What: 2010 VFR1200F
Where: St. Louis, Missouri
Why: Ride it or fix it for little money
​Price: $3000

I stumbled upon this 1200 during my usual morning Interceptor search. The seller states that the bike was dropped by movers on the right side and some superficial damage was done. The bike shows 21,000 miles and has a few extras included: full luggage, heated grips, lithium battery and Z-bomb. There appears to be a V-Stream windscreen with deflector installed, otherwise in stock condition. The seller notes some cracked plastic, which he shows in the photos, along with a rashed muffler and a footpeg needing repair, but the bike is represented as fully rideable. No word on the title situation.

The required repair parts should still be available new from Honda or used via the internet, or the bike could be patched up and ridden as a commuter or weekend fun bike. This would be a good basis for a personalized build with a color change (red, white, blue?) and a throatier pipe. Lot of possibilities here, and conveniently located right in the middle of the country.

I stumbled on this video from 2013. It's a very unpretentious young chap hosting a start-up and walk-around of an absolutely stunning 1990 VFR750R. Enjoy.

SOLD: $2520.95
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This 2003 VFR800 Interceptor sold July 25th via eBay action with 18 bids. The bike was located in Carrollton, Texas and shows only 6045 miles!

The beauty of no-reserve auctions is that they provide a real-world snapshot of resale value on any given day. Search eBay for VFR800s for sale and there's no shortage of $5000+ examples from hopeful sellers. But, having sold a few myself over the years, I can testify that that kind of value rarely exists for this model.

This bike was represented as a one-owner, never modified, with clear title and "like brand new."  If that's the case, then this would be a very nice example for someone in the market for a fast, comfortable sport tourer. It's a lot of machine for only 2500 bucks, but that's the state of the used motorcycle world — it's a buyers' market for common models, there's lots of inventory. Well bought.

"If you wait long enough, everything comes back into fashion," as my mother often said. So is this a case of Suzuki testing the waters for a return to white wheels? I don't know, but I was stopped in my tracks yesterday at my local dealer's while picking up some parts for Project 24. There sat a pair of 2019 GSX-R600 sport bikes, one in black, the other in white, resplendent in their white wheels! Will the latest generation of boy-racers embrace the look? In any case, I like 'em. 

I came across this eBay listing this morning — a 1986 VFR700 in Pearl Crescent White. The seller is asking $2900 or make offer and describes it as "very good to excellent condition."

Fortunately, the photos are decent resolution so we can zoom in and poke around a bit. When I look at interweb photos I want to see the little nooks that don't get cleaned very often, if ever, which gives a good indication of how the bike was used and cared for. This is exactly why an in-person inspection is more desirable, but at least we can get a general impression from good photos, and why fuzzy, low-res photos are virtually useless. We're talking cosmetics here, the mechanicals are another matter.

In this case, it quickly becomes evident that our seller was lazy and didn't bother to detail the bike beyond a general washing. Looking beyond the dirt, the overall condition seems very good from about ten feet out. The mufflers look good, a big value point. The bike is complete with seat cowl and center stand. Moving closer, we see lots of defects in the paint and plastic; cracks on the right mid-fairing and near the headlight fairing screws, scratches on the fuel tank, seat cowl and above the tail light. The seat look good, at least what we can see of it. The front reflectors are missing along with the one under the license plate. The brake and clutch reservoirs are very clouded, and the mid-fairing inner cooling ducts may be missing, but difficult to tell from the photos. The windscreen appears to be aftermarket, and some fasteners are incorrect. I don't see any obvious signs of accident damage. This bike is located in Edison, New Jersey, near the Atlantic coast, and there's general corrosion visible throughout the bike consistent with living in a salt air environment.

There's a few upgrades visible — front and rear brake lines, clutch lines and shock absorber. There's a PIAA electrical switch mounted on the triple-tree, with no explanation. The seller notes that some maintenance has been accomplished including the forks, carburetors, fluids and tires. He adds that it's a strong and smooth runner and invites questions. The odometer shows 22,635 miles.

So what have I learned from this virtual tire kicking? To me, this VFR represents itself as a survivor based upon its mostly original condition, meaning it hasn't been unduly modified or butchered over the years. Much, but not all, of the maintenance has been dealt with, and there's a couple of nice upgrades. But the existing cosmetic condition will never allow it to be more than a "ten-footer" — those scuffs and scratches won't buff out. So, assuming the mechanicals are as represented, this bike is a good candidate for an average rider-grade classic sport bike or a good basis for a cosmetic restoration, meaning paint, polishing and plating ($1500?).

Value is in the eye of the beholder, of course, and how he or she envisions the "mission" of this bike. Then there's the case of a long-distance buyer's assumption of risk (what if it turns out to have a bent frame or noisy engine/transmission?) and transportation costs. Our seller is presumably looking for somewhere around $2500 and that may well be reasonable for use as a causal rider for a local buyer. But for a restoration basis, and as a long-distance buyer, I would be closer to $1800 — not likely to happen in this case. In any event, I hope this one stays on the road where it belongs. Good luck to seller and buyer.

The Honda AMA Vintage Motorcycle Days took place the first weekend in July at the Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course near Lexington, Ohio. This gathering is often considered the biggest and best vintage meet of the season. There's something for everyone here — road racing, motocross, trials, scrambles, vendor displays, a huge swap meet and enough vintage bikes to give you sensory overload. Here's a 3:22 minute video roundup for a taste of what's happening.

I just came across this '87 VFR700 fuel tank for sale on eBay. The listing is titled "NOS Gas Tank 1987...." The description goes on to say "New old stock 1987 Honda Interceptor Gas Tank." 

Well, this tank may be stock, and it may be old, but it ain't "new." There's obvious signs of a petcock and filler cap having been mounted on this tank, indicating use on a bike. I have a genuine NOS R/W/B fuel tank, so I know they don't come with those items mounted. New is new, used is used, and this item is used.

Having said all that, this is a rare tank, offered in the rarest of the second-gen VFR colors, Candy Wave Blue, and appearing straight with no dents (although that's not specifically stated) and the "inside like new." There's an opening bid of $500 plus $33 in shipping to CONUS only. The item is located in Ohio and the auction ends July 19.

What: 1985 VF1000R Interceptor
Where: Clermont, Florida
Why: Low miles, nicely modded
Price: $7500

Here we have a refurbished first-year (U.S.) big-block Interceptor that's had a lot of thoughtful work done to make it an attractive and even practical rider-grade VF1000R. Showing 16,000 miles, the bike features upgraded suspension front & rear by DMr, very cool Yoshimura twin mufflers fitted and refreshed cosmetics.

The asking price of $7500 is a tough call, as we all know that originality holds value for elderly vehicles. Our builder wisely kept the look of the original while improving the basics. The "R" models can go for up to $10K for museum-quality originals, so this one may well be in the ballpark. The real reason this bike caught my attention is that, if I were interested in adding a VF1000 to my stable, this is exactly what I'd be looking for. And someone else has done the work!

This 1990 VFR750R recently sold for $37,900 on eBay. It was offered by a California dealer, Classic Avenue, and shows 5,300 miles with some signs of actually being used on the street, and included the following details:
"There are a few scratches in the paint finish around the bike, and I suspect the bottom of the fairing was repainted, likely because of scratches – there are no dings. All body panels are original, and the tank is totally free of blemishes and scratches/dents. Seat is excellent as is the rest of the bike. The bike is accompanied by a clean, clear title, books, spare keys, manuals, original rear track stand, and a full set of completely untouched tools."
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The selling price of this rider-grade collectible (if any RC30 can be called "rider-grade") shows that RC30 prices are continuing their gradual climb. Here's hoping the new owner will continue to see street time with this beautiful VFR.

A few years ago, Patti and I took a riding break in the Nashville, TN area. Part of our tour included the northern part of the Natchez Trace, a 444-mile National Parkway stretching from Nashville to Natchez, MS. Looking for another getaway last week, we checked the weather around the eastern U.S., and found Mississippi to be enjoying a spell of seasonably mild temperature and humidity levels. Off we go.

We based ourselves at Tupelo in northern Mississippi, a comfortable day's trailering away. Next morning, we leave the truck and trailer safely parked at a hotel, climb aboard the Victory Cross Country Tour and make our way to Laurel, MS, about 240 miles, partly on the Trace and finishing on some great two-lane. Our stay for the night is a bed & breakfast in Laurel's historic district, which we soon discover to be located next door to Ben and Erin, hosts of HGTV's "Home Town." As we load up next morning they give a friendly wave, and we're off to the historic river town of Natchez.

We make our way back to the Trace via secondary roads and small towns. The day is one of five identical weather days — sunny and 82 degrees. Much of the Trace is shaded by massive pines and oaks, allowing the temperature to drop four or five degrees. It's a weekday and the Trace is nearly devoid of traffic so I set the cruise control to 54 MPH for a relaxing ride south (the speed limit is 50). Looking for a butt break, we turn off at a little crossroads called French Camp. There's a small welcome center so we wander in and the nicest lady in the world fills us in on the mission and history of French Camp.

Our stay tonight would be at the Clermont Bluffs Bed & Breakfast just north of downtown Natchez, situated high above the mighty Mississippi with a view to die for. We hiked into town for BBQ ribs at the Pig Out Inn followed by desert at the Cotton Alley Cafe.

This town reeks of well-preserved history. The preservation is due in large part to the fact that during the Civil War the town remained loyal to the Union, and so was spared the fate of many prominent towns and cities in the south, which were ransacked and burned by both sides in the conflict. Historic buildings and the many antebellum mansions are now tourist attractions. The town was also a trading center, attracting average folks from the Ohio River valley who would build large rafts to float their goods down the Ohio and Mississippi rivers to Natchez, where they would sell everything, including the raft's logs, party awhile, then make their way back home via an old Choctaw and Chickasaw Indian trail, which would eventually become known as the Natchez Trace.

As a Union stronghold, after the war Natchez became one of the many sights of a National Cemetery, and the Clermont happens to be situated adjacent to the Natchez National Cemetery. Our National Cemeteries are solemn but beautiful and moving places, testament to the ultimate waste of the Civil War — some 700,000 Americans killed by one another. The original interment at Natchez National Cemetery was 3075, of which only 305 were known, the others simply marked as "Unknown Soldier." I took a long and quiet early morning walk alone among the white marble headstones as the sun rose on another beautiful day along the Mississippi.

After another fine breakfast we are loaded and moving north to Tupelo — 260 miles on the Trace today. With no reason to rush our final day on the bike, we take our time, stopping at most of the many historical markers plus coffee at French Camp.

At day's end we load the bike on the trailer, get a refreshing swim in the hotel pool, and grab some Pizza and beer out. The next day takes us back to Illinois and home.

We decide that this ride's theme was "riding into history." If you appreciate history, good food, great people and a relaxing ride on one of America's truly great roads, the Natchez Trace is waiting.