1977 Yamaha RD400 Survivor – Original Paint – 8,589 Miles – Giant Killer Two-Stroke – Fully Serviced

DETAILS

• YEAR - 1977

• MILEAGE - 8,589

• MAKE - YAMAHA

• MODEL - RD400

• VIN - 1A1-309290

• TITLE - YES

Guys, feast your eyes on one of the greatest two-stroke street bikes ever built—the legendary 1977 Yamaha RD400.

It’s hard to believe it’s been nearly 50 years since the RD400 first hit dealer showrooms in the summer of 1976. If you know anything about Yamaha’s RD series, you already know these bikes earned the nickname “Giant Killers” because they could embarrass much larger four-cylinder motorcycles on tight back roads and technical racetracks. Lightweight, razor sharp, brutally fun, and absolutely addictive to ride.

Most RD400s were bought by young sport riders, raced hard, wheelied, modified, crashed, or destroyed decades ago. Finding an honest survivor with original paint, low mileage, and no evidence of crash damage is becoming almost impossible.

This 1977 Yamaha RD400 is exactly that.

Survivor-Grade Original Example

• Only 8,589 original miles

• Original factory paint

• Original seat

• Original suspension

• Original turn signals and running gear

• Original exhaust system

• No evidence of major crash damage

• Straight foot pegs and chassis

• Honest 50-year-old patina throughout

This is not a trailer queen museum restoration—and that’s exactly what makes it special.

At Kaplan Cycles, our frame-off restorations routinely exceed $18,000–$25,000 by the time labor and parts are complete. We currently have over 186 motorcycles waiting for restoration, so instead of completely dismantling this bike into a concours-level project, we chose to preserve its originality while making it mechanically sound, reliable, and ride-ready.

The result is a beautiful, honest, usable RD400 survivor that still retains its soul.

Mechanical Work Completed

This RD was professionally serviced by Justin Harris (“Mr. Turbo”) and received a substantial mechanical recommissioning including:

Fuel & Induction System

• Fuel tank drained and flushed

• Fresh VP94 pre-mix fuel installed at 40:1

• Oil injection system removed (bike is now pre-mix)

• New fuel lines

• New crossover lines

• Two new inline fuel filters

• Carburetors cleaned and rebuilt

• Jets and passages cleaned

• Float heights set properly

• Carburetors synchronized

• Air screws adjusted with bike running

• Main jets changed from 130 to 115

• Needle settings adjusted for proper fueling

• Reed valves inspected

• New air filter installed

Engine & Ignition

• Compression test performed:

• 115 PSI left cylinder

• 115 PSI right cylinder

• Top end previously rebuilt by former owner

• Cylinders refinished in wrinkle black

• New spark plugs installed

• Charging system tested and functioning properly

• Charging at 13.5 volts

• Electrical system fully inspected

Controls & Upgrades

• Aftermarket carburetor setup installed

• Performance quick-turn throttle installed

• New MGO handlebar grips

• New battery installed

Brakes & Chassis

• Brand new front brake caliper

• New braided stainless front brake line

• Aftermarket rear master cylinder

• Braided stainless rear brake line

• Rear caliper appears newer as well

Tires

Brand new Shinko high-performance tires front and rear with less than 10 miles on them. These are extremely popular with modern stunt riders, wheelie riders, and slide-school riders because of their outstanding grip characteristics.

Cosmetic Condition

This bike underwent a full rotisserie-style detail including:

• Steam cleaning

• Hand washing

• Tank polishing

• Chrome detailing

• Engine side covers refinished

• Battery tray refinished

• Brake reservoir refinished

• Center stand refinished

• Kickstand refinished

• Hardware cleaned and detailed

The bike presents beautifully, but it is still an honest survivor—not a freshly painted over-restoration.

Imperfections include:

• Minor patina throughout

• Small ding in tank

• Small scratch in tank

• Minor chrome pitting in areas

• Tiny crack in original seat cover

• Normal wear consistent with a preserved 50-year-old motorcycle

Frankly, we love it exactly the way it is.

Once you fully restore one of these, every nut, bolt, decal, and bracket has to be perfect. Then you become afraid to ride it. A bike like this can actually be enjoyed. Ride it to the beach. Take it to bike night. Ride it to a vintage event. Get caught in the rain and not lose your mind.

This is the kind of RD400 longtime owners never sell.

A True Two-Stroke Legend

I worked at Mickey Finn Honda in the mid-1980s, and our manager Mike Boucher owned a 1977 RD400 exactly like this one. He rode that bike to work for decades and still owns it today. Mike was a District 34 AMA Pro Motocross racer and could have ridden anything he wanted—but he kept riding the RD400 because they’re simply that much fun.

Six-speed transmission.
Reed-valve induction.
Ultra-lightweight chassis.
Instant throttle response.
Absolute wheelie machine.

There’s nothing quite like an RD.

Important Notes

• Bike is pre-mix only

• Oil injection has been removed

• Original carburetors were replaced due to long-term fuel damage

• Bike starts, runs, shifts, rides, and stops properly

• All lights, horn, turn signals, high/low beam function correctly

Investment Grade Classic

Vintage two-strokes continue climbing in value every year, especially honest survivor examples that haven’t been over-restored or modified beyond recognition.

This is an affordable entry point into one of Yamaha’s most iconic motorcycles. Ride it exactly as it sits or slowly take it to the next level over time with chambers, cosmetics, or a full restoration.

Either way—you’re buying one of the most legendary two-stroke street bikes ever built.

A true money-in-the-bank classic.

Worldwide shipping available.

Questions welcome.

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.