1977 KAWASAKI KE125 — 1,875 ORIGINAL MILES — OUTSTANDING ORIGINAL PAINT — PRESERVATION SERVICED

A REMARKABLY ORIGINAL SURVIVOR

Take a close look at this exceptional 1977 Kawasaki KE125 and ask yourself: When was the last time you saw an unrestored, original-paint KE125 this clean?

Showing only 1,875 original miles, this nearly 50-year-old Kawasaki remains remarkably close to the way it left the factory. It runs like new, looks incredible, and sounds exactly as a properly preserved classic two-stroke should.

Most KE125s were ridden hard by young owners both on and off the road. They were dropped, modified, worn out, and eventually abandoned or left outside to rust. This motorcycle lived a very different life. Its original owner stored it indoors and kept it in outstanding condition, preserving the factory paint, chrome, gauges, controls, lighting, and other components that are so often missing or damaged.

ORIGINAL FACTORY PAINT

The fuel tank and fenders retain their original Kawasaki factory finish. The tank is exceptionally straight, with no dents and only a few tiny scratches and minor beauty marks consistent with age. These small imperfections are disclosed in the photographs and video, but we would never repaint this motorcycle. It is only original once, and paint this well preserved deserves to remain untouched.

The original front fender is in beautiful condition and still displays its Kawasaki logo. Even the undersides of the fenders are remarkably clean, offering further evidence that this bike was never subjected to the kind of serious off-road abuse that claimed most surviving KE125s.

The majority of the frame retains its original finish. During preservation, minor cosmetic touch-up work was performed on portions of the frame rails. The swingarm, chain guard, kickstand, and chain guide were refinished to complement the outstanding original condition of the motorcycle.

1,875 ORIGINAL MILES

The original gauges look nearly new. Most surviving examples have faded or yellowed faces, cracked lenses, insect contamination, or missing instruments. These gauges remain clear, clean, and beautifully preserved.

The original VIN label is still present and legible, and the stamped frame identification area is exceptionally clean. These details are often worn away, damaged, or heavily rusted on motorcycles of this age.

The condition of the VIN area, frame rails, engine cases, controls, and cycle parts supports what the low mileage already tells you: this Kawasaki has led an extraordinarily gentle and well-preserved life.

FULL MECHANICAL PRESERVATION SERVICE

When the KE125 arrived at Kaplan Cycles, it received our comprehensive preservation service. This was not a restoration. Our goal was to retain as much originality as possible while making the motorcycle mechanically sound and ready to enjoy.

The work performed included:

• Fuel tank cleaned internally

• Carburetor removed, completely rebuilt, and properly adjusted

• Fuel petcock rebuilt

• New fuel lines installed

• New inline fuel filter installed

• Original airbox cleaned and fitted with a new air filter

• New spark plugs installed

• Engine inspected internally with a borescope

• Compression tested and found to be excellent

• Gearbox oil changed

• Oil-injection system inspected and serviced

• Fresh two-stroke injector oil added

• Brand-new battery installed

• Original chain cleaned, serviced, and reinstalled

• Original sprockets inspected

• Complete mechanical inspection and nut-and-bolt check performed

Our borescope inspection revealed that the cylinder still retains visible factory-style crosshatching. Compression was excellent, and there was no reason to disturb the engine. To the best of our knowledge, the engine has never been opened and remains internally original.

FULL ROTISSERIE DETAIL

After the mechanical work was completed, the motorcycle was sent to our detail department for a full rotisserie detail.

The aged clear finish was removed from the fork lowers, which were then professionally polished. The wheels were vapor-honed and thoroughly cleaned, the spokes were detailed, and the chrome was carefully polished and preserved.

The motorcycle retains its original chain, original sprockets, original toolbox, original plate bracket, original handlebars, original switch housings, original footpegs, passenger pegs, lighting equipment, and numerous other factory components.

The lettering on the original switch housings remains visible—another small detail that is normally worn away after decades of use.

OUTSTANDING ORIGINAL COMPONENTS

The original headlight brackets are perfectly straight. The headlight bucket, headlight, and chrome fork tubes remain in excellent condition. The original turn signals are still intact and remarkably well preserved. These were normally the first parts damaged when a lightweight dual-sport motorcycle was dropped in the woods.

The original handlebars are straight and clean. The shifter, rider footpegs, and passenger pegs show no evidence of serious crash damage or abuse. The kickstand is original and remains in excellent condition.

The taillight assembly is intact, along with the original rear plate bracket and toolbox—components that are frequently missing from surviving examples. The engine cases are beautiful, the frame downtubes are exceptionally clean, and the lower frame rails show none of the heavy impacts or dents normally associated with off-road use.

The newer front and rear tires remain in excellent condition and still display their molding nubs. They are not the original factory-brand tires, but they have a period-correct tread style that complements the motorcycle beautifully. The rear wheel was balanced when the tire was installed.

30 HOURS INVESTED

We invested approximately 30 hours of professional shop labor, along with several hundred dollars in parts and supplies, to mechanically preserve, service, and detail this extraordinary Kawasaki.

The result is not an over-restored showpiece. It is something considerably harder to find: an exceptionally low-mileage, largely original example that retains its authentic factory character while being properly serviced and ready to run.

A TRUE DUAL-SPORT CLASSIC

The KE125 represents one of the great lightweight dual-purpose motorcycles of its era. It is street legal, easy to handle, economical, and capable of exploring dirt roads and trails. For many riders, motorcycles like this were their first taste of freedom—commuting to school, carrying a passenger, exploring back roads, and spending weekends riding off-road.

Finding one today is not difficult. Finding one with only 1,875 original miles, outstanding original paint, straight factory components, clean chrome, intact lighting, original controls, and this level of preservation is another matter entirely.

This is as close to a new 1977 KE125 as you are likely to find nearly five decades later.

COSMETIC DISCLOSURE

This motorcycle is remarkably well preserved but should not be confused with a freshly restored machine. The tank has a few extremely small scratches and beauty marks consistent with its age. Portions of the frame rails received minor touch-up work, and the swingarm, chain guard, kickstand, and chain guide were refinished.

Please review all photographs and the accompanying video carefully. We make every effort to show the motorcycle honestly and accurately from every angle.

If you are searching for a museum-quality survivor, a centerpiece for a Japanese motorcycle collection, or an exceptionally clean classic dual-sport that can still be enjoyed, the ship has just come in.

Call Kaplan Cycles at 860-454-7024 with any questions.

Thanks for looking, and God bless America.

WHY SHOULD YOU BUY FROM KAPLAN? WHAT DO YOU GET?

“You are buying from the Kaplan Cycles Family. We are not just another big auction house. We are family-owned and operated and have been buying, servicing, and selling motorcycles since 1975. You will work directly with Ken Jr., Ken Sr., and/or one of the 30+ experts on our team. We provide museum-quality, white-glove concierge service from start to finish. Every motorcycle we sell is inspected, serviced, and supported by our team, and we stand behind it after the sale. You’re not on your own — we back what we build and what we sell.

With over 17,000 units sold and still 100% positive feedback, we are the best stress-free buying experience you can have. From the first call to delivery at your door, we will handle it all — because vintage motorcycles deserve support, and so do you.

With every bike we curate you get:
• museum-level inspection & preservation services
• every machine is professionally evaluated, serviced, & rotisserie detailed
• all critical systems are checked, adjusted, or renewed
• you get professional setup, tuning, and delivery prep
• done by the best experts in the industry — we ride and restore every day
• you get post-sale phone support
• you get white-glove, insured, always-enclosed shipping to your door anywhere in the country

You’re buying from Kaplan Cycles at the New England Motorcycle Museum, one of the largest vintage motorcycle collections in North America. Free museum tours and tickets are included with every bike sold. With every bike you purchase, a portion of the proceeds is used to support, continue, and improve the 501(c)(3) nonprofit New England Motorcycle Museum.

You don’t just win an auction — YOU are creating & helping to preserve motorcycle history, and you become part of our family, a Kaplan Cycles client for life.

We do not take new clients off the street.
We do not service bikes purchased elsewhere.
We only take new exclusive clients who purchase a motorcycle from us.

You get a guided purchase experience with, and from, the experts who care about the bike as much as you do. If there’s a problem, you don’t get ghosted. You call us — you will have our cell phone numbers — we will answer your call on weekends, and we will help make it right.

Auction platforms = listing only. No support. No accountability.

Kaplan Cycles = we stand behind what we sell.

You are buying museum-curated provenance. That means:
• expert evaluation
• documented condition
• professional presentation
• long-term preservation mindset

You’re not just buying a motorcycle — you’re buying a curated piece of motorcycling history.

From the #1 family in this business — Kaplan Cycles & the New England Motorcycle Museum.

Sincerely,

Ken Kaplan Sr.
12/28/2025”

AUCTION TERMS:

All motorcycles & vehicles are sold as-is where-is.

Kaplan Cycles guarantees all motorcycles are as-described. Please read the entire description and watch the entire video before bidding.

A non-refundable deposit is due immediately on purchase. PayPal or Credit Card is accepted for the deposit.

Cash (In-Person), Card (+3% fee), or Wire Transfer are our only accepted forms of final payment.

Full payment must be made within 7 days of auction close.

Your motorcycle must be picked up within 30 days of auction close. 

Exceptions are made only for international buyers OR buyers who have ALREADY made transport arrangements with a third party.

If a motorcycle is purchased and left here for longer than 30 days without written permission from Kaplan Cycles it will be resold. In the case of a re-sale, the owner will be entitled to a refund less storage fees ($25/ day beginning 30 days from auction close) ONLY if the motorcycle was paid in full on-time within the auction terms.

We always describe our motorcycles as accurately as possible.

You are purchasing a classic motorcycle. Even in cases where a bike may be in good running/ operating condition, new problems & idiosyncrasies can arise over-time from sitting or regular use.

If you have an issue with the motorcycle you’ve received, contact us within 24 hours of delivery and before leaving feedback so that we can address your concerns.

It is important you have at least a basic mechanical knowledge before purchasing and operating a classic motorcycle.

Due to our backlog, we cannot perform any additional service work or modifications on your motorcycle after the sale (ie; adding a light kit, different tires, etc.)

We respond quickly between the hours of 9am and 5pm EST, Monday - Friday

For our fastest service please call Ken Kaplan Jr directly at 860-471-0192

We will not charge out-of-state buyers sales tax.
Out of state residents will pay sales tax with their DMV. 

We are not a registering dealership. You will receive only the documents required to register your vehicle in your state.

In our listings, title status is always listed directly below the main description.

In some cases we will sell motorcycles without title or registration. In these cases we guarantee all motorcycles sold are free and clear. We will always provide a route to obtaining title. Generally in these cases, the motorcycle will be sold at a discount to accommodate expenses involved.

Documents are mailed via USPS priority mail with a tracking number. Please allow up to 14 days after payment in full for your documents to be processed and mailed.

Keys will be shipped with the motorcycle.

Warranty:

All Motorcycles sold "as is, where is" and Kaplan Cycles does not warranty any motorcycle sold. No express warranty and/or implied warranty are made by Kaplan Cycles. No statements by us give an implied warranty.

SHIPPING:

SEND US YOUR ZIP FOR A SHIPPING QUOTE!
WE WILL MAKE ALL ARRANGEMENTS!

We have the best shipping contacts in the nation who will provide the FASTEST transport times, have a perfect track record, and are always insured and ENCLOSED! All motorcycles are shipped WHOLE (roll-on, roll-off). We do not offer a pallet or crate service.

International shipping specialist contacts are available! They will assist in ground freight, customs clearance, and ocean freight to your country. International buyers will be required to work directly with our third party shipping contacts.

We strongly recommend you insure your motorcycle at the time of purchase.

PICKUP:

We require a 24 hour notice prior to pick-up. Please call us at 860-454-7024 during office hours Monday – Friday 9am – 5pm EST.

We will provide ramps, a dock for loading, and assistance to load for free.