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17,449 Posts
The old 2-valve Kwacker engines are as close to bulletproof as I've seen. I tore down an '81 750 with 60K miles to replace the cam chain guides and was amazed that the cylinders and pistons were smooth as glass, only a very tiny bit of scoring at the cylinder/cylinderhead junction.
Still, the bike is in no fashion a collector's bike. As a comparison you can get a Magna 700 in good condition for way under $1000. A guy I work with bought a '78 KZ1000 in excellent condtion for $900 last year. On top of that I'd don't think the 550 cost much more than $1700 when new.
A few years back I got an '81 Zooker GS1100L for $1400. So I'd say that anyone who wants over a grand for a 23 year old KZ550 is living in Sleeping Beauty's Castle at Disneyland.
A lot of people seem to believe that their old castoff bikes are worth their weight in gold. I'd pay no more than $600-700. Many parts are no longer available so the bike might just be dead and unrepairable next week.
Still, the bike is in no fashion a collector's bike. As a comparison you can get a Magna 700 in good condition for way under $1000. A guy I work with bought a '78 KZ1000 in excellent condtion for $900 last year. On top of that I'd don't think the 550 cost much more than $1700 when new.
A few years back I got an '81 Zooker GS1100L for $1400. So I'd say that anyone who wants over a grand for a 23 year old KZ550 is living in Sleeping Beauty's Castle at Disneyland.
A lot of people seem to believe that their old castoff bikes are worth their weight in gold. I'd pay no more than $600-700. Many parts are no longer available so the bike might just be dead and unrepairable next week.