Three exceptional machines …

35 years later…

First of all there’s the Yamaha OW23 with which Gioacomo Agostini will parade in the GP1. It has been 35 years now that this 500cc got shipped straight from Japan to the track of Francorchamps. It replaced the OW20 of which it inherited the Monocross suspension that was introduced on it the previous year. The OW23 destined for the Italian Champion was lighter and more compact, it was developed together with the 700cc version of the 200 Miles of Daytona.

And history repeats itself, because on specific demand of Ferry Brouwer and the Yamaha Classic Racing Team, the Japanese factory takes this bike out of its museum and ships it to Belgium exclusively for the Bikers’ Classics.

The green 125cc

The second exceptional bike is barely more recent. It’s the Kawasaki with which Dave Simmons became world champion in 1969. It’s Jerry Lancaster who will take this KR 1 back to the track in Francorchamps.

Sammy’s bike

The third motorcycle which you cannot miss out on, is the Mondial 250cc of 1957. This beautiful Italian will be at exposal for the first time at our Bikers’ Classics. It’s the bike with which Sammy Miller became third in the world championship that year.

Indeed, before Sammy Miller became one of the greatest trial riders of all times, he participated at many road races. In particular with this Mondial which had a monocylinder engine with gear driven double overhead camshaft. Characteristics which led to a power output of 29 hp at 10.800 rpm and a top speed of 220 km/h.

With this machine, Sammy Miller finished second in the Grand Prix of Belgium in 1957. It disappointed however during the Tourist Trophy. Sammy was leading the race when the gearbox blocked at Governor Bridge, he had to content himself with a fifth place.

Note that this Mondial 250cc comes with a complete fairing, including the front wheel, as it was habitual in those days. After a series of accidents due to the small turning radius, the FIM banned these fairings.