2000 Kawasaki W650 Cafe Racer

In Cafe Racer, Custom, Japan by AbhiLeave a Comment

4/1/21 Update: 4 years, Todd B notes that this bike is back up for sale with a drop in price – find it for sale in Greenwich Village, New York for $6,800 here on Craigslist.


Post Listing Update: This custom W650 did not get any interest at the asking price of $8,500.

Even though some reviewers thought the W650 looked more like the original Bonneville than the modern classic variant, I feel like I don’t see many customs based on the Kawasaki platform. Part of the reason for that simply that there’s a lack of bikes – Kawi exported it to the US for just two years, though for a brief instant it was on sale before Triumph brought back the Bonneville name in the early 2000s. During that time it was the best option for someone looking for reliability with classic British styling, even if the badge on the tank said Kawasaki. here’s an example that shows what can be done by a first time builder.

For more on the stock bike, check out this comparison between the W650 and the Bonneville in Motorcyclist. This example (VIN: JKAEJEA11YA016330) has 4,000 miles and it has obviously been customized quite a bit, the highlights of which include an engine from Orient Express, suspension work by NYC Norton, and a lot of custom parts including a Vincent taillight retrofitted with LEDs, MG sports car headlight stone guard, Progressive fork springs, Hagon shocks, custom seat/seat pan, adjustable clipons, Galfer SS brake lines, Motion Pro cables, the tank from a Bonneville T140, and more. For more on the build, check out this article on BikeEXIF.

Find this W650 custom for sale in Babylon, New York with a BIN of $8,500 or best offer