From a press release issued by Yamaha Motor Corporation:
SOME LIKE IT HOTTER
Jamie James Productions’ Yamaha R1 Turns Up The Heat
For those discerning hardcore enthusiasts that see Yamaha’s irresistibly sharp-edged 2002 YZF-R1 as an excellent starting point, legendary Yamaha Superbike racer and multi-time AMA National Champion Jamie James has created your finish line. Jamie James Productions is building the ultimate street bike, their Series 1 Yamaha YZF-R1.
In all his years in AMA Superbike competition, no one rode a bike harder and James learned how to set his bikes up to get the most out of them. His Series 1 Yamaha YZR-R1 is the culmination of his championship-winning knowledge and experience.
“After all those years on Superbikes, I never was impressed with streetbikes until I rode Yamaha’s R1,” James explains in his characteristic Louisiana Cajun drawl. “And I’ll tell you what, this bike here is faster than the Vance & Hines Yamaha Superbike I raced in ‘96. With Yamaha’s new fuel injection the engine’s response and fuel curve stay perfect. When you hit it – it’s perfect,” James adds with eyes widening and head rolling back for emphasis.
“I used as many OEM Yamaha parts as possible because I know they’ll stand up over the long haul,” said James. “A lot of times when you do a lot of mods, you might sacrifice the engine’s torque or reliability. I built a nice streetbike with lots of torque and long-term reliability. It’s all stock below the headgasket, so it should be as reliable as any stock Yamaha.”
The cylinder head is expertly ported and given a James’ special patented Serdi-cut valve job to increase flow and a Yamaha Race Kit headgasket to increase compression ratio. The net result is an engine that makes neck-snapping torque and breathes better all the way through the rpm range. An Acropovic Evo Titanium Exhaust system and special cam sprockets from Orient Express are the other major powerplant modifications. It all adds up to rear-wheel horsepower figures in the mid-to-high 140 range with a truly awesome midrange punch that makes it feel like more than that.
The Ragin’ Cajun knows that it takes more than raw power to be the best, so he’s included premium suspension and brake components to compliment his monster motor. As impressive as the JJP R1 is under acceleration, it’s the sheer stopping power afforded by its combination of AP Racing master cylinder and six-piston calipers gripping Braking wave rotors and pads that have left journalist test-riders slack-jawed. Add to that the supple sophistication of Olhins suspension fork, shock and steering damper that improve handling characteristics, stability and cornering traction and feedback and you end up with an omnipotent overall package that leaves any other streetbike feeling a bit lacking. Countless final details such as a billet top triple clamp, stainless-steel-braided brake lines, a fender eliminator kit, Euro turn signals, various titanium bits, anodized metal JJP serial number plaques riveted to the frame and a distinctive deep gloss black, silver and red JJP Series 1 paint job complete with James’ hand-signed signature on the tank – even a bike cover is part of the deal – leave nothing to want.
To have one built, your local Yamaha dealer ships a 2002 R1 to the Jamie James Productions facility in North Carolina at (828) 712-2153 or email at [email protected]. The price is $23,500, which includes the price of a 2002 Yamaha YZF-R1. Not cheap, but then again, owning the best never is.