What: 1993 VFR750
Where: Crystal Lake, Illinois
Why: Family owned, I know this one
Price: $6000

During the first few months of 2021 I was busy working on this bike, designated Project 33, for its owner, Brett. It showed only 11K miles but had sat dormant for some time and needed a thorough refreshing. Brett wanted to actually use the bike so decided to leave the original paintwork intact, but all the mechanics were addressed. The Craigslist ad details much of that but not mentioned are the gorgeous and awesome-sounding high-mount Predator slip-on and the shaved passenger pegs. Buy with confidence.
NOTE: This is offered by the bike's current owner — I don't have any affiliation with the sale.

I use my Dremel rotary tool a lot — I've worn out at least one over the years. During the holidays I noticed this little guy on display at my local home improvement store so I threw it out there in case someone needed a gift suggestion for me. The plan worked and it appeared under the tree.

The 7300 is a rechargeable battery-operated, low-power version of its bigger siblings. It rotates more slowly and even has two speeds, neither of which will get you in much trouble. It's compact and light weight and holds a charge for, maybe, an hour of use.

The tool is marketed for small jobs and for pet nail trimming, which it would work well for, I expect, but I use it for detail work where the high-RPM corded Dremel can be a handful. When a rotary tool gets away from you chaos and damage can occur pretty quickly, especially when grinding and sanding on plastic body panels, and I do a lot of that.

My gift giver got it on sale for $20 and I think it retailed for $25, though a current Amazon listing suggests $57. 

Below, I'm cutting a groove in a 2d-gen fairing panel in preparation for welding. A number of attachments can accomplish this, but I like this cone-shaped metal grinder.

Displayed on the shelf next to the Dremel 7300 was this cool 208-piece accessory kit, also only $20 on sale. It too appeared Christmas morning so I'm pretty well set for rotary tool fittings for now. Labeled as "Hyper Tough," this is a non-Dremel product, but so far the bits appear to be of good quality. 

Available on eBay, this  2d-gen fuel tank's best days are definitely behind it. I shudder to think what horrible incident befell this bike (likely beginning with the poor life choice to paint it yellow) but it looks to me like it fell out of an airplane. No indications of the interior condition but, judging by the exterior, we can probably assume the worst. $174.40 includes shipping to CONUS. If you miss out on this one, I've got another I can sell you — if I can find where I tossed it into the swamp.

What: 1998 VFR800 FI Interceptor
Where: Santa Fe, New Mexico
Why: Fully farkled, ready to roll
Price: $5000

I know, that's all the money for a 5th-gen VFR, but wait, there's more….From the seller:
"1998 VFR 26,000 miles. I am the second owner. Bought locally from a Highway patrolman bone stock. White powder coated wheels from a 3rd-gen. Wolf undertail exhaust (Impossible to find these days), modified brackets to accept bags from a 6th gen. I have a stock solo cowl that is clean, had to cut this one to make it fit. Sargent seat, bagster tank cover. geared 1 down in the front, 3 up in the rear for punch as I'm not really interested in top speed. Ceramic black coated headers, Penske rear, Gold-valved front. Steel braided brake lines, a few little scratches and dings here and there as you would expect from a 24-year old that is ridden. Peg lowering blocks, mirrors from an '01 with Lobsterman extenders so you can see who is trying to catch you. Michelin Pilot sports. VFRness wiring re-done, etc, etc. It's a turn-key got-it-all 5th that I will miss dearly. Box of odds and ends and OEM stuff."

​So…known history, check. Luggage option, check. Suspension upgrades, check. Cool pipe, check. 8-spoke rear, check. And more, like white wheels which are just icing on the cake for me. A unique, nicely presented VFR just begging for a fly-n-ride from exotic Santa Fe. 

Reader Mark T. got an interesting surprise recently after removing the carbs from his 4th-gen VFR. While making a cursory flashlight check into the engine's intake tracts, he spied this fairing fastener resting atop a valve!

The Dzus fastener was loose, but wouldn't come free until the crankshaft was rotated enough to open the valve, allowing the offender to be lifted out with a magnet.

This was a running bike when Mark recently acquired it so he has no idea how long or how many miles the little guy has been rattling around in there. Amazingly, there's no apparent ill effects to the engine nor the fastener.

This is a great reminder for all of us to keep these engine openings plugged at all times — and keep track of our fastener hardware!