Description
Additional photos of this Yamaha RD400C are available here for your perusal.
“Cool doesn’t even come close.” That’s how Visordown summarized the iconic RD400 in one sentence, but the longer story isn’t very complicated, either. The RD400 came about when Yamaha made the RD350 a bit bigger in 1976 – displacement was 399cc.Thanks to 44 horsepower, the bigger RD was capable of hitting the ton with a top speed of 105 miles per hour.
Most people know the 400 simply for being an easier to ride upgrade over the 350, but it was also notable for being the first production motorcycle to feature cast wheels as standard. The 400 motor was more than a bored out 350 unit – Yamaha increased the stroke and in doing so they had to build new crankcases as well. The bike weighed about 350 pounds, and it was the most popular two-stroke sportbike of its day.
This example is VIN: 1A1000881. The seller acquired it about a year ago from a collector in Olympia, Washington. The previous owner rode it roughly 3,200 and was not the person who built the custom.
During his ownership, the seller has covered 20 miles. The odometer shows 15,215 miles.
“The original build was done to be a show bike. This RD400 was reported (by the collector/owner previous to me) to win the “Best 2-Stroke” award at the Vashon Island, in Washington State motorcycle show. I feel this bike is currently in #2 Condition, according to ‘The Comprehensive Vintage Motorcycle Price Guide’.”
Modifications:
Per the seller, “engine work done by Spec II stage-1 porting. Welded crank/TZ crank bearings/slotted rods. Milled heads. Pistons =.50mm (2nd)overbore. CDI Ignition w/ MSD Coils. 30mm Sudco/Mikuni carbs. Expansion Chambers (Spec II). Barnett clutch plates & springs. Boost bottle. Boysen reeds. Drilled discs. Steel braided brake lines. New Magura master cylinder 225-R16mm. Spec II box steel swing arm w/bronze bushings. Progressive Shocks. Progressive fork springs. Aluminum Rear Sets. Battery eliminator.”
These upgrades were done approximately 15 years ago, when the bike had roughly 12,000 miles. The bike also has an exhaust temperature gauge “used to determine if one cylinder is running hotter than the other. Or therefore if it is running too lean, possibly from a possible air leak that may develop. It monitors each cylinder separately. It is a good way to keep from having a piston seizure, or God forbid, a holed piston. Also note the sensors on the exhaust headers a few inches downstream from the cylinders.”
Recent Maintenance:
The seller states that there are no known mechanical issues. “Tuned-balanced & jetted carbs correctly. Checked timing (CDI)@2.2btdc. Re-geared to 15tx38t w/new sprockets. Flushed fuel & changed to AmsOil 40:1 Domininator. New NGK Iridium spark plugs BR8EIX. Changed transmission oil to AmsOil 10w40 Motorcycle Oil. Clutch Boss drive bumpers replaced. Rebuilt Front brake caliper.”
“New rear brake caliper. Cleaned & re-oiled air filters. Repacked Silencers. New Metzler Interact dual compound Tires 110/70×18 front – 130/70×18 rear. New battery. All work done by ex-Yamaha/Kawasaki mechanic.”
Cosmetic Blemishes:
The seller notes “two very small (almost un-noticeable) dents in the top of the tank near the seat. The taillight base has small chips in the paint.”
The sale includes a Haynes manual and Clymer manual.
Currently located in Beaverton, Oregon, this Yamaha is offered on a clean Oregon title. Have any RD400 stories or questions about this listing? Let us know in the “Comments” tab!
