What: 1984 VF700S Sabre
Where: Carbondale, Colorado
Why: Original rider, easy money
Price: $1950 or offer

Introduced in 1982 alongside the Magna, this model was part of the first volley in Honda's V4 assault. The Magna was an all-out cruiser and the Sabre more of a standard with a bit of power cruiser attitude, the "power" part of the formula cemented with the 1984 introduction of the 1100cc V65. The Interceptor added a sport bike to the range in '83.

All the V4 models would succumb to the tariffs imposed by the U.S. government as a thinly disguised bailout of Harley-Davidson, with 700cc models available to the budget-conscious. By 1984 only the 700 and 1100 engines were available and '85 would be the final year for the model (the name would later be resurrected for use on a V-twin cruiser).

So our example here is neither the 750 nor the final-year model, but what makes it desirable, I think, are the combination of low-ish miles, nice rideable condition, and the inclusion of the optional Hondaline swoopy fairing. A close look at the photos reveals an original-condition bike with very good cosmetics (some further detailing would do wonders here) and excellent mufflers — always a good indicator of the level of care given to a motorcycle. The CBX-inspired fairing looks the part and really sets this bike apart. There also appears to be a Fox rear shock absorber installed, with the carbs rebuilt and fresh tires.

The Sabre was not, in all honesty, a stellar performer. The power is adequate and the handling is heavy. But it was never intended as a sport bike, leaning more toward the cafe or cruiser crowd. As a present-day commuter or weekend fun bike, this would be a reliable, classic rider — with the added panache of the V4, of course.

(the two holes in the dash are intended for optional gauges, which can be sourced as used items)

If there's a collectible version of the third generation Interceptor, it would be the final year of the run; 1993. The reason is the color; Honda did a marketing face slap and offered the bike only in a gleaming Pearl Crystal White, right down to the wheels. It stood out from the crowd then and ever since. Here's a couple on offer on eBay, with both sellers apparently looking to get in the low- to mid-$3000 range. That's about right for nice examples.

What: 1993 VFR750F
Where: Marietta, Georgia
Why: Looks great, ready to ride
Price: $3800 or Make Offer

​Showing 25,600 miles and looking spiff in the photos, this example has the maintenance brought up-to-date and looks ready for the road. It sports a lovely Vance & Hines slip-on and cheesy aftermarket rear turn signals, but otherwise in gorgeous original condition, with possibly a tip-over blemish on the left side, but hard to tell from the photos. The seller provides a start-up video. If the fuel tank is not dented or rusted, this looks like a great candidate.

What: 1993 VFR750F
Where: Meridian, Idaho
Why: Looks great, ready to ride
Price: $3000 opening bid, with reserve

With similar mileage but located on the opposite side of the country, this example is described as in "excellent" condition with the carburetors serviced but not much else for details. I have the feeling the seller is flipping this bike and doesn't seem to have a lot of knowledge ("5-speed"). It sports a Corbin seat (with original) and some striping added to the mid-fairings. Still, worth a look.

What: 1992 NR
Where: Dublin, Ireland
Why: NR
Price: $84,995 or Make Offer

​Here's a rare opportunity to own the elusive NR, the mythical street version of the oval-piston NR750 factory endurance racer of the eighties. These bikes have long since reached the collector-only status of display pieces, too rare and valuable to risk on the road. This one is offered with only 13 miles on the odometer with worldwide shipping available. The seller doesn't provide much information in the listing, calling it "beautiful original condition" and number 60 of 200 made. They don't come up often but prices have been seen around $75K in recent years.

Speaking of the NR, here's an interesting video from 2010 of a Honda NR and an RC30 being uncrated and cleaned up. Might be the same NR featured above?

While rearranging the garage yesterday I realized that all three of my personal bikes were set up for a photo op. It also occurred to me how stratified the motorcycle market has become. Back in the day having more than one bike was a luxury reserved for the truly committed or those with more disposable income than most.

That one bike was meant to do anything you asked of it — from commuting to sport riding to touring, maybe even some mild off-road fun. It also helped to be of a certain age where spending consecutive days on the open road on a naked, rattling, temperamental British twin could be viewed as an adventure rather than an exercise in stamina and character-building (which it was).

My garages of the past have housed many brands and genres of motorbikes from Germany, England, Italy and Japan. Today I finally have one made in America, along with a British and Japanese model. If I had more room I'm sure I'd still have my vintage Honda XL500S dual-sport, covering most of the street motorcycling niches. We're very fortunate to be living in an era of such affordable variety in our sport. Bikes that were cutting edge a few years ago are now available at a fraction of their original MSRP, allowing us to fill our garages with the eye candy of our dreams.

What: 1985 VF1000R Interceptor
Where: Upper Tantallon, Nova Scotia, Canada
Why: Beautiful driver
Price: Auction; opening bid of $6500

Available in the U.S. for only two years, the "R" model VF1000 replaced the one-year "F" as a complete redesign, offering greater complexity at the cost of a lot of sore backs and wrists. These two models are the only attempts at a big-bore V4 on Honda's part, so if you're after that kind of grunt, this is your bike.

This particular example is a Canadian version showing just under 47,000 kilometers and boasting lots of NOS parts, including fuel tank, forks and more. There's been some repainting and a Hagon shock installed. Our seller uses the terms "restored" and "original" in the same breath, but I would view this as a thoroughly refurbished rider. From that perspective the opening price of $6500 (no reserve) is at the high end for this model, but the seller's assertion that you couldn't replicate this for that kind of money rings true.

Count me on the "like" side of the aisle regarding Cycle World's remake. The writing is crisper, the photography at a higher level, even the paper stock has a kind of luxury feel. I have four moto magazine subscriptions so the change to a bi-monthly format doesn't bother me if the tradeoff is a higher quality read.

The latest issue features a bio on Miguel Galluzzi, a designer most famous for creating the Ducati Monster. Always a believer in the naked concept of design, he even worked a stint with Honda in the late '80s, but couldn't steer the company away from the plastic-clad fashion of the day. Galluzzi hated the "soft" look of the cars and bikes of that era, calling them "soapy."

I came of age in the golden era of naked bikes, the '70's, and so my eye is drawn to the un-faired "mechanical" look too — a basic motorcycle shape but with all the complex parts and pieces showing. But when fashion changed most of us went along for the ride. The new race-inspired full fairings made us feel and look the part.

Arguably the first fully faired modern production bike, and still one of the prettiest, is the BMW R100RS. Not at all "soapy," with sharp angular lines and just enough machinery showing to define a whole new look.

The 1983 Honda VF750 Interceptor would incorporate similar crisp lines in its half-fairing and was an instant success. The '86 remake brought a full fairing, but maintained the sharp tailored lines — and this is what I think sets the early VFR apart from much of the pack. 

The moto design world quickly devolved into a soapy mess. The late '80's and 90's brought us the GSX-R, the second-gen Suzuki Katana, the Honda CBR, and even the Ducati SS models. And probably the worst offender: the Hayabusa. All soapy blobs. But they sold well — fashion always will.

The VFR wasn't immune, of course. Growing a bit softer with the third and forth-gen models and culminating in the 1998 introduction of the very soapy VFR800.

A 1969 Triumph Bonneville 650 has the quintessential motorbike look, at least to my eye. If you have any 5-year old draw a motorcycle, that's pretty much what you'll get. But when you want to stir the soul and bring out your inner boy racer, nothing will accomplish that quite like a fully-clothed sport bike — as long as it's not too soapy.

Honda calls them "steps," but we might know them as footpeg brackets. And on Project 17 they were in pretty rough-looking shape from years of dirt accumulation and neglect.

At right are the left and right side assemblies broken into their component parts for cleaning and polishing, ready for reassembly.

And here they are assembled, ready to be installed onto the bike.

Getting to this point represented a few hours of cleaning, rust removal, ultrasonic cleaning, wet-sanding and polishing.

(Below) Here's an example of what you might face while refurbishing these components. This brake pedal is an aluminum part that is severely corroded. After lots of grinding, filling, sanding and polishing we're back to a useable part. It's not "restoration" perfect but is to the level of this project's finish.

​(Right) With the subframe still off the frame, this is the perfect opportunity to detail the swingarm and shock area. 

(Right) Here's a tip I use to help with the rear wheel installation.

The caliper bracket needs to be positioned in line with the wheel axle but it just wants to fall toward the floor, making life difficult. Lacking a third hand, I hook up a bungee to give just the right amount of support. Ready for the cleaned wheel and fresh Bridgestone.

What: 1998 VFR800 FI
Where: Cypress, California
Why: Freakishly low miles, pristine condition
Price: Auction with $7000 opening bid

Low-mile "collector" status bikes are coming out of the woodwork. Just after posting the 1999 800 below, I came across this equally low mileage fifth-generation 800 on eBay.

Our seller claims to be the original owner who developed a medical condition shortly after purchasing the bike, then relegated it to home decor duty for the next twenty years.

Showing only 1562 miles and presented in original, unmolested condition right down to the tires. In spite of some hyperbole regarding a secret Honda museum the bike is still in our seller's possession with a very bullish, but most likely unrealistic, opening bid of $7000. I would love to know what this example eventually sells for. Best of luck to the seller.

What: 2008 VFR800 VTEC
Where: Jersey City, New Jersey
Why: Great condition, great color, low miles
Price: $3870 or offer

The sixth-gen VFR800 changed up the Interceptor formula. Gone were the gear-driven cams, but new stuff included VTEC valve actuation, available ABS, and a new level of comfort and modern style. The model was produced from 2002-2009, when it was replaced with the completely new 1200F.

Here we have a beautiful example of one of the last of the generation in its subdued but elegant Sword Silver Metallic with matching wheels (no ABS). Showing only 8500 miles and said to be in excellent condition, garage kept and never laid down. Our seller also links four videos of the bike running and riding. If you're in the market for a VTEC VFR, then this one's worthy of a serious look.