I don't mount & balance my own tires. I used to back in the day when lightweight tires were mounted on skinny spoke rims, but nowadays I pay the 30 bucks and let someone with expensive machines do the grunt work. In my case that's Bryant at Schroeder Performance. About a year ago Bryant bought a homestead in rural Richmond, Illinois, and moved his family and shop onto the property. A man after my own dream.

Bryant's background is in racing bikes, ATVs and snow machines, but his passion is the custom Harley scene. He's been featured in magazines and has a wall of awards to show for his talents, but like most shops, stuff like routine maintenance, including tire changes, keeps the lights on. 

His new shop looks huge to me, but it filled quickly as he moved in. Back in the corner sits the dyno, set up to handle bikes and trikes. On my last visit I strolled around to look over some of the machines. Mostly big baggers with straight pipes, but there was also a Suzuki drag bike, a vintage enduro and even a Magna V4 on one of the lifts.

I'm guessing in his 50's, the gruff voice earned from a lifetime of smoking, Bryant goes about his work at his own pace, one of those small shops hidden around the world churning out great builds with little fanfare.

This V-twin stuff is a whole 'nother universe of motorcycling......
(click on an image to enlarge)

A late Christmas gift arrived in the mailbox the other day from Motorcycle Classics in the form of their latest issue, featuring an article on Honda's RC30. We're treated to a detailed background on the model along with some exceptional photos showing this one-owner restored example from all angles.

The writer, Robert Smith, does a great job of putting the RC30 in its historical context; how Europe's Formula TT and America's AMA Superbike rules changes in the late 70's brought the 750cc class to the racing forefront. Then with the advent of World Superbike (WSBK) in 1988, the stage was set for the the appearance of Honda's entry, the VFR750R. The author goes on to explain the relationship of the various designators — VF, VFR, RVF and RS. And that the RC30 was first envisioned for World Endurance racing, which also had a 750cc limit (for 4-cylinder machines) imposed in 1984.

The RC30 enjoyed a successful racing history but seems to be equally cherished and respected as a beautiful street bike, even though only about 3000 were built worldwide, with 300 going to the U.S. (1990 only). The bike pictured in the article has spent its life in the Milwaukee, WI area and has been exquisitely restored by Retrospeed in Belgium, WI. Visit their site for examples of some stunning work.

What: 1991 VFR750F
Where: Binghamton, New York
Why: 10K miles, well-kept
Price: $4500
​The third-gen Interceptor debuted in 1990 and showcased some of Honda's new tech borrowed from the homologated RC30, most notably the Pro-Arm single-sided swingarm, designed in collaboration with ELF and pretty sexy for the time.

But by 1990 repli-race sport bikes were firmly pointed in the direction of the inline-four engine, and the VFR was gently nudged into the new niche of sport touring, even losing the "Interceptor" name. In the process, the third-generation gained some refinement, comfort and weight. But savvy, real-world riders were willing to pay the premium for what Cycle World magazine would consistently crown as a ten-best. The third-gen bikes (90-93) don't get the respect of the updated fourth-gen, but nice examples still represent the class and uniqueness that VFRs are known for.

This example is presented as an unmolested, undamaged VFR with only 10,478 miles. The seller states that the tank is "outstanding" and the plastics "perfect." The photos back that up, and the Italian Red looks great with the correct gold wheels and very 90's grey seat (seat cowl is included). The asking price of $4500 is double the value of an average 1990-92 example (the white '93 holds more dollar value). Our seller sees the value, but will the buyer?

Offered by J & J Motors in Massillon, Ohio we have four, count 'em, four 2014 VFR800's.

These are zero-mile new bikes, all red, three are standard models and one Deluxe. The standards are listed at $4490 (+ $380 destination) and the Deluxe at $4990 (+ $380). Considering the original MSRP prices were $12,499 and $13,499, these represent some super discounts. The bikes are also listed on eBay with slightly different pricing.

If you've been on the fence with a gen-8 purchase, here's your chance!

What: 2014 VFR800
Where: Menomonie, Wisconsin
Why: The latest VFR for great money
Price: $4995

Mired in the grip of the Wisconsin tundra, AIR Tec Sports is offering this used VFR800 (standard model) for only $4995. Their own website prices it at $5995, so this Craigslist ad must be a winter special.

No matter, 'cause this is a proper bargain. Showing just under 24,000 miles this one comes with factory saddlebags, fresh tires, fresh service and a Two Brothers slip-on muffler. Get it while it's hot...or, in this case, cold.

Coordinating furniture, sure. Matching dinnerware, of course. But color-coordinated bikes? ADVrider Tbusa thought it would be a great idea, apparently. Pictured are his 2014 Interceptor and ex-cop ST1300. The ST has to be the cleanest police bike conversion I've ever laid eyes on — looks like it's on a dealer's showroom. Then again, taking a look around this guy's garage, I can see that he's a perfectionist. Nice set of V4s.

On a recent project I needed to salvage a set of 1986-87 infill panels, which fit between the fuel tank and side fairings. These parts have become very hard to find so I wanted to attempt to save this set.

While the right-side panel was simply cracked, the left-side had its lower half damaged beyond repair. Luckily, I had another left-side panel with a mismatched upper half from an F2 model. The obvious solution was to mate the good pieces into one usable left panel.

After carefully cutting both parts across the middle on an identical line, I plastic welded the halves together.
​
​Here the two left-side panels are pictured after making my cuts. The black pieces were originally together, as were the bluish-colored ones. The parts on the right will be tossed and the left made into a useable piece.

​Here's a look at the welded back sides.

After much grinding, filling and sanding, the parts were cleaned up and finish painted. I use a trim paint from SEM called Trim Black after prepping with their XXX Adhesion Promoter (both available from Amazon). The parts are shown ready for paint.
(click on an image to enlarge)

​I didn't get a separate photo of the finished parts, but here they're fitted to the bike.

Job done!

One of my favorite sub-sites on ADVrider.com (registration required) is the VFR thread. As long as it involves VFR's anything goes, and VFR owners from all over the globe contribute. And sometimes we're treated to some glimpses of enviable riding spots, like these courtesy of BarKnee from Portland, Oregon.
Mt. Adams and the Columbia River areas.....