1972 Daytona 200 winner Don Emde took the wraps off a very special 2009 Yamaha R1 project bike at the recent Long Beach show. Emde, who also announced the launch of a new non-profit organization called Friends of Riders for Health, Inc, led a one-year team effort to customize the machine with top end aftermarket accessories throughout and a one-off graphic theme replicating Valentino Rossi's famous "Five Continents" AGV helmet by famed designer Aldo Drudi.

The new 2009 R1 is scheduled to be sold at auction to be announced in late 2010 or early 2011. It has been stripped of certain street equipment such as mirrors, turn signals and license plate/taillight for display and it will be delivered as a Track Day Only machine.

Emde commented, "Riders for Health is the official charity of the MotoGP series 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.

Emde's Friends of Riders for Health, Inc. non-profit organization is dedicated to raising funds for Riders for Health through special projects and the R1 was the first project for the new organization. Sponsors of the project were Yamaha Motor Corp. USA, Ohlins, Akrapovic, Drudi Performance, AGV, Pole Position Racing Service, Vortex, Roland Sands Designs, Yamaha GYTR, Yamaha Champions Riding School, Saddlemen, Bridgestone, EK, EBC, Goodridge, K&N, Dynojet and Imagine-It Graphics.

For more info 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.orgč