Some time ago I began contributing to the bikes-for-sale site, Bike-urious (http://www.bike-urious.com). Here's a recent submission I found in Canada. Unfortunately, we have yet another case of a seller providing bad photos of a nice motorcycle. However, look closely and you'll see a Honda NR sitting quietly behind the VFR.

Perhaps the most iconic of Honda's homologation specials (or maybe any manufacturer's), the VFR750R, colloquially known as the RC30, was produced from 1988-1990, with worldwide production totaling 4782 units. Only 316 of these made it to the U.S. as 1990 models due to the EPA dragging their bureaucratic feet. In some European markets the bike was named the Bol D'or after the popular endurance race series held annually in France. This is one such machine.

Our seller, located in Quebec, Canada, tells us that this 1988 French-market machine has been a part of his static collection and will therefore need some maintenance brought up-to-date to make the bike rideable again. Showing 18,900 kilometers (about 12,000 miles), the fuzzy photos don't reveal a lot of detail, but the seller says it "shines like new." He states that the paperwork is in order and being more than 25 years old, importing to the U.S. should be routine. There's an opening bid of $19,999. U.S.-spec models typically run around $25,000, so we'll see what kind of response this Euro model brings here in the States.

UPDATE: SOLD for $26,000 with one bid.

Fellow VFR-isti and interweb virtual buddy, Gamble, from Austin TX, figured out this simple and effective solution to support the front end of his '86 VFR750 project while doing a fork rebuild.

Gamble uses a length of 7/16" steel rod passed through two engine block ears that look like they were made for the task, then supports the rod on adjustable jack stands. Genius.

Gives great access for a detailed cleaning, huh Gamble?

In honor of Winter Hump Day, a congratulations to all of us trapped in the frozen tundra — we've made it half way through the non-riding season. And to those in the American deep south and Down Under, well, get in the saddle, you're now on the backside of your season.

My projects tend to carry on throughout the year, but some are necessarily designated seasonal — I can't paint in the winter, for example....

1. So, this winter I've got a full set of bodywork at my painters. When he reaches the clearcoat stage, he applies a few light coats and then returns them to me for decal application. I quickly get them back to his shop for the final coats of clear. Then wet sand and buffing. These are the first batch that will benefit from our color-matching efforts for the '86 red/white/blue. I can't wait.

2. I've grown tired of messing with old fuel lines, and so have carefully sourced Thermoid main lines and Tygon for the carburetor set. OEM hoses, of course, have molded curves and the line from the fuel tank to the filter is magically sized differently on each end. And they're NLA from Honda. I plan to offer a complete kit to make it simple to replace the whole mess — high-quality lines, easy-to-use spring clamps, filter and a necessary reducer. I hope this helps out some owners. Should be ready soon.

3. Here's something that I've been thinking about for awhile. When our bikes go down, the mufflers nearly always take a hit, particularly near the ends. Unlike aluminum ones, ours are made of stainless steel, so they can't really be massaged and polished back into shape. And they're kinda quiet.

This is my solution (hopefully) to both issues. From my muffler stash I found two victims and, after some exploratory surgery, figured out the interior architecture. From there, I determined that I could remove about five inches from the rear which is the final interior chamber of four. The net effect should be twofold — an increase in sound and reduced back pressure because that final chamber forces the exhaust path to make two 180 degree turns before exiting. Both these reversals will be eliminated. Oh, and subtract a few pounds from the system. This turned out to be more complex a project than I thought, not as simple as chopping off the end.

The mufflers I'm using for this experiment both have road rash — scrapes and dents. My fix is to apply an epoxy (JB Weld) like I would body filler. File, sand, prime with VHT and sand some more. I plan to give a final coat of semi-gloss black VHT (when the weather warms) and fit them up. They could also be done in a silver color. When finished, I've got the perfect VFR700 FII to fit them to. The bike will be finished as a resto-mod and these should fit right in.

4. My "other" V4 is an ST. An '03 ST1300 to be exact. I bought it in Arizona four years ago and two of the many things I like about the bike are optional ABS brakes and the fact that it is fitted with a full Race Tech suspension front and rear. In fact, it was the test mule for the company's development of ST1300 components.

Most of our riding with the ST is two-up, but the previous owner had the suspension set up for much lighter weight. Lately, we've kind of run out of rear compression damping and so I've sent the shock to Race Tech's shop in Corona, CA for a re-valve and heavier spring. The idea is to make this great bike even better for our riding. They've just received it and promise to keep me in the loop. The estimate for this kind of service is $305. I'm really looking forward to the first Spring ride.

1986 VFR750R
Most RC30s that we see are the homologation imports sold as street bikes, some with a privateer racing history. This one is different.

While all RC30s were built by HRC (Honda Racing Corporation) some were further prepped by professional race teams and campaigned at high levels throughout the world. This particular machine was raced by Winfield Racing of Australia and its rider provenance includes Troy Corser and Anthony Gobert. Retired in 1994, the bike is now fully restored and offered for sale through an exclusive listing at RareSportBikesForSale.com. No price is given, the owner is requesting offers.

Located in Grand Rapids, Michigan, this seller is offering what appears to be a very presentable and well-kept 2006 VFR800 in a nice, if subdued, graphite color. Yes, it shows 56,600 miles, but the service, tires and chain are up-to-date and the bike seems to be completely original and not hot rodded. And it's only $2500 OBO.

If I were in the market for a general purpose motorcycle for recreational use, this is what I'd be searching for. The average annual miles for that kind of ride in the upper midwest is probably about 1000 per year, so do the math and this one could be in your garage for decades. A good buy.

...this guy wouldn't have any taste at all. I know there's bike modifiers out there with vision and an eye for color and style, but (to my eye) whoever came up with this paint job isn't part of that fraternity.

From the Michigan Craigslist ad: "Custom Paint, Extra Fairing, Carbs. Nice Cool Bike! $1900 OBO. Call Ed"

I don't think Ed is going to get many calls.

The price of putting a brand new Interceptor in your garage keeps edging downward. Here's a base model 2014 VFR800 offered for $7999 out-the-door. The bad news; it's in Fargo, ND. And it's December.

Here's a prime example of why the Honda VFR series represents such a great value in the used moto universe.

Offered at an opening bid of $3150 with no reserve (a rarity on eBay these days) is this beautiful 1996 VFR750F showing only 4027 miles. Sporting a Staintune muffler and up-to-date maintenance, this desirable forth-gen model looks great in the photos and the seller seems upfront with his description of the minor flaws. Located in Beloit, WI, just a short ride from the plush office suite of V4Dreams. I like it.

UPDATE: Sold at $3150.

Honda's short and unsuccessful production stint with the big-bore VF resulted in two distinct models for the U.S. market. 1984 saw the introduction of the "F" Interceptor model which was essentially a larger version of the VF750F. With flaccid sales the Euro "R" version quickly replaced the F in 1985. The frame and rear shock were carryovers but the rest of the  VF1000R was a thorough redesign, employing gear-driven cams, full bodywork and different wheels, brakes and more.

Styling was meant to mimic the endurance racer look popular in Europe. The concept worked for some, not so much for others. The big VF continued in the U.S. through 1986 with some minor changes, the most obvious being cosmetics; minor paint scheme changes and dual-bulb headlights replacing the squarish one from '85 (and the Interceptor name dropped). While the R model was a technological and aesthetic improvement over the F, it was also heavier and much more expensive...and slower than the inline-four competition, even Honda's own 1000 Hurricane. It was not missed when it quietly disappeared from the lineup.

Offered here by a California seller is an 11,000-mile 1986 VF1000R survivor in what appears to be near-perfect original condition. The owner used the bike in an appropriate role as a piece of home decor. The photos look good and the seller indicates he has set a low reserve. Bidding is active and someone who loves this model for its look and rarity will surely be pleased with this beautiful example.

It will be interesting to see what value this bike sets (assuming it sells) in a December market. To the right bidder I would think $6000 would be justified.

UPDATE: Sold for $7400. I suspect the sale was jump-started when the bike was featured on RareSportBikesForSale.com. Both buyer and seller should be happy with this one.

Like the ad says: Buy a front Galfer stainless steel brake line and get a rear included.

The price is $97 including shipping, with your choice of line color. Colored banjo ends are an additional $25 and custom over-length orders add $10. Orders take about two weeks to arrive. A clutch line is also available for our VFRs.

Pashnit offers this deal about twice per year, so now's your chance. Offer ends December 31.

If you're not familiar with Pashnit Moto, a visit to their website is worth your time. Tim specializes in California moto tours and offers a huge inventory of motorcycle-specific accessories, all at fair prices. And he's a bike guy.