Location: Norwalk, Connecticut
Mileage: Race bike
Price: Auction, starting at $20,000
Originally listed in September, this bike is back on eBay. Links updated. -dc
So I just have to be up front here and say I’m not sure what to make of this bike. Clearly it is advertised as and looks like an R7-OW02, one of the coolest, limited production, homologated specials ever. Certainly for that reason alone it deserves attention. However, this bike is also advertised as a full factory race bike that does’t have the OW02 750cc engine, but a built 1000cc R1 motor. Clearly that would mean that it’s not a stock R7. But if it is a factory race bike, then it could be something very special.
Here’s important information from the seller that may help figure this thing out-
Here’s your chance to own one of the rarest superbikes on the planet. This is a full factory prepared R7 superbike. This particular bike contested the Unlimited 1999 Macau GP with Michael Rutter then went on to compete in the Island of Man and the Northwest 200.
So lets start with what this bike is. This is a full factory Yamaha R7. If you know what a R7 is then you’ll understand that this is the Godzilla of R7’s. Spec wise we have a full factory R1 (1078cc) Superbike motor with TI rods, knife edged crank,3mm big bore,YEC kit cams, full YEC kit tranny and KES quickshifter, its fueled by a very unique Motec fuel injection system, it all flows out a Promotive custom Ti exhuast that weighs next to nothing!.You get your dash info from a Stack tach metering system wired into the Factort YEC kit racing harness. Ok here’s the cool stuff this bike was tuned by Slick Base (Fogerty’s championship mechanic). I dyno’d it on a DynoJet 200 where it made a strong 182.4 rwhp.All that power and heat is cooled off by a full length Superbike R7 Febor radiator (about $5,800 at the time).
Lets talk about the subline chassis of this trick R7. The R7 was already known for awesome handling and this bike brings that legend to a new level. Spec wise we have a YEC kit swingarm with quick change front and rear spindles. Of course there are the GP spec Ohlins (unobtainium) front 43mm fork supported in a magnesium and aluminum Harris adjustable triple clamp. In the rear there is GP spec TTX22 Olhins attached to a YEC Kit linkage.
When it comes to braking nothing but the best was sourced for this monster. AP six piston calipers grab 330mm cast Brembo superbike rotors with a Radial AP 30mm master cylinder. The wheels are very trick Magnesium Marvic Pentas 3.75 front, 6.25 rear…these are ridiculously light wieght. It’s got a new set of Dunlop Ntech’s with one track session on them.
The bodywork is all YEC Spec fiberglass painted up in HAGA R7 colors by Dreamworks.
So that’s the bike. Very trick,very rare very cool. In it’s day this thing was the dream bike of all racers. I assume your looking at $100k plus invested in the development and assembly of this bad boy. I’m selling it because I’m a pig and have three more R7’s in different confiqurations and I just have’t used this bike in over a year. I actually started racing my Ferrari 430GT this summer and need another $20k set of ceramic brakes (this is the second set!!!) so this bike will be sold to fund a new stupid expensive passion. I know sic bike for a set of brakes wtf is the matter with me.
Anyway this R7/1 would make a beautiful addition to a superbike collection, a wicked cool track day bike (you’ll be the only one EVER!) or you could cut up the fairing add a single light and do a 8hr Suzuka Replica for the most rare street bike ever. Desmosedici’s look like a moped next to this bike!
I have several more (over 100!) sic superbikes that may come up for auction in the next couple of months so save me as a seller because the stuff I’m selling never comes up for sale. There’s a Muzzy Raptor racer, Chandler’s ZX7RR AMA Champ bike,a slew of FUSA racers.
If you have any questions drop me an email. I’ll help with domestic or overseas shipping but I would like to keep the bike in the states because all the good stuff is leaving our wonderful country lately.
There’s no reserve, it’s starting at $20k . It’s definately a once in a lifetime opportunity, if it doesn’t sell at this listing it just goes back in the collection and gets listed for lot more next time!! Good luck!
Here’s some more pictures before we get back to the analysis-
Okay, so the seller states the bike was campaigned at the 1999 Macau GP, Isle of Man and the North West 200. I would want to get some information that would verify the bike was ridden in those events, especially when linking the bike to Michael Rutter. If that can be done, then I’m assuming the price becomes more justifiable. And of course that would also speak volumes about the modifications to the bike. Clearly anything that is factory prepped is special and the photos seem to show the special parts highlighted by the seller that come with that.
Condition is difficult with race bikes, but this one does’t appear to have been wrecked. However, confirmation of that or whatever has happened to the bike would also be good. This may be one hell of a machine when it comes to build and parts, but really the thing that puts it into a higher category is the heritage. If it’s there as the seller claims, then you really have something. In terms of price, this one is hard to gauge. I think it really is the market and who’s buying that will determine price.
So, I guess all I can say is if you like this bike, do your homework. If it checks out and you have the means, congrats to you. You got a one of a kind. Regardless, this is an interesting machine and I encourage you to check it out!
-RN
Rutter won the Macau Gp in 2000 on this bike. It was listed as a 750….but in reality it really wasn’t quite 750cc was it….hehehehehe. Who says that there is cheating in racing’s highest levels? Surely not Yamaha, or McLaren or Ferrari…god forbid the rules were streeeeeetched at bit. Ask Jay Springsteen about his 1999 Daytona 200 GSXR750…UH I mean 1127cc…..
RN, The bike belongs to Pete V.
If he owns it it’s all that and a bag of chip…….s
+1. I’ve known Pete for years. Sorry to see him thin the heard as they are all thoroughbreds.
Joel
This is one of Pete’s. ‘Nuff said.
So Pete, hopefully your selling this bike to go towards buying the Wayne Rainey bike!
rd400racer
seeing an R7 with a promotive exhaust is your first clue of legitimacy. hearing Pete B.’s name associated with it is your second clue. and with that, no more clues are required.