Kawasaki KZ 750 Kerker Package

[Vmass]

What are your thoughts on the value of this bike?

A couple of the Kawi projects you guys have going has peaked my interest in Kawasaki's and I came across this one.

http://boston.craigslist.org/sob/mcy/4310619363.html

[Nessism]

I don't know about value but here is another nice one that failed to sell on ebay http://www.ebay.com/itm/1982-Kawasak...p2047675.l2557

[GS1150Pilot]

$3000 opening on that last one seems pretty steep for a non-special.

[Nessism]

$3000 opening on that last one seems pretty steep for a non-special.

Depends on how much you value originality and condition. It will cost a significant amount of money to start with a lesser bike and "upgrade" condition to the level of that one.

[GS1150Pilot]

You're right. I suppose, other than specific Japanese bikes, such as the CBx, the earliest 750 Fours and Z1s, and special editions, I don't find much value in the cost of a perfect original if it is at such a premium.

[eddie21]

What are your thoughts on the value of this bike?

A couple of the Kawi projects you guys have going has peaked my interest in Kawasaki's and I came across this one.

http://boston.craigslist.org/sob/mcy/4310619363.html

That is actually a 1982 GPz750. I know because I had one! I've never heard of a "Kerker special edition" before. I suspect someone put a Kerker pipe and a couple decals on the gas tank and voila - special edition!

The bike itself is an amazing 750, light, nimble, with lots of power. Plus they are getting a little more uncommon, the twin shock version was only released in 1982. Would I recommend it at a better price than what is being asked for this one? yep!

My old 82 with a chrome Kerker

[Vmass]

I did a quick Google search for the bike and found nothing to back up the sellers claim of a factory special edition.

However, when I initially saw the ad, I thought that I had seen one before.

[harley10]

I had a 82 1100 GPZ exactly like the 750 , it was fuel injection , it never ran right though not sure why I sold it , and yeah they never did a Kerker Special Edition.,nice bikes indeed , Brian

[srsupertrap]

I believe the 1982 GPz750 is the most collectible & desirable. The factory did some mild porting or something to the head as I recall reading in the original road test. The GPz750 broke in the high 11s. I don't recall any Kerker package

[eddie21]

I believe the 1982 GPz750 is the most collectible & desirable. The factory did some mild porting or something to the head as I recall reading in the original road test. The GPz750 broke in the high 11s. I don't recall any Kerker package

You're right on the money! The quarter mile time for the 82 GPz750 was 11.75 seconds. One of the major bike rags cried foul on the 1/4 time because they discovered the intake manifold was polished. They were taken to a Kawasaki facility and were shown that all of the heads received polishing, they then printed a retraction.

[Rob S.]

July 1982 Cycle World (talking about the '81 GS1100e):

"While the styling could be classified as benignly handsome, it didn't create the visual excitement of a Kawasaki GPz..."

[srsupertrap]

Not a GPz750 but a nice stockish 1982 GPz550 . . . there is a lesson there

http://wheeling.craigslist.org/mpo/4268162263.html

[loud et]

Speaking of "packages" or "labled" bikes....
I just saw this on CL for a quite nice 85' 550E

http://cleveland.craigslist.org/mcy/4312178648.html

The seller calles it "Suzuki's equivalent of the Eddie Lawson GPZ"
Never heard that one before.

[loud et]

Not a GPz750 but a nice stockish 1982 GPz550 . . . there is a lesson there

http://wheeling.craigslist.org/mpo/4268162263.html

Nice looking find.....won't find one that nice for much cheaper anywhere.