1973 Kawasaki Z1 hits record $50,000 at Mecum

Bidding video -
 

Just set the bar much lower to get that kind of money with repop parts. 
Just think what a all original bike would fetch? 
Somehow I suspect someone's been had. 
Did they get Oinked? 
Steve   

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>Just think what a all original bike would fetch?
Less then this one  

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>Somehow I suspect someone's been had.
No sir, no one threatened, beat, or pointed a gun at the bidders, someone wanted the bike.  

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>Did they get Oinked?
Not at all, Mr. Johnson keeps half the z1's in the usa running, just think how many busted, broken, worthless z1's there would be without Mr. Johnson.  

73z1 wrote:

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>Just think what a all original bike would fetch?
Less then this one  

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>Somehow I suspect someone's been had.
No sir, no one threatened, beat, or pointed a gun at the bidders, someone wanted the bike.  

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>Did they get Oinked?
Not at all, Mr. Johnson keeps half the z1's in the usa running, just think how many busted, broken, worthless z1's there would be without Mr. Johnson.  

 

Unfortunately as with the classic car world, the wealthy have in many cases taken things out of the reach of "true enthusiasts" with "got to have it" bidding. Great for sellers 
I don't know any "ordinary" guys that could pay $50k for a bike !!

It's amazing how a big Z1 sale can evoke so much emotion amongst the Kawasaki crowd !  You would think a big dollar Z1 sale would make the Z owners happy, but it doesnt appear to be the case. 
Peoples responses are usually shaped by their own personal preference.  There are some people who demand that the bike be 100% original or it is worth nothing, it's a fraud.  Other times the people with the big money dont care and rebuilt bikes using some aftermarket parts are quite often the bikes setting the records, like this example.  
The discussion on the FB group, Kawasaki Z1 Owners, became quite a heated affair with the usual suspects declaring that the seller was a conman, the bike a worthless imitation and the buyer a complete clueless fool.  I dont know if anyone knows Rick Brett who is from UK (or is he on this forum?) but he was quite outspoken on the matter stating that it was built using "30% Chinese bling" and described it as an "awful build"  I'm not sure how he could be so descriptive of the bike from the other side of the Atlantic Ocean.  He did exactly the same thing last time a frame up rebuild using some reproduction parts got top dollar. 
Personally, I can appreciate an authentic original build, a rebuild using reproduction parts, or a modified hot rodded Z1.  
 

I think the winning price on this Z1 was an outlier.  Someone wanted a Z1 REAL bad.  That said, it sets the bar for all Z1's a little bit higher.  But personally, my preference would be for something all original. 

I personally know the buyer, he is not rich, it took a large amount of his savings to win the bike. I'm sure that it will be on the road as soon as it arrives. This bike is to replace the one he was riding when it was in a "crash-n-burn" (literally burned car and bike) about 3 1/2 years ago.He has been looking for one since wreck, found a lot of scams and several missed deals. Got tired of looking.

Thank you, Rick Brett knows his stuff. Give him a date code or a vin and he can tell you everything about it. Personally why would you pay $50K for $8k worth of aftermarket crap. What’s it gonna look like in 8-10 years. I guarantee you not as good as the original bike did in 1984. Read the list of new parts used, posted by 73z1, not NOS, “new” that means bling repops. From what I read the only original parts were the frame, engine parts (new pistons, new DynaTek), gauges, brake pedal, and seat stay. Unless it was in a fire and melted down where are all the OEM parts? On evilbay fetching more dollars? With all due respect this is an overpriced catalog bike. Even if someone paid $5k for the bones tops it should only be worth the sum of the parts. $15-18k. OEM KHI parts are almost always restorable, plated, painted, harness taped, etc. $50k is not a fair price for 6 weeks of work and a $8k credit line with online sales places. $50k should be saved for correctly restored bikes. 

tfh903 wrote:

I personally know the buyer, he is not rich, it took a large amount of his savings to win the bike. I'm sure that it will be on the road as soon as it arrives. This bike is to replace the one he was riding when it was in a "crash-n-burn" (literally burned car and bike) about 3 1/2 years ago.He has been looking for one since wreck, found a lot of scams and several missed deals. Got tired of looking.

I hope he knows what he bought. He could have saved $25k doing the work himself. These are easy to work on. He could have saved enough to buy a second.

hardrockminer wrote:

I think the winning price on this Z1 was an outlier.  Someone wanted a Z1 REAL bad.  That said, it sets the bar for all Z1's a little bit higher.  But personally, my preference would be for something all original. 

When a bike (or car, or anything really) goes for top dollar at an auction its a perfect storm.
You need a combination of something desirable, collectable, a motivated seller, at least 2 or more motivated buyers and an Auction house that can promote the product and get the right people to bid at their auction.

tfh903 wrote:

I personally know the buyer, he is not rich, it took a large amount of his savings to win the bike. I'm sure that it will be on the road as soon as it arrives. This bike is to replace the one he was riding when it was in a "crash-n-burn" (literally burned car and bike) about 3 1/2 years ago.He has been looking for one since wreck, found a lot of scams and several missed deals. Got tired of looking.

 

Where is the buyer from - I heard Australia but dont know if that is correct ?