Kawasaki Police Bikes

[MPittma100]

Does anyone know what the Kawasaki 1000cc Police Bikes are worth? Are they worth anything? Looking for a price range.

MP

[650mark]

here in the mesa/tempe Arizona area they are on craigslist all the time in the $1,200-$2,500 range. some are in pretty nice shape, some are clapped out dogs. most have hi mileage(that's why the cops got rid of them). some guys around here think they make great "bobbers/ratbikes". I've only spoken to 1 civilian owner that's had good luck with the one he bought, and he didn't put a lot of miles on his while he owned it. good luck

[tarzan]

here in the mesa/tempe Arizona area they are on craigslist all the time in the $1,200-$2,500 range. some are in pretty nice shape, some are clapped out dogs. most have hi mileage(that's why the cops got rid of them). some guys around here think they make great "bobbers/ratbikes". I've only spoken to 1 civilian owner that's had good luck with the one he bought, and he didn't put a lot of miles on his while he owned it. good luck

I can understand why they don't have much luck here. Police run those things ragged here. I saw a Deputy go from 0 to about 100mph in the dirt lane(between the HOV lane and the center barrier)last week on the 101. I passed him as he was hopping on his bike, he passed me within 1/8-1/4 mile and I was doing 70.I could hear the engine rapping out through my windows in my truck. Those new St's haul balls.

[jjz28]

There is one for sale here in WV for $800 right now.

[jetmechmarty]

A friend of mine bought one not long ago. It's pretty nice and well maintained. I don't remember what he paid for it. The valves are out of adjustment, no shims left to get it right. The head has to come off.

[MPittma100]

Pieces

A friend of mine bought one not long ago. It's pretty nice and well maintained. I don't remember what he paid for it. The valves are out of adjustment, no shims left to get it right. The head has to come off.

That is too bad. Seems like a valve shim would always be available. I bet there are some horror stories about other parts too.

I am starting to think that there is not so much special about these bikes. Their in service history in most cases is probably a nightmare - ridden hard a lot and lots and lots of miles put on them.

MP

[madmax-im]

The KZ1000 had a long production run...introduced in 1976 as a 1977 model to replace the KZ900...the KZ 1000 was replced by the KZ1300 a 6 cyl beast...but they still made the KZ1000 Police bike until 2005...so price accordingly to a bike's age...I saw one recently and it looked decent to me...prolly a later model

[jetmechmarty]

That is too bad. Seems like a valve shim would always be available. I bet there are some horror stories about other parts too.

I am starting to think that there is not so much special about these bikes. Their in service history in most cases is probably a nightmare - ridden hard a lot and lots and lots of miles put on them.

MP

The shims are available. The valve seats are worn to the point they can't be shimmed.

[MPittma100]

Misread The Post

The shims are available. The valve seats are worn to the point they can't be shimmed.

OK, did not catch that. I am going to go look at one a guy wants to sell one of these days in the near future. Don't know a lot about it yet. But will take a look see.

MP

[Aches n Pains]

I have a '95 Police Special. Paid $2,500 about 10 years ago. These are great engines that are often built into drag bikes - pretty bullet proof.

Interestingly, valve shims are interchangeable with the XS1100 shims.

Parts are pretty easy to find on ebay. Most/many parts are interchangeable with any KZ1000.

I prefer my XS's but also love the big butt seat on the Police Special.