During the disassembly process for Project 18 I discovered something I can't really explain. The fuel tank I refinished for this project came from another bike. When I went to fit it onto Project 18 it was...too wide.

The rear portion of the tank slips between the subframe rails and this tank simply wouldn't. After taking measurements from four other bikes, I determined that this particular tank and it's subframe were actually wider than the others.

The larger tank (on the right in these photos) measures a whopping 1 1/4 inches wider at the rear and 5/8 inch wider at the mid point.

The subframes measure the same at the front (frame) mounting point but 5/8 inch wider at a point near the tank's rear mount.

I've never encountered this before, but then I've never had an occasion to measure tanks, assuming they're all the same. Did Honda get a batch of "Fat Boy" tanks from a supplier and just build a wider subframe to accommodate them? Are these tanks for a different market?  There's nothing special or different about the bike this came off that I can determine; it's a 1986 750F, RC24, production number 651. 

In any case, I'm fortunate that I still have the bike with the proper subframe in my possession. This will require a subframe swap, of course, so yesterday I removed the part from Project 18. This gives me better accessibility to the shock area for shock removal and general detailing, though this low-mileage bike is amazingly clean.

I'm sending the original shock off to Jamie Daugherty for rebuild and upgrading. In the meantime I've mounted a shock from the stash so I'm able to move the bike around the shop.

In the background of this photo are visible the repainted wheels which are part of this build. They will get fresh rubber mounted up today. This project is moving right along.

One of my favorite promotions is going on now through the end of May — Pashnit's FREE rear brake line deal. This time around they're even including a free color upgrade. This deal is available to their Newsletter members, so sign up today.
http://www.pashnitmoto.com/galfer-brake-lines-s/293.htm

Some sixteen months ago I acquired two 1986 VFR750s from a seller in Virginia. Stored in a dusty pole barn for an unknown number of years (or decades) both bikes came my way with a healthy coating of tough brown farm dust. Naturally, neither were in running condition. Why did I pay good money to have two farm refugees shipped 800 miles sight-unseen? Here's why: This particular Interceptor has only 10,465 miles under that layer of dirt. 

Welcome to Project 18

This bike had a Virginia license plate mounted with a 1993 sticker in place. The bodywork is mis-matched and pretty rough in places, and there's a period Kerker 4-into-1 mounted. But, the bike is complete and all the indicators support the indicated mileage. My seller says he bought the bike new and the title backs that up.

After the usual checks the engine fired up and ran beautifully. So what's the plan? Well, I have a complete set of restored red/white/blue body panels, including the wheels and a seat cowl, just waiting for the right bike. This RC24 will be taken back to original, restored condition, complete with a like-new set of OEM mufflers. I've already had a full set of engine covers powder coated a textured bronze — clutch, alternator and valve covers. NOS turn signals, updated brake lines/pads and Samco coolant hoses are also in the mix. The front suspension will be treated to Progressive springs and the rear shock rebuilt and upgraded by Jamie Daugherty. This one will be a stunner, and the low mileage just a bonus. Stay tuned.
(click on an image to enlarge)

Every year the Motorcycle Industry Council releases some statistics on the state of the industry in the U.S. The latest stats show a general decline, or at best a stagnation, at least regarding new-bike sales. Some of the numbers:

1. New-bike sales: 573,000:
29% Harley-Davidson
14% Honda
13% Yamaha

2. Used bike prices have declined for nine straight quarters.

3. Women represent 14% of riders, showing a steady year-over-year increase. H-D claims 62% of women riders!

4. Age: The median motorcycle owners' age is 47, up from 32 back in 1990. However, riders under age 18 have fallen to 2% (8% in '90) and the next age category, 18-24, has likewise fallen significantly. Not a good sign for the future of the sport.

5. Total motorcycle registrations are at 8.4 million, more than doubled from 1990. Bikes represent 3% of vehicle registrations in the U.S.

6. The industry employs some 81,567 people and contributes 24 billion in economic value to the economy.

7. H-D domestic sales are down nearly 6% in 2016. With lots of excess inventory, The Motor Company is offering dealer incentives for possibly the first time ever, in addition to special financing offers to consumers.

8. After steady sales increases worldwide since the end of the recession, Honda has shown two years of declining sales.

Statistics are a fuzzy business, but it seems to me that the motorcycle industry is facing a future dilemma similar to many "leisure sport" businesses, a declining (or maybe just changing) customer base for its traditional products. We are not the future, and our penchant for heavy baggers and cutting-edge sport bikes won't satisfy the generations to follow. In any case, it sure would be interesting to see what the two-wheeled world looks like in about a hundred years.

Having led a long and, presumably, adventurous life, my 1990 VFR750 has reached the end. It will live on, however, as an organ donor. In plain english...I've decided to part it out.

The bike is stock except for the bodywork. I've spent untold hours modifying the headlight fairing, front fender and tail light cowl into a cleaner streetfighter look. The fender is bobbed, the windscreen shortened and finished in matt black and the three-piece tail light cowl has been welded and finished into a single piece. The fuel tank pictured is OEM from a '92.

The teardown progressed in a flurry of wrench-turning and after about seven hours I had everything attached to the frame off. Now to get the engine out.

Here's a good shot showing the overall shape of the ELF-designed single-sided swingarm. It's a large piece with a hole through the middle for the shock absorber to pass through. The swingarm attaches to the massively reinforced aluminum frame and carries the wheel hub, brake and sprocket assemblies.

As an aside, ELF was actually a large and successful French petroleum company which, during the 1980s, concentrated  on promoting French auto racing. They dreamed up, developed, and patented many innovative performance engineering designs and were involved in high-level auto, motorcycle and bicycle racing. Some of their designs were leased and even purchased by Honda HRC, including this single-sided swingarm, dubbed the Pro-Arm.

The swingarm was pretty trick, especially back in the day, but actually heavier and more expensive to produce than the simpler traditional swingarm. But it was, and still is, a great bit of marketing.

I've never removed a third-gen motor, but after a little pondering and check of the manual, it lowered nicely out the bottom of the frame. Next the front wheel and forks were removed and finally the shock and swingarm.

Ever wonder what the wiring harness looks like in your VFR? Here the tail light and turn signals are to the left and the front turn signals to the right.

Here's a shot of the entire bike in parts (minus the fuel tank & seat).

All the parts are for sale with the exception of the engine and clutch. I have three fuel tanks — two black and one red, all original. The frame has a clean title. The muffler is a stock part which has been shortened about six inches. The carbs are cleaned and sync'd. This was a running and riding bike three days ago.

Contact me if you need anything:
[email protected]
608-807-7829

After a full winter of building, Project 14 is on its way to a fresh life with its new owner, Scott, in Virginia.

This was a new direction for me — putting together a VFR that deviated from the stock, original look. Of the three colors available on the '86-87 Interceptors I felt that only the pearl white would accept black wheels and accents. That, together with a bit of trimming and pruning resulted in an updated look to the classic VFR lines, at least to my eye (and Scott's).

Modifying a classic vehicle is always a gamble — one person's vision is not always shared by others, and those changes often lower the dollar value. In this case I was careful not to change the basic design lines of the VFR nor the ride feel. I'm confident that when knowledgeable riders come upon this bike it will cause them to pause, squint and try to figure what it is that's caught their eye. This is every bit a classic Interceptor, but with an enhanced look and sound.

I can picture Scott on the beautiful back roads of Virginia and West Virginia, and hopefully a Fall ride down the Blue Ridge Parkway. I wish him best of luck and ride safe.
(click on an image to enlarge)

What: 1990 RC30 (VFR750R)
Where: Not sure
Why: Because RC30
Price: Taking offers

Rare Sport Bikes For Sale (.com) offers sellers a "Featured Listing" option wherein the site provides exclusive exposure for a small fee.

This time around a seller is offering his pristine, original RC30 with only 3540 miles! No price is offered — the seller is simply accepting offers via email for two weeks. Highest offer presumably wins.
(click on an image to enlarge)

UPDATE: Sold Sold Sold

This is my second time around for this 1987 700 F2 in Candy Wave Blue. A few years ago I found the bike in suburban Detroit and after a full mechanical refurbishment it was sold locally 18 months ago. When the owner's priorities changed last Fall I purchased it back, repaired some mild crash damage to the right side and now we're back on the road.

Now showing just under 27,000 miles this is a fast and fine running example. Some of the mods include a Yoshimura slip-on, jetted carbs, fender eliminator, aftermarket turn signals, heated grips and stainless brake lines. The cosmetics are about a 6 of 10, but it's still a good-looking "10-foot bike." Then again, it is 30 years old, so it's due some scuffs and scrapes, I suppose.

I'm asking only $2200. This would make someone a great rider or an excellent basis for a restoration. The blue/grey is a rare color and after a few hundred miles last weekend I can guarantee that this is a very entertaining ride. Here's a link to a Flickr photo album.
(click on an image to enlarge)

1981: Honda unveils an entirely fresh take on motorcycling's future. It all centered around a V4 engine concept that the the company hoped would be the Next Big Thing. And the two models they chose to introduce this amazing new powerplant were the 750 Sabre roadster and this bike, the 1982 VF750C Magna cruiser.

Late last Fall, the owner of this Magna, Charles, approached me with the idea of finding and refurbishing a first-year Magna. This bike, production number 9705, was soon located in the suburban Chicago area and the work began.

Over the winter months many emails were exchanged and many decisions were made as to the direction and extent of the build. First up was to get the bike running, beginning with the carburetors and basic tuning. Along the way it was discovered that someone had installed the starter clutch incorrectly causing the ignition timing to be 90-degrees off. Once we had a running engine the rest of the systems could be dealt with....one by one. Ebay parts arrived regularly as did OEM Honda bits. Stripping, painting, polishing, powder coating, fitting and fidgeting.

Slowly the project took shape. Charles added a few custom touches — white piping on the refurbished seat, gold-colored braided brake lines, along with lowered handlebars with aftermarket grips. Choosing the color was surely a tough decision for Charles, and he eventually settled on a Mazda color, Phantom Purple, a dead ringer for the original Candy Maroon. The gorgeous paint work was applied by Steve and the crew at Steve Nick Customs in Woodstock, Illinois and the custom covered seat is by Marty and Marie at C. M. Wiltberger Upholstery of Silver Lake, WI. They are the icing on this cake.

I wish Charles many happy miles on his stunning Magna.

Click here for the Flickr photo album.

The Blues Project, aka Project 12, is back on it's feet. I had to complete a shakedown run, of course, so this past Sunday it took me to the Spring 2017 Slimey Crud Run. It made for a perfect day on the twisty alphabet roads of southwestern Wisconsin.

This bike was in need of a replacement right-side mid-fairing and a fair amount of cosmetic touchup. I also updated the tires, added heated grips and braided brake lines front & rear. This is my second Wisconsin backroad trip on this bike and I'm still impressed with it's handling, velvet-smooth power and ripping sound from the Yosh slip-on. In fact, I believe it's the smoothest VFR I've sampled and the mid-range torque seems stronger than most, probably thanks to the freer-flowing intake, carbs and exhaust systems. It may not have perfect cosmetics, but the riding experience more than makes up for it.

The Slimey Crud Run is the informal kickoff (and end, in October) to the riding season in these parts. It's an unorganized mashup of bikes and riders from at least three surrounding states. Originally a small gathering founded by the Slimey Crud Motorcycle Gang, of which columnist Peter Egan was a charter member, it's taken on a life of its own so, natually, even the Harley guys have staged an uninvited invasion, complete with black vests, assless chaps and open pipes. There's two venues, one morning and one afternoon but the real attraction are the roads and riding in-between. 

The Blues Project and I arrived in Leland, WI around 2:00 pm and I strolled around to see what's what. The most interesting item (to me) was the absolutely beautiful VFR1000R pictured above. I chatted with the owner and picked up a few details, though I totally missed his name. The bike has original paint and mufflers, and he even sprung for Arai's matching Fast Freddie commemorative helmet. Very nice.

The Crud Run has managed to preserve its down-home flavor and stave off tacky commercialism for all these years, but the appearance of this T-shirt vendor can only mean the beginning of an ever-expanding biker's flea market. It's probably only a matter of time till the molded ear plug and doo-rag booths show up. And that will be the end, at least for me.

Heck, someone's even given the run its own web site.

The county gendarme have discovered easy pickins' on the first Sundays in May and October, though they've taken to simply parking in the midst and strolling the grounds on foot. This interesting side hack outfit also caught my attention — the propeller is particularly intriguing (click on an image to enlarge).

Everyone began to trickle away around 3:30 so I saddled up and headed home...the long way.