What: 2010 VFR1200F
​Why: Nice shape, well-maintained
Where: Albuquerque, NM
​Price: Opening bid $4500

The 7th-Gen VFR was a radical departure from Honda's successful formula for their V4 "sporty bike" platform. And it was not well received, despite being a tour de force of technology, style, power, competency and impeccable build quality. Introduced in 2010, the model struggled in the showroom, resulting in selling discounts for its four-year model run. Those lowered dollar values continue to this day, making the 1200F an exceptional used bike value, and today's auction bike is a perfect example.

Showing 27,000 miles and a great maintenance history, the only mod listed is a Two Brothers carbon slip-on muffler that "isn’t too loud but winds up nicely when you open the throttle." There's some tip-over markings on the left side and the forks seals are beginning to seep. But the thing that caught my eye with this sale is the price — the seller's opening bid is $4500 with no reserve, when 1200Fs routinely carry asking prices of $6-7K. The back story is that this bike is re-listed, having garnered no bids the last time around. That probably speaks volumes about the used sport touring market in general and the 7th-Gen VFR in particular, but when you stand back and consider the amount of motorcycle you're potentially getting for under $5000 it really is a bit amazing. Good luck to seller and buyer.

In the past I've not been able to offer my "Essential Carburetor Rebuild Kit" to include the 1990-93 Gen-3 models. The problem was the lack of a source for quality float valves. I've finally filled that gap with Keyster-brand float valve/seat kits. These are Japanese-made items, so I'm confident in their quality.

This collection of parts are what I use in my carb rebuilding. I've sourced the best parts I can find and only include the replacement bits I consider necessary — the rest of the carbs' OEM parts can be reused.

Combine this with the "Fuel Line Kit" (Gen-2) and you'll have all your fuel concerns covered — well, maybe a replacement fuel tank petcock, available from Honda or aftermarket. Of course, I still offer the stand-alone "Fuel Joint O-ring & Fuel Line Kit, '86-97," to seal those fuel tubes, or even just the fuel joint o-rings (only $6!). And don't forget my carb rebuilding or exchange service.

Lots of options, so no excuse for letting a great bike sit idle due to leaking or malfunctioning carbs.
Visit the "Products" page and contact me with questions.
joe.nelson@ymail.com

UPDATE: PRICE INCREASED TO $93!!! WTH?

I used to buy these Gen-2 carburetor insulators for about $40 per set of four. Those days are behind us, and they now list for $90 from Honda, or about $75 via the internet. These are OEM parts — I've never found aftermarket Gen-2 replacements.

But here's an eBay seller offering sets of four for only $60.42 (w/coupon code) including shipping.

I'm amazed that Honda still has these available (not true for the Gen-3) so we should grab them while we can.

With the new chain/sprocket set installed on Project 41, it was time to mount the sprocket cover and clutch slave. The decision was made to go aftermarket, and a beautiful Oberon slave cylinder was chosen, in titanium color.

This a a straightforward swap using the original mounting bolts. Oberon furnishes a fresh gasket and I add a dab of grease to the clutch push rod. To finish off the clutch hydraulics, the rebuilt and repainted master cylinder was installed along with a stainless braided hose. The system bled out easily and looks great. I've never used an Oberon slave, so I'm anxious to get this one on the road.
​https://www.oberon-performance.co.uk/clutch-slave-cylinders

$300 includes shipping to continental U.S.
I found this beauty a few years back via one of the VFR forums, but just never came up with a Gen-4 to mount it on. I don't see that happening so it's time to pass it on to someone who can make use of it. This is an 18" long (muffler), genuine carbon fiber, with mid-pipe to mate to the 1994-97 VFR750 stock exhaust collector. Includes two connector springs. I've never mounted it but it appears to be a high-mount style, no additional mounting hardware included. It is a used item, but negligible wear evident. There's a light scuff on the rear side, not visible when mounted (see photo). The muffler weighs 2 lbs, 7 oz, the pipe 1 lb. A very nice piece.
Contact me: joe.nelson@ymail.com
(some images appear to have a tan hue, but the carbon fiber is the darker shade pictured)
(click on an image to enlarge)

(Below) I'm using my trusty Motion Pro chain breaker/riveting kit. Chains are often packaged with the correct number of links, but this one came with about five extra links, which I marked and drove out the necessary rivet. Here, you can see the driven rivet and its o-rings. The new master link is greased and ready to install. This is a rivet-style master link, the "clip" style is not appropriate for high performance street bikes.
(click on an image to enlarge)

(Below) Next, I install the new master and o-rings from the backside. The front plate then needs to be "pressed" to achieve the correct width. Be sure to keep the rivets centered in the tool's holes, so as not to inadvertently mushroom the rivet (pink arrow). As I'm pressing the plates, I pause to check the width, matching it to its neighbors.

(Below) With the correct width, I reconfigure the tool to rivet, basically mushrooming the soft rivet to lock the plate in place (no photo). The rivet needs to be just right, too tight and the link won't want to pivot as the chain wraps around the sprockets, too loose and you risk the plate coming off — you can imagine the result. Here, I'm measuring the pressed rivet's diameter — the chain manufacturer will provide a recommended diameter range; 5.48mm is perfect. This is what your finished rivets should look like.

(Below) Finally, with the sprockets now held firmly in place by the chain, I'm able to torque the sprocket fasteners. At the rear, I've numbered the nuts to help me torque them in a crosswise pattern (you have to raise/rotate the wheel to access each nut, and you can easily loose track). After torquing the front bolt, I add a line of white paint. This allows a quick inspection through the sprocket cover to verify that the bolt hasn't loosened.
​Rear nuts: 58-72 ft-lb
​Front bolt: 38 ft-lb

After adjusting the chain tension, this job is finished. Next, I'll install the sprocket cover and a very special clutch slave cylinder.

Here's something new to me: This is an aftermarket Wolf brand underseat dual muffler slip-on to fit the 1998-01 VFR800.

I came across this offered for sale at VFRworld.com by member vfrcapn. It's a used item, said to have been restored by a previous owner. The seller states that he's had the system in use and fabricated an underseat tray, which is included. I would assume that this is a necessary modification but not really sure.

The entire package is offered for $775 plus shipping from California. Contact the seller via the attached photo link for more information on this rare and unusual item (membership required).

Mecum Las Vegas Motorcycle Auction, Jan 29-Feb 1, 2025

The annual bike selling extravaganza (2000 motorcycles in four days!) has concluded, kicking off the 2025 auction season and setting the stage for the coming year's classic bike market. A 1915 Cyclone has set a new world record motorcycle selling price of $1.320,000, $300,000 above the previous record! The world's first million-dollar motorbike, and it didn't even have Steve McQueen's name attached to it.

Paul d'Orleans, one of the broadcast commentators, noted the following: "...the landscape has changed: American four-cylinders are hot, 1970s/80s dirt bikes are hot, 1980s/90s sportbikes are hot, Kawasaki triples are hot, 1970s/80s Italian sportbikes are hot, but everything else is cold, cold, cold."

Looking over the results, I spied the following Honda V4 completed sales:
1993 VFR750R RC30 — $27,500 — Japan import, unknown miles
1990 VFR750R RC30 — $51,700 — Mitzel collection, 7000 miles
1990 VFR750R RC30 — $42,900 — Bruce Milner collection, 7700 miles
1987 VF700C Super Magna — $3300 — Mike Boyle collection, 4800 miles
2007 VFR800 Anniversary — $12,100 — Mitzel collection, 800 miles
1988 VFR400 NC24 — $6600 — David Silver collection, 28,000 miles
1996 VFR750 — $2750 — 5900 miles
1985 VF500C V30 Magna — $4950 — Mike Boyle collection, 2300 miles

Mecum's listings are notoriously short of online details, I guess it's more of a "ya gotta be there" thing.
For auction results (log-in required to see selling prices):
https://www.mecum.com/auctions/las-vegas-motorcycles-2025/lots/