SOLD: $2651

This 1986 VFR700F should have fetched more than the final bid, and the reason for the give-away price was lazy marketing. 

This bike shows 28,600 miles in original condition, complete with seat cowl and centerstand, and appears to be in above average cosmetic condition with a unique repair to one of the plastic panels.

The original listing included all of 18 descriptive words with incorrect mileage and engine size. So...I tried to get more details on the bike by sending a personal email to the seller with six basic questions — three were answered (15 words) along with four additional photos.

It will forever remain a mystery to me why some sellers consider it an imposition to actually provide pertinent details on an unknown machine that they expect to sell for thousands of dollars, sight-unseen, to a potential buyer hundreds or thousands of miles distant. I hope this isn't becoming the new normal in our virtual selling world. In any case, well bought.

Reader Phil R. has been on the hunt for his ideal V4, a VF500F. We've been in contact for several months as he sought out advice and encouragement before finally located this beautiful example in Wisconsin. I can see that Phil is off to a fine start — there's a lot you can do with some metric tools, a dead-blow hammer and a tall can of WD-40.

This evocative image is courtesy of Allard Appel from the RC24/RC26 Facebook group. He recently enjoyed this view on a ride into Luxemburg. That beautiful front end assembly consists of VTR1000F forks, CBR600 F3 wheel, VTR 4-piston calipers with EBC pads and Bridgestone S21 rubber. He describes the modified bike as "amazing."

Our vintage VFRs came in a variety of colors. Here in North America, we got the iconic red/white/blue, blue/gray, several reds, pearl white, silver and black. But, between other markets and customizers, we can get more ideas if we feel like a change. Here's a few examples….
(click on an image to enlarge)

SOLD: $4600

Recently sold via eBay auction, this 2007 VFR800 Anniversary Edition fetched $4600 with only four bids. This example, from the Houston, TX area, shows about 22,000 miles and the sparse description states "no accidents." The photos show an aftermarket seat, windscreen, levers, RAM phone mount, smoked signal lenses, some wheel stripe decals and rear fender eliminator.

Auctions give us a real-life idea of current valuations, but this one might have done a little better with some more thorough marketing efforts. Well bought.

Last week Project 37's owner, Jeff (right), drove up from Oklahoma to fetch his baby, this 1993 VFR750. This is Jeff's third VFR that he's left in my hands to help bring back to their original glory.

This bike shows only 16,576 miles and so was a straightforward refurbishment with all mechanical systems receiving attention. The bodywork did require repairs and full repaint but the original wheels cleaned up to like-new condition. The seat was upholstered in black vinyl and the windscreen was replaced with an MRA from Germany. The sexy Yoshimura slip-on is a quality piece of bling and brings out the soul-stirring sound of the V4. This one was a pleasure to work on and Jeff and I can both be proud of the results.

Paint: Steve at Steve Nick Customs, Woodstock, IL — https://www.facebook.com/steve.nick.7712
Upholstery: Marty at CM Wiltberger II, Twin Lakes, WI — https://www.facebook.com/cmw2inc/

SOLD: $6100

Offered as an original, 8000-mile survivor, this time capsule 1986 VF1100C V65 Magna sold via Bring A Trailer auction last week.

This is the final year for the 1098cc V4 brute, though the Magna name would be resurrected in later years for use on a V-twin cruiser.

This example presents well, with the all-important OEM mufflers straight and shiny. It's good to see values increasing on the V4 cruiser models.

SOLD: $4750

Earlier this week this 1985 VF700 Interceptor sold via auction at Bring A Trailer. The bike shows 10,588 miles and appears to be in average to above average survivor condition with the usual cosmetic aging issues; some paint discoloration and surface rust on the frame and exhaust headers. The tires are listed as Dunlop K591, so they're likely well past their best-by date. Amazingly, those unobtainable black chrome mufflers appear to be free of road rash.

Reader Alan S. contacted me recently about some carburetor parts and sent along this photo of his stunning 1996 VFR750. Zoom in on the photo and you'll find a spotless 26-year old motorbike, from the gleaming Delkevic slip-on to the original condom mirrors. Nicely done, Alan.

Steve McQueen owned some 400 motorcycles. I've had more than my share over several decades, so I know that you can only devote so much time to each machine — and I'm not a busy movie star and amateur racer, with an additional few hundred cars in the stable (who lived only 50 years). So, how much hands-on interaction, if any, Steve had with a given machine is questionable. The McQueen estate has attached his name to many, many vehicles and memorabilia over the years and we've watched them cross the auction block with some pretty astounding dollars attached to them. Here's the latest: Last month this 1969 Honda CB750 "sandcast" sold on a Bring A Trailer online auction for $155,000.

The so-called sandcast models were the first 7414 produced for the 1969 model year, all later bikes would use die-cast engine molds. As a relatively rare "thing" for such a historically important motorcycle, these early bikes understandably have a higher collector value. That value has steadily increased over the years, now at about $40,000 for an original or well-done restoration. So, we again see the magic of the McQueen mystique. This particular example has ownership documentation but was subsequently purchased from McQueen's production company in 1971, so his was a short-term affair. Additionally, this bike has had a full restoration so any originality is gone beyond the engine and frame numbers.

Value is not real, it is a perceived reality. Value can't be touched or quantified, it can only be felt. Purchases like this are made from emotional or investment considerations and a McQueen vehicle combines the two. To the fortunate few, money is a secondary consideration, simply the price of acquisition. $155,000 to those folks is probably like $5000 to most of us — it's just not a big deal, and as long as Steve McQueen's name continues to add value, the "investment" dollars are safe. Well sold.

Speaking of CB750s, here's a favorite video of mine. This amazing 5-minute time-lapse film shows Sam Roberts' restoration of a sandcast CB750. Enjoy.