What should I ask for for this bike?

stinkwheel · Bovine Proctologist Joined: 12 Jul 2004 Karma :

I know there's a lot of threads like this but this is a fairly rare and oddball bike and I know some users are into the 70's 2-stoke scene.

My Dad has asked me to sell his 1971 KH350.

There's a local guy interested in it but it's such a rare bike I don't really know where to start money-wise.

It's UK registered, tax exempt and in reasonable condition. Pretty much unmolested in terms of engine and cycleparts. It's a runner but not currently MOted.

Was imported from the US in the early 80's and fully restored and given a top-end rebuild using original parts. Have a book of receipts for all the parts used (over £1k back in 1983!). Got all the MOTs it's had, original owners handbook etc.

Bad parts are tatty chrome plating flaking off the engine casings, the wheels have been powdercoated and it's missing a mirror. "Someone" has also scuffed the bottom exhaust Whistle

.

Completed listings on ebay have seen a dog-rough, ratty as fuck, unregistered, non-runners going for £1,500 to £3k and a concourse restoration going for £5k.

Would it be cheeky to ask £3.5k for this one? More? Less? This colour on a 350 is like rocking horse poo too.

https://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f216/stinkwheel/IMGP0598.jpg

https://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f216/stinkwheel/IMGP0599.jpg

https://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f216/stinkwheel/IMGP0600.jpg
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I did the 2010 Round Britain Rally on my 350 Bullet. 89 landmarks, 3 months, 9,500 miles.

MarJay · But it's British! Joined: 15 Sep 2003 Karma :

Moar. £4kish? I reckon.
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pepperami · Super Spammer Joined: 17 Jan 2010 Karma :

In as good condition as it is, I reckon a true enthusiast would bite your arms off for £3,500.
If I had £3,500 to spend on a tidy triple, I would be calling you right now.
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Parson · Trackday Trickster Joined: 12 Apr 2015 Karma :

Why not put an MOT on it? You'd surely get £4,000 then would you not?
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redeem ouzzer · World Chat Champion Joined: 06 Oct 2015 Karma :

It's an S2, there isn't a KH350.

S1 250 / S2 350 / S3 400

The S1 and S3 were detuned to become the KH250 and 400.
https://www.classickawasaki.com/bike_colours.htm

The moar you know.....

If it's a genuine 350 it's valuable, they share the reputation for bonkers with the 500 whereas the 250 is slow and the 400 is boring.

Or is it an S1 with 350 pots / 350 engine?
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stinkwheel · Bovine Proctologist Joined: 12 Jul 2004 Karma :

stinkwheel · Bovine Proctologist Joined: 12 Jul 2004 Karma :

redeem ouzzer · World Chat Champion Joined: 06 Oct 2015 Karma :

Running MOT'd S2 got to be worth 3K plus, it's not mint but it's looks quite unmolested.
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Wonko The Sane · World Chat Champion Joined: 20 Jan 2013 Karma :

The buyer is probably expecting to negotiate on price so why shouldn't you?

If you start at £4000 with a "I've looked around at prices and show winning condition appears to be £5000, but we know it's not show winning, however it's not a project, what do you think to £4000?" the buyer can respond with "I was thinking..." and you go from there

or he might respond with "that's a bit high" which can be countered by "what were you thinking?"

what you're looking to do is start the negotiation so that you reach a price you're happy with.

He might go straight for the £4k
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Diggs · World Chat Champion Joined: 03 Apr 2007 Karma :

4k seems like a good price for a decent runner. The seat isn't original plus I'm guessing the rear mudguard has been sprayed at some point. What it does have that many don't is an airbox, which will attract the collectors. Most have K&Ns. Don't worry about scuffing the centre exhaust as you are unlikely to find one without this, even those advertised as immaculate.

I think 350s will end up more collectable than S1s as there are far fewer about and they could do a genuine 100mph in their day, whereas the 250 could do an indicated 95 with chin on tank. H1s are comparatively commonplace and H2s are already so expensive you don't see anybody riding them anymore.
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GSTEEL32 · Traffic Copper Joined: 24 Feb 2010 Karma :

I'd point you in the direction of Rick Brett.

He's all things Kawasaki of this era. He's probably the one that imported the bike to be honest.

As has been said, its still got a couple of the USA bits on it, but originality is king in the Triple Market. If the engine and frame match, the exhausts are original & the chrome-work is fair, you're onto a winner.

Send him a couple of photo's, he may even have a buyer lined up, and will act as a commissioned agent in the sale.

stinkwheel · Bovine Proctologist Joined: 12 Jul 2004 Karma :

redeem ouzzer · World Chat Champion Joined: 06 Oct 2015 Karma :

55 miles to a tank is good. I once emptied the tank on my YR5 in 39 miles. Usual range is about 65 miles.
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P.addy · Red Rocket Joined: 14 Feb 2008 Karma :

redeem ouzzer · World Chat Champion Joined: 06 Oct 2015 Karma :

Robby · Dirty Old Man Joined: 16 May 2002 Karma :

Probably worth listing it on ebay for too much on a long listing, then see who gets in touch. It will be worth a bit, but the number of potential buyers is fairly small.

Polarbear · Super Spammer Joined: 24 Feb 2007 Karma :

That isn't original paintwork is it. Certainly the 350 on the oil tank/side panel isn't correct and I don't think the Kawasaki on the tank is either.

Saying that I doubt it would make that much difference as it's easy enough to get it resprayed.
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stinkwheel · Bovine Proctologist Joined: 12 Jul 2004 Karma :

It was resprayed with (very expensive) Kawasaki candy white paint and had Kawasaki decals fitted in 1986. I've got receipts for the paint and decals from Cradleys and a receipt from the spray shop.

The 350 on the oil tank does look a tad on the large side compared to some pictures though. Perhaps this wasn't one of the ones that was supplied.
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“Rule one: Always stick around for one more drink. That's when things happen. That's when you find out everything you want to know.”
I did the 2010 Round Britain Rally on my 350 Bullet. 89 landmarks, 3 months, 9,500 miles.

c_dug · Super Spammer Joined: 04 Sep 2007 Karma :

It's definitely a sellers market with old 2 strokes. I made the mistake of failing to realise that when I sold my TDR250 at about £1000 under it's true value!

If you're in no rush to see it sold I'd do as Robby suggested (and what I should have done with my TDR) and list it at something silly (£5-6k in this case) and allow offers, then sit back and see where the offers come in. It's the only way you'll get a proper idea of it's value.

I'd actually be completely honest about the pricing in the advert too, I'd say that you're unsure of value and that reasonable offers will be considered. You'll have to do a bit of sifting the wheat from the chaff but I'd think you'd have a decent idea of it's true value by the end of a 1 month listing.
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Enduro Numpty · Could Be A Chat Bot Joined: 31 Oct 2012 Karma :

If that's a close to standard S2 it will be fairly desirable to the right person. Wish it had come up a couple of years ago, I would have been seriously interested. Crying or Very sad

Polarbear · Super Spammer Joined: 24 Feb 2007 Karma :

It's a bloody lovely bike but I would think with something like that your are aiming at the serious anoraks to get top money.

How do you unpowdercoat wheels? Big job putting those wheels and spokes back to chrome and that would be the first thing on my list to do.

If you do what has been suggested, please let us know how much you get offered. I bet it's well north of £3500 Thumbs Up

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bypass2 · Spanner Monkey Joined: 12 Sep 2013 Karma :

Nice bike. Got to be worth £4.000. I reckon.