Kawasaki S1 on ebay

[winfield]

no see, no touch

Speculate on why the owner won't allow anyone to view before purchase.

Is it because he doesn't want to risk some damage from people poking around an item that will fetch such a price--kinda like don't touch the fine china--or chance starting it up, etc.?

Or is it because he doesn't want to reveal the location of such an item that may tempt someone to steal it?

Or is it something else altogether?

I suppose the answer is "Yes" to all the above

But if I were going to purchase a high priced item like that I would want to see it ahead of time. Of course, I am not a collector who may be used to dealing on such terms--think of the overseas guys gobbling up Z1s sight unseen to return them to Japan.

[Kiwi Canuck]

Speculate on why the owner won't allow anyone to view before purchase.

Is it because he doesn't want to risk some damage from people poking around an item that will fetch such a price--kinda like don't touch the fine china--or chance starting it up, etc.?

Or is it because he doesn't want to reveal the location of such an item that may tempt someone to steal it?

Or is it something else altogether?

I suppose the answer is "Yes" to all the above

But if I were going to purchase a high priced item like that I would want to see it ahead of time. Of course, I am not a collector who may be used to dealing on such terms--think of the overseas guys gobbling up Z1s sight unseen to return them to Japan.

Now if this bike was Blue and White I might be interested, but that's another story.
I did find it interesting that he would not accept bids from outside of USA, is that because of the hassle with export documents etc.?
And I concur that he probably doesn't want a hundred tire kickers "just looking" if he opens the door to viewings.
I'm pretty sure this is a legitimate sale, will it break the $80,000 barrier? maybe.

[GregT]

What impresses me is the additional parts that the guy accumulated. Some of these parts are impossible to find these days.

As you'd know, they were pretty well impossible to get back in the day too unless you were in the trade...

My guess as to why the seller isn't doing viewings - who knows, many possible reasons. The problem with putting it out for viewing at a public auction at one of the big houses is of course the commission.

[Wester Cooley]

The only people that were allowed to order any S1 parts in 1982/1983 were the actual owners of the S1's. You had to assign a Kawasaki dealer that you were going to order your S1 parts through. If I remember right the Gentleman that was in charge of S1 parts program was Scott Swede. The fancy polished cam chain was the first part that became unavailable. I stocked up on all kinds of spares back in 1983. The longest part I ever waited on were the optional gear ratio gears. They were on back order for over six months!!!

After Kawasaki got out of road racing in late 1983, anybody could get the remaining S1 goodies that Kawasaki had left in California. Thats when all the brake parts went real quick.

[eddie21]

If you're too cheap to bid for this bike, you can always grab one of these clones from Germany for only $33,792.50US

http://classic-bikes.bikeside.de/kz1000s1_ce.html#kz1000s1

[posplayr]

If you're too cheap to bid for this bike, you can always grab one of these clones from Germany for only $33,792.50US

http://classic-bikes.bikeside.de/kz1....html#kz1000s1

This also just popped up

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/1982-Kawasaki-KZ1000S1-superbike-NOT-AN-S1-barn-find-vin-000054-no-title-as-is-/281176677123?_trksid=p2045573.m2042&_trkparms=aid=111000&algo=REC.CURRENT&ao=1&asc=27&meid=1638547008245396688&pid=100033&prg=1011&rk=1&rkt=4&sd=281176677123&&forcev4exp=true#ht_500wt_1182

[srsupertrap]

Less than 2 days to go . . . please pass the popcorn to me on Wednesday because I suspect this one is going six figures.

[sharpy]

What about this idea?

If i build a Don Sharp rep and post it on Ebay what u think i should ask for. I was real famous in my own lunchtime. First red painted 750 if that means anything...

[bccap]

Reserve has been met and 12 hours to go.....

[rustybronco]

Popcorn is in the ready...

[Kiwi Canuck]

will it break the $80,000 barrier? maybe.

Well apparently so, $81,000 and 1 minute to go

[Tech73]

Less than 2 days to go . . . please pass the popcorn to me on Wednesday because I suspect this one is going six figures.

Good guess.......$107,200.00

[Kiwi Canuck]

$107,000

Holy cow, $107,000

[eddie21]

I figured it would have sold at $90k, the Kawi experts I know suggested in the $100k range. I think I'll take out my ELR for a victory lap!

[jeff.saunders]

wow.... staggering price. I've watched numerous bike auctions and this one is one of the few I've been shocked at the final number. There are now probably a few S1 owners thinking about selling theirs....