Simply wait until you lay eyes on this 1988 Kawasaki Ninja EX500 once you're inside the fairings.
If you've been keeping up with my work for some time now, you might know that I have a particular affection for '80s and '90s Japanese motorcycles. More precisely, I lean towards being a fan of Hondas (refer my Hawk or my VF500F Interceptor As shown in Exhibits A and B, I’m also very interested in seeing what the other three Japanese OEMs were up to during that period. To be honest, my curiosity extends to everything from that time.
As someone passionate about bicycles from this period, I've naturally spent considerable time browsing online advertisements for the types of bikes that catch my attention. Anyone who dedicates even a small portion of their time to this activity would likely say that your search outcomes can differ significantly based on the local market, especially considering your specific preferences.
If I look directly in and around the Chicago area, it's tough to find a super clean, gorgeous Japanese bike of this era in the condition you'll see on this 1988 Kawasaki Ninja EX500. Especially not for $1,000, even if it's not running properly. (Trust me, while my VF500 didn't come from Wisconsin or Illinois, it also wasn't $1,000 and it's definitely had a rougher life than this Ninja has.)
Sure, it’s likely because of that reason which made this bike cost so little, but it seems quite unbelievable. In my region, something like this wouldn’t occur even when considering how close Wisconsin actually is. When talking about antique bicycles as well as sporting competitions, things operate differently beyond what locals often refer to as the Cheese Line.
If you share a passion for motorcycles from this period, seeing the static image of this bike likely has you feeling excited, even before pressing play on the accompanying video. Just observe those fairings! And that Muzzy exhaust system! Seriously, the seat appears flawless without any cracks in its covering! The pink accents on the wheels, though aftermarket, enhance the overall appeal of the white and gold design scheme. even better !
Once you view the video, the visual attractiveness becomes even more apparent. Honestly, I was nearly overwhelmed when I noticed how clean and sharp the instrument panel looked. There were no signs of odd fogging, cracks, or indications that it had been exposed to sunlight for extended periods. The windshield does show some minor webbing, but it’s far less pronounced than what you’d typically find on a motorcycle of this vintage.
It's extremely clear that whoever owned this bike in the past took very good care of it, and it's probably spent most of its life parked indoors when it's not been out riding. At the same time, it has been ridden, which is also what you want to see. The total sweet spot for bikes of this era, in terms of use and care, it appears.
Joe from 2Vintage acquired another bicycle for next to nothing, just like he frequently does in Wisconsin. Typically, his finds come about due to sellers claiming the bikes aren’t operational. However, considering the expertise showcased in all their videos and encountering such an appealing bicycle, anyone with those abilities would likely pay around $1000 without hesitation and haul it away immediately, wouldn’t they? Absolutely.
Now, with what I've gone through so far with my 1985 Honda VF500F Interceptor, my instant bias was to wonder if it was a carb issue. But of course, I wanted to watch the video to see if my suspicion was correct.
As 2Vintage carefully gets into this bike, you see even more clearly what great condition it's in. There's one body panel that's missing (the tiny one near the right side of the saddle; you can see it i the still above), but all the others seem to be in fantastic shape. When he pulls off the lower fairing/belly pan (it's all one piece), it's just so nice . More delightful than any bicycle from this era should have a right to be. Incredible.
It still even has the original Kawasaki factory tool kit tucked up under the saddle! Color me envious, honestly. You love to see it (or at least, I do).
He then starts checking all the things you'd expect: Fuses (all good), spark, compression (insanely good; no, seriously, be sure you watch this part). Eventually, he ends up taking the carbs off to check them, and discovers a little bit of clogging and one pinched diaphragm that needs replacement just to be safe, but nothing big or serious.
And then there's the vacuum line going to the fuel petcock. It seems to be impeding proper fueling on this little '88 Ninja EX500. Once he bypasses it entirely, the thing runs so sweet it's unreal.
Observe, listen, and decide for yourself how much smoother it operates once he resolves that problem. This thing undoubtedly purrs Once he has it functioning correctly, I mean, to the extent that if you watch this video and at the end you’re not desperately eager to hop on this bike yourself, then I’m not certain why you’re watching in the first place.
Comin Back For More
- What's Off with This Idyllic '90s Yamaha Dirt Bike?
- Could This Be The Most Pristine 1992 Yamaha YZ125 Dirt Bike Discovery of All Time?
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