1980 KAWASAKI KDX400

Ultra-Rare Big Bore Twin-Shock Enduro; Frame-Off Restored & Engine Rebuilt - Fresh Top-End by Millennium Tech

An incredibly rare piece of Kawasaki history – the 1980 Kawasaki KDX400.

This is the top of the KDX lineup.

A twin-shock, air-cooled, aluminum swingarm, open-class off-road weapon that was built for serious enduro riders.

The Original Fuel Tank is Discolored but in Good Condition, It can Be Painted Or Replaced If you Want it Perfect.

Very few of these bikes survived over the last 46 years.

Most bikes from this era have long since disappeared into Extinction. This one, however, is a rare & beautifully restored survivor that has been rebuilt & dialed in to Kaplan Cycles standards.

Provenance & Restoration

A full frame-off cosmetic restoration was performed, repainting the frame and refreshing the entire chassis.

Mechanical Restoration & Upgrades (Kaplan Cycles)

A complete top-end rebuild, including:

• Cylinder replated by Millennium Technologies ($400 service)

• New piston, rings, base gasket, and head gasket

• Cylinder decarbonized

• Carburetor fully rebuilt with new float needle & seat

• New air filter, fuel lines, and vent hoses

• Exhaust system refinished to correct sheen

• Engine cases repainted (both sides)

• Fresh 80-weight gear oil

• New countershaft seal & shifter seal

• New rear brake drum and bushing

• New gold chain

• NOS headlight bulb and new tail light bulb installed

The bike runs strong, starts easily, and rides beautifully.

Cosmetic Restoration

• Freshly painted frame

• New seat cover

• New front & rear fenders

• New side number plates

• New tank graphics

• New Michelin tires

We Rebuilt the engine & refinished:

• Fork lowers

• Exhaust system

• Engine side covers

• Full rotisserie-level detail

The result is a machine that presents as close to new as possible

Known Items / Disclosures

In the spirit of full transparency:

• Swingarm bearings are not currently in stock and need replacement

• Rear wheel bearings need replacement

• Original rear shocks are cosmetically restored but leaking oil
  (For riding or racing, we recommend upgrading to modern shocks such as Race Tech)

• Fuel tank lower half is discolored (can be Painted)

Despite these items, the bike is rideable as-is, but we disclose everything so you know exactly what you’re getting.

Investment & Value

Restoration Shop labor invested; 65 hours @ $150 PH = $9750

Plus Parts @ $675 = $10,425 Invested

When you buy from Kaplan Cycles, what we say is exactly what you get—period.

Why Buy From Kaplan Cycles?

• We are a family-owned and operated business, and we stand behind everything we sell.

• Home of the New England Motorcycle Museum

• Over 1,000 motorcycles restored annually

• Hundreds of 5-star Google & eBay reviews

• Large facility, full-time staff, and deep industry connections

• If there’s ever an issue, you call us—we take care of you.

Rarity;

Try to find another restored 1980 Kawasaki KDX400 for sale anywhere in the world right now. You probably won’t. These bikes are extremely rare, and very few have survived 46 years to be available to be restored to this level.

Shipping & Purchase Info

• Nationwide Shipping available
• We can assist with transport arrangements
• Stored in climate-controlled facility

Final Word

This is more than a motorcycle—it’s a museum-worthy, big-bore enduro icon from Kawasaki’s golden era of off-road racing. Whether you display it, ride it, or collect it, this KDX400 is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.

If you’re looking for a rare, investment-grade vintage two-stroke that’s been professionally sorted and honestly represented, this is it.

Thank you for your interest & God bless America,

We look forward to welcoming you into the Kaplan Cycles family.

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 22 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.