It's sometimes strange how things work. A case in point is the motorcycle sportbike market. As interest in new production sportbikes evaporates, values of classic/vintage sportbikes are on the rise. Watching it firsthand is Paul d'Orleans, part of the broadcast team for MotorTrend+ at this year's Mecum Las Vegas auction, billed as the largest motorcycle auction in the world. Paul's observation:

"It was a fascinating several days at the auction, and a snapshot of motorcycle collectors' mood: what's hot, what's slipping, what's trending. As per last year: Britbikes are flat, dirtbikes are hot, Japanese sportbikes are super hot, Knuckleheads are slipping, blue chip machines are holding steady."

No new news to many of us. To a person, every client I've had the pleasure of helping with their classic Interceptor projects has had a nostalgic connection with 80s and 90s sportbikes. Old vehicle auctions are influenced by one of two factors (often both), investment or nostalgia, and Paul's observation shows us that the older Britbike and Harley guys are leaving the market while the next generation — raised on Japanese dirtbikes, standards and sportbikes — are fueling current trends.

(Paul d'Orleans founded The Vintagent and has committed his life's work to old motorbikes. Here's his definitive account of the Top 100 Most Expensive Motorcycles.)

SOLD: $9000

If you're an auction seller, here's your dream scenario: Two or three bidders who just need to have this item for reasons known only to them.

This is money typically reserved for a decent "R" version of the VF1000. But here we have a very average "F". Per the BaT listing, "The selling dealer notes paint chips on the fuel tank, and photos show finish blemishes on the frame along with scuffs on various panels."

​The odometer shows an enticing 13,000 miles and basic maintenance has been carried out. The aftermarket F1 mufflers are in average condition, but some nice originals would have gone a long way toward making the sale price more palatable. Well sold.

Posted on ADVrider.com, motorcyclefanatic shared a great photo of his VF/VFR collection. From left to right, 1st-gen VF750, 2d-gen VFR750F, VFR750R (RC30), 6th-gen VFR800 Anniversary Edition. The icing on this cake is that he gets to live near the fantastic riding of the Blue Ridge mountains. A lucky guy with excellent taste.

The Mecum Auctions Las Vegas 2023 is in progress through Saturday, but this 1986 VFR750F Interceptor has already crossed the block for an impressive $7700, $8250 with buyer's commission. I'm not in Vegas, but friend Joe S. is and he looked this one over carefully with this to report: "All original and correct. Not perfectly detailed but could've been easily. Even original tires. It was a time capsule."

With only 1819 miles on the odometer it's the 2d-lowest mile 2d-gen VFR I've come across in the wild. I hope it goes to a home where it gets recommissioned for a happy life back on the road where it belongs.

David Crosby ascended to the big hookah palace in the sky on January 19. It was sad news to many of my generation, myself included, as his music was a huge part of our coming of age in the era of womens' equality, civil rights and anti-war movements, along with the general social upheavals of the 60s and early 70s. It was quite a time to live through and Crosby's music, particularly with Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young, was a leading musical force of the times. While stationed with the military in Morocco, Africa, my cohorts and I sampled many a bowl of hashish while just about wearing out the vinyl tracks on their Four Way Street album. David was one of those lucky people to be born into their perfect place in history, and the rest of us benefited. Rest in peace.

What: Vintage HRC logo work apron
Where: Dawsonville, Georgia
Why: Unique & cool
Price: eBay auction
Update: SOLD for $133

Here's something you don't see everyday. Our seller represents this shop apron as "an original Honda HRC work apron from the mid-1980's…not a reproduction." The implication seems to be that this is Honda-sourced, not a third-party item. The package tag has a Honda Code # and Part # but I'm still not sure that makes it a factory supplied item. On the other hand, the use of all the Honda logos indicates that it probably is.

I'm also not sure it matters, because that wouldn't detract from its cool factor.

Auction ends Sunday night.

Two recent V4 auctions show a marked reversal of value regarding vastly differing motorcycle genres. Or is it just a question of effective marketing? When an older higher mileage muscle cruiser eclipses a newer sophisticated sport tourer, does it demonstrate consumers' changing tastes or just the fact that a high-exposure internet auction site (Bring A Trailer) is a much more effective marketing platform than the OG eBay. Of course, better photos and using more than 12 words in your listing doesn't hurt either.

SOLD: $5000

This 1986 VF1100C V65 Magna big-block cruiser pulled $5000 nostalgia-fueled dollars at the virtual gavel. Generally well-presented with enticing photos, some cosmetic blemishes, fresh tires and an oil change, this is basically a clean-&-flip from a popular BaT seller in Wisconsin. The pristine original mufflers surely helped out here as well. Well sold.

SOLD: $2436

Here we have a first-year VFR800 VTEC Interceptor with only 14,570 miles, our less than helpful seller sharing with us that the bike is red, adult-owned and has a battery tender included. The photos show a mostly original bike with a plastic crack and no passenger seat cowl pictured. The frame seems to show some surface corrosion (or dirt?). All-in-all, a rider-grade 800 and well bought.

I came across this unique creature via motoridersuniverse;  an outrageous custom build by Mociklet Customs. It's based upon a 3d-gen VFR750 and this thing has been stripped to the bone, sporting motocross-style handlebars and knobby's. I'm not sure about its off-road prowess considering the limited travel suspension, but the visual impact is undeniable. You won't see another like it at the local bike night!

From the same webpage comes this tracker-style custom, based upon a 1985 VFR400. Again, this high-revving little sport bike would be ill-suited to its transformation, but you can't fault the builder's unique vision. This one comes from Herencia, a custom shop in Argentina and it basically appears to be a stripped bike with some very raw fabricated aluminum bodywork and custom-built exhaust. Looks like a fun ride!

Some time ago, reader Alexander from Scotland contacted me to order some carb parts for a new project he'd acquired. He also included this video of the bike struggling to run with the worst carb leak I've personally seen. I'm pleased to report that after a thorough cleaning and fresh seals, Alexander's 1990 VFR750 is leak free.

Our old Hondas were treated to an impressive level of fit & finish…for their time. Still, there's a few areas where the factory didn't make the extra effort, one of which are the foot levers.

Shown here is a typical example; a 2d-gen brake lever. They're actually elegant cast aluminum pieces, but were left with a crude casting line running the perimeter. With some effort, we can finish the job.
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I begin with a thorough cleaning and then attack the casting line with a selection of Dremel sanding attachments (below). Next, I hand sand with increasingly finer grades of wet sandpaper, beginning with 320 grit. When I'm happy with my progress, I decide whether to paint or polish. For paint, I've had these powder coated or simply prime/paint/clearcoat with a quality spray, like Dupli-Color engine paint. For a mirror-like finish, I polish with white rouge on the buffing wheel. The final step is to apply Sharkhide protectant to maintain the shine. Either way, you've now got a custom detail that sets your project apart.