The Yamaha OW-01 is already a unique motorcycle in itself, but at Iconic Motorbikes Auctions, the auction house from California, the most exclusive version of it has recently been auctioned: a 1990 OW-01 still completely in the crate.
The Yamaha FZR750R, better known as the OW -01, has – just like the Honda RC30 – an iconic status. The engine was put on the market by Yamaha in 1989 as a homologation model for the Superbike World Cup, the racing series for production engines that was first organized in 1988 and was extremely popular from the outset.
Although a street engine on paper, the OW-01 was actually a racem engine pur sang, a racer with license plate was also said at the time. With a price tag of 45,000 guilders, the OW-01 was one of the most expensive engines at that time, the most expensive Japanese engine anyway. Everything from the OW-01 was designed with a view to the circuit, just to save as much weight as possible.
In addition, the engine was equipped with cream-de-la-crème suspension, a showa fork and Öhlin’s backshock. The engine had an oldskool, with a super thin saddle, high seat and low clip-ons. Perfect for a circuit, extremely uncomfortable on the street.
Beating heart of the FZR750R OW-01 was a completely newly developed 750cc four-in-line, which took its cylinder capacity from a bore x stroke of 72 x 46 mm, equipped with a five-valve cylinder head-unique from Yamaha at the time. Unique were also the titanium connecting rods and the pistons with only two piston rings – this to reduce friction.
Gasoline injection did not yet exist at that time, the OW-01 got its air/fuel mixture via 4 Mikuni Flattic carburetors, which could be said: perfect for the circuit, extremely uncomfortable on the street. Yamaha claimed a top power of 121 hp, where the power was almost released as a two -stroke, with a on/off switch at 9,000 rpm. The maximum speed was at 14,000 rpm (incredibly at the time), the dry weight was only 200 kilos.
Yamaha had also developed a special racing kit for the OW-01, consisting of forged pistons, hotter camshafts, a racing-only ECU and complete racing outlet system. The engine did the quarter mile sprint in 11.2 seconds at a speed of 209.5 km/h. The top speed of the OW-01 was around 260 km/h. The close ratio gearbox was also unique.
The OW-01 was never sold as a street engine in the United States, but when the AMA adjusted the regulations and the compulsory number of engines sold to only 15 screws back, Yamaha USA sold them directly to licensed drivers and teams.
The now auctioned OW-01 was auctioned at Iconic Motorbike Auctions last month. The highest bid of $ 40,500, however, was lower than the minimal reserve price, after the auction the seller accepted a bid of $ 80,250 incl. Kopersfee. By the way, it is not the first New-in-the-Krat engine that Iconic auctioned, in 2022 a ZXR750 for $ 65,400 ($ 69,978 incl. Kopersfee) went under the hammer.
– Thanks for information from Motorfreaks.