Starting as a crashed and utterly useless 2002 Yamaha R1, our bolt-on project bike build has evolved into a proper street shredder - for nearly the same cost as rebuilding with stock parts!
What are the options after a bike debilitating spill? Simply quit riding? Impossible. Rebuild the bike into some shadow of its former self with questionable parts off eBay? Maybe. Take your time and slowly assemble it into a killer ride using quality aftermarket parts?
You're probably looking at our completed project build and thinking, "Yeah right, like I could afford that!"
Though that might be the sentiment for some regarding our finished bike, there are certain mods that can be extracted and applied to your ride-whether it's a resurrecting project like ours, or simply a case of upgrading your aging bike.
Patience is a necessary practice when ordering aftermarket parts, but one way to cut down on idle time is by installing as much as possible at home. There are likely to be some tasks that might seem intimidating (exhaust and fuel management), and if you're hesitant you should let a shop handle them. But, there are others that are quite rudimentary (windscreen, levers, etc.) and should be done with your own hands to save time and mechanic's costs.
We mocked the R1 up with its new parts before tearing it back down to apply proper torque specs, fluids and Loctite where needed. Don't let excitement overshadow diligence or you'll end up in the weeds again!
MotoGP Inspiration
While we were deciding on a theme for the R1 a picture surfaced of Colin Edwards' Yamaha M1 MotoGP preseason test bike. We loosely based our design on this masterpiece.
Thanks To:
Though there are probably some amazing roads in your area to enjoy, when it's time to turn up the wick and really hammer on the throttle there's only one place to do so-an organized track day.
We jumped on a Trackdaz event to test our project bike, and were impressed by the firm's professional yet lighthearted approach to riding on the track. Check 'em out-whether it's your first time or you're a seasoned vet, Trackdaz offers a safe and solid track day experience. www.trackdaz.com
Magic Touch
When it comes to paint and bodywork some people just "got it." It's pretty rare that two such masters bump into each other and apply their talents collectively though, but that's the deal at Wildcard Customs in Florida.
Mike Godek and Clint Sweet work side by side to knock out some of the country's hottest paint and body jobs. Wildcard's work has been featured numerous times in various magazines, and you'll surely see it in SSB again.
Not only did Wildcard make our set of race plastic street legal with a custom headlight and taillight, but the seemingly black bodywork has a secret that's revealed when the sun casts a few rays at it.