Blog Archives - V4 Dreams

Project 24 Strip-down

2/23/2019

Project 24, a 1995 VFR750, was stripped of its robes yesterday. This is always the first stage in my process and reveals both the cosmetic condition and much about the mechanicals. In this case, the bodywork is showing a few small cracks here and there along with small areas of rash. After a thorough cleaning the plastics are broken down into their component pieces, repairs are made, then the paintwork sanded and machine buffed.

With the carb set removed I immediately give a peek into the intake tracts. It's difficult to get a good photo, but these are probably the cleanest I've seen on an old VFR. Carbon buildup is common on the upper valve surfaces and even works its way up the stem. At 39,000 miles these valves are barely affected.

The carbs also look pretty clean (they've likely been serviced at some point) but they'll get a full cleaning and o-ring updates.

The engine valley under the carbs is usually a mess, and this one's no exception. Fifteen minutes of cleaning does wonders. I take care to cover the intakes with zip-tied plastic for cleaning and storage. Those small hoses will be replaced while I have access — for more on that procedure, see the Maintenance page; "Small Coolant Hose Generic Replacement."
(click on an image to enlarge)

A fresh set of Avon Spirit GT tires arrived this week, but that's a ways down the road.

John H. Haynes, 1938-2019

2/22/2019

John Haynes, founder of the Haynes Publishing Group and creator of the ubiquitous Haynes Workshop Manuals, passed away on February 8th at age 80. A car and bike guy from an early age, John discovered his publishing niche in 1965 when he realized that the factory service manual for his friend's "bugeye" Sprite wasn't suitable for the home mechanic...so he made his own. The rest is history, as they say, with his company going public in 1979. John's success allowed him his next passion — collecting. He founded the Haynes International Motor Museum in 1985, which grew to an impressive collection of more than 400 significant automobiles and motorbikes.

By all accounts John was genuine, compassionate, focused on family, and a true gentleman. His life and values were a reflection of The Greatest Generation in the best sense, and his legacy lives on in home workshops worldwide, including my own. Enjoy the ride home, John.

Chicago Bike Show 2019

2/16/2019

The Progressive IMS bike show is in town this weekend, and Patti and I continue our tradition of visiting the show on Friday afternoon, followed by a stop at Rex's Italian Deli to grab a big chunk of the best lasagna in town to take home for a late supper.

This year's show was a step up from past shows and featured a great addition called Discover The Ride, meant to expose the sport to the next few generations of riders. Allstate sponsors Kid's Zone, a small track for tots to wheel around on electric-assist balance bikes. Then there's the XDL Wheelie Experience (we passed) and the Dyno Experience, designed to teach newbies how the whole clutch/gear shifting thing works.

But the huge draw was the New Rider Course, which encouraged non-riders by actually getting them out on a real motorcycle on a carpeted oval track. Patti has never ridden solo, so she's the perfect candidate. Participants begin on Yamaha electric-assist bicycles to demonstrate that they have the basic skills, then gear up, get a briefing, and jump on detuned Zero electric motorcycles for their first ride! Instuctors from Total Control are there as coaches. The whole process took about a half-hour and it was worth it. Patti did awesome and loved the experience. (Right) Patti's group getting their bicycle briefing.

(Below) "Eyes up — Look where you want to go!"

Honda's display is very complete, with an emphasis on where the market is these days — little bikes (Cub, Monkey and Grom) and ADV offerings like the upgraded Africa Twin. Not an Interceptor in sight.

I did, however, find a VFR over in the Pit Bull booth, being used as a demo mule. Really classed up their product.

Here's a great idea for us coffee lovers — a hipster coffee stand (note requisite hipster in requisite knit cap). It was actually very good brew and just what I needed after a few hours of moto-strolling.

In the classic bike area, I found lots of eye candy, including this awesome display from the Chicago Norton Owners Club, featuring these pristine bikes: a Norton single and an HRD Vincent 1000.

Parked nearby was this lovely take on a neo-classic sport bike kinda thing. It's based on a 2018 Indian Scout Bobber, and features some beautiful custom fairings and Ohlins suspension. Maybe not my style, but impressive build quality.

Suzuki is highlighting their new Katana model (in background) by positioning it next to an original. Other than that seat, Patti and I agreed that the old one is better-looking. Just showing our age, I suppose.

If anyone doesn't think that Royal Enfield is a rising force worthy of notice, a visit to R.E.'s display should bring them out from under their rock.

Beyond their new 650 twins the company has this gorgeous V-twin concept bike on display. If anyone knows how to do visual balance and style, it's R.E.

The badge says "838," there's a single-sided swingarm, a unique fork with radial Brembos and a bobber vibe second to none. Smaller bikes are the future, and manufacturers would do well to take notice or risk playing catchup to these guys.
(click on an image to enlarge)

Indian's big push is on their new FTR 1200 lineup. They were all displayed, so I tried the Tour model on for size. Didn't really fit my physique, but I'm pretty sure I'm not their target demographic. Great-looking designs with impressive fit and finish. I predict much success for Indian with these bikes.

(Below) Harley-Davidson has their usual impressive boutique at center stage. I didn't linger, but the wall of tanks caught my eye. H-D needs to make no excuses to anyone for their paint and chrome quality. A surprise appearance from Confederate, showing off five models.

Displaying the increasing variety at IMS, the Adventure Out area, sponsored by BDR (Backcountry Discovery Routes), featured a cool place to relax, browse some ADV gear, and take a virtual reality ADV ride, along with guest speakers. I think this is the kind of thing that will help our sport find its future.

Speaking of virtual reality, I saw at least three interactive VR displays scattered around the show. Another taste of the future.

Well, we had a great afternoon and a welcome winter's break. I got to throw a leg over some new models and get inspired by all the custom stuff on display. I've been attending this show for about seven years now and I will admit I saw it becoming stagnant and repetitive. Now I sense that changing. And change is good. As was the lasagna.

Aussie Anniversary 800

2/13/2019

Back in 1999 Honda offered a uniquely-styled version of the fifth-generation VFR800FI for the Australian market and dubbed it a 50th Anniversary Edition. It's meant to commemorate fifty years of the Honda Motor Company, with a color scheme reflecting the early generations of Honda racers, using Honda's familiar red and silver with a yellow swipe. A recreation of the first Honda winged foot logo displays proudly on the fuel tank.

Reader Kim P. recently acquired this beautiful example as a garage mate to his second-gen Interceptor. His bike sports a gorgeous Staintune slip-on and a bobbed rear fender but is otherwise stock condition. Congratulations to Kim on a great find!
(click on an image to enlarge)

A Video History of the Honda VFR

2/12/2019

Known as a "motovlogger" (yes, it's a real thing), HeroRR is a serial YouTube video producer. His channel features a lot of Honda content and he's a VFR fan. One of his more ambitious projects is the video presented below — The Incredible History Of The Honda VFR. It's a very complete and fast-paced historical account of the V4 sport bikes from Honda with some personal perceptions thrown in based on having owned a few of the VFR models discussed. There's a few small mistakes, but generally an accurate overview.

I was surprised to see one of my bikes, Project 9, pictured at 5:30. Enjoy.

Market Watch - Eighth-gen Interceptor

2/11/2019

Click on image for eBay link.

Unsold: $6211 with 31 bids
Update: Unsold at $6003 w/24 bids

From Timbrook Honda in Winchester, VA, a new 2014 VFR800 DLX in pearl white has failed to meet reserve with bidding to $6211.

This kind of result is significant in that it paints a real-time picture of current market value for a given model. You do need to make value adjustments for factors like time of year, location and potential shipping costs, plus additional dealer costs — in this dealer's case the buyer would have to add $614 in dealer fees. Timbrook's website lists this bike at $7999. That shows us a serious disconnect between the seller and the market.
UPDATE: Timbrook has relisted this bike at $7999 or make offer.

Market Watch - VF1000F

2/8/2019

Click on image for the eBay listing.

SOLD: $4550 via eBay auction

The big-block Interceptors were a short-lived option here in the U.S. Introduced for the 1984 model year the "F" was not able to generate the needed sales and was replaced the very next year by the Euro "R" version.

With similar architecture to the VF700/750 Interceptors, the VF1000F was essentially a larger version, sporting 95 HP at the wheel. Unfortunately, the model was instantly overshadowed by Kawasaki's Ninja 900.

This particular example is special because it's a survivor. The seller represents it as an original, unmolested example with only 13,259 miles. The photos support that claim, with just enough patina evident to show that this is not a restored bike. The selling price is comfortably below the more desirable "R" model. For VF aficionados this would represent a great-looking addition to the stable.

For Sale - Hard Bags For VFR800 VTEC -- SOLD

2/8/2019

SOLD
I've finished detailing the hard bags from Project 23, a 2002 VFR800, and am offering them for sale.

$225 Trunk + shipping to CONUS (only)
$275 Saddlebags + shipping to CONUS (only)

These bags will fit years 2002-09. Color is Italian Red as used on 2002-04, but will be close to other Honda reds. Complete mounts, two sets of keys, instructions and hardware included. The trunk and bags are packaged for shipping separately (bags in one box, trunk in another). The trunk & mount retailed new for $565, and the saddlebags & mounts for $946. Neither are available from Honda.

Trunk condition is excellent. Right saddlebag is very good to excellent, left has some touched-up rash in the lower front, but is otherwise very good to excellent. I tried to photograph the repaired area, but not much luck. See the Flickr link for photos. These bags look great on the bike.

These are each shipped in a large box which weigh 30 lbs, so shipping isn't cheap. FedEx Ground rates per box (one box for the trunk, one box for the saddlebags):
To the Midwest = $43
To the East Coast = $60
To the West Coast = $70

Accolades - Part II

2/7/2019

From Motorcyclist Online comes a write-up by Seth Richards titled Top Ten Motorcycles Of The 1990s. Just from that title I knew there'd be at least one Honda V4 listed. Turns out there are several, as the article's banner photo (above) suggests. Richards lists the iconic RC30 and its successor, the RC45, along with the much more accessible Interceptor. "The VFR750F...became the everyman’s ride-to-work, blitz-the-twisties, perennial bike of the year. Unerringly smooth and undemanding, the Veefer was the consummate Honda."

Another significant V4 included is the ST1100, which is credited, along with certain BMWs, as cementing the sport tourer as a staple genre in motorcycling.

The rest of the list:
Honda NR750
Ducati 916
Yamaha GTS1000
Honda Valkyrie
Kawasaki ZX-11
Honda CBR900RR
Ducati Monster
Suzuki GSX-R 750
Buell RS1200

Accolades

2/5/2019

While perusing the Motorcyclist magazine archives this article popped up on my screen, The 11 Most Important Motorcycles of All Time. That's an ambitious title and also fairly subjective, beyond a few obvious selections, like the bike which the article pronounced the Motorcycle of the Century. That choice isn't a tough one — the Honda CB750.

For our purposes the list also includes the first Honda Interceptor, the VF750F. Calling it "one of the most sublime" street bikes of the time, they also note that the technology it embraced helped make it a "fine-handling, aggressive-looking package, the Interceptor was an immediate best-seller — and Japan's first real repli-racer."

The V-45 is no stranger to being singled out for its significance in our sport, having been selected for the Art of the Motorcycle exhibition at New York's Guggenheim Museum in 1998.