Another "should I buy" question

IndieSol

IndieSol

"This one goes to eleven." -Nigel Tufnel
I don't want to clog the board with these, and I know there are already a few, but I wanted the esteemed opinion of the group on this one.....

I've got the opportunity to buy a '74 Kawi 400cc Triple. Complete, but non running (supposedly ran when parked). Not cherry, but not terribly rough either. The guy wants a grand OBO, but is a guy I've hung out with and ridden with a few times. I might be able to get it for around $750 or $800.

I've never paid that much for a non-running bike before. I know what the VJEMC says it's worth....I just wondered.

What say you all?
 
I would go for it. Lots of parts on line and to be honest a lot of wrecking yards are going away this may be the last time you see one.
 
go for it...parts arent too bad to find for the smaller triples..

100_5271.jpg

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Start at a buck a cc and work up from there.


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk, bitches.
 
Is it worth it to you? If it were me id likely pass, but that is only because they don't appeal to me personally...however sohc cb750s don't float everyones boat either, but I love em and would gladly pay the price for one because they appeal to me. If the bike appeals to you then it sounds like an ok price. Maybe not a steal, but decent.
 
Ya buddy do it.
There is a pretty big following for these bikes and you can double your cash if you can get it to run.
In good shape they are worth a few bucks just because they are a fair bit more difficult to find over the hondas of the same era.

Plus 2 smokers are just cool.
Dennis
 
if the bike does not run i will only pay $1 per cc... i would offer him $400 bring cash. he may bite
 
I went and looked at it last night. It's pretty rough. Left side cover mounting tab is busted off, it has some oil leaks and surface rust in a lot of places. Master cylinder needs a rebuild at the very least, tail light is cracked, exhaust is pretty rusty with rusted through holes near the tips. I'd want to do wheel and steering stem bearings as well as swingarm bushings. Needs new tires of course. Carbs need cleaned. Seat's ripped (but it comes with a cover), needs clutch lever and gear selector, headlight bracket.

The pros:

Has the key
Titled
Has compression
New clutch and cable
Tank is clean and sealed

He's a lot more firm on the price than I thought, as another friend clued him in on what they're worth, and even made the owner promise him he wouldn't take less than a grand.

I want the bike, but financially it doesn't make a lot of sense.
 
I say............................... (this is not personal, just for anyone who's asking about buying second third or more bikes)

If you have the cash spare plus somewhere to store a 'new' bike, get it and don't even think about it
If you need to ask about buying it because you want a quick turnover, you probably shouldn't get it or you probably shouldn't ask on forums (because it sounds like your putting out feelers to see if anyone is interested_
 
Not everyone is trying to make a buck off of people, dude. Well, maybe the guy selling the bike is, but not me. Simply trying to get some input from people whose opinions I value.

Thanks to everyone who added something worthwhile, which is most of you. After looking at the bike, I think I'm going to pass and upgrade my garage a bit. My 360 project is waiting anyways. If anyone in the Portland area wants to know more about the bike, I can pass the guy's contact info to you. Free of charge.
 
Not my intent at all, I forgot to put the smileys in (Doh ::) )
It's a two-stroke ;D
I would say get it, it doesn't cost anything if you have somewhere to store it, (except the initial outlay ;) )
I had a couple of friends racing them in the Kawasaki series in the 80's.
They ring ding, smoke and rattle but it's a hell of a lot of fun 8)
 
I'm dumb.


I talked to the owner today. Expressed my misgivings and we were able to come to an agreement. Now I own a triple.
 

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I paid a bit more than I wanted, but I was able to get him down some. In addition to wanting a triple, I also wanted to help him out.


I mentioned before that he was an acquaintance. Well, I'm not really great at being able to tell when someone is really a friend or just a face with a name that you share a laugh with, but after thinking about it a bit, I think I can consider him a friend. He was on the group ride that I was with when I crashed my GS - in fact, he was one of the other riders that went down, and he helped talk me into rebuilding the bike. I've sold him motorcycle parts and wrenched/smoked/drank with him in both of our garages. I think that counts as a friend. Anyways, he really needed some money to get a cylinder head back from the machinist.


All in all, we're both happy guys tonight.
 
Nice bud. congrats welcome to the club.
If you need any help with it, just msg me and i'll do my best to point you in the right direction. Plus the guys on the Kawasaki triples boards are very knowledgeable and super helpful. I couldn't have gotten so far on my build with out them.

Cheers
Dennis
 
I checked out your build, Rattlecan. Outstanding work. I'll definitely be sending some questions your way.
 
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