My 1998 VFR800FI is moving towards completion. Most of the work on this bike involves fairing repair from a hit to the headlight fairing sometime in the past. After a lot of plastic welding the fairing is off to my painter for final finishing. The paint code for Honda's Italian Red is still available, but that mix turned out too orange, so we're working to a final color match by tweaking it toward red.

The rest of the VFR is in excellent condition, matching the bike's low mileage, but I went ahead with some maintenance items which are often neglected. The coolant and hydraulics have been flushed (clutch and brakes) and spark plugs replaced (called for every 8000 miles) and a fresh air filter has been fitted. I've also upgraded the headlights to brighter bulbs and managed to locate a beautiful passenger seat cowl. The bulky mirrors are being swapped for a set of sleeker and more stylish '00-01 replacements. Yesterday I finished up cleaning and detailing, though the previous owner kept his Interceptor spotless.

One of my projects has returned to the nest. Back in the summer of 2014 I located this 1986 VFR700F in the Milwaukee, Wisconsin area. The bike came with a shorty Yoshimura slip-on muffler, rear fender eliminator, carb jet kit and paper receipts dating to 1990. It was dubbed Project 11. This example now shows 23,000 miles and is dressed in all original bodywork.

The Interceptor found its new home in the Des Moines, Iowa area, but owner Andrew's situation has changed and he's decided to downsize his stable. I was pleased when he contacted me for first shot at getting this beauty back.

This past weekend Patti and I made the road trip to retrieve the VFR, but I'd also become interested in one of his other bikes up for sale and we ended up bringing both of them home.

Andrew has been a great caretaker, but, unfortunately, a recent garage tip-over resulted in a fuel tank dent. My job with this project will be to update and upgrade just a few items, like the brake lines, turn signals and refit an original rear fender. And I'm hoping my paintless dent magician can help with the fuel tank because, beyond the new dent, the tank is nearly flawless. Welcome home.

The second project is a 1975 Honda   CB550 cafe' racer. This had been Andrew's pet project for several years and he's accomplished all the basics.

The CB is fitted with a rare custom exhaust system, CR carbs, hand-formed aluminum tail section, rear sets, aluminum rims and aftermarket gauges with clip-on handlebars.

The major remaining items to complete the project are paint and upholstery.

This is a running and riding cafe' bike. I'm not sure what I'll do with the project, maybe pass it on or take it on as a full-fledged project. The CB550 (actually its predecessor, the CB500-4) was my first bike, so this buy was a mix of nostalgia and impulse.
​If anyone is interested in taking the CB to the finish line, please contact me.

Recently spied on the RC24/26 Facebook page, this inexplicable abomination reaches a new level of assault against all that's good and right in our universe. Beginning with what appears to be a 1991 VFR750, some demented misfit added two more wheels for reasons only he and the voices in his head can fathom. It even appears to have its own custom-made trailer, most likely because it's too frightening to operate under its own power. This is the definition of a solution in search of a problem.

What: 1986 VFR750F
Where: Bangor, Pennsylvania
Why: Low miles, original condition
Price: $4650 Buy-It-Now

"A rising tide lifts all ships," as someone once said. And there may finally be signs that second-generation VFRs are beginning to realize their potential in the classic motorcycle market. I recently watched a low-mile 1986 VFR750 sell locally for $4000, and here we have a seller offering his 14,000-mile '86 listed for a buy-it-now of $4650.

This is a complete, original example and shows very well in the supplied photos. The seller points out a crack in the lower left mid-fairing and I notice the windscreen is missing the moulding along the upper edge (NLA). The seat and mufflers look great and the passenger seat cowl is included along with a center stand. The wheels have some staining but some elbow grease should help that. The carbs and fuel system have been serviced and updated with modern rubber bits, and we're told it runs perfectly. The tires are beyond their best-by date.

Asking prices don't indicate value, of course, and we'll probably never know the eventual selling price. But, these second-gen VFRs have slumbered in the marketplace for too long — they represent an important historical marker not just for Honda, but for the modern sport bike genre in general. And they're pretty.
​Best of luck to the seller.

What: 2006 VFR800A
Where: Marco Island, Florida
Why: Clean, nicely farkled, low miles
Price: $4300 OBO

The sixth-generation VFR800 is the thinking man's express. The tailored lines, the smooth, civilized demeanor with a hooligan top end. Plus, cool VTEC technology wrapped in an affordable package.

And here'a a perfect example. Showing just 7,400 miles and dressed in formal black with subdued silver wheels, this ABS-equipped Interceptor boasts a few nice add-ons — Delkevic dual carbon fiber slip-ons (it's gotta sound badass!), Power Commander V for performance tuning, a throttle lock and gear indicator. Our seller says the bike is garage-kept and has had recent service. The price reflects the low miles and general condition but also includes some wriggle room. Performance and class, ready to ride.

Performance exhaust maker Delkevic maintains an eBay store and is offering this slip-on muffler for the fourth-generation VFR750; 1994-97.

This model is a high-mount oval design in polished stainless steel, weighs only 3.2 pounds, and is complete with mid-pipe and mounting hardware. Delkevic lists the sound level as "aggressive." I think that translates as "loud."

Price is only $180 shipped to your door.

I came across this great video on VFRdiscussion.com. What we have here is a very accomplished rider taking a lap around Germany's Nurburgring Nordschleife, a 13-mile E-ticket ride with (essentially) no speed limits. Amazingly, in these litigious times, anyone is able to pay a requisite fee and take laps around one of the most famous, and infamous, race courses in the world. And I mean anyone...cars, bikes, motorhomes, trailers.... It's one-way and actually considered a public roadway with the rules of the road applying, with one important addition — no passing on the right.

Here we have Capriobi providing us his filmed lap on YouTube. His bike is a 2001 VFR800 and he states that the only modifications are braided brake lines, linked brakes disabled and a GPR exhaust. Enjoy...