1980 kawasaki 440ltd

[autostalker]

Hey everyone, i'm new to this site and was just wondering what i should do. One of my neighbors is selling a 1980 kawasaki 440ltd for $900 and i was wondering if that was a good deal, he says everything is in working condition. Are there any questions in particular that i should ask him about the bike?

[gibby14]

its a great bike but before you buy it HAGGLE ALWAYS. nit pick say the bike is old and and pick out everything wrong talk the price down then buy!!

But i have two of them and its a great bike. The most important thing you can do when duying a bike is try every functions atleast three times and i mean every function! this is to ensure all things work!

you dont want to get it home and relize the key doesn't fit the seat latch and then you cant get it off! Take 13/16 socket pull the plugs check them for oil residue or other bad signs AND LAST RIDE IT AROUND THE BLOCK!
if you plan on doing highway speeds make sure it goes that fast! sometimes the timing advace can rust and stick then run perfect at slower speeds but suck above 45! be careful but have fun they are good bikes and if you need parts lemme know i will strike you a deal!

david

[autostalker]

Does anyone know what these usually sell for used?

[longbeachgary]

I would want to know
how many miles are on it
does he have the maintainance records
has it ever been crashed
how long has he had it and how many miles has he put on it.

Look for signs of rust and run the bike for a while and see if there are any leaks of oil. Check the tires to see how much tread they have and look for signs of cracking. Ride it if you can and see how the brakes are, see if the bike has good power. Run through the gears if you can. I bought a used Bandit and didn't notice that the bike had some JB Weld holding together the crank case - Not a good thing.

Sounds like a lot of money for a 26 year old bike but if it is in VERY good condition it may be worth close to that. The 440 is a great bike.

[gibby14]

you can check kellybluebook.com or kbb.com but take those numbers lightly but it may give you a starting point


david

[elr658]

Before gas was three bucks a gallon, they were worth nothing. They are worth something now. Old bikes are coming out of the woodwork. My business is booming.

[gibby14]

i will agreee to that i had a guy ask to buy mine off of me, and i told him 2k for an old kz440. THats only because i save like 200 bucks a month a gas VS driving my truck. its not how much the bike is worth its how much its woth to me and my wallet!

[landofsong]

new to this site also. I recently purchased a 1981 KZ440ltd - $1200 (way above book, i know!) bike is in immaculate condition, low miles. Bought it because i can save about $150 a month just riding it. The bike is returning about 60mpg Wow!! Anyway, from what i have seen, the smaller bikes are selling above kbb.

[gibby14]

landofsong your are getting 60 mpg does your bike have chain or belt drive on it? i used to get that but my new bike has chain drive i think i might switch back.

[landofsong]

60mpg, that is correct. It is a belt drive. It has been 15yrs since i have ridden a bike so it is great to get back out there. I was a little dissapointed with the top speed (80mph - head against the tank). I remember a Suzuki X7 250cc two stroke back in the UK - 110 no problem. Anyway, with the way gas is at the moment, i will take 60mpg over 110mph - getting too old for that fast stuff.

[longbeachgary]

Originally Posted by autostalker

Hey everyone, i'm new to this site and was just wondering what i should do. One of my neighbors is selling a 1980 kawasaki 440ltd for $900 and i was wondering if that was a good deal, he says everything is in working condition. Are there any questions in particular that i should ask him about the bike?

How about an update?

[Scruffy]

The chain driven ones that run well sell for 8-1200 bucks where I work. The belt drivers in same condition are 12-1500 bucks because of the less frequent maintenance required.

This time last year, I literally could not give away a belt driven 1982 KZ440LTD. This year, with gas prices, they are going up in value. I just sold one that needed valve seals for $795 + Tax, Title and License. And it was a chain driver.

Any running 1/2 liter or smaller bike is going to shoot up in value this year. When I bought my 800 in Sept 05, I thought 40-50 mpg was good. Now, I'm fixing up my beater 98 Savage barhopper. At 77mpg in town, I can't afford not to.
-Scruffy

[PNKFLYD]

I have a 1981 KZ440 I paid $150 and it came with a parts bike. I rebuilt the carb and swapped the pipes and a few other odds and ends. I repainted it and I gotta tell you I love this bike. Runs like a dream..

[Scruffy]

I just sold another one today for $795. Belt driven, smoked a bit, the tank key is a screwdriver, the ignition key whatever you have handy. Kid works at a bodyshop, so the dented black tank and metallic green sidepanels weren't an issue. He wanted a first bike and has a two week old baby at home. Hmm, relatively inexpensive, good mileage, low top speed...he AND his wife thought it was perfect.

I threw in an oil change, new front brake lever, and new front tire. Fixed the rear brake for him, adjusted the belt, and showed him how to operate the bike. Set the angle on the switchboxes/master cylinder, and he loaded it up in his buddy's truck and took it home.

Oh, it was in fact the same bike I couldn't give away last spring.... I've had four in the year I've been at this shop, have one left, that will leave as soon as the state releases the title (it was dumped in our lot one night). There is a waiting list for it.

Pretty good bikes. Almost indestructible if you have an early one with points instead of CDI ignition.
-Scruffy