muscle bike used short rides ripping around town. The fairings also hide the original simple styling of the bike that many are looking for.   

I'm not saying throw them away.  But taking them off and showing the bike without them probably would increase your chances of selling it.  Of course still offer the fairings as included in the sale.

To DOHC:  Insight appreciated. I've seen people remove the engine and adapt it to a lawn mower.  They'll just have to take it as-is.  I am not gonna go through the process of selling the Vetter equipment on eBay.  I remember paying almost $300 for the bags.  After they remove the front faring, they'll have to buy all the parts to set up the old headlight housing again.

For $3800 probably not seen as a good investment for anyone. Probably going to have to change the price to sell. High mileage (by most buyers) ideas, repaint, add on bags ect, all detract from the value.

Nice job on saving that bike . Just have to wait for the right guy to come along .I had a real nice 1990 yamaha 400 that I bought for my girl . She never really liked it. She liked her gpz better. It took me over a year to sell it. Sucks dealing with tire kickers and low Ballers but that seems to be part of the process these days. Plus we aren't getting any younger and the young guys all want plastic fantastic bikes . Good luck with the sale.