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Body Work

8/29/2015

While gathering the pieces to use on Project 13, I assembled them for a photo-op. The mid-'80s represented the beginning of mainstream fully-faired motorcycle design (with a nod to the '77 BMW R100RS), and things just got more complex from there.

Today we're actually seeing a return to a naked and semi-naked look, and anyone who's had to deal with the cosmetic consequences of a crash or even a driveway tip-over will appreciate that. These old bikes may be beautiful, but their beauty is fragile.

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Lucky 13

8/29/2015

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Work has begun on VFR project number thirteen
The victim is a 1986 VFR750, bought locally late last year, in running but not riding condition. The cosmetics are a mess, but the mechanicals are excellent and the odometer shows 21,400 miles. The seller was a young man with good intentions, but the project lost steam and I stepped in. He quickly bought a beautiful forth-gen Interceptor as a replacement.
On the day of arrival....

The blotchy white side panel shows the PO's failed attempt at using white Plasti Dip spray product.

The plan begins with a cosmetic restoration of all the bodywork in red/white/blue and then finish the bike as close to OEM condition as possible, with just the minimum upgrades, like braided brake lines. First up, I'm just now finishing prepping the plastic for my painter. Lots of plastic repair was needed, something I rather enjoy. I use a combination of plastic welding and Plast-aid repairs, depending on the application. I'll end up with about 40 hours of labor prepping the bodywork, then some $1000 in paint work and repop decals. My painter and I have worked with a local automotive paint supplier to match the original Shasta White, Candy Aleutian Blue and Fighting Red, as the original paint codes no longer provide a working formula for suppliers. Note: the name "Shasta White" does come up in an older Honda automotive color, but it doesn't spray out the exact same white as our bikes.
Stay tuned.

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What Price Low Miles?

8/23/2015

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Or maybe the better question is, "what value low miles?" Below we have a selection of low-mileage V4s offered recently on ebay. Those of us who mess regularly with old motorbikes know that the years alone usually manage to get the best of them, despite the amount of miles. One of my primary questions posed to sellers is, "do you know the history of the bike?" Regular use, no problem. But a 15-year lay-up in the back of a damp garage usually equals lots of issues. Here's a great mileage vs. price comparison:

1985 VF1000R
Sold at $12,700
Showing an unbelievable 249 miles, this "R" model is described as "museum quality" with original tires still mounted and all systems refreshed and ready to go. While employing a bit of hyperbole — "It was the most glamorous, limited edition, super sport bike of its time" — it does indeed present as new as you're likely to find outside the Barber museum. Interestingly, the seller was located in Birmingham, AL, home of the Barber.

1985 VF1000R
Sold at $1,250
At 1/10th the selling price is this well-used example of the same model. Showing 48,000 miles and not run for the past five years, this one will need lots of love to see the road again. And did I mention that it will need to be imported from Canada?
Here's the conundrum; the low-mile bike is too pristine to get much practical use from, while this one isn't worth the time and money to bring back, except as a daily rider.
Which would suit you best?

1984 VF1000R
Unsold at $10,000
It seems the 1000s have been coming out of the cracks, and here's another beautiful example, showing only 2900 miles on the clock. Correctly prepared for storage in 2009 and displayed in the seller's home, he claims original condition, but the Yosh slip-ons certainly aren't. With nice original mufflers getting more rare by the day, this may, in fact, have been the deal-breaker for the seller's high-ish opening bid.

2008 VFR800
Here's a rare bird in factory grey color with an amazing 252 miles showing. I've never seen this color and think it looks awesome, especially with the white "factory" wheels. A claimed one-owner (a certified tech, at that) with all original parts included, it was offered at a reserve of $5500 and buy-it-now of $5900. We're not sure of its status, other than it's "no longer available." Did some savvy buyer snap it up or did the seller come to realize that he may have undervalued this beauty?

1999 VFR800
Sold for $4000
Now this might be called the working man's low-mile find. With a very comfortable 4500 miles and described as "nearly a museum piece," this second-year 800 has had the mechanicals brought up-to-date, fresh sporting tires, and aftermarket pipe and bar risers. Nice. It will be many years before these fifth-gen models reach collector status, if ever, so the buyer may have paid top retail but got a very useable, long-term motorcycle.

Ebay item number 131584803049

1996 VFR750
Auction ends Aug. 27th
And here's your chance to grab your own low-mile V4. At 4800 miles and some "normal" wear-&-tear, this looks to be a very nice forth-gen 750. Still wearing its original tires (yikes!) and a repainted tail section, this one would surely clean up nicely. The photos look great and the seller is including fresh rubber. I like this year and this bike! And only three hours away....

Update: No sale. With 38 bids up to $2375, it failed to meet reserve. I have to agree with the seller's strategy here; this VFR is worth at least $500 more. But from the buyer's perspective, if transport is needed, well, there's an additional $500 out of his/her pocket. Still, this would represent a lot of bike and still be well-bought at $3000. I would encourage the seller to try again with a bit more effort toward marketing.

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Body Work

Lucky 13

What Price Low Miles?

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Lucky 13

What Price Low Miles?

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