Part of my carburetor cleaning regimen is a 40-minute swim in the ultrasonic cleaning tank…but there's an alternative. Back when I was cutting my mechanical teeth, in the era of muscle cars and dinosaurs, the word ultrasound wasn't in our vocabulary. We simply "dipped" 'em. This involved a metal bucket, large enough to hold an entire Carter AFB 4-barrel carb, with an included screen basket to lower the carb into a liquid in relative safety. The dark amber solution was an unknown caustic, likely banned from the earth decades ago for multiple health concerns. But it worked, and whatever you soaked in there would eventually emerge clean and ready for reassembly.

Well, that concept is alive and well today in the form of carburetor and parts cleaner dipping products from Berryman, Gunk and probably others. I recently picked up a container of Berryman Chem-Dip to see how it compared to the ultrasonic cleaner for carbs and other various parts.

Of course, technology has moved forward and the ultrasonic concept does more than just clean surfaces — its microscopic bubbles will find their way into passages and crevices, vibrating furiously, abrading anything in its grasp. I'm assuming that the dip cleaner is simply a surface surfactant which will effectively dissolve and remove dirt and grease.

I don't have a scientific methodology to compare the effectiveness of the two options, but the cleaning results were visually similar — the main difference being time. The ultrasonic machine takes 30-60 minutes while the dip requires substantially more time — I soaked the parts for hours. Other than a general darkening of the aluminum carb bodies when using the dip, the various parts (aluminum, brass, steel, plastic) emerged looking the same. Both the 96-ounce Berryman container and my 6-liter ultrasonic cleaner can just fit two VFR carburetors.

Both options claim to be safe for plastics and rubber but the Berryman cautions to keep aluminum parts to no more than four hours total exposure. While there's no shortage of ultrasonic cleaning agents, I use the product shown here from Clean 2020, which I dilute 10:1 with water. Both options are similar in price and both are reusable till they're just too dirty. I extend the life of both of the solutions by pre-washing/rinsing the parts with a water-based degreaser.

Bottom line? If I were in need of a carb cleaner for one-time or occasional use, I would be fine with the Chem-Dip. But I do this regularly so I'll stick with the newer and faster ultrasonic technology.

P.S. I found the best price for Berryman Chem-Dip at Walmart.com, of all places: $43 including tax & shipping.

What: 2010 VFR1200F
Why: Great condition, nicely optioned
Where: Moncks Corner, South Carolina
Price: $5450 OBO

​This beautiful 7th-gen VFR caught my eye for a few reasons; mature owner, impeccably kept and some tasteful mods. It's surprising to realize that the first-year 1200F has been around for 14 years, so this one has averaged just 1600 miles per year with 21,900 on the odometer.

If this bike were in my collection I'd choose the same additions: a very classy, great-sounding Akrapovic muffler, aftermarket seat (that Corbin looks really comfy), and an LSL handlebar conversion, giving the ultimate in bar choices. I think I also spy an aftermarket windscreen, and OEM luggage can be had if the new owner desires. This is the standard transmission (non-DCT) version.

If I were in the market for this model, this is the one I'd be after. The asking price of $5450 is reasonable, the bike has had a recent professional look-over, newer rear tire and fresh battery. Spring is here and this one's ready to ride. For the same buy-in as a nice carbureted-era VFR there's a lot to offer here.

What: Unknown
Why: Unknown
Where: Los Angeles, CA
Price: $4000

Gobsmacked. That was my reaction when this darkened my morning laptop time. How this ever got past the Busch Light and barroom napkin concept stage baffles me. Apparently someone had the unlikely combination of a non-functioning 1st-gen Honda Interceptor and a Harley 883cc Sportster lump in the corner of the barn and, in a fit of misplaced creativity, asked, "why not?"

Well, I could have contributed a few reasons, but here we are, and it apparently runs and is now offered for sale. Our seller states that it's "very reliable and fun to ride, awesome sound." The next chapter in this saga will be to see if someone is willing to empty their wallet to the tune of 4 Gs so it can live its best life under a tarp in the backyard.

Last month I posted about over-priced spark plugs populating the internet. Here's another example.

This NGK Iridium plug came up on eBay and is listed for the 8th-gen VFR. Now, I know iridium is expensive stuff, and the very hard iridium electrode resists wear better than lower-grade metals, resulting in very long service intervals, like 100K miles. I'm not sure how that makes it appropriate for our generally low-usage sport bikes, but that's an individual owner's choice to make.

Like my last post, my beef is with the price; $75.53 for a set of four. I did a quick check on Rock Auto (.com) and can get these same plugs delivered to my home for…wait for it…$48.31.
​Once again, caveat emptor.

SOLD OUT

I like bar risers — the older I get the more I like bar risers. You might not think that 20mm would be very effective in relieving wrist and shoulder stress, but it actually is. I've used these for decades on various clip-on style bars. The beauty of this simple design is that they retain the original throttle/choke cables, brake and electrical lines. I can mount or remove these risers in less than ten minutes. They're produced from billet aluminum via CNC and anodized in silver.

Last year I realized that GenMar was no longer producing bar risers for the 1986-87 VFR700/750. So I contacted MOTO-CNC in the UK to inquire as to the possibility of producing these, as they already offer them for the later model VFRs. After some discussion I sent the company the pertinent measurements and agreed to purchase the first batch of ten as an incentive. I still have a limited number of sets on hand and am offering them for my cost of $100, shipping included to CONUS. 

Well, I don't often see this; here's an eBay seller offering a set of four spark plugs to fit the RC36 (1990-97) VFR750. They're the correct NGK plug, CR8EH-9, but the twist here is that they're used. He's asking $19.99 shipped, or $5 per spark plug.

Now. I realize that this particular plug number is priced at the high end of typical standard plugs for classic motorcycles — a check on eBay shows these offered for $10-20…each! Even my local NAPA gets $12.30 each w/tax.

My work-around for getting a better deal on spark plugs is to order from Rock Auto (.com) — four of these plugs shipped to Illinois comes to $33.41, or $8.35 per plug. Still not cheap, but beats getting gouged on eBay (and see the note below).

For comparison, the previous generation RC24/26 (1986-87) plugs, NGK DPR9EA-9, are a less expensive plug for whatever reason; I get these in 10-packs from Rock Auto for $2.78 each, shipped, or $3.37 each if purchasing only four plugs. NAPA wants $4 each.

NOTE: If you find these plugs cheaper elsewhere, including Amazon & eBay, beware, there's a thriving counterfeit business in NGK plugs, a good reason to buy from a reputable NGK dealer. Here's one video that may help, and there's others.

Yesterday I finished rebuilding a set of 2d-gen carburetors. Before installing fresh carbs I always perform a leak test on the bench. To my surprise, this set began leaking within minutes. Tracing the trail of gas, I found it began at the "T" fuel junction, pictured below. Try as I might, I could not discern a crack in the fitting, but swapped it out anyway — problem solved. On the bench I finally located the tiny crack shown in the photo. This is why I test for leaks before installation.

This part is still available from Honda. The same part fits '86-97 models but the RC36 part number differs from the RC24/26…and is less expensive. Part number 17193-MN5-000, about $17.

Here's a story many of us wish we could experience our own version of. In January reader Tom S. contacted me looking for some painting guidance for his 1986 VFR700F. In his email he shared his tale of lost and found:

A beautiful bike and a great story. Tom found a local painter who was able to match the Shasta White and also a decal supplier in Canada, BDesigns, to supply the reproduction 700-specific decal:
www.bdesigns.ca/80s_Honda.htm
With the left side fairing repaired Tom and his old friend are ready to experience the back roads of Wisconsin and Minnesota…just like the old days.

What: 1986 VF1000R
Where: Scottsdale, Arizona
Why: Build your own VF1000R
Price: Auction ends Thursday

Here's one for 1000R fans. A two-year model in the U.S., this 1986 is the final iteration sporting the cool dual headlights. With values of nice, original examples topping $10K, this one will be tempting to an owner who wishes to add value by way of getting his/her hands dirty.

And dirty they will become. The bike has been non-running for at least four years, has non-original paint which may or may not be up to your standard, shows 32,615 miles, is fitted with an aftermarket Supertrapp single muffler and is generally showing its age. Otherwise, it seems complete and mostly original, judging by the supplied photos. There's some upgraded parts already installed, but the usual refurbishment tasks await. The opening bid is $999 with no reserve. If you're this bike's next caretaker, please keep me advised on your progress.

What: 2000 VFR800
Why: Great condition, nice extras
Where: Millington, New Jersey
Price: $3250

The only model year Honda offered a VFR in Pearl Shining Yellow (in the US), the 2000 Interceptor cuts a striking profile. This example shows 26,950 miles and sports a few well-chosen mods, including a not-too-common handlebar conversion, Delkevic slip-on and a 520 chain conversion with modified gearing. The bike is otherwise complete and all stock components are included in the sale. The seller states that it "runs and rides perfectly" with maintenance up-to-date, including fork service. Some scratches are noted on the left fairing.

Overall, a great-looking example at a realistic price.