This 1980 Kawasaki KZ650 Running When Parked may be the most sano offering we have stumbled upon. The paint and chrome looks great. The blue header pipes might point to a lean fuel mixture, but aftermarket pipes “blue up” pretty easily. The rubber and plastic appearance points to a bike that was stored properly. The $3,500 asking price is crazy high for a non-runner that is not particularly collectable (Kelly Blue Book pegs the value of a running KZ650 at $1650). But as Francis said, “everything is negotiable, Pee Wee.”
The comment that got our attention comes after the “did run when parked.” The seller claims he will not sell his prized possession to you if “you want to turn it into a bobber or chopper.” We have to wonder how he is going to pull that one off? Will he make the buyer sign a promissory note that fenders will not be removed for operation? No fork extension? No sissy bar added? No under-the-bar mirrors? No ape hangers? You have to use the stock saddle and tank?
Sorry to break it to this guy, but once you sell your bike, you have zero control over what the new owner is going to do with it. That’s why they call it “the new owner.” It’s not yours anymore once you accept money to transfer ownership. The new owner can trash compact it if they want to. If the seller is serious about what might happen to the bike, I’d suggest pulling the ad down and keeping the bike in your collection.
The phrase “running when parked” (RWP) is code for a once treasured possession that has been neglected in the corner of the garage or tool shed for far too long. Lacking the energy, time or resources to bring the little beauty back to life, the owner lists it for sale in hopes that a new owner will massage it back to health. Our collection of RWP bikes fall into two distinct categories; treasure or trash. And you are the only one who can properly judge which category the bike belongs in.