What: 1990 VFR750R (RC30)
Where: Grand Rapids, Michigan
Why: RC30
Price: Auction w/ $39,000 BIN

This gorgeous RC30 is up for auction with bidding up to $24,100 and reserve not met. It shows 7047 miles and was originally a Florida bike. Not much word on condition, but it looks near-perfect, though the factory rear stand seems to be MIA. Auction ends Sunday evening. Good luck to seller and buyer.

While perusing a beautiful Moto Guzzi advertised for sale, I noticed this photo posted by the seller. His passion for Moto Guzzi has brought him to this point. In my opinion, he doesn't need fewer bikes, but rather a larger space.

Project 26, a 1986 VFR750F, has been languishing in a corner of the shop for a few weeks while I awaited various parts and pieces. But when my powder coater called to say the valve and engine covers were finished, I rushed over to retrieve them. While I haven't been able to match the OEM color exactly I think this muted bronze blends with the bike beautifully. I quickly got them mounted up and moved onto the brakes.....

After 18 months in my care, my personal VFR has a new owner and new life in a Chicago suburb. Christopher was looking for his next ride and had decided on a classic V4 Honda. When he found my VFR he knew it would be a perfect fit.

The bike is a 1995 VFR750 with 38,000 miles. While it's a very original looking bike, I did give it a few personal touches during the build a year ago. This bike is very fast, smooth and as handsome as the day it was new. I hope Chris enjoys many safe and memorable miles with his new VFR.

A great day for me is when one of my projects returns to the road, and last week Project 28 did just that. Owner Joe M. sidelined this 1987 VFR700 F2 ten years ago when a botched carburetor rebuild resulted in leaking seals...and it never moved since. With just over 12,000 miles, this one was certainly worth rescuing.

Joe's instructions to me were simple; "do it like it were yours." Beginning with a complete carburetor rebuild and the usual checks and tuning, I progressed to the hydraulic systems, where some sticky problems were lurking, requiring new seals in the brake and clutch master and slave cylinders, along with the front calipers. The fuel tank needed attention, as well, with interior rust removal, a new OEM petcock and fresh lines. Other tasks included fresh Bridgestone BT-45 tires, fork rebuild, Wesmoto stainless brake lines and sourcing several OEM bits and pieces.

As the bike came back together it was obvious that this low-mileage survivor would shine again. The original mufflers are near-perfect, as are the wheels, seat, seat cowl and tank. The bike had suffered garage tip-overs in the past to both sides, resulting a few battle scars to the side fairings, but with some touch-up and a thorough buff & polish, the original Candy Wave Blue and gray is looking sharp, and this will be an Interceptor to make its rider proud for many years and many miles.

I stumbled upon this eBay gem a few days ago. It may be the definition of "barn find" — melting into the dirt in a corner of a Midwestern barn, covered in a patina of farm dust, not moved since 1994. It's a 1985 VF700 Interceptor with only 11,358 miles showing on the odometer. Is it salvageable? Hard to tell from the marginal quality photos. There's no shortage of aluminum corrosion, but the bike looks to be very complete and, despite some trauma to the front fender, it doesn't appear to have been wrapped around a tree or broadsided into a stray cow. Even the battery is intact; probably due for a charge. I shudder envisioning the fuel tank interior.
​
This kind of project is not for the faint of heart, but what a great story it would make if this bike could find its way back on the alphabet highways of rural Wisconsin. Opening bid is $500.

The second of my old riding buddy's bikes is ready for its next rider. I've brought the bike's maintenance up-to-date with a fresh battery, spark plugs, compression check, flushed hydraulics and new K&N air filter. The 100-mile test ride went well — this is a smooth operator. These bikes have held their value well for the past few decades and are a genuine bargain in the used bike world. Only $2800.
C-list link:
https://chicago.craigslist.org/nwc/mcy/d/antioch-honda-pacific-coast-pc-nice/7127862467.html
Photos:
https://flic.kr/s/aHsmNkcFe3
Video:

I'm in the final stages of finishing a mechanical rescue of Project 28, a 1987 VFR700 F2, but when it came time to flush the hydraulic systems, I found a horrifying mess in the front brake and clutch master cylinders. This is what long-neglected maintenance looks like, and we're now facing a rebuild of both masters and the clutch slave cylinder. In addition, the caliper seals have gone bad and need replacement, due to a decade of non-use.

Seeing this should serve as a grim reminder of the results of neglecting this maintenance chore. And, in the case of hydraulic flushing, it's not a difficult or time-consuming effort. An 8mm wrench, a length of hose, and some fresh DOT4 brake fluid will keep your hydraulics clean and functioning for years.

One of my go-to websites with my morning coffee is Silodrome (.com). It was founded ten years ago by Ben Branch and is "dedicated to Gasoline Culture and all it entails." It's an on-going feast of bite-sized articles on anything and everything that drives, floats, flies, etc. Well-written and informative, it's one of those virtual places a gearhead could while away an entire morning — I know this from personal experience.

Some time back, Ben featured the VF1000R in an article entitled "The Honda VF1000R - The Fastest Motorcycle In The World (in 1984)." He provides some model history, explaining that the big-block VF was first available in Europe in 1984 ('85 in the U.S.) and showcased some of Honda's tech might, with modern brakes, suspension and. of course, gear-driven cams.

He also notes that Honda claimed the title of the world's fastest production motorcycle, at least for a short time, with a recorded top speed of 150 MPH. In the end, the world market wouldn't support this V4 superbike and the VF1000R left the showroom after 1986.