Click on image for the eBay link. 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.
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.
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