To my eye, the OEM mufflers fitted to the U.S.-spec '86-87 VFRs are made of steel with some sort of thin coating applied to the exterior, similar to ceramic coating but resembling stainless steel.

In any case, if left to the elements, the mufflers will oxidize (rust) and this is how it begins. Fortunately, if caught in time, the pipe can be saved.

Here, I'm applying Turtle Wax Chrome Polish & Rust Remover with a non-scratch kitchen scrub pad. It pays to be gentle here and let the polish do its magic, which is to help remove the surface rust spots. I apply plenty, keep it wet, and just kind of massage it around the piece for about ten minutes.

Let it dry to a haze and buff out with a soft cloth. The deeper corrosion spots will still leave a mark, but overall the metal is now very presentable. Repeat once per year to prevent further damage.

Project Magna may show only 16,000 miles but has an unknown history. Like all my projects it received a full mechanical check before the start button was pressed for the first time. So, once the carburetors were cleaned, compression checked, valves adjusted and coolant flushed it was time to see if we have a working engine. I did a final preflight check, hooked up the fuel I.V. and spun her over. And...no fire. After a few hours of diagnostics I traced the problem to the starter clutch installation, which locate the magnetic pickups for the pulse generators (which trigger the ignition spark). Seems that at some point someone had the starter clutch off for whatever reason and reinstalled it about 90 degrees off. Reorient the assembly, button it all up and push the magic button......

What: 1990 RC30 (VFR750R)
Where: Camarillo, CA
Why: Because RC30
Price: Auction sale with reserve

Here's a seller who's depending on the reputation and legacy of this very collectible model to all but sell itself. With a sparse description and mediocre photos, a buyer is left to bid and hope for the best. The bike shows 9300 miles with a Micron exhaust mounted and a couple of boxes of unspecified "NOS and extra stuff." 

This bike has averaged a tank and a half of road time per year during its life. The VFR750R is turning the corner where they're becoming too valuable and rare to rack up miles and gather patina on the open road. And that's a shame. This bike is a thoroughbred which was born to run, not to stare at in a lineup of other old motorcycles. There were 300 RC30s imported to America and only for the 1990 model year. As values creep upward owners will be more and more reluctant to risk them on the road, denying themselves and the rest of us a glimpse of something special.

Update: "No longer available" on the eBay listing. Probably sold via another site. 

Here's an auction bike that doesn't come along every day. This is a first-year ST1300 (2003) located in western Canada bearing serial number 00001.

It was listed on eBay in August and didn't appear to sell at the opening bid of $3000 (or possibly sold locally). It's showing some 64,000 miles, but the seller says it was always well-maintained and is ready for more.

I doubt that the first production ST1300 will ever attain any particular collector status, but it caught my eye 'cause I happen to ride the same bike in the same color with the same mileage — serial number 393.

The ST1300 was Honda's replacement for the long-running ST1100, first produced in 1990. Both are powered by longitudinally-mounted V4 engines, a 1261cc version for the ST1300. The 1300 was a complete make-over of the 1100 including fuel injection — a first for a Honda production bike, IIRC. Notched just below the Gold Wing in the lineup, the more sporting ST was Honda's entry into the then-new "sport touring" category. Featuring shaft drive, an aluminum frame, 117 HP and 86 lbs. of torque, the 1300 can pull the freight, which in this case is about 650 pounds (empty).

A deluxe option package added ABS and electric windscreen, and changes throughout the model's run were confined mostly to colors. The bike was known in European markets as the Pan European. The model was discontinued in 2010 though police versions continued to be produced. Honda has not replaced the ST in its lineup but in 2013 introduced a bagger-style bike using a re-tuned version of the ST1300's engine, named the CTX1300. This is a popular category for manufacturers, so I would expect the Mother Ship to come up with another large sport tourer at some point.

My ST1300 is used mostly for two-up duty and serves Patti and I well. A Deluxe model, it's fitted with a full Race Tech suspension front and rear. Running Michelin Pilot Road 4 GT tires it can be hustled around the countryside at impressive rates, especially when ridden solo. It has lots of farkles, and, not being a fan of black wheels, those are now a powder coat silver. It's a good bike, and a keeper.

Project 20 is a very special 1986 VFR750F. It's special because it's an all-original red/white/blue example with only 5300 miles showing. Owner Rich has generously allowed me to be the one to put it back on the road after a period of inactivity. Like all my projects, this one began with a strip-down and thorough mechanical checks before starting the engine.

Mice are always a potential problem with stored bikes, and this was no exception. A messy nest in the airbox rendered the carburetor set nonfunctional, but lots of TLC and a few replacement parts put us back in business. Turns out the little varmints set up home in the mufflers too. Last week the day finally came to hit the magic button. Here's how it went:

The Magna Project is progressing with the engine mechanical checks complete. Next step is to light the fire and bring this V4 back to life. But, in this case, I took a pause in the action to have the valve covers polished. The reasoning here is that there's so much time and effort involved in removing the covers again at a later date that we decided now was the time.

Trouble is, the covers were in such bad condition that my efforts were just not up to the task. Time to bring in the pros. My powder coat shop steered me to a local manufacturer of truck wheel covers, Real Wheels (.com) who had the equipment and expertise to buff through the corrosion and prep these parts properly for a final application of clear powder coat to keep that new-bike luster for years to come. Professionals don't come cheap and the bill for refurbishing these parts was about $180. But what a difference.......

What: 1997 VFR750
Where: Jonesborough, TN
Why: Final year, well-kept, low miles
Price: Auction, with reserve

Showing 11,400 miles, this great-looking final year 750 appears to be a babied example from the perfect seller, judging by what we see in his stable. This bike has newer tires, Shorai battery and a Staintune slip-on that must sound the business. The original parts are included along with manuals and tool kit.

This looks like a nice one. No idea of the reserve, but bidding is at $2000 with six days left. As a seller, I would hope to get around $3500. The 1997 model is likely at or very near the bottom of their value swing, so prices should hold and maybe even creep up a bit, especially for a low-mileage, well-owned one like this. Someone will get a great VFR.

Update: Reserve not met with bidding up to $2275.

Our seller displays his excellent taste in motorcycles with another eBay offering — this sexy 2013 Moto Guzzi Grisso with only 1200 miles!

Always one of my favorite Guzzis, the Grisso is a bad-boy muscle bike with an Italian flair. Tastefully equipped with an Agostini slip-on and fly screen this one-owner would look awesome in my garage. Also includes all the take-offs and a few more extras. The bikes are located in the premium riding country of eastern Tennessee, perfect for a September fly-n-ride.

Update: Reserve not met with bidding up to $8100.