Is it the individual pieces that create perfection or the sum of the parts that make a success? This 2004 Yamaha R1 covers both sides of the story.
As the bar is consistently raised it's becoming ever more difficult to stand out. A quick skim of the scene reveals a growing number of streetbikes with aftermarket wheels, worked suspensions and killer exhaust systems.
At first glance this red racer might be clumped into that distinguished group of aftermarket rockets. But a closer inspection reveals this bike isn't merely distinguished, but truly elite.
More than three years in the making and over $50,000 invested naturally means that the closer you look the farther your jaw drops. Starting from scratch and doing it right meant the bike was stripped to the frame and methodically built back up.
Before hanging the motor back in the frame it received a worked head, lightened valve train, velocity stacks and a thinner head gasket to bump compression. When the previously installed GYT-R slip-ons weren't enough, owner Jeff Ennis modified a set of already rare titanium Termignoni pipes with a one-off four-into-one titanium reverse megaphone--just like the MotoGP monsters. Controlled by a Power Commander III, the tune was good for nearly 160 horses at the rear skin.
Since impeccable suspension action is paramount on a high-performance streetbike Jeff opted for nothing but the best. The initial setup consisted of an hlins rear shock and front internals for the stock legs. After all, increased suspension action from better fork internals make braking deeper and tightening a line nothing more than a thought.
With suspension improved, killing weight became the next order of business. Jeff saved some unsprung poundage with a set of Marchesini forged aluminum wheels. Bolting-up Galfer Wave rotors also saved him some additional heft.
In keeping with his pursuit of perfection, the previously upgraded brakes were jettisoned for some top-shelf parts. Radial-mounted Brembo calipers found their way into the mix along with some super-saucy Braketech ceramic rotors, Ferodo ceramic pads and titanium hardware. The badass binders not only shed nearly half the weight of stock rotors, but look twice as trick. Jeff emphasized the dramatic improvement over the stock front end, "With the light wheels and brakes the thing changes direction just looking at it--I mean, it's that fast."
At this point the R1 was more than most of us could ever hope to have, but it still wasn't good enough for Jeff, "It was looking good, but not good enough."
The plastics were then stripped and painted Porsche red with Tapeworks graphics. Before fastening the slippery bodywork together the R1 also received a slipper clutch. "I found that high-RPM downshifts would lock the rear tire so I got an STM slipper clutch to help keep things in check," Jeff said.
Allowing the clutch to slightly slip on deceleration so the rear tire wouldn't lock meant that Jeff could fully capitalize on the increased control from the Woodcraft clip-ons, hlins steering damper and Graves rearsets.No sissy when it came to time in the Corbin saddle, Jeff logged more than 3,000 miles during a Red Bull sponsored event that saw 15 riders cruise from New York to Laguna Seca for the first stateside MotoGP event. If that's not dedication enough, his track time was so plentiful that every mile on the street was backed-up by another on track that following year.
"With the light wheels and...
"With the light wheels and brakes the thing changes direction just looking at it -- I mean, it's that fast."
Increased speed on Jeff's part revealed some loose ends that still needed to be addressed. Persistent flex from the rear end resulted in a succession of four custom swingarms. When the last Thompson Metalcraft swingarm was fitted into place it saved some additional weight, increased rigidity and looked dope as hell.
As his addiction for speed increased so did his penchant for customization. The factory gauges were ditched in favor of a trick Translogic MicroDash that looks like it's straight from Rossi's M1. Finishing touches like an ultra-rare Termignoni undertail, Graves external engine bits, genuine carbon pieces throughout and a DID/Renthal chain/sprocket kit were added.
Finally content with what he'd created, Jeff could now fully enjoy his one-of-a kind monster that's easily one of the sickest street legal performance-oriented R1s we've ever seen.