Norther germany swap meet

I’ve just returned from Northern Germany’s largest vintage car and bike swap meet. It’s about 200 km from where I live. We had quite a bit of rain today, and the ground was very muddy. Over the last few years, I’ve increasingly noticed that the "good" parts and items are obviously being sold online more and more; there are fewer and fewer "in-person" deals worth buying. Kawasaki parts are becoming scarcer—though they were always hard to find here anyway. All in all, it was a bit disappointing, but the three of us had a lot of fun; it’s always great to be out and about with good friends! Attached is just one photo of a bike worth seeing;

   

Thanks for posting the pic, I have not seen one in some time. It looks to me like one of the earlier ones, but what do I know? Sorry to hear the meet was not what it used to be. But you made it sound like you had a good time with friends.

Good to hear you had a great time, that is the most important part.

I am heading to my annual Summer swap meet on Friday morning. It's only 90 km from my place on country back roads thru farmland.

We get a good mix of bikes at our event and lots of very old or rare bikes do show up. Every year they pick a marque or theme, this year its all makes of two stokes.

I have been going to this event since 2010 and like you I have noticed the "deals" have dried up a bit. I does follow some weird cycles were you won't spend any money one year and loads the next year. 

It is funny that when I have trailered a bike there I would inevitably come home with a $200 basket case. I have been riding there since 2016 so if I do spot something it has to be small, but I did bring home carbs and a cylinder barrel a few years ago.
 

YES, we´ve had a good day, and you`re right, THAT was the most important thing!
Yeah, the "market"  had changed in every perspectives and possibilities, WHEN + IF somebody have something Kawasaki parts or bike in offer, they think, it´s automatically "gold", high-worthy and superb, ( like the KZ900 here in the "want to sell-area   )

But the reality is so, that guys like us are "Kawasaurus", meant, we are on the far road to exit,..will say: The high prize market  was down , the zenit was...the younger guys who like our bikes and their style are more rare, they have an other taste...so, it is the reflection, that, for example here in germany, the prices go down,...for sure except for an low numbered original early Z1, but even original Z1000 in very good cond. loose the high prize area,..from year to year they will be cheaper,..that what i see here on l,ocal germay market places,...and oldtimers as we are, some sick, some dead, not anybody like to pack all the stuff and handle it 200 Km´s away to a rainy campground....So, the result is a "not so fine swap meet"

Just my 5 cent about!... But:  .Life is still great, ride my bikes is wonderfull, i enjoy every minute and hour on it.
Have fun you all!
Cheers, Joe

Hey Joe, out and about scouring thru other person's wares, slim pickings ya say? Same here. Back some 35yrs ago we had a local motorcycle related Swap/Shop sponsored by Jeff Williams. It was always held at one of our, since defunct outdoor drive-ins. Occasionally i would find something worthwhile related to what i liked but mostly Harley related stuff. Those days are gone since persons found ebay and the other venues of selling/buying. Also used to buy out tow lots inventory of bikes they couldn't auction off. One time i'd gotten, from memory, 32 various motorcycles makes/models. Their stipulation was if i took one i'd have to take them all, 5USD a piece ha. That kind of activity doesn't happen anymore, they put them "online". You mention that KZ900 recently posted. I have Good Friends in various blue color related construction tradesets, they knew i loved the Kawasaki. So if they found an abandoned one they would trailer it to my house and sit it in my driveway! An Arborist Buddy brought me a 1975 Z900 that looked better then the KZ900 posted here, Free. Couldn't count all the S3, H1 and H2's acquired the same way. I know, just bragging now, i'll quit.. hehe. 

Hi Clay, All in all, it just means you’ve got Lady Luck on your side—heh heh!
If someone here were to simply load up a "bike left sitting around," they’d almost certainly face criminal charges—either from a private party or the state, which amounts to the same thing! These days, I don't go to the two or three swap meets I attend each year with the primary goal of absolutely having to find something; it’s more about the experience of "rummaging around" with friends... Luckily, I’m not under any pressure to find anything right now. Sure, if a great opportunity for a nice part comes along, I’ll jump on it (provided I’ve got the spare cash), but I wouldn't have room for another bike anyway ... and the odds of getting a decent '75 Z1B for a "bargain" price here are about the same as getting struck by lightning while taking a dump (which would probably happen first, come to think of it . Anyway, I was thrilled last year to find an original left-hand side cover for my 1000 for $3—that was pure luck!
...and of course: for me, it’s "just" for the fun of collecting privately some spare parts  for my two bikes—not for the business, like in your case

Good Morning Joe!! By "abandoned" didn't mean Stolen/Hot ha. My Friends used to buy residential properties, this was the stuff left in the garage or backyard that came with the house when purchased. I amassed back then, dozens of those fellas that wanted to get into the "other persons money" house flipping scene. I knew all the construction loan bankers so for me it was a perfect match for those newbies, my name just naturally came up as a vendor for my services to complete their houses. Yes i feel somewhat responsible for the RE market failure of 2007-08 diabolical ha. It was either i take them or fill up a 40yd dumpster with them. Back when persons actually read the paper version of news, i would keep an ad going in our local free papers for "motorcycles wanted". The Thrifty Nickel and Wednesday Shopper which i also advertised my business interests thru. So yes Luck but padded with intent.

Hi Clay, I didn't mean anything "stolen"! It’s just that here, even if you pick up items left by the side of the road, you could be accused of theft; the bureaucracy and the "legal system" here don't tolerate that sort of thing—it's crazy! For example, if someone puts a box full of good books out on the street with a "free" sign on it, the "giver" risks a fine for "improper waste disposal," and—if they're unlucky—the "taker" could face charges for theft... It's a sick system!
And they "control" here any waste and garbish about "not correct separated trash"...boy-o-boy, sometimes it is really crazy in the world of today here 

And you´re right:
I am out on my bikes, whenever the weather is dry, like yesterday afternoon, fine little ride in the very warm wind, ( we´ve actual about 33°C here) but the humidity is about 90% and more, that´s the weak point, if you have to stop anywere,..but i am lucky in my area: i can start and drive here from my home without any redlight
Have an nice day, my friend!