1973 Kawasaki Z1 hits record $50,000 at Mecum

This thread is great entertainment, best ever !

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>No one is going to create a ridiculous Z1-style market for an XT250 or a KZ440.
I think your safe.

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>I'm surprised a shop has taken it on, they like to make at least $100 a shop-hour or more, and there is a lot of billable hours there.
Yes 500*100=$50k, I like the 73 z1.

I used a slide rule in school, very cool, trying to remember what year

 

This was early seventies before portable calculators were abundant. You could multiply faster with a slide rule than with a calculator and carry three digits past the decimal point. 

I think this z1 sale harkens back to when that first Swatch watch sold at auction for something like $45,000 dollars. The theory was somebody was trying to create a market for those crappy, albeit cool, watches.

I bought my slide rule (an Aristo) back in 1968 when I first attended university.  In 1970 I was heading into an exam and saw a fellow student with a calculator that could only do the four functions and cost him $150.  It turned me off calculators to have to spend that much for so little ability.  I finally bought one in 1979 when I returned to university....an HP41C that I still use today, over 40 years later.  I also have a downloaded version on my phone.  The RPN logic is hard to get out of my system after so many years.

My feelings on Z1's parallel those so eloquently written by slimjim.  I think I know the British restorer he is writing about.  He's written several version of what I would term "The Bible" on Z1/Z2 restorations.

When I saw that 50000 price -tag, four words came to mind...

Whale, oil, beef, hooked!!!
(uttered in my best Irish accent) ... and can be loosely translated as: "that's just crazy!" 

howardhb wrote:

When I saw that 52000 price -tag, four words came to mind...

Whale, oil, beef, hooked!!!
(uttered in my best Irish accent)

 LMAO !

Okay, maybe I spoke too soon about there not being a crazy 440 market; this is a 400 but it's a little nuts: https://www.[ebay].com/itm/394438004862

"1979 Kawasaki KZ400 LTD
Gorgeous Original Factory Custom, Low Miles, Very Clean
Highly Collectible Classic Looks & Runs Excellent"

The buy-it-now is $4500

"We’ve Just Invested Over $3,713.00 in Preservation, Parts and Labor on This Sweet KZ400 LTD"   

There are still a lot of angry people on social media commenting on this sale, who is this L.A.Nik on Facebook, anyone know him or is he on this site ?
He was waffling on about the sale, I basically said the buyers opinion is the only one that matters (yeah I know, maybe I should not engage) anyway, his response was,
"the only difference here is thet are all be auctioned off with zero information and you can't ask any questions or know who the owner is so people who don't know any better way get fooled by others. A lot of scams going on. Nothing wrong with giving people fair warning on bikes that sell for 50k That bike brought 52k! Bidder thought it was 100% original"
So Im reading that and thinking, what a load of nonsense, so I reply (yeah, I know, maybe I should not engage)
"that bike was well publicised due to the owner being a known drag racer.
The bike was on display prior for inspection.
It would appear that you are trying to con people on how it actually transpired.
Someone who knows the buyer stated they are not rich, just a Z enthusiast who desperately wants to replace an accident damaged bike, with a bike that is ready to be ridden.
The Mecum description accurately described the bike and the fact it had reproduction parts."

It just annoys me that people go off on these "the seller is a con artist, the bike is a fraud, and the buyer is a fool" rants everytime a bike goes for top dollar.

 

A 73 Z1 has just finished on EBay - this is a low number bike ZIF-03342, which sounds like it could be a 72 production ?
A fairly original bike, but not a runner - needs wiring sorted, ignition cables, battery, tyres, turn signals, front master cylinder.  Has 5000 miles showing on odo.  Looking quite presentable in photos.
Finished at a shade under $25,000 USD.

ZIF-03342 was made early December 1972.
$25k for a bike that needs work, buyers want them.
 

Item 295463284533 is a set of '73 pipes listed for $6,000 CDN!

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Item 295463284533 is a set of '73 pipes listed for $6,000 CDN!
Early 73 pipes have a welded seam and no stainless cover
Later 73 pipes have a stainless cover and KHI 900 Z1 / 750 Z2
These pipes did not come on a 73 z1.