Honda's V4 Interceptors
V4 Dreams
  • Home
  • Shop Blog
  • Maintenance
  • Products
  • My VFRs
  • Historical

10 Things That Put The Honda NR Ahead Of Its Time

12/29/2017

0 Comments

 
Reprinted from a Visor Down (.com) article.
Picture
Has there ever been a more ground-breaking production bike than Honda’s NR750?
Back in 1992, when the NR750 was unveiled, motorcycles were still incredibly crude compared to the those of today. Even range-topping superbikes used carburetors rather than fuel injection. Carbon fibre was still something that only racers tended to see and the idea of an aluminium frame was still new and exciting, restricted to the upper echelon of bikes.

The NR750 may never have sold well, and is often decried for having performance no better than superbikes a fraction of its price, but it broke down barriers and opened our eyes to what we could have on more attainable bikes in the future. Basically, we wouldn’t have the likes of the Ninja H2 SX and Panigale V4 without it.

Here are its top 10 boundary-breaking ideas:

Click "Read More" to continue >>>

Read More
0 Comments

It's Not The Bike, It's The Parts That'll Kill Ya

12/27/2017

0 Comments

 
PictureClick on image for the eBay link.
There's an eBay seller from Japan who's apparently parting out a JDM VFR750R (RC30). He's currently got 50 items on buy-it-now listings, and his asking prices demonstrate just how valuable these parts may be in the used market.

There's virtually no verbal descriptions for these items and some of the photos don't help much, being mostly white parts on a bright white backdrop.

Take this fuel tank, for example. Judging by the photos, there's some wear & tear, it's not a U.S.-spec color, and the price is $2588 plus $229 (!) for shipping, Pictured below are a few more pricey examples: There's an OEM regulator/rectifier for $454 plus $43 for shipping. How about a used set of 27 year-old coolant hoses and overflow bottle for $488 + $52? There's also a very cool "Endurance" branded exhaust system that is claimed to be an HRC part. The price leaves me cold, though: $2793 + $166. Best of luck to our seller.
(click on an image to enlarge)

0 Comments

Merry Christmas

12/24/2017

0 Comments

 
Picture
0 Comments

Tool Time

12/23/2017

0 Comments

 
PictureClick on image for an eBay listing.
This tool from Motion Pro is an answer to a problem I've had for years.

It's called a Grip End Cutter and it does exactly that — cuts the ends off of closed-end handgrips. Many of the aftermarket handgrips that I like are only available with closed ends, but our VFRs, of course, require open ends in order to allow for the weighted bar ends. I stumbled across this simple and effective tool last month and just had to add it to the tool box.

Picture
The tool consists of a knurled shaft with two threaded cutters — 1-inch and 7/8-inch. A handy storage tube is included.

Here I'm about to cut the ends from my favorite grips; Recoil by Biltwell. These grips are barrel shaped, which fit my hands better than typical firm, flat sport bike grips, and they have a soft and grippy feel.

In the past I've simply hacked the ends off with a razor blade as best I could, but a clean cut is virtually impossible.

Picture











This is a quick and simple operation. Assemble the appropriate cutter, insert fully to the very bottom of the grip and strike with a BFH on a soft wood surface. Push the tool through the grip to extract the plug.

Picture
The cut is clean and flush with the grip's inside surface.

A great idea, well-executed. This tool opens up a huge variety of handgrip choices. $24 from several eBay vendors.

0 Comments

The Other V4

12/20/2017

0 Comments

 
Picture
Honda's dream of V4 dominance extended beyond the sport bike and racing arenas. In 1990, alongside the all-new 3d-gen VFR, the company unveiled their fresh take on the large-displacement sport-touring segment, the ST1100. A completely different engine as compared to the VFR-series, this one was built for heavy-bike duty and mounted longitudinally.

Already ahead of the full-sized touring pack with the iconic Gold Wing, Honda probably saw Kawasaki's success with their Ninja-based Concours (1986) and thought they could do one better. Slotted just below the Gold Wing, the ST would be lighter and nimbler, catering to the rider who didn't need or want the bulk of the Wing. All the makers eventually joined in, expanding the popular sport-touring genre we still enjoy today.

After 11 years the ST1100 was overdue for an overhaul and the ST1300 was born for 2002. The engine had grown a bit and counter balancers added to allow the engine to be bolted directly to the frame, acting as a stressed member. This was effectively Honda's first use of fuel injection on a large-production model. The engine enjoyed a long run through about 2012 (police edition) in the ST series and was then retuned and used in the CTX1300, a bagger model. Here's some specs for the engine as used in the ST1300:
• 1261cc, 71ci
• 90-degree V4
• 4-valve, chain driven cams
• Programmed Fuel Injection
• Bore/stroke = 78x66mm
• Compression = 10.8:1
• HP = 117 @ 8000 rpm (U.S.)
• Torque = 86 lb-ft @ 6500 rpm (U.S.)

0 Comments

Market Watch

12/16/2017

0 Comments

 
Picture
SOLD — $5000
Recently sold on eBay at its reserve price with a single bid is this 1986 VF1000R. The bike's in very passable cosmetic condition with a few repairs and sports only 4122 miles. It was located in Clermont, FL.

This example has most of the maintenance brought up to date, but is still in need of fresh tires and a fork cleaning. The bike appears very original, including the all-important mufflers.

A fair price for both parties for this original survivor.

0 Comments

Leftover VFR1200X In CO.

12/15/2017

0 Comments

 
PictureClick on image for the eBay link.
What: 2016 VFR1200X
Where: Littleton, Colorado
Why: New, warranty, nice price
Price: $11,988

Leftovers are a smart way to get a new, fully warranted vehicle, especially when nothing but the color has changed with the new model. Now two model years old, this 2016 is available for $4000 off MSRP. Still not cheap, but cheaper. This bike has the non-DCT standard 6-speed transmission. 

0 Comments

Fuel Tank Sealing

12/14/2017

0 Comments

 
Picture
My trials and tribulations with VFR projects have included lots of fuel tanks in varying states of...ahh...despair. They're all the same relative age, so their condition is a reflection of how they've been cared for over the decades. I've come across tanks which look great on the ouside but heavily rusted internally, and just the opposite. But, it's like a Realtor likes to say about waterfront property, "they ain't makin' any more," so these tanks are worth saving, and that's where tank sealant comes in.

My choice for do-it-yourself tank sealant is Caswell"s motorcycle sealing kit. This kit runs $40 for clear and $55 for colored. Both are a 2-part epoxy with some pretty fancy chemists' terms associated with it (i.e. "phenol novolac is more thixotropic") but the bottom line is that Caswell claims it sticks better, even to uneven rusty surfaces and is resistant to anything short of a nuclear detonation. It will bridge and seal up actual gaps and is pretty easy to work with. Pictured above is another product I like to use on tanks with a salvageable exterior finish; Seal Mask. This pink liquid brushes on the painted finish and protects during the cleaning and application process. Pretty amazing stuff, 'cause it washes off with only clear water when finished. Caswell provides written instructions with the kit and on their website.

Picture
If the paint is to be saved, I first brush on one or two coats of Seal Mask, which dries in about 30 minutes to a thick plastic film. Caswell also suggests taping plastic and aluminum foil over the tank, but I've not found that necessary if you're careful. Or, use that approach in lieu of Seal Mask.

Picture
Our first task is to prep the inside of the tank as best we can. Remove the petcock; you'll need to "back blow" compressed air through the openings after sealing. I install the lower fuel level sensor with its rubber gasket and tape the top filler hole or just close the filler if it's still in place. Using acetone, I slosh about a pint of it around the interior with a double handful of small drywall screws, drain out the bottom hole, and repeat as needed.

This photo shows what typically comes out of a rusty tank. The putrid smell of rancid gas can permeate a garage for a few days — be warned. When I'm happy with the cleaning operation I open up both holes and allow the tank to completely dry for a couple of days.

Picture
Next we need to mix the 2-part epoxy in a plastic container. Working time is dependent on air temperature, but basically be ready to pour into the tank immediately after mixing.

Shown here is the clear sealant.

Pour the very thick mixture into the filler opening (with the bottom opening taped over), tape the filler opening, and slowly rotate the tank to distribute on all surfaces. When I'm satisfied that everything's coated, uncover the lower hole and prop the tank level allowing it to drain for a couple of hours. I tape down some plastic, like a grocery bag, under the the opening and allow the drained glob to solidify on it. Immediately after beginning the drain operation blow compressed air into the fuel pickup tubes (at the petcock) to clear potentially clogged pickup screens inside the tank — don't skip this step. After about an hour, I'll take a sharp blade and cut off any drips around the drain hole. Caswell suggests allowing the tank to sit a few days undisturbed to cure the epoxy.

Picture

Here's a look at a cured tank interior, in grey. 

Picture

After curing, peel away the Seal Mask, or just clean with water. Reassemble your refurbished fuel tank and add gas.

Job done!

0 Comments

Tool Time

12/11/2017

0 Comments

 
PictureClick on image for an eBay link.
Internal circlips are simple and effective little devices, but they do require a special tool to install and remove.

Over the years I've struggled with dirty, stubborn, corroded little clips in my bikes' master cylinders and forks using "universal" circlip pliers...until I discovered these bent-tip pliers from K&L. I now consider them a must-have in my tool collection.

About $27 from various eBay sellers.

Picture
0 Comments

Site Changes

12/9/2017

0 Comments

 
Some time ago an astute reader suggested that it would be helpful if I could categorize some of the tips and maintenance projects I've covered over the past two and a half years. Good idea, so I've created an additional page called "Maintenance" where I'll include anything that might help y'all find some of that information.

I've begun adding some items, which will continue as time permits. I hope this is a useful change.
0 Comments
<<Previous

    THE SHOP BLOG
    •••

    An on-going account of miscellaneous information, project bikes and noteworthy VFRs for sale


    Archives

    May 2025
    April 2025
    March 2025
    February 2025
    January 2025
    December 2024
    November 2024
    October 2024
    September 2024
    August 2024
    July 2024
    June 2024
    May 2024
    April 2024
    March 2024
    February 2024
    January 2024
    December 2023
    November 2023
    October 2023
    September 2023
    August 2023
    July 2023
    June 2023
    May 2023
    April 2023
    March 2023
    February 2023
    January 2023
    December 2022
    November 2022
    October 2022
    September 2022
    August 2022
    July 2022
    June 2022
    May 2022
    April 2022
    March 2022
    February 2022
    January 2022
    December 2021
    November 2021
    October 2021
    September 2021
    August 2021
    July 2021
    June 2021
    May 2021
    April 2021
    March 2021
    February 2021
    January 2021
    December 2020
    November 2020
    October 2020
    September 2020
    August 2020
    July 2020
    June 2020
    May 2020
    April 2020
    March 2020
    February 2020
    January 2020
    December 2019
    November 2019
    October 2019
    September 2019
    August 2019
    July 2019
    June 2019
    May 2019
    April 2019
    March 2019
    February 2019
    January 2019
    December 2018
    November 2018
    October 2018
    September 2018
    August 2018
    July 2018
    June 2018
    May 2018
    April 2018
    March 2018
    February 2018
    January 2018
    December 2017
    November 2017
    October 2017
    September 2017
    August 2017
    July 2017
    June 2017
    May 2017
    April 2017
    March 2017
    February 2017
    January 2017
    December 2016
    November 2016
    October 2016
    September 2016
    August 2016
    July 2016
    June 2016
    May 2016
    April 2016
    March 2016
    February 2016
    January 2016
    December 2015
    November 2015
    October 2015
    September 2015
    August 2015
    July 2015
    June 2015

    Categories

    All

    RSS Feed

Site powered by Weebly. Managed by HostGator