While cruising the Illinois Tollway yesterday en route to pick up my latest project, Patti and I came upon this impressive rig. Proudly flying the Honda winged foot and signature company color, the young driver was pegged right at the speed limit and there was not a finger smudge to be seen on the transport, not even on the mirrored stainless edges of the trailer loading ramp.

This pristine symbol of Honda Motor Company reminded me of what Honda represents in the manufacturing world. Just last week I'd read something Editor Mark Hoyer of Cycle World magazine had written in a review of the new Africa Twin (September 2016). He wrote:

"Honda's systemic approach to the motorcycle has always been impressive. It's like its engineers spend an inordinate amount of time focusing on how the whole motorcycle works between each and every component, with "balance" only ever outshined by "polish."

How true. My first motorcycle was a new 1971 Honda 500-4, a jewel of a machine if ever there was, and part of the modern motorcycle revolution led by Honda. Soichiro Honda was a visionary, a marketer, a leader, and even a racer. He was all of this, but at his core he was an engineer. He never let go his passion for innovation and production based on leading-edge engineering. Like Apple, Honda is an engineering company first and a manufacturer second. And, like Apple, successful products are borne of innovative engineering. Both companies have had their failures along the way but only due to their drive to exercise their technical chops and show the world what might be. From the 3RC-164 inline 6-cylinder of 1964 to the present day RC213V V4, and everything in-between, Honda Motor Company has always helped show the way.

You'll note that the beautiful rig we came upon yesterday only displays the Honda logo and name — no other marketing. And for those of us who have ridden and wrenched on these machines, there's none required.

I recently met a new "virtual" buddy via the interwebs, and Joe was kind enough to share some photos of his impossibly clean collection which is mostly made up of V4s. In his own words:

"I have also been bitten by the Honda V4 bug. My love for Hondas started back in the 70s when my uncle taught me how to ride on his '73 CB750. From 1980-1983 I worked at a local Honda dealer. In 1982 I bought my first new bike, a 1982 Honda CB900F which I still own. Over the next 20 years I collected misfit 70s CBs and CL scramblers, fixed them up and moved them down the road. As the "wheel money" account grew I started to focus on the mid 80s to early 90s bikes I lusted after while my 900 was still my "new" bike. Over the last 10 years I've acquired and sold a bunch of the V4s, each time looking for a better example of what I was letting go. So I too have the same desire to “save” many of these bikes and keep them on the road."

I would camp in the shop if these three lived there. From left to right;
RC51 with 3000 miles
RVF750R (RC45)
VFR750R (RC30)

A pair of 1984 1000s
VF1000R (Euro model - France)
VF1000F

Joe has more interesting bikes and manages to get them all some road time. He obviously has excellent taste. Thanks for sharing!

Last Fall I bought a pair of bikes which, according to the seller, have been sitting undisturbed in a pole barn for seven years. Call me cynical, but my experience tells me that you can usually double whatever number a seller provides.

While this tank needs some paint attention the real problems lay inside, where bad gas and time had turned the fuel to varnish and metal to iron oxide.

I began the tank rescue by soaking for two days with Liquid Plumber. What came out is shown at left. The acrid smell could be sensed throughout the 'hood, or so it seemed. But that was only the first round. Next up was a four-day soak in Evapo-Rust ($25 per gallon at Harbor Freight). Instead of dark roast coffee, what came out was more of a tea color...and more rust. This tank was in such bad shape that the fuel supply tubes feeding the petcock were clogged solid. I spent an hour with a stiff wire carefully clearing them.

After a thorough garden hose rinse, I dry out the interior with a heat gun (on low heat) rigged up to blow into the tank for about 20 minutes. The low fuel sensor in the bottom of the tank is removed during this step.

Finally, I thoroughly coat the interior with WD-40 (a water dispersant) by spraying through both tank openings, sloshing around inside, and draining out the bottom. Reassemble all the hardware and the tank is ready for use.

What: 2003 VFR800
Where: Rolling Meadows, IL (Chicago)
Why: Low miles, bags, fair price
Price: $3300

Another great example of why the VFR represents just about the best used bike alternative out there. Here we have a fine looking 800 with only 14,000 miles from a seller with an honest description for an honest bike. He states the it runs perfectly and everything works. It will need a fresh front tire soon, and, unless it's already been done, probably a chain & sprocket set, based upon the miles. Sorry, no ABS on this one.

The sixth-gen Interceptors look great in this bright silver with gloss black wheels, and the factory saddlebags are just a bonus, whether you use them or put them up on a shelf for the next owner. And, until you've twisted the throttle on the VTEC engine, don't give the whiners any undue credit — running this motor up through the revs is a blast. Fair warning; it can be addictive.

http://chicago.craigslist.org/nwc/mcy/5685782945.html

SOLD - Project 19 has found its way to a happy new owner in Wisconsin.

With Project 15 soon to be on its way to its new caretaker in Oregon, I've finished Project 19 and it too is ready for it's next owner.

- 25,050 miles
- Cobra F1 slip-ons
- DynoJet carb kit
- Gorgeous body
- Tuned
- Fresh tires
- Seat cowl
- Overall a 9 out of 10

For more details, click "Read More" .............

SOLD - Pearl has found a new home in Oregon.

I've finally gotten the photo gallery together and am listing Project 15 for sale. I'm asking $4200. I base the price on my last 700 sold and, ironically, my first 750. As comparable bikes, both sold for $4000 or more, two and six years ago. Neither was quite to this standard. For the copy from my local Craigslist ad, click "read more."

Handgrips.

When removing old grips it's easiest to simply slit them lengthwise and peel 'em off. But when I want or need to save the old grips, I run a couple of thin blade screwdrivers around the inside circumference, leave them in place, shoot a bit of aerosol electronic cleaner inside and work the grip off by hand.

Here the OEM grips are being removed on Project 15 to make way for a fresh set. These are still in good condition and may find a new home on a future project.

Sanding Exhaust Pipes.

I end up refurbishing lots of OEM exhaust pipes. The black portion tends to rust and really detracts from the finished project. But with all the bends and crevices the pipes are difficult to sand clear of rust.

I discovered that thin sanding sponges conform to those problem areas much better than sandpaper and the ability to use them wet makes sanding easier and quicker. I use about a 400 grit. 

Intake Manifold Covers

While the carb rack is off the bike for service, I make a point of cleaning the  "V" area under the carbs, which is otherwise not accessible. I use a degreaser and rinse with a low pressure water hose.

To protect the intakes from dirt and water, I cut out some squares of plastic from something like a zip-lock bag and secure in place with some cheap zip ties. I keep a supply of Dollar Store zip ties on hand for stuff like this — I wouldn't trust them for anything requiring a quality zip, but for temporary use they're great to have on hand. And as for the engine block cleaning; after rinsing and drying, I coat the black metal with a light application of WD-40 using a soft toothbrush to apply. It provides a final cleanup and gives a nice sheen to the paint. Here we're looking at an '87 VFR700 F2.

Carb Boot Screws (1986-87)

The upper circular screw clamps on number 3 & 4 carbs boots ('86-87) are a pain to get at the way the factory oriented them, which is facing right, requiring them to be tightened from the right side. I find it easier to tighten them from the left side of the bike.

If you have a long-shaft screwdriver in your overloaded screwdriver drawer like I do, simply flip them over and face the screw head to the left. Problem solved.

No-Scratch Pads

I clean lots of parts. I use these no-scratch kitchen scrub pads on everything and anything. Paint, plastic, metal, whatever. I go through lots of them, so I stock up at the Dollar Store to keep fresh ones on hand.

While perusing a high-zoot Ducati listing on eBay this morning I noticed this RVF750R sitting on a display podium in the photo's background. After a little interweb snooping I located the owner — Fay Myers Motorcycle World. This large and dynamic dealer has been a Denver fixture since 1948 and maintains a collection of some pretty cool bikes on display, including a Honda NR, an RC30 and this rare RC45.

Staff member Kurt Hertel writes a blog with lots of interesting stuff, including historical accounts of some of their collection. Click "Read More" below to read his take on the history of this model, and when you've got a few hours to kill after lunch at work, give the blog a visit:
http://www.faymyers.com/custompage.asp?pg=kurts_corner

I'm not one to salivate over antique motorbikes, but this one is a little special. This rare Matchless was a clean-sheet design of a 592cc air-cooled V4, sporting a single overhead cam driven with a shaft and bevel-gear system.

In studying the photos, the "V" must be a very narrow angle, as it all appears to be contained in single crankcase and cylinder castings. I think this is a beautifully-proportioned design, handsome and properly British.

For much more on this bike, visit the Pipeburn site:
http://www.pipeburn.com/home/2016/06/17/1930-matchless-silver-hawk.html

What: 1985 Honda VF500 Interceptor
Where: Tucson, AZ
Why: Appreciating before your very eyes
Price: Variable

About a month ago this pretty little VF500 appeared on eBay with an opening bid of $3800. When no bids were forthcoming the seller relisted the bike with an increased price of $4100. Again, no bids, so relisted at $4400... twice. Now we find it in its current auction at $4750. I'm not following the reasoning here, but it is a novel pricing approach. Still no bids, so if you're interested, better grab it before it goes to $5000. Fair warning.