Beschreibung:

• Factory-built Aprilia RSV4 engine • Parkes' No. 2 bike • Purchased directly from Paul Bird Motorsport • Running condition • Display tyres (not for any other use) "Aprilia had two teams employing their engine: Paul Bird with his British GPMS-built chassis, and Ioda using their whole bike. It was a big change from 2013. PBM's bikes occasionally got into the points, but it was clear that the power of their superbike-tuned engines was way below that needed to compete against the MotoGP-engined bikes." – Motocourse, 2014. The machine offered here belongs to what can now be seen as a 'passing phase' of MotoGP history: the CRT era. Faced with escalating costs and dwindling participation (at the 2011 Australian GP there were only 14 starters and 10 finishers in the premier class) MotoGP series owners Dorna came up with a lower-cost 'Claiming Rule Teams' (CRT) category to run alongside the factory prototypes. The idea was that CRT teams would run production-based engines in prototype chassis, and that engines would be claimable by factory teams for a set fee of €25,000, though why a factory team would want to acquire a tuned road-bike engine was never explained. In the event, none ever did. The introduction of CRT for the 2012 season coincided with the switch from 800cc to 1,000cc engines with a maximum permitted bore size of 81mm. Aprilia's offering in the CRT class was powered by the V4 engine of their RSV4 production superbike, which in MotoGP specification produced around 230bhp. Engines would be returned to the Aprilia factory when in need of rebuilding. Paul Bird Motorsport had four bikes available for the 2014 season: two each for Broc Parkes and Michael Laverty; the one offered here is Parkes' No. 2 bike. The PBM bikes were usually the class of the CRT field; Parkes only failed to finish once and scored points in five rounds of the World Championship, the highlight being 11th place at Assen. He ended the season with nine points, the same as team-mate Laverty. Which, if any, of Parkes' results were gained riding the No. 2 bike is not known. Phil Morris bought this machine directly from Paul Bird Motorsport together with a substantial quantity of spares, but it was not until 2016 that he was able to purchase the Magneti Marelli electronics (ECU, dashboard, inertia platform), which had been retained for reasons of commercial confidentiality (data sheets on file). PBM engineer Phil Borley then re-programmed the ECU with data from the end of the 2014 season. Other notable features include 16.5" wheels; carbon brake discs; thumb brake (rear); FGR fork yokes; Öhlins forks; Brembo brakes; and PBM's own exhaust and carbon-fibre bodywork. Since coming into Phil Morris's collection, this PBM-ART has been ridden on display laps at Mallory Park, Tonfanau, and Aberdare Park by John McGuinness, Steve Plater, and Peter Hickman. Given the factories' current policy of retaining machines run by satellite teams, rather than selling them on, the chances of obtaining a former MotoGP machine are now slim indeed. As such, this PBM-ART represents a rare opportunity to acquire a genuine MotoGP motorcycle in working condition and possessing impeccable provenance. Said to run perfectly, it is a potential centrepiece for any important private collection. It should be noted that this machine is fitted with Bridgestone display tyres, which are not for use either with starting rollers or on the road/track. A selection of spares relating to this lot will be sold as part of our online sale in December. Further details to follow.