SOLD: $66,500 +fee

​The RVF750R (RC45) was Honda's racing successor to the VFR750R (RC30) and was produced as a homologation model in 1994 and '95, the U.S. market receiving the '94 only. This example is one of the U.S. bikes, #027 of a reported 200 sold.

This one is part of a private collection and shows only 903 miles, with a modified rear fender. The RC45 rarely becomes available on the open market so each sale is unique. I would say this one's selling price is somewhere in the middle of the RC45 range. Unfortunately, it's likely destined for another collection, never to experience its natural habitat.

This gorgeous 1986 VFR700 was sold via Bring-A-Trailer auction in May of this year. The buyer is experiencing storage issues and has decided to offer the bike back up for sale. The bike has not been operated since the sale and is in the identical condition. Price is negotiable.

Note: I have no personal involvement in this sale, anyone interested will be put in touch with the seller; contact me at joe.nelson@ymail.com

Photo gallery:
https://flic.kr/s/aHBqjAAzQe
​
Here's an earlier post with more information:
http://v4dreams.com/shop-blog/project-40-completed

Here's a chore nobody looks forward to. But, like most cleaning jobs, it's easier to give it regular attention than to let it go til the drive chain is coated in a thick, sticky mess of grease and dirt. And routine cleanings are quick and easy — simply run a throwaway rag soaked in WD-40 (or similar) over the links as you rotate the chain til the metal is clear of lube and dirt. Then apply a light coating of chain lube or 80w90 gear lube (which Honda recommends), wiping any excess with a clean cloth. The secret here is light lubrication — "lubing" a chain is not really for lubrication (a modern drive chain is internally lubricated) but rather to keep the chain clean and rust free. Caking layer upon layer of sticky lube on a chain is counterproductive. Do this about every 1000 miles and your chain/sprockets will reward you with a long life. How long? 20,000 miles is my general goal. Which chain lube? Check Fortnine's YouTube channel for at least two videos on the subject.

During my recent tear-down of Project 42 I wanted to clean the drive chain before removing it from the bike, so after removing the chain guard, mufflers, center & side stands I temporarily remounted the rear wheel and sprocket to allow use of my trusted chain scrubbing tool — a plastic apparatus that I acquired years ago with the catchy name of "Zoiler," shown above. This thing is anchored to a convenient point and clamps around the chain, pressing plastic scrub brushes on all four sides of the chain. A tube affixed to the top connects to a can of WD-40 which is fed into the device while rotating the chain. The dirty fluid drains out the bottom as the gunk is scrubbed away. The chain is then wiped clean.

You can substitute a hand scrub brush or the popular Grunge Brush (or its many copies) but this tool is quick, thorough and helps contain the mess.
(click on an image to enlarge)

A Lesson In Chain Care
Back in 2010 I went to inspect what would become Project 2, located near Sparta, WI. It was a R/W/B 1986 VFR750 with twin Kerkers fitted and otherwise stock condition. I was offered a test ride and with open country nearby I quickly found myself on an empty road where I naturally ran the revs upward — until the tach slowed to a crawl around 6000 RPM, struggling to advance slowly upward. The bike otherwise ran well and looked great, so I took the chance that a carburetor cleaning might solve the issue and, deal made, trailered the Interceptor home.

My initial garage inspection showed some neglected maintenance (a story to be repeated many times in the ensuing years) including an exceptionally dirty drive chain. So, with a container of kerosene, an assortment of brushes and old rags, I set about removing years of grease and dirt, finally revealing a shiny chain which now rotated with a satisfying click-click-click as it should. After a general bike cleaning, I decided to do another test run and, to my surprise, the bike revved strong and clean to redline.

Lesson learned; a neglected drive chain is able to strangle 102 horsepower.

I've been busy with carburetor jobs recently, but yesterday I spent a few hours in disassembly mode on Project 42, a 1986 VFR750.

All the systems will be dealt with on this bike and I've chosen to begin with the rear portion. The swingarm has some staining on the anodized finish, probably from leaking battery acid in the past, so that will need refinishing. To get to that item just about everything nearby needs removing, which will allow cleaning and any needed refurbishment.

The rear brake action, for example, is sluggish so those components will need rebuilding. The previous owner reports that the OEM shock absorber has had a rebuild, though I have no real particulars, but it feels fine and even a bit stiff on the road, so I'll need to make a decision on whether it stays or goes.

It has come to my attention that my Maintenance tutorial, Carburetor Disassembly, Cleaning, Reassembly doesn't mention the "Air Cut Valve" assembly, a component of the 3d- and 4th-gen VFR carbs. Let's have a look.

The valve's function, as I understand it, is to prevent popping on deceleration (closed throttle). The casting is present on the 2d-gen carbs but is not used. I assume the valve was needed because of the additional emissions hardware present on the later models.

We begin by removing the two cover screws. Inside we find a strong spring and the metal/rubber diaphragm (below). The diaphragm is usually slightly stuck in place, and rather than risk damaging the rubber, I use a small magnet to gently pull it free.
​(click on an image to enlarge) 

Note the oval o-ring pictured here.

These parts are no longer available from Honda but aftermarket kits are available. However, your parts are reusable if undamaged, so handle with care. Gently remove this o-ring for safekeeping during cleaning.

I wash the parts by hand and blow the air passage clear (arrows) with compressed air, along with the two passages in the carb body.

Reassembly is simple, but that's a strong spring to hold pressure on while locating the screws.

​

Bring-A-Trailer (.com) has significantly increased its motorcycle auction listings over the past year, with a decent V4 representation. Here's several recent examples.

SOLD: $7000

Located in Canada and showing about 21,000 miles, this 1993 VFR750 appears to be complete and pretty much unmolested, including the hard-to-find passenger seat cowl. The expensive maintenance chores have been completed and she looks ready to impress.

SOLD: $5300 (plus $200 dealer fee)

​Here's a very nice 1985 VF500, one-owner til 2023, meticulously cared for and shows 27,000 miles. The bike's caretaker was a Honda tech and those pristine mufflers were put on the shelf when new, replaced with Supertrapps (included). A beautiful example.

SOLD: $4600

What a beautiful example of the 1985 big-block V65 Sabre, this one nicely prepared by a shop called RB restorations in Ohio. With only 18,000 miles on the odometer this is exactly what you're looking for if in the market for this model. Well bought.

SOLD $6000

Offered by a frequent flyer on BaT, this 1986 V65 Magna was a stablemate to the Sabre above — the same stoplight brute in cruiser clothes. This one shows really nicely with great original mufflers (impossible to fine these days) and everything else looking very correct; 23,000 miles.

SOLD: $5100

Another VF1100C, this one is a 1984 version with only 15,000 miles. Not quite as pristine as the above '86, it appropriately sold for a bit less.

SOLD: $5001

Another day, another V65 Sabre from a popular Wisconsin BaT seller. This 1984 is more driver-grade and shows 32,000 miles.

SOLD: $8800

Here's an exceptional "mini-ceptor" with only 11,000 miles and appearing very original. The final year for the VF500F, this 1986 gathered 32 bids and shot up to an impressive sale price. Well sold.

SOLD: $7500

The one-year 1984 VF1000F model might be finally getting some love in the V4 marketplace. Showing 11,000 miles in nice, but not perfect, condition, this one still managed to attract 30 bids. Well sold. 

SOLD: $9000

After receiving little love and languishing for years as dealer left-overs, the 2007 VFR800 Anniversary Edition is finally coming into its own in the V4 marketplace. It's about time.

This amazing example has only 3700 miles and even wears its factory original tires! The optional saddlebags are included and the bike is nearly flawless overall. An average Anniversary is in the $5000-6000 range so our buyer really wanted this one. Well sold.

SOLD $7300

If you're in the market for the eighth and final generation of the VFR Interceptor, this is where your search should lead you.

Here's a 2014 VFR800 with only 1300 miles in Deluxe trim and sporting a Delkevic slip-on. Well-kept and otherwise unmodified, it sold for substantially less than the Anniversary shown above. 

SOLD $2950

Finally...
​An Interceptor in name only (what were Honda smokin'?), this 1990 VTR250 has 7000 high-revving miles under its tank, and looks totally '90s in its Ross White color way with blue and pink squiggly accents.

I've sold real Interceptors for less money than this, so I would say, well sold.