All Categories - V4 Dreams

Blair's Projects

5/14/2020

Reader Blair M. recently sent a photo of his garage projects.

On the left is a 2008 Ducati 800SS, a rescue he picked up last year, is bringing back to life, and will sell on to finance a future VF1000R.

The middle bike looks like a track bike with its temporarily-mounted race slicks, but is actually a personal street bike project with 21,000 miles. Having sat for several years, Blair has lavished the VFR with lots of upgrades, including a modified swingarm, Ohlins shock, VTR1000 rear wheel and Hindle high-mount exhaust. On the front, a set of CBR600 forks grab a Ducati wheel with Brembo brakes.

On the lift is a VFR that Blair's had for ten years. Mostly stock with a nice Kerker pipe, it's due for a general mechanical refurbishment.

If that's not enough to keep him busy, Blair also has a bare, titled VFR750 frame waiting in the wings to be resurrected. My kind of guy.

Market Watch - VFR800 Anniversary

5/14/2020

Click on image for the eBay link.

SOLD: $4200

The significance of this recent eBay auction sale is this bike's excellent, original condition and exceptionally low miles, showing just 1700 on the odometer. The auction garnered just one bid, and our buyer got the bike for the opening price of $4200.

I think those two factors give a good indication of current values and current market interest in these uncertain times.

More Mouse Mischief

5/10/2020

Last week I went to retrieve the second bike that my late friend's family is selling. It's a 1994 Honda PC800 Pacific Coast in original black over silver and showing 26,600 miles. If you're not familiar with this unique moto, here's an informative article from RideApart.

The back story is that I had originally purchased this bike back in 2009 as a refurbishment project. In the middle of the project Butch was visiting the shop and we began talking about riding a MotoMarathon event in New England, to take place in May of 2010. Lacking a suitable bike, he tried the PC on for size and decided on the spot that it would work just fine. We did that ride, me on my CBX and Butch on the Pacific Coast. That's how it became his bike and he enjoyed it for several years.

Knowing of the clan of mice over-wintering in his shop, I thought it prudent to look over the bike before attempting a startup. Good thing, as this is what I found in the airbox.

And the battery didn't look much better.

While awaiting the new parts I'm busying myself with some maintenance chores, like fluid changes and spark plugs.

I'm sure it'll run just as well as it did on our ride together in the lush mountains of New England.

Market Watch - RC30

5/8/2020

Click on image for the BaT listing.

NO SALE: Bid to $40,000
Offered on Bring A Trailer (.com), this U.S.-spec 1990 VFR750R failed to meet reserve.

With only 1600 miles showing and represented as being in excellent, original condition, I'm not surprised that $40K wouldn't buy it, but at the same time I'm left wondering why the bidding didn't take off. Is it the uncertain personal and financial times we're living in these days?

One Pretty 3d-Gen

5/5/2020

Reader Juan O. recently ordered a few parts and sent along a couple of photos of his 1990 VFR750F along with a little history. In his words:
"I bought my 1990 VFR from a young man who bought it brand new. He was accepted to an out-of-state university so I bought it from him with less than 1000 miles in '91. Got the bike with a matching red Shoei helmet and a very nice cover. The helmet has long been retired but the cover still works. The bike now has 12,000 plus miles. I bought the rear seat cowl and the digital clock from Honda, which i think was an outrageous $175! Today the bike looks as new, I've meticulously maintained it; I replaced/updated the rectifier and rebuilt the starter clutch. Three years ago i installed Race Tech's gold valves and fork springs, that mod together with Bridgestone Battlax HyperSport S20F tires completely transformed the bike's handling to another level."

Juan's bike is a perfect example of how love and attention can keep an old bike fresh.

Just imagine the striking presence that this bike displayed in the showroom 30 years ago. And just as pretty today.

My Latest Project

5/4/2020

With three active projects going, I had no problem making time for this one. Our granddaughter, Kysa, turns five next month and it's time to graduate from her little electric scooter to this larger, faster trike — in pink, of course. Patti and I call our Victory tourer "Big Girl," so this one has been christened "Lil' Girl."

Market Watch - 1100 Sabre

5/3/2020

Click on image for the BaT link.

SOLD: $4665
This well-presented 1984 VF1100S V65 Sabre recently sold on Bring A Trailer for an impressive $4665. The big V4 shows 32,000 miles and was sold by Ultra Motor Source in Manasha, WI., a small shop with a big internet presence.

This one shows very well, very original and looks ready to ride. Well sold.

I always enjoy BaT listings for the informative and entertaining comments section.

Basket Case 2d-Gen, With A Twist

5/2/2020

Click on image for the Craigslist listing.

What: 1987 VFR700 F2 Basket Case
Where: Fredericksburg, Virginia area
Why: Fresh crate motor included
Price: $800

I've purchased a few VFR parts bikes and partially assembled (disassembled?) projects in my time, and here's another one that I'm certain I couldn't pass up if it were closer to home.

Why? 'Cause there's a "motor still in the crate." Now that's something we don't see everyday. Our seller states that the bike was wrecked in 1990 and it has sat in this condition since. He/she adds that there's "countless" NOS parts included along with Candy Wave Blue bodywork, though I don't see the headlight fairing pictured...or forks...or wheels.

Still, the remains seem essentially untouched and complete. There's probably not many miles accumulated in its short riding history, so if the frame is straight this would make a great winter project with a twist — a zero-mile engine in a 33-year old moto.

RC30 On Auction In Illinois

5/1/2020

Click on image for the BaT link.

What: 1990 VFR750R RC30
Where: Highwood Illinois (Chicago)
Why: Collectible example
Price: Live-bid auction @ Bring A Trailer

This lovely RC30 is a U.S. import showing only 1600 miles, and offered by a long-time car and bike collector. In his words:
"Whatever I collect I always try to get the best. I do believe that the RC30s in general will be like the GTO Ferrari of the future for motorcycles in reference to their potential to appreciate exponentially."

The bike is completely original, serviced and ready to ride, according to the seller. This is in my 'hood, so if a serious bidder would like a personal inspection, I'd be happy to help out. Auction ends Wednesday.

NC35 For Sale In Tennessee

4/30/2020

Click on image for the eBay link.

What: 1996 RVF400
Where: Hendersonville, TN
Why: A useable gray-market RVF
Price: $8950 or Make Offer

I found this jewel on Bike-urious.com. This is the final-year model, available only for the Japanese market, and is distinguished by its very 90's one-year only paint scheme. The RVF400 is often called the little brother of the RVF750R (RC45), and its 399cc V4 is rated at 59 HP at 13,000 RPM. The model represents the final evolution of the earlier VFR400 (NC30).

This example shows about 7400 miles, not unusually low for a model designed for short back road fun rides as opposed to traveling any distance. There's a few imperfections and some vinyl wheel stripes added, so this one could actually be used in the real world without undue fear of adding miles or the occasional rock chip. The price is top tier, but the seller is flexible.