Inauthentic Vintage Motorcycle Sold for $85K at Auction?

Join us from the Mecum Motorcycle Auction in Las Vegas, Nevada as we cover the sale of a very rare 1974 Kawasaki Z2 750 that was sold only in Japan, with only about 10 or so being known to exist in the United States. Following the auction it was discovered that VIN was ground down and was not legible, something that would drastically impact the value of the motorcycle and its proof of authenticity. From
There a few more questions were raised but it was hard to get answers as little is know about the rare Z2 from 50 years ago. Mecum displayed great customer service by letting the buyer back out of the sale. #motorcycle

[abefroman]

I can't believe Mecum didn't verify the frame/ engine number before the sale.

[herbfst]

This is on Mecum. For the fees they charge, they should be on the hook. They should be validating everything. This isn't eBay.

[danlippie]

In the Mecum catalog it says original frame and engine numbers, shame on them for that.

[MrKdr]

Ground of VIN numbers can be X-Rayed and read from behind as the stamping leave an imprint on the other side of the metal.

[MasterLee]

BEFORE you even consider a buy how could you NOT look at the VIN ?

[macmorgan]

We sold a vincent black shadow at Mecums a few years ago but outside the of auction block- to a supposed buyer. Mecum wanted their commission which was taken out of the selling price. A few months later I looked at some Mecum results and saw that they had the bike listed as sold for quite a bit more. We were happy but I’m really suspect of Mecum’s business practice. They take the seller’s word for authenticity so it’s buyer beware.

[alissamejia]

Who spends $85k on a vintage bike (supposedly uber rare) without even verifying the frame and engine numbers? Way too much easy money circulating in the system these days.

[jimcarey]

Ray Charles could see the numbers were ground off the neck.

[IamTony]

Uncle Tony told me to come watch this atrocity so here I am.

[gymshoe]

I used to buy these (in the 80's) for 2-500 bucks. I would clean em up and give em a tuneup and sell em for 1000 1500 bucks. You could buy a Kerker pipe for 100 bucks back then. Things have changed!

[blindmarc]

Mecum should have caught that, and so should the prospective buyer.

[MyNaauao]

How did Mecum not catch it prior to the auction? You can't even register it, or even insure it, if you plan to ride it

[genejones]

Don't leave us with a cliffhanger. Please keep us updated!

This is an excellent opportunity for the public to learn and come to a fair understanding for all parties involved.

[cobradalton]

Mecum did the right thing, unfortunately, someone failed to catch the flaws of this bike, but in the end, the buyer was released from the sale because Mecum stands by their high standards! Well done!

[teavstravel]

They’re in Vegas, should have just got hold of Rick from the pawn shop.
He’s not an expert, but he knows a guy who is 😂

[cknorris]

And they didn't even do a good job hiding it. You are supposed to weld over the old numbers so you can grind it smooth. They just chunked the metal with the old numbers out and then re-punched 2 digits so they can say the end numbers match. 🤣

[johnrasile]

this is not some back yard auction, how could someone show up with that bike and not think the grinding of the numbers wouldn't be noticed.

[CaptainNero]

I wonder how this would have been handled if the buyer didnt discover it until he brought it home.

[halfnelson]

Keep us posted on this one, Jack. If at all possible.

[mitchd]

"Mecum displayed great customer service by letting the buyer back out of the sale?" I'd say they avoided a lawsuit or they avoided harm to their reputation. I wouldn't kid myself and say they did it for "customer service."