A few weeks ago, reader Rex contacted me about my possible interest in acquiring his VFR. As it turns out, Rex's story is an interesting and unique one. Rex is British, and back in 1986 he was on the staff of Motor magazine, and as such he became privy to the press introduction of the new 1986 Honda VFR model. Honda made three bikes available to the press and, with the road tests completed, Rex inquired as to the possibility of acquiring one of the test units. An agreement was struck and Rex was given his choice of red, white or blue. His wife, Carol, opined that blue was the fairer of the three and the choice was made.

Shown below is that very bike. In 1987 Rex and Carol emigrated to the U.S., specifically Michigan, when he accepted a position with Ford Motor Company. Rex shipped the VFR with his household belongings and somehow managed to wade through the importation process, getting the bike duly registered.

So, here is possibly the only European-spec second-generation Honda VFR750 Interceptor legally residing in America. Rex has reluctantly decided that the Interceptor is too tempting a pleasure machine, and made the difficult decision to pass it on the next caretaker. As a partial replacement, he has acquired the Morgan Plus 8 pictured below. By happenstance, my Dad had an identical-appearing Morgan Plus 4 when I was a teen, so I spent much of our time together drooling over the Morgan.

In any event, Patti and I loaded the VFR onto the trailer for the ride home as Rex soulfully watched his old friend leave his life. But its future is bright, as I embark on the journey to find this unique motorbike its new owner. The VFR has just ticked over 18,000 miles and is gleaming in its original bodywork. I will need to address a few cosmetic bits and treat the bike to some fresh tires, but that's about all. Stay tuned.

SOLD
​$8800
After six seasons and great times together, the time has come to move to other interests, so we've made the reluctant decision to sell our baby, a near-mint 2012 Victory Cross County Tour. We purchased the bike for two-up touring Spring of 2018 with 24,000 miles and it now shows 34,725. Our time together has been absolutely trouble-free as we've traveled throughout the eastern U.S. and many more local two- or three-day rides.​

This bike has had the best of care from three senior owners since new; religiously maintained with only a few thoughtful modifications from original. Never abused, rarely even seen rain, stored inside, detailed after each ride and properly stored over the winter months. The Sunset Red Metallic paint is nearly perfect throughout and literally sparkles in the sun. The original windscreen is clear and scratch-free. The rear tire will be due for replacement next season.

Bubba's Chain Removal Hack
My Motion Pro chain combination tool both removes and installs rivet-type chains. But if all I need is to get the old junk chain off, then I just reach for my Harbor Freight cut-off tool. It makes short work of this task and making sparks is always fun. Here, Project 41 loses its rusty old drive chain.

One is able to accomplish much with a project on the lift or parts on the work bench, but you hit a practical wall when it comes to clutch and transmission checks. The only way I feel comfortable testing those components is on the road. So…I decided to get Project 41, a 1987 VFR700 F2, road ready, if not exactly road worthy, for a short test ride in order to assess the clutch and trans.

Beginning with no bodywork, 27-year old tires and a single operating brake (rear), I rebuilt the clutch master and slave cylinders and added a hydraulic line which gave me an operating clutch. Next, I bungeed the instrument pod in place as its mounts are broken. I wanted to add lighting fore and aft but decided it wasn't worth the effort for a 1-mile test ride. I would need a little fuel, of course, so, lacking a better alternative, I zip-tied my fuel bottle to the handlebars with just enough gas to feed the carbs without leaking from the lid. Finally, I needed somewhere to sit so I slid the seat into place, which actually worked okay considering the rear latch wasn't mounted. And off I went to a nearby straight stretch of country road long enough to allow up- and downshifting through all six gears.

Success! My contraption worked long enough to determine that the old clutch functions well and the shifting feels fine. Back on the lift to strip it all off the bike — it's not actually ready for those components at this point in time. This test gives me the confidence to move forward with the project.
(click on an image to enlarge)

It never ceases to amaze me when a well-meaning reader contacts me with a VFR-related question which is clearly covered in the service manuals available to all of us for relatively little cost. When a simple DIY oil change costs $30+ it seems to me that the same money invested in a manual which shows you how to properly do that oil change and just about everything else on your bike is a basic investment, and, I would say, a basic necessity. I learned the foundation of what I know about these bikes (and many other machines) by reference to a shop manual…and so can you. I'm shocked when I learn that someone is elbow-deep in a carburetor rebuild and doesn't have a service manual open on the bench next to them. And, there's safety-related systems, like brakes, which shouldn't even be touched without some sort of guide. OK, rant over.

I also have digital copies of various manuals on hand, but I'm old school so I like the real thing sitting on the shelf. Here's some of my manuals….

My personal preference leans towards the Honda manuals supplemented by Haynes. Honda seems to be geared more towards the professional or at least assumes mechanical aptitude while the Haynes approach favors the home mechanic, even offering shortcuts or substitute tools, where the FSM will cite factory tools. I've never been a fan of the Clymer books, but they certainly cover the material.

Selecting that $30 as an approximate upper price, I did a quick search on eBay for VFR manuals and show some current listings below.

Recommended

M/C Workshop Practice Techbook
Whether you're a beginner or been playing with motorcycles for years, here's a great handbook to fill in knowledge gaps, provide best-practice reminders or give a novice a good reference on many jobs you'll face. Use this alongside a model-specific service manual and you'll have many of your questions answered while gaining a chunk of confidence as you learn this new skill set.

And it's from Haynes, who've been at this game a long time. Not cheap, but I found a very good price at Walmart.com, of all places — click on the image for the link. You may find a used copy on eBay, as well.

And, here's a link to Web Bike World's review.

Honda Common Service Manual

This publication from Honda is a sort of "fill in the blanks" guide of general and specific repair practices recommended for their products. The model-specific service manual will sometimes reference this manual during a task, like assembling transmission components, for example, as well as a host of very helpful general maintenance procedures, from chassis to electrical and much more.

Available in various publication dates in print, new & used, on eBay and Amazon for about $30 and up, depending upon condition and vintage. There's some bootleg digital editions floating about also.

A great learning tool and practical shop guide.

Modern Motorcycle Technology - Edward Abdo

I'm not personally familiar with this publication, as it is used as a school text. I suspect it would be a good introduction for the novice owner who wants to get his/her hands dirty with their bike. Subjects range from history to maintenance procedures to troubleshooting specific systems.

It can be found new and used on eBay and Amazon for $5 and up, depending upon the edition. Amazon offers it in hardcover and Kindle editions.

I stumbled upon the VFR750 video below while wasting time on YouTube recently. Poster Malte Munte took his 1995 VFR750 out for a morning run to work — a 152 MPH run to work!  A quick search found several VFRs making redline runs on the Autobahn. Here's some speeds I noted (mostly indicated, so not necessarily accurate):
• 2d-gen 750 = 143 MPH
• 3d-gen 750 = 162 MPH
• 4th-gen 750 = 152 MPH
• 5th-gen 800 = 152 MPH
• 7th-gen 1200 = 166 MPH

What: 1998 VFR800 FI
Why: Nice example, decent price
Where: Wauconda, Illinois
Price: $3999

Located 30 minutes from the sprawling V4 Dreams complex, this very presentable example of the desirable 5th-gen Interceptor is being offered by a dealer with the intimidating name of Monster Powersports.

The bike is showing 32,676 miles with few details offered beyond that. What I notice are a set of integrated Corbin Beetle Bags and Throttlemeister throttle lock. The very few paint flaws are detailed in the photos accessed lower in the listing ("Full Size Photos" tab) along with a short walk-around/startup video. The video indicates a perfect startup with a hint of the cam gear whine included at no extra charge on this final generation of the gear-driven V4 engines. Classic sport touring at its best.

Just posted on VFRworld.com is this Ohlins rear shock to fit the 1998-01 VFR800. Not much detail included but the assembly appears in new condition and unused. The attached Ohlins link indicates that this model, HO 801, is discontinued. Asking price is $700 +shipping from Washington state. Sounds like a bargain, assuming it has the spring for your needs (which can be changed).

SOLD: $6401
With only 18 bids this 2014 VFR800 dropped the virtual hammer at $6401. This example was purchased as a dealer left-over in 2019 (!) and has accumulated only 670 miles since. It's a standard (non-Deluxe) model with a few small cosmetic blemishes and a Delkevic slip-on as the only modification.

These are great bikes and a relative bargain these days, but I would say this sale price is at the top of the range for a standard version, which reflects the very low miles, I suppose. I hope it finally gets some serious miles with its new owner.