Yesterday marked the arrival of a milestone project — the 30th V4 that I've had the privilege of helping to bring back from the brink, hopefully providing their owners many fun and dependable years with a motorcycle they can be proud to own and ride.

And this one is a little exceptional. It's a 1986 VFR750F that's just turned 6000 miles, and owner Chris has asked me to help with some mechanical and cosmetic tasks to bring it up to Chris's very high standards. The basics are all there — this is a completely original example complete with the optional passenger seat cowl and center stand. The bodywork is already a 9, but Chris is shooting for a 10. He has painstakingly sourced a few boxes of OEM and aftermarket bits, making my job that much easier, and has himself done lots of detail work before turning his baby over to me.

I've begun with the basic engine mechanical checks and adjustments, and I'll be diving into the carburetors next. Once it's running at its best, I'll move on to the brake systems, tires, getting the OEM shock custom rebuilt by Jamie at DMr, a fork rebuild with Progressive springs, powdercoating several bits and detailing the paintwork. This one will be a stunner.

If you're involved with a 1990-93 VFR project, you've likely found out that the plastic body parts are getting rare as unicorn poop. So, if you're in need, it's wise to grab them when they show up on the interwebs. Here we have a seller in Placerville, California with a load of Gen-3 bits, including some plastic — and the holy grail of Gen-3 parts, an 8-spoke rear wheel. Prices are reasonable, though the plastic isn't perfect and will require repairs. He even has the 6000-mile V4 engine, selling for $490 including shipping. Find his listings here.

What: 1987 VFR750R RC30
Where: Las Vegas, Nevada
Why: Rare bike, rare year
Price: $39,995 or make offer

This bike has the distinction of two forms of rarity here in the States: it's one of only 3000 made worldwide and it's a first year model, available only in Japan.

The seller is a dealer, and, for someone in the business of marketing expensive toys, they're very sparse with any information. The mileage is listed as "0" but I think I can make out 21,000 on the odometer. The title is described as "clear," but I'd want some clarification on that. I also think I've seen one of the photos used on teaser ads on Craigslist, so the whole thing deserves due diligence on the buyer's part, but that's always the case, right?

SOLD: $5958 +bidders fee

I'm not sure what to say about this auction, except it's a perfect example of what can happen when two interested parties go head-to-head in an auction environment.

The auction site Bring-A-Trailer has sold an eclectic sampling of bikes in recent months for some impressive prices and this 1986 VFR750F is another. This example shows 31K miles and is pretty much original with the exception of the Kerker slip-ons, non-OEM brake discs and replica racing decals added by the selling dealer. Ownership history is vague and service history consists of a recent oil change and the tail light cowl decals replaced. The bike is a survivor, for the most part, and I would call it above average condition.

It's encouraging to see the higher value given this particular sale, and I hope it signals a general rise in appreciation for the second-generation Interceptor. Well sold.

(Below) And, speaking of recent BaT motorcycle auctions, here's one of particular interest to me. This is a 1982 Honda CBX Supersport which I owned for a few seasons about ten years ago. I sold it to the current seller for $5500 — auctioned for $10,000.