While perusing a high-zoot Ducati listing on eBay this morning I noticed this RVF750R sitting on a display podium in the photo's background. After a little interweb snooping I located the owner — Fay Myers Motorcycle World. This large and dynamic dealer has been a Denver fixture since 1948 and maintains a collection of some pretty cool bikes on display, including a Honda NR, an RC30 and this rare RC45.

Staff member Kurt Hertel writes a blog with lots of interesting stuff, including historical accounts of some of their collection. Click "Read More" below to read his take on the history of this model, and when you've got a few hours to kill after lunch at work, give the blog a visit:
http://www.faymyers.com/custompage.asp?pg=kurts_corner

I'm not one to salivate over antique motorbikes, but this one is a little special. This rare Matchless was a clean-sheet design of a 592cc air-cooled V4, sporting a single overhead cam driven with a shaft and bevel-gear system.

In studying the photos, the "V" must be a very narrow angle, as it all appears to be contained in single crankcase and cylinder castings. I think this is a beautifully-proportioned design, handsome and properly British.

For much more on this bike, visit the Pipeburn site:
http://www.pipeburn.com/home/2016/06/17/1930-matchless-silver-hawk.html

What: 1985 Honda VF500 Interceptor
Where: Tucson, AZ
Why: Appreciating before your very eyes
Price: Variable

About a month ago this pretty little VF500 appeared on eBay with an opening bid of $3800. When no bids were forthcoming the seller relisted the bike with an increased price of $4100. Again, no bids, so relisted at $4400... twice. Now we find it in its current auction at $4750. I'm not following the reasoning here, but it is a novel pricing approach. Still no bids, so if you're interested, better grab it before it goes to $5000. Fair warning.

Project 15, a 1987 VFR700F2, enjoyed its shakedown run this morning. Having just turned 11,000 miles this original-condition 700 hit the mean streets of suburban Antioch, Illinois to scrub in some fresh rubber and generally impress the locals.

Over the past month I've completed  full mechanical checks and adjustments, including carb clean/tune/sync, valve adjustment, spark plugs, electrical checks/cleaning, steering head bearing replacement, fork rebuild and fresh Bridgestone BT-45 tires.

Cosmetically, this low-mile bike was in very nice condition, and with a full detailing and paint buffing, along with metal buffing, this Interceptor presents itself just about like new and the Pearl Crescent White bodywork sparkles.

The test ride went flawlessly. The bike starts instantly, warms smoothly and runs like the day it left the factory. I might be guilty of liberal use of hyperbole here, but I'm genuinely impressed with this one.

I'll need to get some better photos and then offer it for sale. Someone will get a beautiful, original VFR to be proud of.

You know that your classic vehicle is old and/or rare when new-old-stock bits have asking prices higher than the last complete Interceptor project you bought.

Here we have a Pearl Crescent White mid-fairing for an '86-87 VFR with a buy-it-now of $525 OBO, plus $25 shipping.

"Value" is defined as what a willing buyer and seller agree upon at any given moment. In other words, if someone really needs this part for a worthy bike, then I guess it's worth every penny.  In any case, it's good to see that these parts are still out there.

What: 1990 VFR750F
Where: Tucson, AZ
Why: Beautiful, original condition, fair price
Price: BIN of $2850

Entering its third generation, the 1990 remake of the VFR signaled the repositioning of the series away from its sport bike beginnings and into a sport touring role. Re-marketed as a thinking man's motorbike, the model gained some cool updates along with a few pounds, and lost the "Interceptor" tag.

The '90 was available only in the Italian Red seen here with light grey seat and still-fashionable white wheels. Other markets had integrated rear turn signals to match the fronts, but the U.S. made do with old-school signals on stalks (easily converted).

Our seller has owned this bike for ten years, is the second owner and claims "immaculate" condition. Showing under 19,000 miles it has a center stand, fresh tires, owners & shop manuals and tool kit. He assured me that it's never been repainted, which is relevant because the body panels for the third generation bikes are extremely difficult to come by so original ones in nice condition should be valued.

While not high on the collectibility scale, nice examples of the 1990-93s are getting rare. I admit to being partial to this model (my personal VFR is a 1990), but the reality is that any exceptional example of an early VFR makes for a satisfying, engaging motorcycle which will maintain its value for as long as you care to own it.

What: 1984 VF1000F Interceptor
Where: South Beloit, WI
Why: Gorgeous, low-miles, original
Price: $5000

Sometimes it seems the dark alleys of Craigslist are home to as many ghastly creatures as a 90-minute finale of The Walking Dead. This, however, is not one of the undead.

The "F" model VF1000 was a one-year effort to build upon the success of the VF750 and 500 and was to be an important ingredient of the V4 invasion by Honda. But with no racing pedigree and being bested on the street by lighter and faster inline fours from the competition, the 1000F failed to produce the necessary sales numbers and was quickly replaced by the European 1000R in '86. Still, the "F" was no slouch, boasting 113 HP (slightly more in Euro tune), competent suspension and comfortable ergonomics. A sophisticated and handsome gran turismo machine.

Our seller describes this bike as "mint" condition and "runs and drives perfectly." The photos provided do indeed show an exceptionally clean and original example, probably the best I've seen outside of the Barber museum. At only 6300 claimed miles this one checks most of the boxes, with the exception of being an historically relevant model. The VF1000s were a natural progression of the V4 series, but were never competitive in factory racing efforts nor on the showroom floor. But while the collectibility factor may not be there, the unique and fun-to-own quotient certainly is...and this one's a beauty.

Some time ago I featured a piece for Bike-urious.com on the Japanese domestic model CBR400 from the early '90s. One of the details from that model that caught my eye were the sleek turn signals. An eBay search turned up a seller in China (rcfollow) offering a reproduction LED version with clear or amber lens. The mounting looked like it might adapt to the '86-87 VFR rear mounts, so I ordered up a pair for $17.99. Two weeks later they were in my mailbox.

Sure enough, the rubber mount fit like it was made for the bigger VFR (well, it is a Honda part). The wire leads are the correct length and even the bullet connectors plugged right in. I was fully prepared to wire in resistors to compensate for the low amperage draw of the the LEDs, but the flash rate is just fine. Not sure how to explain that one. BTW, to get your signals to align horizontally, gently bend the tang with a pair of padded slip-joint pliers. (click on an image to enlarge)

Here's a before and after. Even with the shorter mounting stalks, the original signals tend to make a bold statement.

The new look is certainly much cleaner, though the verdict is still out on the clear lens. I suspect the amber lens might better fit the classic character of the bike. In any case, the eventual new owner of Project 19 can have his or her choice.

Down in beautiful Austin, Texas, a new rider by the name of Gamble was gifted his uncle's dusty, non-running 1986 VFR700F and set about to put it back on the road. He's a car guy but couldn't resist this project. With some assistance from the guys on VFRdisscussion.com (click on the photo below for a link to his thead) he has progressed to what you see below — a great-looking refurbished Interceptor ready for some fun Sunday mornings out in the Texas Hill Country. Thanks for rescuing another 'Ceptor, Gamble.

While the '86 project was in the works, Gamble had use of his uncle's '96. Sweet deal, huh? With a Corbin seat and BeetleBags fitted it looks ready for its sport-touring duties.