When you were a kid and had a jack in the box (the toy, not the fast food product), were you ever disappointed that all the clown did was pop out of the box and stare back at you? Well here is the big kid equivalent of that toy, only it comes with blue smoke and ring-a-ding sound effects for a little extra cash.
Purported to be a brand new, sealed in the original shipping crate, zero mile example of the last US-imported RD model, this is certaily one for the collectors out there. The Daytona Special was the top end of the RD lineup, and even today these carry a premium. But new in a box? Money speaks, and these can only be new once.
From the seller:
New 1979 Yamaha RD400F Daytona Special still in sealed crate.
This bike is for sale locally also, we reserve the right to end auction at any time.
Clear title.
Uncovered pictures will be sent to the winning bidder.
If you have to have an RD and you have the cash to buy a new one, this just might be the way to go. Sure, it is a risky proposition to purchase sight unseen, but imagine the thrill of winning the auction and seeing what is under the box for the first time! I sure would love to know the history of this crate, how it came to end up here, and if it has ever been opened – but that info is not shared in the auction. Bidding has been brisk, and the auction is just under 10 grand with a few days to go. Click the link to jump over to the auction and check out the details. Good Luck!
MI
What a piss poor job the seller did in his written description. Almost a complete lack of information and history, as you’ve said- certainly doesn’t inspire confidence. I’ve seen better presented listings for fork seals. And what’s with the line “Uncovered pictures will be sent to the winning bidder”? Not even that “what you see is what you get” cop out! Fail.
I agree with above, this bike has been in a crate for 33 years, no telling the condition. The engine could be stuck, could be rusted. I had a similar experience, I looked at a pair of 1975 RD350’s in a crate, back then Yamaha put two in a crate. The seller was local, price was high, and I checked them out. They were both covered with light surface rust everywhere. This Daytona may be in perfect condition but I doubt it, I would not bid big bucks without some pictures inside of the crate.
It does appear to be legit. I read an article about this exact box back in 2010. And the seller? The same dealership featured in the “not for sale at any price” article. Apparently, time marches on and the possibility of a huge return is just what the doctor ordered:
http://www.motorcycleclassics.com/blog-different-strokes-found-Yamaha-RD400.aspx
“This Daytona may be in perfect condition but I doubt it, I would not bid big bucks without some pictures inside of the crate.”
Word. Regardless of it being under its bedsheets, it could be a very expensive restoration.
the bike is minty and legit, to the best of my knowledge. its less than 5 minutes away from me. it’s been in that crate, in that spot on the floor for at least 3 years now if not more.
If it hasn’t been opened, how do you know??? You can’t.
A friend of mine inherited a bicycle shop from his Grandfather, who had been a Schwinn dealer from the beginning. He had saved one or 2-models in the boxes for the past 50-years or so. We went to his warehouse and opened them one by one and they were absolute crap. The boxes looked OK on the outside, but they were rusted all to hell and were are in dry North Texas.
Wow – Schrodinger’s Yamaha. Until you open the box, you don’t know if it’s alive, or a ball of oxidized rust.
If I were the seller I don’t think I could’ve resisted cutting a tiny inspection hole and sending a camera in there to check it out. Then again, maybe he has, and that’s why the pictures only get sent after the auction is over :-/
Oh yeah – forgot to add – any other long time readers remember the Mexican Kawasaki KR-1 in the sealed crate??
The sale was completed at $21,000. That is a lot of money for what is likely a rusty motorcyle with dried out rubber and seals. For that kind of money, the buyer could have done a concours type of rstoration on one Daytona, bought another one and fixed it up to ride, and still have money left over.
Sold for 21 grand!!! Wow!!! That’s a world record!!! What do they say about fools and money !!!
One good thing is I own 6 RD400’s and 3 are mint with one only having 1900 org miles and is unrestored perfect org bike, 18grand anyone lol.
Just like Jimbo said that box would have had to come off before I even thought of bidding a shade over 12grand! But to the new owner
!!!Merry Christmas!!!!
Wow 21 K!!!!!!!!!! Congrats to the seller, my remorse to the buyer, he paid way too much. I wouldnt doubt if the buyer doesnt complete the deal. I rather bought that 5 mile RZ350 in Florida for 20K, and the RZ is a good riding bike and you can see it.
[…] emailed us this special piece and has done a great job describing and photographing it. With the “new in the crate” Daytona going for $21k recently, this looks like a bargain at […]