Please note: Per customer feedback, Iconic is testing out variable minimum bid increments for this auction:
Between $1-$9,999, the minimum bid increment will be $100
Between $10,000-$29,999, the minimum bid increment will be $250
Between $30,000-$99,999, the minimum bid increment will be $500
Above $100,000, the minimum bid increment will be $1000
Please note: there is no VIN report on this on this machine as it was imported from the UK in 2003. This bike was just one of 40 units sent to the UK by Yamaha in 1999. The seller has provided this information from the British Ministry of Transportation on this 1999 Yamaha YZF-R7 OW-02.
In 1999, Yamaha introduced its most advanced and race-ready production model ever with the YZF-R7, also known as the OW-02. With the advent of the Yamaha YZF-R1 in 1998 and the subsequent elimination of the YZF750R, Yamaha was forced to create a one-off 750cc race machine to campaign in the production-based World Superbike Championship in 1999. Yamaha only produced 500 units in total. While it may have bore a good deal of aesthetic resemblance to its 600cc and liter-sized YZF-R-siblings, underneath its slick bodywork the R7 was an entirely different beast.
At the heart of the OW-02 was a liquid-cooled, 749cc, four-stroke, 20V, DOHC, inline-four engine married to a tri-axis, vertically-stacked race-style six-speed close-ratio gearbox with a wet multi-plate clutch with a “back-torque limiter” which acted similarly to a slipper clutch, keeping the back wheel from locking up under hard downshifts. The sophisticated Japanese four-banger boasted electronic fuel-injection, titanium valves (paired with aluminum valve retainers), “H” section titanium con-rods, ion-nitrified titanium crank, an over-sized 15-liter air-box, alloy exhaust system ending in a carbon muffler, incredibly short (and strong) short-skirt forged pistons with nickel-plated crowns, one-piece crankcase and a Formula One car-style CNC-machined cylinder head. The trick internals allowed for top speeds exceeding 160mph, along with the ability to achieve 11-second standing quarter-mile runs.
Out of the box, the “race-ready” R7 only produced 106 hp and 53 ft-lbs of torque, though (much to the chagrin of those who wanted to race them) it was restricted in its street-legal form. Yamaha offered two special race kits for the OW-02; one for around a grand that bumped power up to 135 hp; and a second $12K kit that brought that figure to a staggering 162 hp (please see the modifications section for a complete list of the YEC parts on this bike). Housing the hopped-up lump was a shortened Deltabox II chassis that used the motor as a stressed member and was derived from Yamaha’s two-stroke GP racers like the YZR500. The race-bred frame was mated to 43mm inverted titanium nitride-coated forks and a mono-shock, both of which are fully-adjustable top-shelf Ohlins items. The frame’s steering geometry and swing-arm pivot were also adjustable. Bringing the 416lb R7 to a stop were four-piston calipers grabbing a pair of 320mm discs, aided by a smaller single disc in the rear.
Yamaha wouldn’t sell the fabled race machine to just anyone and the demand reportedly exceeded the supply, with the tuning fork company supposedly only selling it to buyers that demonstrated their plans to race it. For this reason, very few ended up in private collections on display and many examples were raced into the ground, making finding a clean R7 today very difficult.
This seller now lives in a remote area of Tennessee. She is very well connected to Yamaha and Graves Motorsports and the bike has an extensive list of upgrades (see modifications section). The bike is also signed by Jamie James #2 who rode the bike at a track day in Florida and Scott Russell #4 on the tail section. She’s now looking to part with her collection of bikes and Iconic is thrilled to represent the sale of this bike for her.
This example is VIN: JYARM011000000524. The seller states “This a VERY well-sorted machine with documented history back to the original purchase contract in the UK, October 1999. Two owner bike.”
The odometer shows 6,320 miles. The seller has covered approximately 2,000 miles during her 21 years of ownership.
Maintenance:
The seller states “this bike came from the second production run of YZF-R7 models and the crankshaft issue was addressed at the factory. The first run of 250 YZF-R7 models had an issue with crankshaft lubrication, causing very expensive failures. Because Yamaha sold this bike for racing only, they were reluctant to issue a recall for it. After considerable pressure from the R7 racing community, they ultimately issued the recall and replaced crankshafts in the first 250 models at no cost. The stars stamped at either end of the engine serial number indicate the crankshaft issue has been addressed. This bike also has the YEC breather plate, funnel set, and ECU. It does not have the YEC piston/piston ring, cams, and valve spring set installed. These internal engine components were known to shorten the engine lifespan considerably, and were only used for racing. I opted not to install these parts in order to maintain reliability of the bike and longevity of the motor.” In preparation for the listing, the seller had us perform a safety inspection, we performed a hydro flush/fill, coolant flush/fill, oil and filter change, drained the old fuel and replaced with fresh gas, we replaced the tires and powder coated the wheels. Our service department notes the following on their condition report:
Gas Tank Internal Condition: GOOD
Engine Oil Level: OK
Engine Oil Quality: NEW
2T Oil Level: N/A
Coolant Level: GOOD
Coolant Quality: NEW
Front Hydraulic Fluid Level: GOOD
Front Hydraulic Fluid Quality: NEW LESS THAN 1.5% H2O
Rear Hydraulic Fluid Level: GOOD
Rear Hydraulic Fluid Quality: NEW LESS THAN 1.5% H2O
Clutch Hydraulic Fluid Level: GOOD
Clutch Hydraulic Fluid Quality: NEW LESS THAN 1.5% H2O
Final Drive Condition: GOOD
Headlight High Beam: PASS
Headlight Low Beam: PASS
Passing Light: PASS
Parking Light: PASS
Turn Signals: PASS
Tail Light: PASS
Brake Light (Front Switch): PASS
Brake Light (Rear Switch): PASS
Plate Light: PASS
Horn: PASS
Kill Switch: PASS
Brake Pad % Remaining Front: PASS
Brake Pad % Remaining Rear: PASS
Forks: GOOD
Shock/s: GOOD
Tire Date Code Front: 3123
Tire Date Code Rear: 5223
Tire % Remaining Front: NEW
Tire % Remaining Rear: NEW
Tire Press. Front: 34
Tire Press. Rear: 36
Battery Standing Voltage: 12.5V
Charging Voltage @ 4k RPM: 13.60V
Running Condition: RUNS
Test Ride Completed: YES
Test Ride Distance: 2MI
Notes:
SBK RADIATOR, KEVLAR STONE GUARDS, AKRAPOVIC TI SYSTEM, MARCHESINI WHEELS, BREMBO MACHINED CALIPERS, CARBON HUGGER AND CHAIN GUARD, STEERING DAMPER, FRONT BREMBO MASTER, ATL GAS CAP, GUSTAFFSON SCREEN, FLUSH MOUNT FRONT TURN SIGNALS, NO COOLANT OVERFLOW BOTTLE (PURGE TANK,) NO FANS ON BIKE.
Modifications:
YEC race kit parts including induction box case, induction duct, head gasket set, high volume fuel regulator, clutch spring set, high volume fuel pump, fuel return one-touch valve, full race wire harness including race mode selector, high throttle set, spark plug set, YEC factory radiator, steering damper bracket and Toby steering damper, front and rear wheel attachment set for Marchesini wheels, steering stopper, air breather plate, Carbontek air fliter, YEC velocity stacks, and YEC ECU. The YEC factory radiator does not have a cooling fan (as noted in the safety inspection,) so the seller has opted to include the OEM radiator, purge tank, fan, and brand new belly pan with the bike. When installed, the OEM radiator will enable the new owner to operate the bike in conditions where a fan may be necessary. (Please see the key section for all the parts that are included with the sale.)
YEC three-button kit modification to put ECU into ‘race’ mode.
Graves/factory Yamaha full radiator (with cutout for the airbox scoop.)
Extremely rare ex-Anthony Gobert Akrapovic full exhaust system obtained from Graves Racing with YEC exhaust hanger.
Marchesini magnesium wheels (freshly powder coated.)
Brembo two-piece CNC billet P4 30/34 axial calipers front and P4 24 4-pot billet rear caliper with Brembo 19×20 master cylinder. Yoyodyne rear underslung caliper bracket for 64mm caliper and 220mm disk.
Harris Performance 40mm axial caliper bracket for Ohlins R&T forks, 320mm discs.
Carbontek one-off carbon fiber parts throughout the bike.
Galfer wave rotors.
Rear stand spools.
Galfer steel braided brake lines.
ATL fuel filler caps.
Gustafsson windscreen.
Flush mounted turn signals.
Sprocket Specialists 43T 530 rear sprocket with 530 DID gold chain.
Inside of the tank:
It is riding on Bridgestone RS11R tires with date codes of 3123 and 5223.
The sale includes two keys, Yamaha parts manual, Yamaha owner’s service manual, kit manual, meticulous maintenance records, OEM bellypan fairings, OEM fan, radiator hose, UK plate and OEM Yamaha rear stand.
Offered to the winner of this auction is an optional $5k “OEM” kit for this bike including:
– Stock ECU
– Front and rear wheels with rotors, sprocket, and original OEM R7 Pirelli Dragon Corsa tires
– Header and exhaust canister
– Exhaust hanger
– Airbox with filter and ram air cover
– Velocity stacks
– Front and rear calipers with mounting brackets
– Clutch and front brake master cylinders
– Throttle tube and cables
– Fuel regulator
– Shark fin
Cosmetic Blemishes: please see the album up top for all known cosmetic blemishes. Here is a selection:
Currently located in Panorama City, California, (please make an appointment for an inspection) this Yamaha is offered on a clean Tennessee title. Have any YZF-R7 OW-02 stories or questions about this listing? Let us know in the “Comments” tab!
