meet one Drysdale 750 V8 for sale, it is not something that usually happens with some regularity. We are talking about a truly exotic mount that is not very well known, although this is not the only bizarre creation of the well-known Australian engineer Ian Drysdale. To his credit he has other “engine technical works” such as the Drysdale Dryvtech 2x2x2 or a marvelous naked V8 made up of two Yamaha R1 engines.
Drysdale 750 V8: Pure Australian ingenuity
It was the friends of Bike Urious who came across this Drysdale 750 V8 for sale on the well-known auction portal Donington Auctions. This is also the first of four V8 superbikes that Ian built throughout his professional career. Its engine number DR7S 0001 corroborates this and it currently has only 6,350 kilometers traveled.
As detailed in the advertisement itself “Ian Drysdale initially embarked on the V8 as a single-engine project, and it was apparently a pair of Yamaha FZR400 top ends mated to a common 90-degree crankcase. “This project eventually evolved into the development of a complete motorcycle.”
The engine is a 749 cc V8, mounted transversely, with final internal dimensions of 56 mm x 38 mm, with 32 valves, and a Ferrari-style 180-degree crankshaft. Power is provided by a Motec fuel injection system. This exotic mechanical compendium manages to offer up to 120 HP of maximum power at 16,000 rpmbeing able to rotate up to around 19,000 rpm. Surrounding this unusual mechanics we find a completely personalized cycle part.
Regarding this aspect, it is specified that: “The Drysdale 750 V8 also mixed custom and readily available production parts. While the crankcases, crankshaft, steel trellis frame and body were custom-made.” Regarding the latter, the two-piece body made of fiberglass is the work of Duncan Harrington.
For its part, as for the main elements that stand out in the cycle part of the Drysdale 750 V8, we have a suspension team that relies on an inverted front fork from a Yamaha model and a rear Ohlins shock absorber. At the front we find a double disc brake activated by 6-piston radial calipers.
Donington Auctions finally explains that: “The Drysdale 750 V8 was last launched in March 2024 at the Devonport Motor Show, having been “refreshed” – new fuel pump, new fuel filter and all new fuel injection hoses. high pressure replaced. The fuel injectors have also been professionally cleaned, but Ian warns that these will need to be replaced.”
Of note, this example won “Best in show” at the 2023 Devonport Motor Show and has been on display at the National Motor Museum of Tasmania for most of 2023 and 2024.
It is currently for sale in Cheltenham, Victoria, Australia for $22,600, although the minimum reserve price has not yet been reached in the auction being held on the official Donington Auctions website.
