I've been asked by readers more than a few times if their VFR is running badly….they're usually not. The V4 has a unique idle cadence, caused by one cylinder firing slightly off-cadence. I love the sound, it always reminds me of a small block Chevy with a mild cam. For your enjoyment, here's a short video I made yesterday while tuning a freshly rebuilt set of Gen-3 carburetors.
(please copy & paste, YouTube won't allow me to load the video at this time)

https://youtube.com/shorts/_pE5tfpZAFE?si=D6iVuMe87WR2Mctn

SOLD: $54,500

Third time's the charm, so they say. I featured this lovely VFR750R on this blog in January & February; first on eBay auction then as a featured listing on RSBFS.com. It was bid to $59,600 on eBay, failing to meet reserve, and apparently also failed to sell on RSBFS (asking price unknown). This time, back on eBay, the bike sold for $54,500, $5K below last time around. You can't force an open market, it sets its own value.

What: 2001 VFR800 FI
Why: Nice condition, low-ish miles
Where: Mt. Zion, Illinois
Price: $5200

Here we have a final-year Gen-5, a model which many consider the sweet spot for the VFR lineage. Boasting many upgrades over the previous carbureted V4s but still retaining the iconic gear-driven cams, these bikes sit high on the classic sport touring ladder.

This one is waiting in central Illinois and said to be a 2-owner bike showing just shy of 20,000 miles with newer tires and beautiful paintwork, at least according to the photos. Not many details in the ad, but I do spy an aftermarket seat, slip-on muffler and windscreen. If there's a little room on the asking price, this could be a winner.

What: 1984 VF1100S Sabre
Why: Great condition, low miles
Where: Danvers, MA
Price: $5250

This one really is kinda special. A big-block V65 Sabre dressed in the optional swoopy fairing from the CBX with only 12,131 miles and looking like a time capsule. Even the aftermarket tail pack manages to match the factory colors.

Our seller is prone to some marketing hyperbole but this example might be worthy of some special words:
​"...it has been lovingly preserved and maintained to an exceptional standard. The paint gleams, the chrome shines, and the engine pulls like the day it left the showroom floor. Everything functions as it should, and it rides like a dream — smooth, powerful, and confidence-inspiring."

Looking closely at the photos, the finishes do, in fact, reflect the low miles and 42 years of caring owners. With some additional detailing this could really make a statement for its next caretaker. The asking price is at the high end, for sure, but could be easily rationalized for the right buyer.

Moto-journalist Neil Graham recently penned an article for ADVrider.com on riding and aging. Citing some relevant science on the subject from the Mayo Clinic he added his own, less scientific, observation, specifically for us of the Baby Boomer generation….

"The aging motorcyclist lacks something missing from the Mayo’s list: thankfulness. Rather than anger that motorcycles have sophisticated electronics, or have grown too large, or that, eventually, they’ll be powered by something other than gasoline, look back at what you’ve gained. That you lived in an age when a stinky liquid pumped from the ground and decanted into a gleaming fuel tank powered a vehicle that took you along California’s coast, or deep into Oregon’s interior, or around a racetrack at breakneck speed. We are on the crest of a great convulsion, that of the baby boom generation’s death. It was never going to be pretty. Harley has its head in a vise. Indian, with its brand-new ersatz 1950s Chief, is sitting pretty on an old horse galloping straight off a cliff. Instead of grousing over change that’ll happen after we’re dead, let’s celebrate the times we’ve had and encourage those replacing us, those who will remake motorcycling in their own image, to set the house on fire then build it up from the ashes. It’s what we did. Why would we begrudge them the indulgence to do the same?"
Neil Graham

I stumbled upon these rare items courtesy of FB Marketplace — Used Honda OEM saddlebag set with mounting hardware, keys and liners color-matched to the 2007 VFR800 Anniversary Edition. According to the seller:
"Used, like new. Honda VFR800 saddle bags. Matching to a 2007 anniversary edition VFR800. Excellent condition. Comes with interior bags and several keys. Also mounting brackets and passenger handles."

These should, of course, fit any Gen-6 VFR800. Asking price is $750, no mention of shipping. Click on the image for the link. Better hurry!

What: Maddox Cordless Hot Stapler
Where: Harbor Freight
Price: $99.99

I have done what seems like 1000 hours of plastics repairs. Using my trusty Polyvance Mini-Weld Model 6, I've melted a mound of ABS welding rod, saving countless fairings and brackets. It's not technically difficult but between the prep, welding and finishing for paint, there's a time commitment. But the results are very satisfying, giving new life to an original part that hasn't been available for 20+ years.

I've relied on heating/melting, very much like metal welding, but there's a newer technology using metal staples that not only joins a gap but provides a mechanical support (the staple) between the parts — seems like a great solution. I've improvised a similar approach using thin nails or stiff wire for added support, but the staples would have been more elegant and effective.

​Here, Harbor Freight is offering their version, which seems very complete and has the bonus of being cordless. This kit does both staples and traditional heat welding, which you'll want to complete the repair; the staples would be applied to the backside of a crack and then the crack heat welded, finishing with a heat weld to the front side. If I were just getting into plastics repair, I'd certainly want this technology.

For much less money Harbor Freight also offers the alternative kits shown below, suitable for small or occasional jobs. Amazon and eBay also offer many name- and off-brand kits.

I have one freshly rebuilt & tuned carb set for the 1990-93 VFR750. These are tuned to run well with both stock and mildly modified engines (air filter and/or slip-ons).

Price is $530 with shipping to the U.S. An exchange credit is available; contact me for details or questions.

​These carbs are ready to bolt on, add gas and go.

Motorcyclists, and the world in general, lost a friend, visionary and generous benefactor this past week.

Best known to most of us as the founder and inspiration for Barber Vintage Motorsports Museum, George's influence actually spread far and wide throughout Alabama and the southeast U.S., funding hundreds of scholarships, promoting conservation and benefiting the lives of countless people and organizations, all with consummate humility and compassion. He will be missed on a personal and professional level but his work will live on for generations. Click on the image above for his impressive life story. Well done, George, rest in peace.

In the fall of 2007, I took a memorable 4000-mile tour to the 2d-annual Barber Vintage Festival near Birmingham, Alabama. I had Project #1 in the garage but for this ride I chose the Suzuki V-Strom 1000. My route began in Madison, WI, traced northeast along the Ohio River, breaking east at Parkersburg, WV where I worked my way through the Shenandoah Valley to Waynesboro, VA and milepost 0 of the Blue Ridge Parkway. I rode in the autumn tranquility for the Parkway's full 469 miles to Great Smoky Mountains National Park, then the many famous and infamous roads of the southern Blue Ridge, Including my first sampling of the Dragon and Cherohala. Right on schedule, I rolled into the Barber complex for the beginning of the festival, including leisurely tours of the awesome museum.

​(Below) The museum offered this very cool Interceptor exhibit, displaying the VF1000R, VFR750F and VF500F. If you click on the image of the display plaque you'll see in the lower right corner "BMC-002," which indicates that the VFR was the second bike George acquired for his collection, the bike's odometer showing .9 miles. I don't have a photo, but I think that the VF1000R was BMC-001. He obviously thought highly of the V4s.

The annual kickoff to the motorcycle auction season was held in Las Vegas, January 26-30. Mecum Auctions (sign-in required to view results) is considered the benchmark player in this arena so I went through the results for Honda V4s and came up with the following nine sales. Unfortunately, Mecum provides minimal details for the bikes so any value generalizations are just that, generalizations. But, a cursory look at selling prices seem to show values continuing to dip. In no particular order….

$7150 - 1985 VF1000R

Showing only 6488 miles, this square headlight example presents beautifully. From the Mitzel collection, it's likely original condition but does have an aftermarket muffler.

In recent years, nice "R" models typically fetched $10,000 all day long so this seems like a relative bargain. 

$5500 - 1984 VF1000F

A second 1000 offered by Lee Mitzel, this "F" model also presents beautifully and shows 10,600 miles. This is either an exceptionally well-preserved survivor or a full restoration; it's that nice.

I have a soft spot for the "F" version but even so, this selling price seems more than fair.

$5225 - 1985 VF700F

Also from the Mitzel collection, this pristine final-year tariff-buster VF700 shows only 6281 miles. Probably my favorite of this year's V4 sales, this thing is just stunning up close. While the 750 version may be preferable, I would be proud to have this in my stable, and excited for every Sunday morning ride.

The values for the VF700/750 series are all over the board, but, again, this seems very well bought.

$1375 - 1985 V65 Sabre

The bargain of the V4 sales, this big-block VF1100S Sabre shows 23,393 miles and lists as "highly original stock condition." These were 122 HP tire-smokin' street bruisers in their day, shaft drive and all. This one looks like a nice rider-grade example with good paint — even the impossible-to-find black chrome mufflers look to be in great shape. Again, well bought.

$6600 - 1987 VFR400R NC24

The VFR400 models were well-represented this year including this 2d-gen NC24 version. With 23,888 kilometers this has a rider-grade patina and sports later model wheels.

NC24 values depend largely on condition, and this one seems to fall mid-range.

$4950 - 1987 VFR400R NC21

Also an '87 model, but this example is the final year of the Gen-1 NC21. This example is from the David Silvers collection and shows 20,040 kilometers. Looking very much like a scaled-down VFR750 this one is a little rough around the edges, which the selling price reflects.

$2200 - 1986 VFR400R NC21

Also from David Silver, this represents the first year of the revamped 400 V4s, replacing the VF400F. Showing 27,835 kilometers this example is cosmetically rough, even dirty, and the selling price seems right in line with the condition.

$5500 - 1992 VFR400R NC30

Also from David Silver, this striking example, at 35,514 kilometers, showcases the final model and year of the VFR400R, and definitely the pinnacle of the series. The cosmetics and mechanicals were based heavily on the larger RC30, the little engine now revving to 14,500 RPM and rated at 65 HP (!). Two color schemes were offered in the UK, but I'm not sure this was one of them.