In addition to Projects 39 and 40, detailed in the previous post, I recently picked up another project, which is officially labeled Project 41. This one's a 1987 VFR700 F2 in Candy Wave Blue with silver/gray accent and wheels. I've had two similar models in the shop over the past few years, but this one's a little special, beyond the relatively rare color way. This is one of only three examples I've come across over the years that was made in Marysville, Ohio, USA. All of them have been '87 700s, two in this color and one in Pearl Crescent White.
Looking at my VIN plate, below, the first three alphanumerics are "1HF," where other VFRs begin with "JH2." The first letter indicates country of manufacture; "J" denoting Japan, while my "1" denotes USA. The "H" is for Honda, and the "2" indicates motorcycle, while mine is "F," another bit of the mystery. The rest of the VIN appears to be almost hand-stamped, rather than the more polished Japan-made bikes. Of course, there's also the "MADE IN U.S.A." printed below the "!HF."
I've posted in the past on this site and the VFR forums looking for some insight into this little mystery — with no luck. This time I managed to contact Jon Row, retired 35-year Honda staffer with involvement in many of the company's activities. Turns out this is a mystery to Jon as well, but he speculates that the late manufacture date of May, 1987 possibly indicates that the company shipped a container (or more) of "knockdown" assemblies to the Marysville plant (where Gold Wings were being produced) for unknown reasons, possibly to simply finish off RC26 production in the U.S. so that the Japan factory could ready for the big changes to the '88 Euro models. Or, maybe Marysville just needed to fill some assembly line downtime. Jon promised to keep nosing around, but for now the mystery continues. In any event, this is one of the low number of VFRs ever to be produced in the U.S. Does it add to the value? Probably not, but it lends a little air of uniqueness to this rescue.
Looking at my VIN plate, below, the first three alphanumerics are "1HF," where other VFRs begin with "JH2." The first letter indicates country of manufacture; "J" denoting Japan, while my "1" denotes USA. The "H" is for Honda, and the "2" indicates motorcycle, while mine is "F," another bit of the mystery. The rest of the VIN appears to be almost hand-stamped, rather than the more polished Japan-made bikes. Of course, there's also the "MADE IN U.S.A." printed below the "!HF."
I've posted in the past on this site and the VFR forums looking for some insight into this little mystery — with no luck. This time I managed to contact Jon Row, retired 35-year Honda staffer with involvement in many of the company's activities. Turns out this is a mystery to Jon as well, but he speculates that the late manufacture date of May, 1987 possibly indicates that the company shipped a container (or more) of "knockdown" assemblies to the Marysville plant (where Gold Wings were being produced) for unknown reasons, possibly to simply finish off RC26 production in the U.S. so that the Japan factory could ready for the big changes to the '88 Euro models. Or, maybe Marysville just needed to fill some assembly line downtime. Jon promised to keep nosing around, but for now the mystery continues. In any event, this is one of the low number of VFRs ever to be produced in the U.S. Does it add to the value? Probably not, but it lends a little air of uniqueness to this rescue.
And a rescue it will be. The bike shows 32,000 miles and it has led a neglected life. I found this poor soul languishing on FB Marketplace in suburban Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Some of its history is known by the 50-ish seller, as he purchased it from a friend years ago, who in turn purchased it from another mutual friend when he moved away. The tortured body panels show scars from years of careless ownership and the bike hasn't been ridden in anger in years (tires are date-coded 1996), though the seller promised me he recently ran the engine on a bottle of gas. We shall see.
The bike is very complete, minus the chain guard, but the fuel tank is likely toast along with a few body pieces. I won't get to this project in earnest for several months but I will slowly address some items, like the carbs, as time permits over the winter.
Hear's a short walk-around video upon arrival at the V4 Dreams complex (please excuse my referring to the fuel cut-off relay as a starter relay):
The bike is very complete, minus the chain guard, but the fuel tank is likely toast along with a few body pieces. I won't get to this project in earnest for several months but I will slowly address some items, like the carbs, as time permits over the winter.
Hear's a short walk-around video upon arrival at the V4 Dreams complex (please excuse my referring to the fuel cut-off relay as a starter relay):
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