Kawi S2 value?

bighole · Post by **bighole** » Sat Sep 19, 2009 9:28 am

I know this can be a very subjective question but...
I have been offered a 1972 Kawasaki S2, cosmetically rough but complete, running condition. I haven't seen it yet but may go look at it this week. The question is, I have no idea what these are worth. I don't have a whole lot of extra cash but would hate to let this one slide.
Can anyone give me a ballpark idea?
Thanks,
John

H2RICK · Post by **H2RICK** » Sun Sep 20, 2009 1:21 pm

John, if it truly is a runner then that's great, BUT....they're just not collectable, even though it's a first year bike.....so the intrinsic value is very low. As well, those bikes are NOT particularly rare, even today.
Only a special few folks collect small bore bikes.....and very few of those collectors live in North America. This is, as you know, the continent of BIG bore bikes, no matter how old.
The Europeans and Brits look more favourably on small bore bikes because the licencing and taxing regulations back in the day favoured small bore bikes and that's what everyone grew up riding on.
After all that blather and not having seen or heard the bike I, personally, would not pay a penny over C$200 for any S2 that wasn't a 100 point resto bike.
My .02 worth....

bighole · Post by **bighole** » Mon Sep 21, 2009 6:28 am

Thanks for the info, Rick! I am not familiar with these and didnt know whether these were common or not, how hard parts are to get, etc. I don't really want to get into a project that would cost a mint to do but pays off with a penny. Its always great to see these old bikes like the last 35 years never happened, I just don't have the disposable income to save them all. If anyone else out there is interested in it let me know.
Thanks again!
John

tz375 · Post by **tz375** » Mon Sep 21, 2009 10:46 pm

John,

So did you splash out for the S2 in a moment of weakness or did you stand firm - wish I knew what that felt like- I can't say no to a bike

BTW, how's the gray bike after going bush and how are you healing up?

Zunspec4 · Post by **Zunspec4** » Tue Sep 22, 2009 1:53 pm

Hi John,

The S2 is high on my wish list but they rarely appear on UK eBay or the bike press "free adverts". I did spot one earlier this year, looked in pretty good unrestored condition, the seller was asking £2350 (GBP). If it had been nearer I might have been tempted. In US dollars that is near $4000, if you ship to the UK you could probably still make a profit on the transaction

.

H2RICK makes a good observation that us Euro's like the smaller bikes, must have something to do with a surfeit of bendy roads where light weight and nimbleness come to the fore.

Cheers Zunspec

johnakay · Post by **johnakay** » Wed Sep 23, 2009 2:48 am

Zunspec get in touch with Rick Brett he might be able to sort one out for you.
if you want to contact him or board members regarding the s1or s2 .
just let me know. john

Zunspec4 · Post by **Zunspec4** » Wed Sep 23, 2009 11:59 am

Hello John,

First - Whip that little health problem, hope it's dealt with ASAP.

Ahh the S2. I used to see one on display in a Gardening Shop front window ! on the London Road in Bath as I passed on the bus on the way to college. I must have read the Cycle World road test a hundred times, but in the days before easy credit well out of reach on apprentice wages. If the right one appeared I would be sorely tempted but my next project is a GT500 based Flat Tracker.

If anybody has any ideas on how to position the pipes to run down the right side of the bike, without frying flesh

, I'd be happy to know.

Cheers Zunspec