What: 1993 VFR750F
Where: Gold Run California
Why: Low miles, well-preserved
Price: $4250

A visual stand-out in the third-generation collection of VFRs, the '93 model year featured a striking monotone Pearl Crystal White color scheme, right down to the wheels. Located in a historic mining town about 40 miles west of beautiful Lake Tahoe, as the crow flies, this stunning example features low miles and exemplary care. In the seller's words:
"Up for sale is my VERY clean VFR750. Ultra low miles, adult owned and maintained. Never ridden in the rain, always garage kept on a battery tender when not riding. Has 480 miles on a new set of Michelin Pilots, new spark plugs, new fuel filter, battery is 1 year old, carbs were cleaned and sync’d, K & N air filter, gutted Yoshimura slip on muffler. Always washed after every ride, oil and filter changed every 1,000 miles using Honda oil and filter."

That gutted Yosh muffler is going to make some loud music, but this beauty is ready to impress its new owner.

In the summer of 2018 I was contacted by a reader in need of some parts for his project, a 1987 VFR700F2. I had no idea what he was working on, but I usually ask if there's an interesting back story, and Bubba's was especially touching. Through some very dark days in his life, this Interceptor provided him hope, focus and, ultimately, his family.
In his own words....

If we're lucky, a motorcycle is not just a fair weather toy. The right bike can be more — it can give joy, purpose, memories, and even define a part of us. In Bubba's case, this VFR gave him more than he could have imagined on that day he put down his new bike order. It has earned its place in his family and his life, and will forever stand as a reminder...to never give up.

SOLD: $3050

Sold last month via eBay auction, this 1987 VFR700F2 garnered 15 bids and hit $3050 at the virtual hammer.

The seller performed a mechanical refurbishing and then proceeded to put 3500 miles on the bike. It appears complete and original and includes the passenger seat cowl and centerstand.  The tank color appears in the photos to be a shade off from the other panels but overall this is a very nice survivor.

Giancarlo Morbidelli, founder of the legendary Morbidelli motorcycle brand, has died at the age of 86 in his hometown of Pesaro, Italy. Morbidelli was an engineer extraordinaire who had much success in smaller displacement Grand Prix racing in the 1970's. But he is probably best known for his 1994 prototype V8 motorcycle design, an 847cc sport touring bike. The original styling was widely regarded as among the most unattractive motorcycle designs ever proposed, but a subsequent re-design brought a more conventional look which helped highlight the impressive engine. Had it gone into production the Morbidelli V8 would have easily been the most expensive motorcycle of its time. Sadly, it was not to be. Happy rides, Giancarlo.

What: 1999 VFR800 Interceptor
Where: Longmont, Colorado
​Why: Well-farkled, well-kept, great seller
Price: $3500

In the Fall of 2017 I sold Project 18, an '86 VFR750, to Michael H. When it arrived in Colorado he posed it next to his VFR800FI and sent me a pic (shown below). Michael has since lent the 750 to the St. Francis Motorcycle Museum in St. Francis, Kansas, and his 800 is the bike pictured here, now for sale.

Often considered the perfect "tweener" VFR model, the fifth-generation Interceptor bridges the gap between the carbureted 750s and the VTEC 800s, retaining the signature gear-drive cams of the earlier models but upping the game with with fuel injection and a complete chassis redesign. And Michael's 800 might be the perfect example of that generation VFR.

This bike is a sleeper — it keeps the stock look while adding quality, yet subtle, cosmetic and performance touches. Some of the upgrades include:
• DMr suspension front & rear
• BOS exhaust
• Ceramic coated headers
• Wave rotors
• Braided lines
• Upgraded charging system
• Silicone coolant hoses
• Sebspeed see-thru clutch cover
• Current maintenance
...and more

Now showing 28,000 miles and looking sharp in Italian Red, this is a primo example of the best of the best in our corner of the motorcycling world. A few months back I sold a '98 version of this bike with fewer miles, but in essentially stock configuration, for $2900. Considering the thoughtful and costly upgrades to this example, the asking price seems fair. I would buy from Michael with no reservations, and I'm sure tempted on this one.
Update: SOLD

SOLD - $12,000

Just sold via eBay auction, this pristine 1984 VF1000F went for an impressive $12,000 with 19 bids. Offered by Throttlestop in Elkhart Lake, WI this is a first-year, collector-grade example of the big-block VF Interceptor.

The "F" model of the 1000 lasted only one model year (U.S.) before being replaced by the Euro liter-bike, the VF1000R. The F was developed as an upsized street-oriented version of the VF750 but suffered from poor sales, resulting in Honda's decision to offer the completely redesigned endurance racer-derived "R" model worldwide.

This example shows only 1532 miles and is described in "phenomenal condition" and "an absolute time capsule." While the R may be the more collectible of the big VF Interceptors, the F is arguably the more civilized and approachable when evaluated from the rider's perspective....and, at least in my humble opinion, the better-looking. I've never seen an F anywhere near this price point, so my preference may be shared by others. I hope this one sees some street time with its new caretaker. Well sold.

While building Project 24, my 1995 VFR750, I decided to eliminate the passenger footpeg brackets. This was done for two reasons; I don't expect to be carrying a passenger, and aesthetics — the large cast aluminum rear peg brackets on the 3rd- through 6th-gen bikes give the rear end a visually heavy and unnecessarily cluttered look, at least to my eye. Here's how I approach the operation.

The right side bracket is also used as a muffler mount, so if that's to be retained, then the footpeg mounting boss will need to be cut off and smoothed, similar to what's described below. In this case, I'm using a high-mount aftermarket muffler so I could simply unbolt the right side assembly from the subframe.

The left side, however, also serves as the handhold for raising the bike on its center stand and locates the seat/helmet lock (above). To keep the functionality of the handle and lock, I bought a used bracket on eBay and cut off the lower portion, eliminating the footpeg but preserving the handle and lock. By sourcing a used bracket, I'm able to provide the next owner both original brackets in case he/she would like to revert to stock.

(Below) And here's a look at a 3rd-gen with the same operation. The left-side handle is just visible under the cowling (in this case, the lockset was discarded), while the right side still functions as a muffler mount but with the footpeg and its mounting boss removed.

(Below) And here's a 6th-gen with both brackets removed. These don't serve any additional purpose so they can simply be unbolted and the empty bolt holes plugged with some hardware store black plastic caps.

​(Right) I've also trimmed the passenger pegs from a 2d-gen model. This was done to clean up the muffler mounting area. In the case of the 2d-gen, the steel bracket is welded in place so this modification is permanent, requiring a replacement of the entire subframe to revert to stock.

I'm looking for a new project. Specifically, it will need to be a 1986 VFR750 in red/white/blue. For this project, I will need original paint with minimal flaws. Need not be running, but repairable. If anyone has such a beast or knows of one looking to be resurrected, please contact me:
​[email protected], 608-807-7829
THANKS!

Honda had much to celebrate in 2019.

1. Happy Birthday! Mr. Honda formed his new company in 1948, with the first motorcycle produced the following year, the 98cc Dream D-type. That makes 70 years of motorcycle production.

2. The first modern Superbike appeared in 1969, the CB750, which marks 50 years since that milestone. I was just entering the sport at the time, and remember well the impact of that bike. 750cc was a big motorcycle back then, and my first thought was that if Honda came out with a smaller version I would buy it. They did,..and I did, the CB500. Both were jewels of design and build quality in a time of shaky British twins and archaic American iron. The CB750's significance would be hard to overstate — it ushered in a completely new era of contemporary motorcycle design, look, quality, power...even public perception. And it came at possibly the most opportune time in history, just as the Baby Boom generation was coming of age. I know, I was one of 'em. So, happy 50th birthday to the modern motorcycle.

3. Honda Motor Company is the world's largest producer of internal combustion engines, some 14 million units per year. They're also the largest motorcycle producer, and in 2019 they built their 400-millionth bike, an impressive accomplishment by any measure. And the ubiquitous Super Cub, in production since 1958, is the largest-selling vehicle ever made, hitting 100-million units a few years ago.

Soichiro Honda would be proud.

Today marks the mid-point of meteorologic winter, at least for those riding on the upper half of the globe. Our winter season has been fairly benign so far, but that doesn't exactly mean we're out exercising our bikes.






​But in this virtual world we can ride along anytime via the magic of the interwebs. Below we have a nice ridealong with YouTube's V4 Rider on his 8th-gen VFR800. Turn it up!