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Kenny Roberts Yamaha OW60 GP Racer

Phil Aynsley by Phil Aynsley
April 3, 2020
in Features, Motorcycle Gallery, Motorcycle News
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1982 Kenny Roberts Yamaha OW60 GP Racer

With Phil Aynsley


Yamaha’s first foray into the 500cc GP class came in 1973 with the piston-port, in-line four-cylinder OW19. The company stuck with this basic design up until 1980 (although the final version, the OW48R, had the outside two cylinders reversed) when they decided that to stay competitive, a new, rotary-valve engine design would be required.

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1982 Kenny Roberts Yamaha OW60 GP Racer

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OW Yamaha PA YamahaOWThe new motor was a square-four very much like Suzuki’s RG500, but with the cylinders inclined at 45-degrees. The OW54 subsequently won three races in 1981, two for Roberts, one for Sheene.

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1982 Kenny Roberts Yamaha OW60 GP Racer

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OW Yamaha PA YamahaOWFor 1982 the bike was heavily revised with an upgraded motor and a completely new chassis. The frame featured square section alloy tubing (with additional reinforcing bottom rails welded in place. Likewise on the bottom of the swing arm. Plates also boxed in the steering head tubes. A new progressive-rate bell crack rear suspension was used.

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1982 Kenny Roberts Yamaha OW60 GP Racer
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1982 Kenny Roberts Yamaha OW60 GP Racer

OW Yamaha PA YamahaOWEight bikes were constructed, with two each for Roberts, Sheene, Graeme Crosby and Marc Fontan (Sonauto Yamaha). However Roberts only rode the OW60 twice, firstly in the ’82 Daytona 200 (DNF – motor), then in the GP season opener in Argentina, which he won (with Sheene second), before switching to the completely new OW61 V4. Crosby finished second in the Championship on the OW60 however.

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1982 Kenny Roberts Yamaha OW60 GP Racer

OW Yamaha PA YamahaOWThe OW60 featured four seperate crankshafts contra rotating in opposed pairs, Teflon coated steel rotary discs and housings. YPVS power valves were also fitted. Output was 156 hp at 10,600 rpm. Wet weight (half a tank of fuel) was 121 kg with a top speed of 290 km/h. For comparison the OW48R made 102 hp and weighed 135 kg.

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1982 Kenny Roberts Yamaha OW60 GP Racer

OW Yamaha PA YamahaOWA bored and stroked version, the 695cc OW69, was used at Daytona in ’83 and ’84 with Roberts winning both events.

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1982 Kenny Roberts Yamaha OW60 GP Racer

The bike seen here is fitted with the ’82 Daytona bodywork , although the “European” bodywork is also owned.

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1982 Kenny Roberts Yamaha OW60 GP Racer

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OW Yamaha PA YamahaOW

Tags: Barry SheeneGraeme CrosbyKenny RobertsMarc FontanPhil AynsleyYamaha OW60 GP Racer
Phil Aynsley

Phil Aynsley

Phil has been a Ducati rider for 45 years and professional photographer for the last 27. Best of both worlds really!

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