YB11 and a question

[dnovo]

Below are photos of a recent acquisition and a question. New in crate, ten 'run in miles' only just bought on Ebay. The low price (most clean YB 11 s bring in the low 'teens) may have been a function of the "what is it" issue.

There is no reference to a "25th Anniversary" model of any type in the Sarti. book nor at the otherwise comprehensive Bimota Enthusiast website. (There is, however, a photo of bike # 40 of 50 in the gallery section. The bike I just bought is #4 of 50.) Since the Sarti book and the actual 25th anniversary of Bimota was in 1998, and this model is a 2000 does anyone have any information on 'how and why?"

Also, "who" as in who was running Bimota at the time. In any event, this would appear to be much like the SB8K, also put together following or at the time of the bankruptcy and a model created be a model from what I assume was "left over" stock. Looks like an otherwise standard YB with different (but rather nice) paint scheme and graphics. Any info would be appreciated. Dave

[ZAWA]

Dave, I think you answered your own questions. I know the German importer took alot of the bikes at or near the end of bimota and some were made into street fighters SB6R's and YB11's so bikes were around that this could be done to. When you get it I would look for any signs of a repaint.

[dnovo]

No its not a repaint, and a follow up from someone who knows solved some of my questions:

Found the answer through my friend Bob at Bimota Spirit. These bikes were first shown at the 1998 show, and were to be built as a limited run of 50 and released as 1999 and 2000 models. The handful that were made (Bob recalls seeing one other in the US and I see one pictured at the Bimota Enthusiast site) all appear to have been released as 2000 models by the original company just before the liquidator took over and put all of the remaining company inventory of SB8s, DB4ies. and Vdues into a large warehouse and the company closed. These bikes were standard Yb11s, with the triple clamp remachined for the logo and a few minor details, slightly different instruments, and painted in this color scheme at the factory. (Bob said this can be seen in the full line 2000 model year brouchure, the last of the original factory brochures. He did not recall seeing a separate model brouchure for this model.)

Were there 50? Doubtful. The number on the triple clamp did not necessarily match up to the total number built, as they were simply installed by grabbing one off the shelf when an order came in to complete a bike in the last days before the company folded.

If anyone has seen one, and knows of one that isn't #4 or #40, I'd like to know where and which number.

Dave

[dnovo]

Just got the 2000 Bimota 'full line' brochure. The "25th Ann" and the 'normal' color schemes were indeed offered for the YB11 in this last year of the original company's offerings. Dave