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#What Lies Beyond

10/12/2017

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Honda Motorsports are releasing a series of feel-good short videos featuring, of course, their products. So far, they seem to be very well-produced and a fun watch. They're calling the series What Lies Beyond and here's the first in the series...... (click on the link)
What Lies Beyond
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Crosstour Critique

10/9/2017

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Known as the VFR1200X here in the States, Honda's big "adventure" bike had been available in Europe for a few years before we got it. Since dropping the 1200F model, Honda has let the "X" take over the big VFR's role. Marketed as an on-off road big-bore, shaft-driven contender, I see it more of a comfortable sport touring alternative to the previous "F" model. We don't hear much about the 1200X here since it's U.S. debut in 2016 but YouTube has lots of reviews, first looks, etc. Here's a short but helpful review from the long-running car show, Motorweek.
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A New Addition

10/9/2017

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I know, I know, this is a site about V4 Interceptors. But a new bike is always a thrill, like the start of any new relationship, whether it turns out to be long- or short-term. And early this week I got a new baby.

After some day-long rides aboard my latest VFRs, I have to accept that in the long-term I'm going to want something a little less intense for purely pleasure rides and, I reluctantly admit, a bit more comfortable.

In an effort to return to my roots with a lighter, simpler and more comfortable bike, I began a search for a suitable mount. My search led me to the local Triumph dealer in Woodstock, IL, where I sampled the new 1200 Bonneville and Thruxton. I loved 'em both, especially the Thruxton, but all the improvements added weight, complexity and dollars, and the Thruxton was very similar ergonomics to the VFR. I was trying to avoid all that, so I found a used previous generation T-100 to test ride and knew I'd found my bike.

As for my British connection, my first restoration back in the day was a '72 Norton 750 Commando. And five years ago I rode a '79 Triumph 750 on an awesome canyon tour from Arizona to Wisconsin. It's a beautiful & reliable old Trumpet. Here's a few pics of the '79....
(click on an image to enlarge)
Completing my due diligence, I researched the various years and models and decided I would look for a mag wheel version — these have 17" wheels in place of the 19/18" on the wire wheel T-100, which allow the use of modern tubeless radial tires. Eventually I came across an eBay listing at Florida Motorsports, a dealer in Tallahassee, with an opening bid of $4950 and no reserve. Patti & I were in the middle of our Blue Ridge Parkway tour when the auction was ending and I threw my bid in the ring during a rest stop. At the hotel that evening I was surprised to find I'd won the auction ($5201). I was now the proud owner of a "new 2015" Bonneville...which was 1100 miles away. After a bit of back & forth on U-ship and other sites, I located Robert who operates Conestoga Mid-Atlantic Transport and makes regular runs between IL and FL. Four days later he was rolling it off the trailer.
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Well, she's black on black and brand new. I half expected some showroom rash from two years on the floor, but the bike is in perfect condition, showing all of ten miles. What's the plan? Because she's a previous-gen bike and my investment is so reasonable, I plan some cosmetic mods to make her mine, and definitely suspension and tuning upgrades. I already have a touring bike and a steady stream of VFRs, so this will just be a fun bike for the alphabet roads of southwest Wisconsin. First up will be a flyscreen and we'll go from there. I'm hoping for a long and meaningful relationship.

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California Dreamin'

10/5/2017

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PictureClick on image for the eBay link.
What: 1992 VFR400R (NC30)
Where: North Hollywood, California
Why: Rare, useable, good-looking
Price: No reserve auction

Here we have a not-available-in-America NC30; a 1992 with a few confusing details which should be worked out with the seller. There's some replica bodywork, including a non-perfect fuel tank and an Ohio title which apparently won't work in California. The seller has a complex work-around for obtaining a CA title but, again, due diligence is called for. Showing only 4100 miles, the seller seems to have put the bike in good riding condition and the pictures look nice, but they often do. This is not a collector piece, but rather a rider grade refurbishment. Value? Hard to say, and the no reserve auction will surely sort that out.

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Arizona Dreamin'

10/3/2017

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PictureClick on image for the Craigslist link.
What: 1987 VFR700F2
Where: Tucson, Arizona
Why: Complete, low miles, rare color, reasonable
Price: $2800

My riding bud from southern Arizona, Rich, sent along the C-list link for this beautiful F2 in hard-to-find Candy Wave Blue and silver, available only in 1987 and only as a 700.

The odometer shows a bit over 16,000 miles and the photos show a very complete and original condition Interceptor. I don't see any rash on the mufflers, the seat looks great and the passenger seat cowl is included. I don't see any obvious indication of crash damage. The VIN plate indicates a very late production number and date; May of '87. I'd love to see it in person, but my gut feeling is that this is a good one.

If it were closer it'd be in my garage. Someone needs to buy this.

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V4 Cop Bike

10/2/2017

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When Honda updated the ST series to the ST1300 back in '03 they saw an opportunity to supply the police market, and so developed the ST1300PA. Many law enforcement agencies adopted the police version due in large part to the reduced initial investment and long-term maintenance costs, especially compared to the offerings from BMW and Harley-Davidson.

Here's a pretty cool public service video from the Washington State Patrol on their transition to the Honda in 2011.

PictureClick on image for the eBay link.
The police bikes come up for sale regularly, especially on eBay. Here's an '09 with 72,000 miles located in California with a Buy-It-Now of $3950. It features some terrible photos and is missing the front & rear crash bars. These models were equipped with ABS and electric windscreen.

My ST just turned 70K and I can attest that with basic maintenance these bikes are long-term keepers. So for a solo daily driver the ST1300P might be just what you need.

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Blue Ridge Break

9/30/2017

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Last week Patti and I decided the weather looked great for a run up the Virginia section of the Blue Ridge Parkway.

She's not one for endless days in the saddle, so our modus operandi is to trailer the big ST1300 to our riding area and head out from there on the bike. In this case I chose Charleston, WV. We arrived on a Tuesday evening and unloaded the bike at the hotel, where we'll leave the truck awaiting our return. The next morning we began a 3-day counter-clockwise route — south to the Kentucky border on Hwy 119, a gorgeously smooth and scenic 4-lane. This was a great way to get into the riding groove before hitting the twisty 2-lane Hwy 52 east all the way to Bluefield. There we hooked up with another silky and rolling 4-lane, Hwy 460, over the pass to our first night's stop in Christiansburg, VA. 275 miles on the day.

The next day would be spent on the Blue Ridge Parkway, which we picked up outside of Roanoke, VA. The busy tourist season is over, so the route was amazingly devoid of traffic, though we did spot a lone deer just as we swung onto the Parkway. Later we would come upon a black bear and her two cubs standing in the middle of the roadway; they didn't stick around. Lots of bikes to wave at but we never got hung up behind slow-moving traffic. A 50 mph pace on the mellow, rolling Parkway was just what the doctor ordered. The V4 hummed along in fourth gear at 3300 rpm for mile after mile, lulling me into a zen state of left-right, left-right. I love this road. There was some resurfacing in progress along a 30-mile section, but it was never a problem.

For lunch I jumped onto Hwy 60 (west) for one of the most amazing tarmac "ski runs" I've ever been on. Decending into little Buena Vista, VA, this 2-mile stretch of motorcycle heaven is a mini-destination of its own. And, BTW, Hwy 60 eastbound is a tasty treat too. Another reason to sample Hwy 60 is the awesome JJ's Meat Shack in Buena Vista. The menu is a meat lovers nirvana. My burger with pulled pork made the day.

Back on the BRP, we made our way north to mile zero at the I-64 overpass where the Parkway becomes Skyline Drive, a 105-mile scenic road that runs the length of the Shenandoah National Park. This is basically an extension of the BRP, but this road has an entrance fee; $20 for a motorcycle. No worries, my lifetime National Park Pass gets us a friendly wave through the ranger's checkpoint. We eventually exit at Hwy 33 for our run to this night's hotel in Harrisonburg VA. Dinner at a campus sports bar/restaurant and an ice cream at Kline's Dairy Bar, followed by a soak in the hot tub and a swim. 265 miles on the day.

The next day we worked our way back to Charleston for our final night — west out of Harrisonburg on Hwy 33 past the Seneca Rocks recreation area. This road has a few sections through the passes that rival the best that the Rockies has to offer (IMHO).  We stopped for a slice of delicious cherry pie near Seneca Rocks where we chatted with a group of trailer-pullin' trike guys who gather for regular camping trips in the area. At another scenic stop above gorgeous Germany Valley we talked with a guy from Pennsylvania who travels the country on his Gold Wing photographing covered bridges. I guess you do meet the nicest people on a Honda. We eventually had to hit the I-state for a final run into Charleston and a well-deserved cocktail...or two. 278 miles on the day.

The next day we steered the Ridgeline and trailer along the 2-lanes back toward Illinois and home. We had no riding or mechanical issues on the drive or the ride. Another great bike trip in the books; highly recommended.
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Project 22 Finds Its New Home

9/27/2017

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This week Patti & I delivered the 1997 VFR750 to its new owner, Scott, in eastern Iowa.

Scott was excited to find his new ride and, I think, genuinely thrilled when he first laid eyes on it. "It's just beautiful." 

I wish Scott many safe and enjoyable miles and smiles on his new toy.

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Crazy Prices

9/25/2017

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As I've shown here before, ya gotta be careful out there. Ebay is a combat zone and Craigslist a minefield. Here's a few examples of some, err, optimistic sellers of VF/VFR goods.

PictureClick on image for the eBay link.
From a very active seller in Ohio we're offered a used owner's manual with the original case.

The rather hopeful value he's placed on this item is $75 or make offer, so I suspect my offer of 20 bucks won't be accepted. I will add that the real value here is that the manual is for a 750 model, which are getting difficult to find compared to the 700/F2 versions. Good luck.

PictureClick on image for the eBay link.
Speaking of VFR700 owner's manuals, up next is an '87 VFR700F2 manual which our seller presents as a New Old Stock item in its "original protective bag." I've never personally seen a ziplock bag for these manuals, but that certainly doesn't mean it's not the real deal.

What I do have a problem with is the lack of a Honda sealed bag with a part number sticker. The other issue is the $90 (!) asking price (or best offer). As if that's not enough, there's also a $2.63 shipping charge. Again, good luck with all of that.

PictureClick on image for the eBay link.
Finally, offered for a Buy It Now price of $120 (plus $7 shipping) is a NOS tool kit for the 87-88 VF700/750C (Magna). This is a pretty rare find these days and the kit is in beautiful condition. But at that price you will desperately want a tool kit to complete your concours restoration.

This item has been on offer for a long time, just waiting for that one buyer to come along.

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Gone Riding

9/18/2017

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No posts this week: Patti & I will be gone this week with the ST1300 to the Blue Ridge Parkway and Skyline Drive on a 3-day riding adventure. Here's a YouTube video (someone else's) for a sampling of the Parkway (skip to the 1:30 mark to avoid the narrator's whining...)
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