1975 Z1B 900 restoration in Alaska

I still cannot understand how these bikes especially this year and model would fetch buyers like that, its unreal.

I do see used Harleys all the time at really high prices but this is even more so.

I'm still debating whether i will jump on this, I used to work at a street rod shop and we did replica restorations so I can see something in keeping it original. So far the only owner has told me its never been butchered with anything else. But I'm no expert on this, I know more about other things.

the main reason the bikes fetch really high prices is due to the fact a lot of people consider them to be the first real super bike decent handling decent braking and excellent for the time power. the fact they are the small block chevy of the motorcycle world doesn't hurt either there isn't a peice on them that isn't still available either oe or repop. also there is a huge aftermarket hot rod industry built up for these and gs 1100 based bikes the motors were built from 1972 to the mid 2000's in one form or another so every thing can be easily replaced or repaired it all depends on how much you want to open your wallet. plus the fact they are a nice looking ride when done doesn't hurt either.

"I still cannot understand how these bikes especially this year and model would fetch buyers like that, its unreal."...

Simple, supply & demand, only so many made.

1976, something like 3000 here in the US, Z1's whoa different story worth more if as Jeff stated, original/non customized build.

Want a real rush, go search the Japanese sites buying and selling restored KZ's... These old KZ's are worth a mint over there, why not, country of origin!

Not to mention these old Z1's became King of the Road, for years mind you, opened up a whole new era of sport bikes world wide...

Hell, that's why most of us are even here, other then ball busting & Photo Chopping :S , where as kids we were introduced to the KZ series of bikes...

Example, unfortgetable Kerker sound, wholly crapola, music to the ears... Every time I start mine, twist the throttle, I giggle like a school girl... :blush: On the freeway at 6500rpm, twist her open with that 1.5" comp baffle, damn still gives me wood :blush: :woohoo: ...

Nothing better than that.... KAW Green baby!

OMR

My Z1 has seen two wives come and go and two children born. She is truly the first love of my life, I would never get rid of her. If you like the Honda you will love the Z1 you have. They are very dependable and still rule the dragstrip for the class they run. Once you start riding it you will understand the passion of the vintage Kaw. The attention they bring from other bike riders is gratifing. Every one has a story about them, my uncle had one, my brother had one, my neighbor had one, etc etc. Gotta go its time to ride

I put some fuel in the gas tank but had some major leakage, replaced the O ring in petcock valve, went ahead and poured a little bit more gas in and the bike fired right up, had a little bit of smoke and then it cleared up, started to pop pretty bad at 5k rpms so I'm assuming the advance plate is stuck, its needs new points, I had to really file at them to get the bike to even start a couple of days ago, I set the gaps at .014 but I forgot to dig out my dwell meter.

I am taking my neighbor over to have a look at it, he restores old bikes and has around 200 on his property, most though that he has is under 500cc and a lot of dirt bikes, I bought my 1980 Honda CX 500 Deluxe from him.

I would like to restore it but I feel the market for it here in Alaska is zilch or to get any real money out of it, I am a hairsbreath from trading one of my AR rifles to the guy that actually owns it, he is still trying to get me to go into partnership on it,I honestly realize its a collectible now but I would rather invest in something else. He has absolutely no mechanical skills whatsoever and even though I hired him as a concrete mixer driver he has given me more than the usual share of problems. So he owes the owner of the company $1100, has borrowed a company truck because his car caught on fire and he is laid off because we are a seasonal company and we usually shut down through the winter, he needs cash right now and is staying firm on asking $1500 for the bike as is right now.

wait for awhile it will get cheaper in one of those febuary cold snaps. that we always get up here in the cold country.

I just saw today from I remember from my neighbor the guy tay has several hundred bikes as saying was a 1981 KZ 650, it only has a single disc on the front, I cannot find this model, either he has the year wrong or its got parts from something else, its in cherry running shape, belongs to my neighbor and he wants $1200 for it.
According to the database here it should be a 750 with dual front discs.

About the Z1B, doesn't look like its been sold or bartered yet, the buyer I took over doesn't have cash,he is willing to trade another running bike, I have another interested party from way south of me that sounds like he has cash.

I suspect if I do wait a bit this guy will take a trade like one of my firearms, I have several I don't have to have.

Silverado6x6 wrote:

I put some fuel in the gas tank but had some major leakage, replaced the O ring in petcock valve, went ahead and poured a little bit more gas in and the bike fired right up, had a little bit of smoke and then it cleared up, started to pop pretty bad at 5k rpms so I'm assuming the advance plate is stuck, its needs new points, I had to really file at them to get the bike to even start a couple of days ago, I set the gaps at .014 but I forgot to dig out my dwell meter.

I am taking my neighbor over to have a look at it, he restores old bikes and has around 200 on his property, most though that he has is under 500cc and a lot of dirt bikes, I bought my 1980 Honda CX 500 Deluxe from him.

I would like to restore it but I feel the market for it here in Alaska is zilch or to get any real money out of it, I am a hairsbreath from trading one of my AR rifles to the guy that actually owns it, he is still trying to get me to go into partnership on it,I honestly realize its a collectible now but I would rather invest in something else. He has absolutely no mechanical skills whatsoever and even though I hired him as a concrete mixer driver he has given me more than the usual share of problems. So he owes the owner of the company $1100, has borrowed a company truck because his car caught on fire and he is laid off because we are a seasonal company and we usually shut down through the winter, he needs cash right now and is staying firm on asking $1500 for the bike as is right now.

so than build another 500 honda! :laugh:

Ok an update, I passed on the bike and my friend traded the 1975 Z1B 900 to a neighbor of mine that had a road ready 1978 KZ650 so I'm out of this completely, thanks to everyone here and I will return if I get a Kawasaki in the future.