Bonhams "Classic California" Auction - 2009 Yamaha YZF-R1 "Rossi Replica"

Charity auction benefiting Friends of Riders for Health

November 9, 2010 – (Motor Sports Newswire) – Go ungodly fast, look cool and do some good in the world?! That’s the opportunity with this customized Yamaha YZF-R1 built as a one-of-a-kind Valentino Rossi replica.

Proceeds from this sale will go to Riders for Health, an organization that provides motorcycles used to deliver medicine and healthcare workers to remote villages in Africa. Co-founded by Grand Prix roadracer Randy Mamola, journalist Barry Coleman and his wife Andrea, the program is now in its 20th year of providing invaluable aid to the continent’s least accessible citizens and has made a huge difference in their quality of life. To date the RfH fleet numbers some 2000 motorcycles.

Lot No: 439

The winning bidder will take possession of a Yamaha YZF-R1 wearing an enlarged version of Rossi’s “Five Continents” paint scheme as seen on his AGV helmet. Valentino gave the go-ahead for his graphics designer, Aldo Drudi of Drudi Performance, to adapt the helmet graphics to the bike’s bodywork, a transformation carried out by Pole Position Graphics. Other aftermarket firms were eager to help as word spread and the project quickly gained momentum.

“Our goal was to create a custom sportbike worthy of the title ‘Ultimate Track Day Bike’ while also being a unique collectible,” said Don Emde, Parts magazine publisher, former racer and the man who spearheaded the Rossi R1 project, a year in the making. “Getting Valentino’s blessing for the project was the trick and then everyone else jumped on board.” Emde heads U.S.-based Friends of Riders for Health, a 501(c)3 nonprofit corporation, raising funds in aid of Riders for Health II Inc. (a nonprofit, 501(c)3 tax exempt corporation). Of the monies raised by Friends of Riders for Health, a minimum of 80% will be paid to Riders for Health II in support of their work across Africa.

Obvious additions to the YZF are the Roland Sands Design “Ronin” wheels and billet triple-clamps. Bridgestone provided suitably sticky Battlax BT-003RS track-day tires. Also easy to spot is the lightweight Akrapovic exhaust system; likewise the Ohlins fork assembly up front and TTX shock out back. Besides kindly donating the base R1, Yamaha chipped in with carbon-fiber accessories from its GYTR division. Vortex supplied its trick rearset footpegs and adjustable hand controls, as well as the handlebars and drive sprockets. Saddlemen gets credit for the custom seat, including a rear pad emblazoned with Rossi’s trademark number 46.

More subtle changes include a Dynojet fuel-injection module and K&N air filter element. EBC provided brake rotors and high-performance pads, neatly plumbed with Goodridge hydraulic lines. An EK chain delivers power from motor to rear wheel. The winning bidder will also receive a racetrack instruction session courtesy of the Yamaha Champions Riding School, either at the school’s Miller Motorsports Park facility in Utah or at Las Vegas Motor Speedway. Provided to the buyer will be the bike’s original street-legal components, should he or she want to put the R1 back on the road. Please note, this auction is for the motorcycle only, the helmet pictured in the catalog is not included.

Authorized by Valentino Rossi, provided by Yamaha and built up with the best aftermarket components, this is a one-of-a-kind collectible sportbike, ready for the track, all for a good and worthy cause.

Estimate: $50,000 – 70,000
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Footnote:
Please note, the helmet pictured is not included with the lot.

Contact the Specialist to discuss this lot or selling in a future sale
Email: Motor Cars (US)
Tel: +1 415 391 4000

To subscribe to or order a Printed Catalogue quote ref: 18419
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Lot Notice

We are pleased to report that the R1 has been signed personally by Valentino Rossi. Please click here to see photos of Rossi signing the bike.

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