Today marks the unofficial mid-point of the summer riding season here on the upper half of the globe. For myself, having two little girls in my life requires apportioning my time between family and other interests, so I'm as guilty as anyone of not getting dedicated seat time.

I've only managed to accomplished local two- or three-hour runs on my two bikes in the stable along with various shorter test rides. Every season I like to plan at least three day-rides in the Driftless Area of southwest Wisconsin. I trailer the two hours there and back, so as to avoid that additional four hours of boring to-and-from, plus the trip back home is usually in the dark — dodging suicidal deer is just no fun.

I'm looking forward to a multi-day trip in September to the northern Blue Ridge mountains, but I no longer have a dedicated touring bike, so longer motorcycle trips are likely behind me at this point.

But Iron Butt rides are not required to be a motorcyclist — just gear up and do it. A good burger and malt at that drive-in two hours away is a great excuse for a half-day ride. Going for coffee on the town square in East Troy, Wisconsin puts 100 miles on my odometer. Talk a friend into a local ride for lunch…and take the long way home. Always take the long way home.

We all know that feeling when the magic button is pushed, the engine bursting into sound, the bike coming to life. The anticipation of a backroad ride on two wheels is a unique personal adventure. Find the time.

There once was a time when things in general were much less specialized. Folks just made do with what we had at hand, whether it was our bike, our home, our income or our car.

My first car was a 1956 oval-window VW Beetle so I can really relate to this situation. I made that poor car do everything, and it was already pretty worn out when I came into its life. The VW was a willing accomplice and I have nothing but respect and fond memories of my Beetle.

But I never thought to try this stunt. Probably from the early 70s, judging by the Yamaha "enduros" piggybacked on the hood and roof, this early overlander rig is sporting oversized mirrors, a strap-on fuel container and an extra set of taillights bolted on the fenders. I also noticed the period correct Mooneyes decal in the side window — all that's missing is an STP sticker slapped on a fender. I hope those skinny hold-down straps were up to the task.

Either I missed the 50-year celebration back in '98 or my recall is faulty (probably the latter), but I don't remember anything of note here in the US to mark the 1948 formation of the Honda Motor Company. But other markets got some special editions, notably the UK, Europe and Australia. Reader Bill, from Scotland, keeper of much Honda knowledge, sent along this photo of two 1998 VFR800 50th Anniversary specials. In his words:

"Both bikes were made for Honda's 50th Anniversary. The Red & Silver version was commissioned by Honda Europe and reportedly 2,500 were made. Colour scheme and use of early Honda Wing was homage to early Honda racing colours. The silver stripe on the tank related to the stainless steel quick release straps used on race bike tanks. Although there are reports of increased power in the Haynes manual and elsewhere, the engines were stock items. The ignition key was a special 50th Anniversary one.

Not being aware of Honda Europe plans, Honda UK did a batch of 50 each VFRs, VTRs, CBRs, Fireblades and Blackbirds. All had the Honda Britain colour scheme as raced by the late Joey Dunlop on the Isle of Man. The VFRs came with Proflex race shock, adjustable Harris rearsets and Remus high level stainless steel exhaust. Each bike has a yoke plaque with production number on it ( x of 50 ). Owners also received a 50th Anniversary cover and a paddock jacket."

What: 2005 VFR800
Why: Fully Farkled Gen 6
Where: Lake Worth, Florida
Price: $4900 OBO

If you like your sport tourer on the "sport" side, you may be interested in this 800 Interceptor. Showing 26,348 miles in its original Digital Silver Metallic, our seller describes the bike as "…well maintained, never dropped, fresh fluids..terrific shape!"

But the real attraction here is the list of performance and cosmetic mods, including Delkevic cans, Power Commander, quick shifter, upgraded R/R, voltmeter, front & rear cameras and more. See the listing for details, and the video below for a taste of the soundtrack. This bike is ready to run, looks great, sounds great…someone is going to enjoy their tasty new VFR800.

Here's a feel-good post which I've stolen from the RC24/26 Facebook page. Poster George Cawdry shared this father-son VFR story and staged a perfect "now" photo….
"My Son has always given me a hard time knowing that I sold my old 1986 Honda VFR just a few years before he got into motorcycles himself, he always reminds me of my mistake by sending me a link to every 1986 Honda VFR that gets posted to Marketplace. This time when I looked at the link he shared I knew right away that this was the actual bike I bought in 1986 and sold back in 2013 — it was even the same guy I sold it to back then.
My Son decided then and there he was going to buy it back. Knowing he was set on the purchase my wife decided it would be way cooler if we bought it together as a Father & Son project and as a Birthday/Father’s Day gift (say it with me… Best Wife Ever!). We picked it up a few weeks ago and that is how we have our “then” photo of my son sitting on the bike 11+ years ago and again “now."

I avoid reupholstering my seat projects whenever possible, but after nearly four decades of use, even a well-kept seat may need replacement, as was the case with Project 42, a 1986 VFR750. My upholsterer is able to do a nearly perfect OEM match for the color and texture of the replacement vinyl but I'll need to install the anchor bolt for the passenger seat cowl, and I get only one shot at it. Here's how I do that….

​I locate the new hole by inserting a small screwdriver or awl from the inside, through the bracket's threaded hole, carefully maintaining the correct angle. With a little push I can mark the location with an ink dot or simply push an awl through the vinyl. I then take a heated soldering iron and burn a hole about the size of the anchor's threads — this also burns the edges of the new hole to prevent future fraying. A 6mm allen will seat the anchor bolt. Quick and easy.
(click on an image to enlarge)

Reader Kevin recently wrote to me with some helpful information, and included a couple of photos of his 1986 VFR750F in red, white & blue. His bike looked to be a fresh, perfectly minted restoration, but I was blown away when he gave me his story — this is an original condition Interceptor! In his own words….

"It is in great shape! A friend of mine bought it then decided he needed to sell it, so I jumped on it. The previous owner, before my friend, didn't ride it much at all. The tires were around 20 years old and had to be replaced, and the carbs needed to be cleaned but other than that it didn't need much. It has 14,800 miles on it. There was a crack in the left fairing, where it mounts to the lower fairing bracket by the side stand. The fairing bracket was bent putting stress on the fairing causing the crack. My friend gave me a mint left fairing, and that's what's on it now along with a new bracket. The right infill panel has some discoloration from brake fluid leaking on it, so I replaced the master cylinder and put black stainless braided lines on it. The wheels have been powder coated, the original white was yellowing. Anyway, I feel lucky to have it!"

UPDATE: Bike has sold.

Shown here in her new digs, Project 42 looks right at home in Bill's 7-car garage with his eclectic collection. Bill also drives for a Porsche race team and I think he'll be the bike's perfect caretaker.

$7800
After ten months of effort, Project 42, a 1986 VFR750, is available for sale! For regular readers, this bike's story will be a familiar tale, but for those who haven't heard....

Detailed photo gallery (cut & paste this link):
https://flic.kr/s/aHBqjBv3u8
​
This bike has a unique history — originally supplied by Honda UK as one of three Press Fleet bikes for the 1986 British introduction of the new VFR Interceptor. Accompanied by a white and a red example, these three bikes were used for road tests, magazine shoots, etc. When that assignment was completed, a staff member of "Motor" magazine, Rex, requested to purchase one of the bikes. Honda agreed, and Rex chose the blue — this very bike. The following year Rex accepted a position with Ford in Detroit and shipped the VFR to Michigan. After lots of bureaucratic haggling the bike was successfully imported with a Michigan title. Rex kept the bike for the next 37 years and 18,000 miles till he offered it to me last year with the promise that I would refurbish it for its next 37 years and find its next caretaker.

With 18,161 miles, this bike has had a full mechanical and cosmetic refurbishment. My goal is always to retain as much originality as possible while bringing the bike as a whole up to whatever standard I can achieve — in this case I would put it at a 9 out of 10. ALL of the mechanical systems are inspected, repaired, replaced, rebuilt; whatever was needed (a partial list is below). Cosmetically, I chose to professionally repaint the wheels and both large side fairings along with a selection of small parts. The rest of the paintwork is original, to my knowledge; color-sanded, buffed and polished. The bike has a few small flaws, which I photographed as well as I could and are included in a detailed photo album (see link below). The seat vinyl had begun to fade so it was professionally recovered in the correct color and texture. The electrical system is inspected, cleaned and works flawlessly. This bike has the European handlebar switchgear with a few extra features, compared to US models, and there are several more differences.

The only necessary modification are the aftermarket SuperTrapp slip-on mufflers. To import the bike, Rex needed to replace the mufflers with US-spec mufflers and in the ensuing years the originals were lost. These SuperTrapps are in near-perfect condition with hi-heat powder coat on the black pipes and many hours spent refurbishing the aluminum mufflers. They are tunable and I have the additional discs to allow future changes. And they highlight that unique V4 music — they sound great.

Included are all the importation documentation, my work and parts receipts, original UK owners manual, tool kit, Clymer service manual, two keys and a license plate bracket and reflector to mount a US plate. The Illinois title is clear and clean, in my name.

Some of the service items:
Carburetors rebuilt/tuned/synced
Spark plugs
Valve adjustment
Compression check
Oil/filter change w/Honda oil
Hardwired stator connector
Full silicone coolant hose replacement w/Honda coolant
New tires; Bridgestone BT46, original sizes
Rebuild forks with Progressive brand springs
Upgraded steering head bearings
All hydraulics fully rebuilt; brakes, clutch
Venhill stainless brake lines, in black
OEM fuel petcock replaced, new fuel lines/filter
​Polished exhaust pipes
Many misc. fairing fasteners replaced
Disassembly to frame & engine, full detailing

No disappointments, contact me with questions.
As an aside, this will be one of my final full-bike projects.
Thanks for your interest. Joe

I came across this new eBay UK listing just this morning and these side panels had already sold. That's typical…for unknown reasons the Gen 3 fairing parts are the rarest of the VFR parts to find as used items. Take care of yours.

In any event this seller is parting out a 1991 RC36 and has lots more items, including some fairing parts. Shipping is going to be more expensive for those of us in the States, but surprisingly not too bad. I've purchased many parts from European sellers with zero issues. When I wanted a second set of chin fairing panels for my '93 I found them in England for a reasonable cost. I've purchased carburetors from Germany, windscreens from Italy, a fuel pump from Poland and a nice set of Gen-2 fairing infill panels from Lithuania.