Following the Summer X Games, a special FZ1 commissioned by Dunlop Motorcycle Tires will be auctioned for the benefit of injured motocross legend Doug Henry. The bike has some interesting and exotic modifications overseen by Chuck Graves. Watch for an upcoming press release from Road 2 Recovery for details on the auction. Here is the announcement from Dunlop:
San Bernardino, CA: Dunlop Motorcycle Tires is proud to announce the creation of a one-off custom Yamaha FZ1 fitted with the all-new Roadsmart tires. The bike was created by well-known racing entity Graves Motorsports and will be auctioned off for the benefit of Doug Henry. A multi-time national motocross champion, Henry suffered an injury during a Supermoto race in 2007, and is now fighting back to overcome partial paralysis from the waist down. Also aiding Henry in this fight is the Road 2 Recovery Foundation, who will be managing the auction of this special
machine following the Summer X Games.
Introduced earlier this year, the new Roadsmart tire utilizes Dunlop’s Multi-Tread compound technology to deliver remarkable wet-weather performance, exceptional mileage and sport bike handling. Since its introduction, the Roadsmart has taken the sport-touring category by storm, thanks to its exceptional sporting capabilities.
“Building this bike is a real labor of love for me,” says Chuck Graves, President, Graves Motorsports Inc. “I’m proud to be able to do something to assist Doug in his recovery, and I also enjoyed creating a bike that I would personally love to own for street riding. A race-tuned Yamaha R1 would be a bit too much for the street, so I took a Yamaha FZ1 and tweaked the chassis for sport handling and also increased the power output. The end result is a bike that is very comfortable, but still delivers lots of excitement.”
Graves outfitted the FZ1 with a modified crankshaft, cylinder head, transmission and slipper clutch from a Yamaha R1, plus a tuned Graves exhaust system, Dynojet Power Commander and a race-style speed-shifter setup. Premium Öhlins suspension components grace front and rear, with a specially valved, fully adjustable Type 46 rear shock and a Road & Track Front Fork delivering a plush ride plus unparalleled control. Radial-mount front brakes with 320mm rotors replace the standard items, and adjustable footpegs, Pro Taper Henry-bend handlebar and Öhlins steering damper add to the package. A sharp eye will detect numerous other detail changes that clean up the bike’s profile, giving it more of a naked bike look, and custom paint, Marchesini wheels and Dunlop Roadsmart tires round out the package—all of which will go to the highest bidder.
“It is truly a privilege for Dunlop to take part in this project on behalf of Doug Henry,” said Dunlop Vice President Mike Buckley. “Doug is a genuine hero and a racing legend in our motorcycling community, and we are honored to lend him and his family our support as we give them our best wishes.”
More details about the Road 2 Recovery auction will be posted soon on the Dunlop Web site (www.dunlopmotorcycle.com) and the Road 2 Recovery Web site (www.road2recovery.com).
