I've just finished up a major service to my Victory tourer. I needed to lift either end of the bike for various jobs and didn't really get a warm and fuzzy (safe) feeling by simply jacking the whole 850 pounds into the air with nothing more than a flat scissors jack, as the manual suggests, considering the tugging and torquing I'd be doing. I wanted the bike secured a little better.

This gave me an excuse to finally buy an adjustable chock, figuring that it would also be handy for other bikes around the shop. This would be an occasional tool, so I didn't feel the need to spring for something like the Condor, though I'd used one of those for years on a trailer and knew it was a tough piece of equipment. Instead I checked the reviews for Harbor Freight's version, broke out my 25% off coupon and grabbed one at my local store for only $50.

When I got it home, I emptied the box, bolted the front support/tie-down bar into place, adjusted the cradle position to fit the Victory's front tire and rolled it into place. Oops. Not so fast — when rolling a bike onto the chock, the entire piece just slides forward on the floor, which explains why the Condor video in the earlier link shows it blocked against a wall. I wanted it out in the open, so I simply sank two concrete anchors into a floor seam (won't show when the anchors are removed) and bolted 'er down. Very secure. After some experimentation with wheel sizes, I marked the frame adjustment holes for the different bikes' tires, front and rear, in the shop. This thing works as advertised and holds the bike very securely. For the Victory, I added some tie-downs for a little piece of mind, but later never felt the need for those. Be aware that the cradle isn't designed for really fat rear tires. I would recommend this product.
(Below) Ready to start the project.

What: 2014 VFR800 Deluxe
Where: St. Louis, Missouri
Why: Deluxe, fair miles, fair price
Price: $6995 or offer

As an alternative to the 12-year old 800 in the previous post, here's a latest generation VFR for only $1100 additional asking price. This bike is just shy of 10,000 miles, and includes all the desirable features of the upgraded Deluxe model (ABS, traction control, heated grips, etc.) plus factory hard bags.

​The seller is a used bike shop specializing in V-Twins, so they may be motivated to clear this one from inventory. The description is sparse but the photos show a clean, stock example in Pearl Glare White. Also available here on eBay.

What: 2007 VFR800 Anniversary
Where: Canton, Ohio
Why: Low miles, tasteful cosmetics
Price: $5900 or offfer

While the sixth-gen 25th Anniversary Edition of 2007 may not have been the sales hit that Honda had expected, the design has aged well and held its value in the used marketplace.

This model is on offer from a small specialty vintage bike shop in Canton, Ohio. It shows only 5770 miles and has had some polishing done here and there, like the outer wheel rims, master cylinder covers and peg mounts. As for the passenger peg mounts, they're missing in the photos but are hopefully included. There's no ABS, but outside of the cosmetics and an aftermarket windscreen, the bike looks to be in excellent, mostly original condition. If polished rims are your thing, this may be your bike.

The asking price is on the high side of top-level Anniversary Edition examples, but there's some wiggle room. Also find the bike listed here on eBay.

Arlen Ness, 1939-2019
The word "icon" is often overused when describing someone who could more accurately be called well-known. That's not the case with Arlen Ness and his influence on motorcycling. He is an icon of our sport.

Arlen was an design innovator, an entrepreneur and an artist in metal. He was also a genuine, earthy guy who never lost his connection with the audience he served. And he was a rider — the real thing, not some Sturgis phony. The company he founded, Arlen Ness Enterprises, is still a family-owned and operated third-generation business. Anyone who can make their passion their life's work is a lucky person, and Arlen summed it up pretty well in his usual understated way: "Motorcycling has been a great ride."

The most difficult VFR fairing panels to locate are the third generation, 1990-93. I've never understood why, but they rarely appear on eBay. This morning I stumbled upon this seller, thepartresource, who has a selection of panels available. The seller claims the donor bike hasn't been wrecked, but the parts will still need some TLC. These particular pieces are from a pearl white 1993, but will fit all third-gen models. Click on the image for the link.

So...I was pursuing some threads on VFRworld.com and came across some thoughtful and articulate posts from BIKenG, whom I later came to know as Ken Gillette from the UK. In his posts, Ken referenced a VFR1200 project of his. The photos caught my eye and upon reaching out to Ken, he graciously supplied me with an in-depth account of his custom build, which he calls eVo4.

Ken's background includes 50 years of riding, wrenching, racing and teaching motorcycling. He's organized European riding trips and once worked for Honda UK, running the Technical Training Schools. The latter helps to explain the great lengths and technical creativity employed in bringing this project from a 2012 insurance write-off to the well-sorted naked seventh-gen Interceptor we see here.

The technical wizardry list is long — I'll included it as a "Read More" at the bottom of this post for the technically curious. Reverting a modern faired bike into a naked is no small task. Ken moved or eliminated many electronics and added a Puig headlight fairing. The front suspension is an Ohlins unit from a Kawasaki ZZR1400 and the rear shock a VFR Ohlins. The front calipers are Brembo radial units spec'd for the Hayabusa and wheels OEM VFR1200. An Akrapovic muffler is mounted with a custom mid-pipe, tuned with a DynoJet PC-V. More additions include electronic cruise control, heated grips and an instrument pod from the VFR1200X.

As a lover of naked bikes and, apparently, a hopeless techno-geek, Ken's biggest challenge was integrating the electronics made necessary by the many changes and additions. His skills and tenacity resulted in the unique and attractive custom seen here. For all the myriad details, click "Read More" below the photos.

Thanks to Ken for sharing his beautiful bike.
(click on an image to enlarge)

SOLD via eBay auction: $3800

Here we have an original condition second-generation VFR750 Interceptor showing only 6542 miles. After eight bids, the buyer paid $3800.

Our seller indicates that the bike has an aftermarket fork brace, but otherwise appears to be in as-delivered condition with miscellaneous scuffs and scratches. The OEM mufflers look good in the small photos and the passenger seat cowl is in place. The bike has been tuned but no word on tire condition...or any other particular details.

SOLD via eBay auction: $6000

​After only 14 bids, this 2010 VFR1200F DCT recently sold for $6000. What makes this particular 1200 special is that its original owner had managed to accumulate only 1275 miles in three years of ownership. It features the optional Dual Clutch Transmission, HeliBar handlebar risers and a larger touring screen.

This bike has a very low serial number (00056) and was purchased as a left-over in 2016. The significance of the selling price is that this sale probably represents the high water mark for early VFR1200 values.

No one can say that jay Leno lacks the knowledge, taste, finances and facilities to make bring any classic vehicle back from the dead and make it the best it can be. This may be his latest challenge.

Word on the street is that Jay recently bought this Brough Superior project at auction for an impressive $550,000. But it's not, of course, just any old Brough. This "partially and loosely assembled original SS100 with JAP engine" is a matching numbers bike, documented to have been owned by George Brough himself and raced at the 1930 International Six Days trial. That kind of provenance adds value, both intrinsic and financial. Bikes like these are an important part of our sport's heritage, and this one's in good hands.

What: 1990 VFR750F
Where: Leslie, MO (St. Louis area)
Why: Pristine, low-mile survivor
Price: $3000
If you're in the market for a classic Honda VFR that you can actually use and be proud to own for many years, this is the droid you're after. The bike shows only 7500 miles, and sparkles in original Italian Red with white wheels and correct gray seat (recovered). Maintenance has been brought up-to-date with carbs cleaned/sync'd, fresh tires, fluids changed...ready to ride. The muffler is OEM, the passenger grab handles are in place, but no sign of a rear seat cowl and the rear fender has been chopped. I don't often see third-gen survivors with such low miles, and this would make someone a perfect vintage sport touring bike. The price is at the top of third-gen values, but the buyer is saving about $1000 worth of maintenance normally needed on a 29-year old VFR purchase. What a great find — thanks to V4 Dreams reader, Roger.