1979 SUZUKI RM400

Museum Quality Mint Original

AN INVESTMENT-GRADE BIG BORE TWO-STROKE

MATCHING NUMBERS • LOW-HOUR SURVIVOR • PROFESSIONALLY RESTORED BY KAPLAN CYCLES

Guys, feast your eyes on the class of 1979—the legendary RM400N platform that changed the motocross world forever. We’ve had many RM400s through the Kaplan Cycles restoration shop over the years, but mirror, mirror on the wall… none have been as fine as this one.

This is an extraordinarily rare opportunity to own one of the most original, low-hour, professionally restored RM400s in existence.

The originality on this motorcycle is absolutely staggering:

• Original handlebars

• Original hand grips

• Original crossbar pad

• Original levers

• Original cables

• Original saddle

• Original exhaust pipe

• Original stock rear silencer

• Original wheel set

• Original chain adjusters

• Original foot pegs

• Original shift lever

• Original countershaft sprocket cover

• Original fork boots

• Original kill switch

• Most original hardware throughout the entire bike

The stock silencer alone is nearly impossible to find today, as these were typically destroyed in crashes decades ago. The originality and preservation of this machine are simply unheard of.

Even more impressive—the engine remains the ORIGINAL MATCHING-NUMBERS ENGINE with the ORIGINAL BORE CYLINDER still intact.

Frame #: 105812
Engine #: 105820

This motorcycle was carefully disassembled to the frame and professionally restored while preserving its extraordinary survivor quality and originality. The result is what we would describe as a “massaged to perfection” restoration—taking an already exceptional survivor from an 8 to a true 10.

COSMETIC RESTORATION & DETAILING

The bike was professionally restored and detailed from top to bottom, including:

• Frame professionally refinished

• Swingarm professionally machine polished

• Fork lowers professionally polished

• Original exhaust and silencer restored and refinished

• Full rotisserie detail

• Steam cleaned, hand washed, polished, and serviced

• Brand new side number plates

• Brand new rear fender

• Brand new graphics

• Brand new Clark fuel tank

• New front number plate

• New tires

• New tubes and rim strips

• New heavy-duty gold chain

The frame rails are absolutely pristine with no dents or damage whatsoever—something virtually impossible to find on an original RM400. Even the pipe is exceptionally straight and dent free.

The original October 1978 date code is still visible on the front rim:
DOT 1078

Little details separate great bikes from truly elite collector motorcycles, and this RM400 is loaded with them. The pegs are perfectly straight. The cases are immaculate. The hardware is stunning. The swingarm bearings feel factory fresh. The entire motorcycle presents like a time capsule.

We would estimate this motorcycle had only a handful of actual riding hours before restoration.

MECHANICAL RESTORATION

This RM400 was not just cosmetically restored—it was comprehensively serviced and mechanically dialed in from top to bottom.

Recent work includes:

• Original bore cylinder professionally honed

• Cylinder professionally measured and inspected

• New Wossner piston kit

• New piston rings

• New circlips

• New top-end bearing

• New base gasket

• New head gasket

• New NGK spark plug

• New air filter

• New exhaust springs

• Pipe and cylinder resealed

• Fresh Bel-Ray Gear Saver oil

• Fresh VP94 ethanol-free premix fuel

• Mixed 40:1 with Bel-Ray premix oil

The original carb was upgraded with a brand-new Mikuni VM36 carburetor along with:

• New fuel petcock rebuild kit

• New fuel lines

• New fuel filter

• New carb drain lines

The bike received a full 100-point mechanical inspection and has been fully serviced, tuned, sorted, and detailed by our restoration team here at Kaplan Cycles.

The engine fires easily, runs beautifully, shifts properly, and is ready for vintage motocross events, collector display, or investment-grade preservation.

RM400 HISTORY

The RM400N was one of the most revolutionary motocross motorcycles of its era.

Designed with direct influence from MX World Champion Roger DeCoster, the RM400 featured:

• Advanced chromoly single-down-tube frame

• Long-travel suspension

• Reed-valve induction

• Five-speed transmission

• Massive 417cc two-stroke engine

• Approximately 12 inches of rear suspension travel

At the time, the RM400 was considered one of the best-handling and most powerful open-class motocross motorcycles in the world and helped cement Suzuki’s dominance during motocross’s golden era.

Today, original RM400s in this condition are nearly impossible to find—especially examples retaining so many factory-original components.

This is a true investment-quality vintage motocross machine ready for the finest collection in the country.

SHIPPING & CONTACT

Kaplan Cycles ships nationwide using licensed, insured, enclosed motorcycle transport.

We can arrange shipping anywhere in the continental United States directly to your door.

For questions, shipping quotes, or additional photos/videos, please call:

Kaplan Cycles
860-454-7024

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.