Yamaha RA97, 1964-1966, 125 ccm

The RA97 was an air-cooled twin with a bore and stroke of 44 x 41 mm and was used for the first time in June 1964. But immediately thereafter the second version was equipped with watercooling. The power went up from 28 PS to 30 and the last version had about 34 PS at 13.500/14.000 rom.

Yamaha RA97 125 ccm 1964

These first two pictures are from the early 1964 version.

Yamaha RA97 125 ccm 1964

Following are 2 black/white pictures of the 1965 model

Yamaha RA97 125 ccm 1965

Phil Read's bike (large picture)

Yamaha RA97 125 ccm 1965

And a full color 1965 studio picture without the cowling (large picture)

Yamaha RA97 125 ccm 1965

Here is in detail the last (1966) machine pictured from the right

Yamaha RA97 125 ccm 1966

The complete 1966 RA97 in its final version with cowling (large picture)

Yamaha RA97 125 ccm 1966

And the design of the engine in its basic layout

Yamaha RA97 125 ccm