Friends of Riders for Health will Auction Off a Custom R1 that Pays Homage to Legendary Valentino Rossi

Everyone who loves motorcycle racing most likely heard of the legendary Don Emde. The 1972 Daytona 200 winner again has his name in the industry, but this time it has to do with a customized 2009 Yamaha R1 and the launch of his non-profit organization, Friends of Riders for Health, Inc.

Emde announced his new endeavor at a recent Long Beach motorcycle show, also showing off the new R1. Here’s how Friends of Riders for Health, Inc., works. The non-profit raises funds through the sales of special projects, such as the R1 that pays homage to nine-time World Champion Valentino Rossi; the Yamaha is the first project for Riders for Health.

The bike itself is loaded with the best in aftermarket accessories, and a paint job that would have any Rossi gawking. The paint replicates Rossi’s famous “Five Continents” AGV helmet by famed designer Aldo Drudi. According to Emde, the graphic wrap was done in Italy by Pole Position Racing Service, the high tech graphics company that works with major Moto GP and other teams.

The R1 will be auctioned off at a date to be announced in late 2010 or early 2011. The R1 will be a street legal motorcycle, although it will be lacking mirrors, turn signals and license plate/taillight. In short, it’ll arrive track ready, but a complete second set of stock R1 bodywork will be included, as well as all of the stock street equipment that has been removed. To assist the new owner with their riding skills, the Yamaha Champions Riding School has donated a one-day school that will be included with the sale price.

“Riders for Health is the official charity of the MotoGP series,” Emde said. “And I am so appreciative of the support from everyone in the sport that were involved in the project, including of course Valentino Rossi, who enthusiastically agreed to the use of his helmet design, and to Yamaha Motor Corp USA, AGV, Aldo Drudi of Drudi Performance and Luca Campanille of Pole Position. Without their support, such a unique finished product would not have been possible. Also thanks to Cameron Brewer from Roland Sands Designs, who pitched in to install many of the aftermarket products well beyond the great set of wheels that Roland donated, and to the many great aftermarket companies that agreed to provide products.”

For additional information on Friends of Riders for Health, log onto: www.friendsofriders.org or call Don Emde at 949-215-4780 x206. For more info on Riders for Health, log onto: www.riders.org.

Rossi/Riders for Health Yamaha R1 Quick Facts:

Concept: To build a one-of-a-kind custom sportbike setup as a “Track Day” vehicle wrapped in Valentino Rossi’s AGV “Five Continents” graphics and utilizing major aftermarket products to upgrade the stock machine throughout.

Purpose: To raise funds and create awareness for Riders for Health in the United States.

Project leader: Don Emde (1972 Daytona 200 winner. Publisher of Parts Magazine)

Project team: Cameron Brewer, Roland Sands Design; Aldo Drudi, Drudi Performance, Italy; Luca Campanille, Pole Position Racing Services, Italy; Paolo Bacchiarello, AGV Helmets, Tom Seymour, Saddlemen, Jim Conquest, Imagine-It Graphics.

Sponsors: Yamaha Motor Corp. USA, Ohlins, Akrapovic, Drudi Performance, AGV, Pole Position Racing Services, Vortex, Roland Sands Designs, Yamaha GYTR, Saddlemen, Bridgestone, EK, EBC, Goodridge, K&N, Dynojet, Imagine-It Graphics

Motorcycle: 2009 Yamaha R1 (donated by Yamaha Motor Corp. USA)

Aftermarket Products Installed (all donated by the manufacturers):

• Wheels: Roland Sands Designs Ronin
• Tires: Bridgestone BT-003
• Brake pads: EBC Double H
• Brake rotors: EBC
• Brake lines: Goodridge
• Front brake reservoir: Roland Sands Designs Combat
• Front suspension: Ohlins FGRT808
• Rear suspension: Ohlins TTX
• Seat: Saddlemen base (top pad custom made by Saddlemen)
• Triple Clamp: Roland Sands Designs Assault
• Clip-ons: Vortex
• Clutch lever and mount and lever: Vortex
• Front brake lever and mount: Vortex
• Fuel cap and base: Vortex
• Exhaust: Akrapovic Evolution
• Air filter: K&N
• EFI controller: Dynojet Power Commander V
• Mirror block offs: Roland Sands Designs (prototype for R1)
• Rear sets: Vortex
• Gel Grips: Yamaha GYTR
• Heel Guard trim, Yamaha GYTR
• Rear Sprocket: Vortex, 47T black
• Countershaft sprocket: Vortex, 17T
• Rear chain: EK, 120 L black with gold pins
• Carbon Fiber tank trim: Yamaha GYTR
• Carbon Fiber chain guard: Yamaha GYTR
• Race stand spools: Yamaha GYTR
• Race stand, rear: Yamaha GYTR

Other details:

1. Owner: Friends of Riders for Health, Inc., a California non-profit corporation. 92 Argonaut, Suite 160, Aliso Viejo CA 92656. Ph: 949-215-4780. Web: www.friendsofriders.org. Executive Director: Don Emde

2. The R1 will be sold at auction in 2010 by Friends of Riders for Health with proceeds to Riders for Health.

3. With all lighting equipment installed, the R1 is a fully street legal machine, titled and registered in California. The buyer will receive all of the street legal take-offs (taillight/license plate, mirrors, turn signals, etc), as well as a second full set of bodywork, windscreen.

4. All products and services listed above were donated 100% by those individuals or companies.