All Categories - V4 Dreams

SOLD!

7/15/2015

Another Interceptor Back on the Road
The Blues Project has found a new owner. A local rider, Sean, saw the Craigslist ad and fell in love with this beauty. I'm very pleased to see a young rider appreciate classic motorcycles, and especially a VFR. "I didn't want just another beat-up used 600, and this bike will get other riders' respect."
Couldn't have said it better myself.

V4 Holy Grail

7/14/2015

Ebay auction item number 221825064170

1994 RVF750R on eBay

Some call it the ultimate sport bike. Some say it's too badass for Chuck Norris. I just want to know what's it's worth.

Have a peek at the "Historical" page for some background, but suffice it to say the RC45 is the ultimate Honda homologation special, with only 50 making it to America. A genuine race bike in street clothes. Few survived the racers' touch and fewer still could realistically be used a daily riders. This is one. The starting bid of $10,000 is long gone, despite the salvage title. The auction ends Sunday evening, plenty of time to cajole the spouse and visit with your friendly banker... "But it's an investment."

Update: Item failed to sell with 24 bids reaching $21,500.

Luggage anyone?

7/14/2015

Ebay item number 261964964447

Here's an unusual accessory rarely available for the Interceptor. This is a GIVI trunk and rack, shown on a '93 VFR750. From the ebay seller:

"This is a givi monokey top rack system designed for 1990 thru 1993 Honda VFR 750's. It may also fit the 4th gen VFR models up to 97 but you would have to research that. Case is faded a bit on top from the sun but it still looks great and it works great. Also served me well as a backrest for a passenger. Includes all mounts and mounting hardware to get it mounted on your VFR. Some of the hardware has been replaced but it still works as new."

The seller is looking for $152.50 shipped from California. Add a set of soft bags and hit the road.

Update: Item sold for $169.50 including shipping.

Pass the Word! The Blues Project is Ready for a New Home!

7/6/2015

UPDATE: July 14
Bike has been sold.

My latest project, a 1987 VFR700 F2 is finally completed, tested, sorted and ready to ride. I'm looking for a new owner to put some miles on her. Please click on the "Home" page for details, or here's a link to the local Craigslist ad:
http://chicago.craigslist.org/nwc/mcy/5108139045.html

It's also listed on ebay; item number 231614247771

It's The Little Things...

6/30/2015

Bondo is sanded and ready for primer

When a bike hits the ground it's the "edges" that get bruised, things like brake/clutch levers, turn signals...and bar ends. Fortunately they're easily salvaged. Here's what I do:

Using some basic furniture stripper, the paint is removed and the ends scrubbed clean. Then I mix up a small batch of body filler and apply a light coat over the entire fixture. After about twenty minutes a quick sanding with 320-grit followed by a finer grade and they're ready for paint.

Some time ago I discovered a Rustoleum color, Stainless Steel, that mimics the original silver pretty well. I apply a couple of light coats of Rustoleum primer, followed by a few color coats, and finally three coats of Rustoleum clear. By varying how "wet" the final clear coat is applied, I can achieve more or less of a gloss finish.

Check one more item off the Blues Project list.

Made in China

6/25/2015

Replacement windscreen (left) shown with OEM

The Blues Project is in need of a replacement windscreen, and that leaves few options. I've had some limited luck with light wet-sanding old screens followed by copious amount of machine buffing, but there's no repairing the deep gouges in this baby. I've long wanted to try one of the aftermarket screens from Hong Kong, and at $36 shipped, what's the worst that could happen? As it turns out, it's a pretty good fix.

I ordered up a replacement screen from ebay seller MC-9238 and after a three-week wait, the padded envelope finally arrived. Unfortunately, one corner was visibly damaged and, sure enough, the screen had sustained a 3-inch light scratch. The seller stressed in his listing to contact them with any issue, so I did, along with two photos of the damage. I received a quick response and a promise to ship off another. The second one arrived only a week later — this time nicely boxed.

I fully expected that some fitting would be necessary, which consisted of elongating three of the mounting holes with a step drill. After about 15 minutes of fiddling the screen was in place. I added a "Honda" decal and Bob's your uncle.

The fit is acceptable if you're not in need of a concours piece. The screen is deeply tinted, much more than the OEM, as seen in the first photo, with a flawless, nearly black, finish.

At left can be seen the only real manufacturing "oops," as the lower ear doesn't quite flow correctly with the headlight. I considered trying some filing/sanding/shaping, but decided it's unnecessary.

Overall, a very useable windscreen for a bargain price.

Bargain Hunting on ebay

6/23/2015

Ebay item number 331588608568

NEW 2014 — Leftover Bargain

Here's a zero-mile VFR800 at a dealer in Pennsylvania, offered at used bike prices. It's a standard model, having an MSRP of $12,850 and offered at only $9,895 out-the-door.

The standard gives up some niceties — ABS brakes, traction control, heated grips — but someone's getting a warrantied Interceptor at a starter-bike price.

I have to wonder what this is saying about the public's acceptance of the new 800.

In Sync

6/22/2015

With the carb set cleaned & tweaked, #10 fired up instantly — always a good feeling. Warm it up and fit the Morgan Carb Tune.

On the '86-87 carbs, #2 is nonadjustable and the remaining three are set to it. I use a Motion Pro 90-degree screwdriver-thingy and it usually goes smoothly, as in this case.

Carb or throttle body syncing is an important but often neglected step for any multi-cylinder engine, and these V4s are no exception.

Blue's Brakes

6/22/2015

It's time to mount up the front brake and clutch master cylinders to #10, and part of the process is replacing the unserviceable sight glasses.

After disassembly and cleaning, the old plastic windows are broken out and the mounting surface thoroughly prepped. Here the clear RTV is being applied....

Next, I use an old wooden popsicle stick with a bevelled end to scrape away excess RTV. The idea is to remove all unnecessary sealant to prevent it squeezing out into an unsightly glob when the glass is pressed into place....

Once the glass is firmly in place a suitably-sized socket is held under pressure with a rubber band for about 24 hours while the RTV cures. Later, clean away any smudges with mineral spirits or similar, and you're ready for installing on the bike....

800 For Sale in Houston

6/22/2015

2006 VFR800 (non-ABS)
28500 miles
$4750 or offer

I came upon this beautiful 800 on ADVrider.com. I think black is an ideal color on these sixth-gen bikes. The seller notes 24 individual farkles added to this VFR, from Ohlins shock to Buell lowered foot pegs and a bunch of goodness everywhere else. The electrical and cooling issues common to this generation VFR have been dealt with, Michelins PR4s mounted and throttle bodies sync'd. Load up the factory saddle bags, settle into the Sargeant saddle and enjoy the ride home from Houston. More photos at:
https://www.flickr.com/photos/422265...7636135265944/

LInk to the ADV ad:
http://www.advrider.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1061994&referrerid=60399