Sharkskinz History – 1998 Yamaha R1 with R7 Bodywork

In Custom, Japan, Sport by AbhiLeave a Comment

Back in the days of Peak Sportbike, David Lee (the former owner of Sharkskinz) had his company build a set of bodywork to allow R1 owners to emulate the legendary R7 homologation special. The seller of this example says that he spoke to David, and he confirmed that “it’s one of either 50 or 75 kits sold.”

The seller calls this “the first Sharkskinz R71 built and used as their display bike. It is an R1 with R7 bodywork that was sent directly from Yamaha to Sharkskinz (it did not go through a dealer). It has the R7 headlight and built-in blinkers; the first Yoshimura exhaust built for the R7; the tailpiece has a “trunk”; Sharkskinz Airbox; RAM Air Kit; powder-coated rims; Attack Rear Sets (footpegs/mounts); FuelTek Carbon Fiber gas tank. The kit was sold by Graves.”

This example has 18,744 miles and no comments are made about the running condition though it’s been equipped with new tires. Some of the original parts are included (exhaust, turn signals, gas tank) – it has the fuel tank and fenders but none of the main fairings. Having those parts should surely help with the value but at the same time one has to assume that this bike is going to be bought specifically because of the bodywork kit anyway.

Find this interesting Yamaha for sale near Brooksville, Florida for $6,600 here on ADVRider.

This bike-uriousity brought to you by Gary H!