How much is this KZ650 worth?

I put my Honda CX500 up on craigslist and a guy emailed me that he had some bikes he would trade me. He has a KZ650 that has the specs I was looking for (duck tail, duel front/rear disk brake, alloy wheels) and I was hoping you guys could give me an idea of it's value so I have a better idea of this trade situation. I'm not sure yet how many miles the bike has on it, but here are a couple pics. I looked around and I believe it's a 77' KZ650 Custom, though he said it was a 76 and didn't know the model. He said it has a super trap muffler, and clearly it has pod filters and no kick start lever.

Here's the other side.

Someone once said, it's worth whatever you can get someone to pay for it. If it was me and the bike was running pretty decent I'd give up to about $700 for it. Missing the side cover and the kick start lever are great points to help you bring the value down on it if he's wanting too much for it. How well it runs is the deal maker/breaker. Take compression on it, if it doesn't have good compression you're looking at head/valve work (most likely unless it has ring issues) and top end gaskets. If compression is low I wouldn't give more than about $500 for it. If you can't tell I like the $1 a cc for a running bike theory...getting a little harder to get those kind of deals lately, but if you're shrewd you can still find them.

And you're right, it's likely a 77C model. Some of the 77's were sold as 76, so he may not be wrong on that.

If she's a decent runner I'd trade a CX500 for it, assuming the CX wasn't cherry.

The CX500 Custom isn't cherry, but it does run great and only have 5000mi on it. I don't know how to do a compression test on a bike, so I'll just have to go see how it runs. I was thinking it was probably a fair trade if his runs well.

Doing a compression test is super easy. You'll need a compression tester, should be able to get one inexpensively at any auto parts store around you. You pull all the plugs out of the bike (takes 2 minutes) and put the tester into each plug socket (some thread in some just press into the hole) one at a time. After putting the tester on hit the start button and crank the bike over until the compression gauges hits it's highest point, will usually max out after about 5-7 cranks, that's the compression for that cylinder. If the motor has lower than 150 per cylinder expect to do some work in the near future, and think about the trade a bit more...

cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/PLEWS-TOOLS-COMP...lsQQsalenotsupported

something like this would be real easy to take with you to look at the bike too. If the guy objects to you checking compression on it I'd also think twice about bringing it home...

Check out the Motorcycle section of the NADA Guides online ( www.nadaguides.com )... I've used it many times and seems quite solid... I've definitely used the information when purchasing a bike from someone.

to check compression , don't you have to hold the throttle wide open ?

Yes - WOT... or when the carbs are off the bike.
Before removing the plugs, make darn sure there isn't any debris around them - like a pebble or screw or something. I always blow the area w compressed air prior to removal. Get a compression tester that has a 14mm threaded end or adapter.

Trade! Trade!