This thread is long overdue. But, at the same time, I didn't want to write it until I was able to get to the point of getting closer to her being track worthy again due to many unforeseen and unfortunate events in my life. Now, it's starting to become a reality that she'll be on the track this year. :rock
This R1 was originally owned by gawarrior. Chad was a great guy, very active on the forum, and an accomplished rider/racer. Very well liked. Sadly, he passed away far too early in life on June 25th, 2008.
His family and friends raffled the R1 to help pay for expenses. I had the winning ticket, and scheduled a trip to go down and pick up the bike in early August '09. While down there, went motocross riding with plimmer, then drove up and met SpidermanSS when he was living in Pikeville, KY. :thumbup
Here is what she looked like when I picked her up:
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After getting home, I did some quick maintenance work and proceeded to get back on the track a couple of weeks later. This was my first time back on an R1, since '06 when I sold my '03 to purchase a YZ250F so my son could learn to ride. I had been riding/racing motocross, racing harescrambles and did a couple of trackdays at a smaller track riding SuMo on my '07 YZ450F. So, it wasn't as if I had been off a bike that whole time. But, I was rusty from not having ridden for a sportbike for a while...
![Image]()
![Image]()
I did a couple of trackdays the remainder of the '09 season, and it was great to finally be back out there!
The following year, I did a few trackdays. A couple of times at DCTC, our smaller local track for skills based riding.
![Image]()
The 2010 R1-Forum Memorial Trackday at Jennings GP (here I am pretending to lead Plimmer :lol ):
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Brainerd Int'l Raceway in May:
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![Image]()
![Image]()
Then again in July:
![Image]()
![Image]()
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After that trackday, I had decided to park the R1 for the remainder of the season so I could do some heavy maintenance. One of the frame sliders had decided to come loose, it needed a thorough going through, as well as some other things. Unfortunately, it seemed life had different plans for me, as that would be the last time I rode her.
In September 2010, I was involved in a head on collision that totaled my E250 van. The other driver swerved in front me of because she almost missed her turn due to texting and driving. My neck was messed up for a while, and it was over a year before I could ride my YZ450F due to how the helmet bounced around, even with a Leatt neck brace. Along with the accident, I was facing financial ruin due to a number of issues outside my control.
From there, life really went to hell. The following year, my wife decided she wanted a separation. Then came a divorce (the judge signed the divorce decree on our 20th anniversary, happy anniversary b*tch! :lol ), followed by even further financial ruin and eventually loss of house through short sale, and finally having to euthanize my dog due to health issues.
During that time, I wound up having to sell of nearly all the parts I had bought to restore the R1 back to track worthiness, along with all my gear. I sold the other three bikes I had (2007 YZ450F, 2005 YZ250F, 2005 TT-r125LE), and even attempted to sell the R1 a couple of times. Looking back, thankfully it didn't go through!
At the end of 2012, I was working to get the R1 operational as it had sat for a couple of years. The wiring harness was trashed. Someone had yanked the PowerCommander, or Bazaaz from it's connections and ruined the harness, so I bought a used one and attempted to replace it. The bike would fire, but not run. So, I found a reputable repair shop, operated by a guy whom races, to check it out and get it running.
It turned out to be a connector that I missed, and the bike ran. But, it wasn't running right. Cylinder #4 was running quite a bit cooler than the others, based upon temp readings of the header. I had him dig into it a little, and it turned out #4 had zero compression, with 100% blow-by into the crank on a leakdown test. Not having the money for the repair, I picked it up and brought it home.
A couple months later, I managed to get the money for the repair, and brought I back in to have it taken care of. A time estimate of “a month or so” turned into a little over a year of frustration and hell. If I would have had hair, I certainly wouldn't have it now. :lol
Pistons, with the rings seized inside the grooves:
![Image]()
![Image]()
Her finally back together, and on the dyno:
![Image]()
Video of dyno run:
Initial dyno run after SBU reflash of the ECU:
![Image]()
Skipping all the messy details, I finally was able to pick up the R1 approximately fourteen months after it went into the shop to have the engine rebuilt. :shake Because I didn't have a place to work on it, she had to go into storage for a couple of months until I moved to where I am now that has a garage.
It's been less than a month since moving, and I still have a lot of things left to unpack. But, I've been working on the bike as I'm able to. My goal was June 1st to be back on track. But, I'm not going to make it with too much happening. So, I'll have to readjust my timeline some.
![Image]()
Since I sold all my gear, I had to replace it. So, I took the opportunity to get a custom made one piece suit from Arsenal Leather works, Alpinestars GP Tech gloves and Supertech boots, as well as a Forcefield Pro4 back protector. But, all that has to wait now until I can finish getting her track ready...
So, this is where I'm at currently, after having worked on her last night some more...
![Image]()
This is what was done before I picked her up in 2009:
Engine rebuilt
APE cam chain tensioner
Traxxion AK20 fork kit
Penske 8900 series triple clicker shock
Woodcraft rearsets
Graves frame sliders
SS front lines
Catalyst Composites race plastics
Catalytic converter punched, A&R race baffles installed
DID 50 chain, Vortex sprockets
Here is what I've done since I got it, most of it having been done this year:
Engine rebuild
ECU re-flashed by SBU (30% increased engine braking, rev limiter adjusted, O2 disabled, fans adjusted for better cooling)
M4 stainless steel midpipe (oxygen sensor hole plugged with SS plug)
OEM cans and race baffles shortened by 1.5”
Power Commander III-USB with custom map
Graves AIS block-off plates
YEC quick turn throttle
Graves race fairing stay and plugs
Motovation clutch/stator sliders
Motovation frame sliders
Woodcraft swingarm spool sliders
Woodcraft case covers
Galfter SS braided front lines
SBS brake pads
CRG Billet Black levers
Radiator cap (1.8 bar)
Pro-Bolt clutch cable adjuster (blue)
Rizoma oil fill cap
Keyless gas gap
Trimmed wiring harness to remove headlight connections
There's been a few other things I've done such as replacing missing cooling fans, suspension service, and replacing worn rearset pegs. But, those are the key things I've done so far.
I still have a ways to go with things to do yet:
Ohlins steering damper
Driven clip-ons
Woodcraft bar end sliders
New chain and sprockets
Galfer SS braided rear line
Graves rear brake return spring
Replace front and rear wheel bearings
Replace steering stem bearings
and a few other bits and customizations...sneaky
But, for those whom have wondered, she's still around and will be making a comeback. This year is getting her mechanically sound. Over the winter, my plans are to put new plastics on and a nice livery.
This R1 was originally owned by gawarrior. Chad was a great guy, very active on the forum, and an accomplished rider/racer. Very well liked. Sadly, he passed away far too early in life on June 25th, 2008.
His family and friends raffled the R1 to help pay for expenses. I had the winning ticket, and scheduled a trip to go down and pick up the bike in early August '09. While down there, went motocross riding with plimmer, then drove up and met SpidermanSS when he was living in Pikeville, KY. :thumbup
Here is what she looked like when I picked her up:
After getting home, I did some quick maintenance work and proceeded to get back on the track a couple of weeks later. This was my first time back on an R1, since '06 when I sold my '03 to purchase a YZ250F so my son could learn to ride. I had been riding/racing motocross, racing harescrambles and did a couple of trackdays at a smaller track riding SuMo on my '07 YZ450F. So, it wasn't as if I had been off a bike that whole time. But, I was rusty from not having ridden for a sportbike for a while...
I did a couple of trackdays the remainder of the '09 season, and it was great to finally be back out there!
The following year, I did a few trackdays. A couple of times at DCTC, our smaller local track for skills based riding.
The 2010 R1-Forum Memorial Trackday at Jennings GP (here I am pretending to lead Plimmer :lol ):
Brainerd Int'l Raceway in May:
Then again in July:
After that trackday, I had decided to park the R1 for the remainder of the season so I could do some heavy maintenance. One of the frame sliders had decided to come loose, it needed a thorough going through, as well as some other things. Unfortunately, it seemed life had different plans for me, as that would be the last time I rode her.
In September 2010, I was involved in a head on collision that totaled my E250 van. The other driver swerved in front me of because she almost missed her turn due to texting and driving. My neck was messed up for a while, and it was over a year before I could ride my YZ450F due to how the helmet bounced around, even with a Leatt neck brace. Along with the accident, I was facing financial ruin due to a number of issues outside my control.
From there, life really went to hell. The following year, my wife decided she wanted a separation. Then came a divorce (the judge signed the divorce decree on our 20th anniversary, happy anniversary b*tch! :lol ), followed by even further financial ruin and eventually loss of house through short sale, and finally having to euthanize my dog due to health issues.
During that time, I wound up having to sell of nearly all the parts I had bought to restore the R1 back to track worthiness, along with all my gear. I sold the other three bikes I had (2007 YZ450F, 2005 YZ250F, 2005 TT-r125LE), and even attempted to sell the R1 a couple of times. Looking back, thankfully it didn't go through!
At the end of 2012, I was working to get the R1 operational as it had sat for a couple of years. The wiring harness was trashed. Someone had yanked the PowerCommander, or Bazaaz from it's connections and ruined the harness, so I bought a used one and attempted to replace it. The bike would fire, but not run. So, I found a reputable repair shop, operated by a guy whom races, to check it out and get it running.
It turned out to be a connector that I missed, and the bike ran. But, it wasn't running right. Cylinder #4 was running quite a bit cooler than the others, based upon temp readings of the header. I had him dig into it a little, and it turned out #4 had zero compression, with 100% blow-by into the crank on a leakdown test. Not having the money for the repair, I picked it up and brought it home.
A couple months later, I managed to get the money for the repair, and brought I back in to have it taken care of. A time estimate of “a month or so” turned into a little over a year of frustration and hell. If I would have had hair, I certainly wouldn't have it now. :lol
Pistons, with the rings seized inside the grooves:
Her finally back together, and on the dyno:
Video of dyno run:
Initial dyno run after SBU reflash of the ECU:
Skipping all the messy details, I finally was able to pick up the R1 approximately fourteen months after it went into the shop to have the engine rebuilt. :shake Because I didn't have a place to work on it, she had to go into storage for a couple of months until I moved to where I am now that has a garage.
It's been less than a month since moving, and I still have a lot of things left to unpack. But, I've been working on the bike as I'm able to. My goal was June 1st to be back on track. But, I'm not going to make it with too much happening. So, I'll have to readjust my timeline some.
Since I sold all my gear, I had to replace it. So, I took the opportunity to get a custom made one piece suit from Arsenal Leather works, Alpinestars GP Tech gloves and Supertech boots, as well as a Forcefield Pro4 back protector. But, all that has to wait now until I can finish getting her track ready...
So, this is where I'm at currently, after having worked on her last night some more...
This is what was done before I picked her up in 2009:
Engine rebuilt
APE cam chain tensioner
Traxxion AK20 fork kit
Penske 8900 series triple clicker shock
Woodcraft rearsets
Graves frame sliders
SS front lines
Catalyst Composites race plastics
Catalytic converter punched, A&R race baffles installed
DID 50 chain, Vortex sprockets
Here is what I've done since I got it, most of it having been done this year:
Engine rebuild
ECU re-flashed by SBU (30% increased engine braking, rev limiter adjusted, O2 disabled, fans adjusted for better cooling)
M4 stainless steel midpipe (oxygen sensor hole plugged with SS plug)
OEM cans and race baffles shortened by 1.5”
Power Commander III-USB with custom map
Graves AIS block-off plates
YEC quick turn throttle
Graves race fairing stay and plugs
Motovation clutch/stator sliders
Motovation frame sliders
Woodcraft swingarm spool sliders
Woodcraft case covers
Galfter SS braided front lines
SBS brake pads
CRG Billet Black levers
Radiator cap (1.8 bar)
Pro-Bolt clutch cable adjuster (blue)
Rizoma oil fill cap
Keyless gas gap
Trimmed wiring harness to remove headlight connections
There's been a few other things I've done such as replacing missing cooling fans, suspension service, and replacing worn rearset pegs. But, those are the key things I've done so far.
I still have a ways to go with things to do yet:
Ohlins steering damper
Driven clip-ons
Woodcraft bar end sliders
New chain and sprockets
Galfer SS braided rear line
Graves rear brake return spring
Replace front and rear wheel bearings
Replace steering stem bearings
and a few other bits and customizations...
sneakyBut, for those whom have wondered, she's still around and will be making a comeback. This year is getting her mechanically sound. Over the winter, my plans are to put new plastics on and a nice livery.
