1979 Yamaha RD400F *Sold £7,250*

Description

• Ten years ownership 
• Low mileage 
• Top end rebuild 
• New Battery 
• New paint job 
• Competition Yellow 

In terms of 1970s middleweights, the Yamaha RD400 was top dog. Performance, handling, usability and value for money. It was also the best-looking bike out there by a country mile. Sorry but facts are facts. 

History 

• Our vendor David has owned this Yamaha RD400F for ten years. Always a good sign 
• Low mileage. Some years David tells us, it only went back and forth to the MOT station 
• Professionally repainted in Competition Yellow 
• Top end rebuild 
• Old MOTs and invoices on file 
• Various maintenance jobs have been carried out throughout its life 

Engine and mechanicals 

The two-stroke parallel twin is the real star. With 40bhp and a top speed of 109mph, the Yamaha RD400F was a totally new machine. The RD had its stroke increased needing new crankcases which required the factory to re-tool in order to produce it. The new machine also featured a rubber-mounted engine to reduce vibration, as well as new wheels and brakes.  

The engine was also moved forward in a bid to reduce the bike’s tendency to wheelie. Happily, that plan failed. 

• Engine professionally rebored 
• New correct Japanese pistons fitted, not eBay knockoffs 
• All work carried out by Roy Simmons Engineering 
• ‘Starts first or second kick and sounds fabulous’ 
• AllSpeed exhausts fitted  

Running gear 

The RD400 stands out for being the first ever model to have cast wheels on a production motorcycle. Coupled with the trademark coffin-shaped petrol tank and in 1977 a rear cowling, the Yamaha oozed attitude and style. 

Weighing in at just 160 kilos, RD400s became the ultimate racing-derived, two-stroke street racer. Yamaha’s pro racers enjoyed massive success in GP while the firm’s retail customers were having undiluted fun on the streets of Britain. 

• Original seat 
• There is a scuff at the rear of the seat, about an inch long. They are only original once so that has been left. You’ll struggle to see it to be honest 
• Original clocks 
• Correct original wheels 
• The tyres are very good 
• The front one doesn’t look like it has been scrubbed in 

The Competition Yellow paintwork was professionally repainted. There is an invoice on file for that.  

Without solid supportive evidence, we are always hesitant to say that the mileage displayed on the speedo is perfectly accurate. Take a look at the RD. Have a look at the old MOT paperwork. You’ll make your own mind up. We have a sense this could well be correct. 

Summary 

The Yamaha RD400F was indisputably ‘race developed’. Owners with Paddy Hopkirk lids and nylon Yamaha race jackets would run rings around the bigger Honda 750 fours of the time. 

For many of us of a certain vintage, the RD400 was a last gasp of youthful rebellion before the real world caught up with us and deposited us in a Barratt home with a Ford Escort. It’s no wonder that they’ve become the weapon of choice for those revisiting our youth.  

The result of all the above is probably the best and most sought-after middleweight air-cooled motorcycle ever made. Good luck bidding. 

Note  – The original exhausts are available if you’d like them. They are available by separate negotiation with the vendor. 

Good luck! Please remember, our site uses anti-sniping software which ensures fairness to all bidders. So, if a bid for a lot is received in the last minute, the auction will go into a 2-minute overtime period for each subsequent bid.

Vehicle Location: Headcorn, Kent TN27 – it’s the responsibility of the winning bidder to make collection / transportation arrangements directly with the vendor.

Would like to book a viewing or have a question about this Yamaha RD400F? Please contact the Evoke team at auction@evoke-classics.com and we will speak to the vendor on your behalf.

Guide Prices?

We’re different. But you know that. And we’re always honest. In a sector where no two classics are same, how does anyone put a ‘guide’.

Well, everyone knows the broad value of classic, let’s all be honest. So we don’t need to tell you what you already know, do we.

The ‘market’ decides and the old cliché that ‘it’s worth what someone wants to pay’ is no less true. So why kid everyone!

But, because we are different, if it really does matter to you, that’s fine, we want you to be happy. Just drop us a line at auction@evoke-classics.com and one of us will be delighted to ring you back and discuss, it’s what we do.

Tedious but it’s vital you read this, please.

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