What should I pay, for a 77 KZ650 B1?

[jeeplover]

I plan on buying a 77 KZ650 with 6,000 miles on it. It doesn't run at the time. My cousin says it ran five years ago. It does need some tlc and maintenance. The paint is in good condition, however the wheels are rusted. It will need a battery, clutch and brake cables and whatever else I come across.
What should I offer my cousin?

Thanks

[kawpaul]

Right away with the hard questions?
Ya got any pictures of it?

[jeeplover]

Take it easy on me. I am new here. LOL
Not yet. I will take some this afternoon, and post them.

[steell]

Originally Posted by jeeplover

It will need a battery, clutch and brake cables and whatever else I come across.

Thanks

I love an optimist!!

Decent set of new tires $200
Chain and sprockets $150
Battery $50
Cables $30
Air Filter $20
Spark plugs $10
Coils?
Spark plug caps?
What to do with rusty wheels?
About 30 hours labor.

And now you have a bike worth $800 - $1000

Now you have the info you need to figure out what you're willing to pay for the bike.

[StarGate]

One of our members that buys and reconditions a lot of old bikes uses a guideline of $.25-$.50 per cc for a non runner depending on physical condition. With the amount of money and work that will have be invested to get the bike in good condition, it's not worth paying more than that. At least it's not worth it if you want the investment to be less than or equal to the value of the bike when you are finished. Of course this rule doesn't apply to rare or highly collectible models but the bike you are looking at doesn't fit in that category.

[jeeplover]

That is the reality of it. I know the kelly blue book says $800.00 in good condition, oh and it did say running.
I don't want to buy something that is going to cost more to fix up, than it is worth.
I miss my Kawasaki Drifter, and really need something to tinker on over the winter.

[OKC_Kent]

I think it will cost more than it's worth, but if you want to tinker and have a good middleweight road machine, you can't go wrong with a 650B for the right price.

I would double steell's estimate, as there are other items not mentioned that at least need looking at, if not repaired-replaced.

Fuel system maintenance: Petcock rebuild, rust in tank, new hoses, carb cleaning.
Brake system maintenance: Clean or rebuild calipers, master cylinder rebuild, replace hoses, maybe brake pads and shoes.
Wheel: New bearings.
Forks: New seals, new oil.
Electrical: varies too much, mostly elbow grease replacing wires and connections.

Get your cousin a little drunk and tell him all the stuff it's going to need, and that you can go out and spend the $800 on a 650 already running. If he doesn't offer to give it to you, offer $100. That's about what I would pay for a non running 650. I spent an easy $800 on a 650 purchased for $600. Learned my lesson.

[jeeplover]

Thanks for all the input. I know he was thinking it was worth alot more than a $100.00 or so. But you guys know more about this than I do. I will make him an offer.
I will be anxious to learn more on this forum, regarding maintenance.

Thanks,
Bill

[DrKayak]

Don't forget title and license fees. If it has back fees due or a lost title it will be a pain and some $$ to register.

I paid $150 for a non-running, no title 750. I'm sure I have more into it than I could ever get out of it. Good learning project but i would not do it again unless it's a Z1 900.

[Jeff.saunders]

Sadly, with some halfway decent bikes, free can sometimes be too expensive. As was mentioned before, look at the value of a bike that's presentable and running. For a KZ650 you see them ranging from $800-$1200 - and that's in the spring.

Then work backwards subtracting all the expenses.

6,000 miles is very low - assuming the engine is still in good shape, then I would probably pay $300-$500 max for the bike. If your cousin has any tools, shims and/or shop manual that would help.

[kawpaul]

Originally Posted by jeeplover

Take it easy on me. I am new here. LOL
Not yet. I will take some this afternoon, and post them.

Doncha just love when someone answers questions with questions?

You might look on ebay at several bikes in similar condition and get a rough idea on value. But if you are getting it as a project and are willing to take your time to fix it up then my advice would be to look it over closely and determine as best you can what it will need. Then do some price checking on parts etc and see if it will be worth it to you.

Right off I can tell you for certain it will need new shoes and a battery. Also expect to go through the brake system and clean that up and maybe replace some of it like a caliper or master cylinder. You can usually pick up used parts on ebay for cheap if you are patient. I got new rear brake pads, a used front MS and used front calipers just for the brake pistons, all from ebay. I think the most I paid for any of that was about $15 which included shipping with extras.

Since it is low miles I am guessing the engine will be ok. So you are sure it will need battery and clutch cables? Or are you just guessing? My bike sat since 2003 and the cables are fine but I did lube the throttle cable. Oh and I had to replace the speedometer cable. Got a used speedo cable and drive off ebay for $16 and it should be here in a day or so. $15 or best offer so I offered him $10 and he jumped on it. $6 for shipping.

So determine a baseline cost to get it going and how much it will be worth to you and then you can decide what to offer. Add about $100 for odds and ends that will come up. After you decide what you are willing to pay offer him about 2/3 of that. So if you decide it is worth 150 to you offer 100. Do not go above your target unless he sweetens the pot.

And above all.....
let us know one way or the other.

[blazer8689]

Well i was in the same boat as you 77 kz650, hasnt ran 5 yrs........ rebuilt carbs, fuel lines, clean gas tank, bleed out brake fluid etc etc etc, First you MUST lube the cylinders before you think about turning the motor over....

Spray some PB blaster in each spark plug hole everday for a week then give it a try, then chk compression. Thats the way I started and now its running like new with no oil burning or oil spilling. Did I mention it only had 4985 miles on it......

Truth be told! Gettting hands dirty, Eyes full of gasoline fumes, nails filled with old grease is well worth it when you are riding it on the road. I bought mine for 200 not running.... Have fun if you get it!!!!

--Eric

[kawpaul]

I agree Eric. Mine had sat for 6 years and I pulled the plugs and put some atf in the cylinders. Came back a couple days later and did it again. Added some pb blaster a few days later and then finally turned it over.
Compression check yesterday showed 180 on #4 and 175 or so on #3. Have not checked the other side but when she fired up she was sounding so sweet.
Just got to do a bit of fiddling with the carbs and hopefully riding soon.

[jeeplover]

Well, he will take $150.00 for it.
He thought it was worth a couple grand. Until I showed him all the posts that you guys put up.
Thanks for the help.
It appears that you guys will be extremely helpful.
I will post some picks this weekend.

[zoro]

$150? THIEF! Thats what I call coming down on the price! Stop! THIEF! Did you make one them offers he couldnt refuse?

[blazer8689]

YOU will not regret it!!! Ill post some pics of mine soon!!!

[Airoyster]

My father used to say that something is only worth what someone is willing to pay for it. $150 is fair for a crap shoot.It could end up only needing a freshening up.....or could be a complete write off. $150 for a winter of motorcycle tinkering?....were do I sign up?

[kawpaul]

That sounds about fair. I was thinking in the 100-200 range sight unseen just from the description. I don't think you got hurt. Worse comes to worse you can part it out and get your money back. That is the attitude I had on mine and I think I came out pretty good on the deal.

[OKC_Kent]

Sounds like a good price to me. Have fun this winter! And come join us over at KZ650.INFO

[jeeplover]

Thanks again guys.
My cousin says he has a full size fairing for this bike. I haven't seen it yet. I will get some pics posted and see what you guys think it is worth.