Monthly Archives: September 2015

Update 9.21.2015: RSBFS readers do it again! This pair and two others from the seller’s collection sold in just 24 hours! Contact me if you have a special bike that needs to be sold with a Featured Listing. Just $59!

Congratulations to buyer and seller! -dc

Honda’s V4 sportbikes have gained an enviable reputation as sophisticated, do-it-all motorcycles, and it all started in 1983 with the VF750F. Although it was originally designed to compete in AMA Superbike racing’s 750cc format, it offered up cutting-edge technology and handling while managing to be a very usable, comfortable motorcycle.

The chain-driven 90° V4 engine layout eliminated primary vibration and was very compact. The slightly smaller VF700F tax-beater size put out 81 claimed horsepower, down just 5 from its bigger brother. Visually, the only difference between the two bikes was a lack of any mention of the smaller bike’s engine size in the graphics. Internally, it used a shorter stroke to reduce displacement and had different cams and ignition timing. Both the 750 and the 700 featured an early slipper clutch design to help keep the rear wheel in contact with the track on high-rpm downshifts, although the gearbox had just five speeds, compared to the six of earlier shaft-drive V4s.

Suspension was state-of-the-art, with a 16″ front wheel for razor-sharp steering and the typical 18″ rear, fashionable air-assisted shock and forks, and fully-adjustable suspension. The VF even had an effective anti-dive system at the front, a relative rarity in an era of gimmicky technology of dubious value.

Unfortunately, Honda’s usually stellar reputation was marred by problems with cam wear in the early V4s. The problem was eventually traced to excessive clearance in the camshaft bearings and these should present no problems if the original bits have been updated appropriately as the rest of the bike was up to Honda’s high standards. This scandal ultimately led to the heavily-revised and overbuilt VFR that cemented the bike’s reputation as an impossibly durable sports motorcycle.

Today, we have a matched bookend pair of bikes from the VF’s history, one from the beginning, and one from the modern era, both in nearly crate-fresh condition

From the Seller: 1984 Honda VF700F and 2007 VFR800 for Sale

For sale are my two matching Interceptors. My 1984 VF700F with only 54 original miles and the 2007 Honda VFR800 25th Anniversary model with ZERO miles on it that matches it. This is extremely rare to have both the original 1984 and the matching 2007. PLEASE see the 282 photos link for the entire two year build. Bought the 1984 with 28 miles (see original title scan in photo link) , reconditioned it piece by piece, drove it to the current 54 miles and professionally and properly stored the bike. Bought the 2007 new in the crate, built it last year for display, it has never been started or even had the battery hooked up. It IS a new bike period !

Here is the photo link to almost 300 hi-res photos: http://s1185.photobucket.com/user/shabbabear/library/1984%20HONDA%20VF700F?sort=6&page=1

Both bikes have never seen direct sunlight, never rain and both kept in my climate and humidity controlled, carpeted garage or my carpeted den. Both bikes fogged and professionally serviced before storage. all fluids replaced or renewed if needed. Both gas tanks FLAWLESS and untouched inside. VF700 was originally in flawless RED and has been painted with FACTORY OEM Honda paints to convert to the BLUE model as it matches the 2007 VFR800 25th Anniversary model. Have the paint cans. This is shown in insane details in the almost 300 photos. I am a 54 year old serious collector and a certified Harley-Davidson and Honda Motorcycle Master Tech of 20+ years. I have been employed in the motorcycle industry from 1975 through 2014.

Have all keys, OEM manuals, parts, etc…absolutely everything is MINT, IMMACULATE, FLAWLESS, PERFECT. My ebay feedback is 100% perfect and reflects my sales of over 80 motorcycles and cars since 1999 to include my Ferrari’s, Porsches, Acura NSX’s, Vipers and on and on.

I am a former PCNA [Porsche Club North America] Concours Level Judge and fully understand what a 100 point PERFECT motorcycle is…these are it. Not one nick, cut, dent , scratch, lint, dust, rub, smear, mark, nothing PERIOD…NO excuses and NO stories…these are better than museum condition and run as new. 2007 has easily removed red Tapeworks wheel tape and fender eliminator kit. all OEM stock parts [pegs, rear fender, etc still new with all stickers]. only the gas tank, tail and side covers were painted on the 1984 VF700F, everything else is still factory FLAWLESS and cleaned and polished to absolute perfection.

On the 1984 VF700F; even the OEM tires are still flawless with no dry rot or separation. Brake pads are new, even the engine gaskets are still green and all fluids flawless. All stickers, chain same as when new from Honda.

Selling as a matched set for $10,500 for the pair. Have over $20,000 invested in these two collectibles. Will also sell separately at $5000 (VF700F) and $6000 (VFR800) each. Open to offers, so please call, as we (wife and I of 30 years) are selling off part of my collection to buy land to retire on. Happy to answer any questions. Call with your offers as we are going to closing in about 35 days.

Bill

The seller mentions that he is looking for $5,000 for VF700F by itself, which is fair money for one of these — and you are unlikely to ever find one in this kind of shape or with this kind of mileage again.

The 2007 VFR has not yet achieved collector-bike status and purists seem to scoff at the VTEC bikes, but it looks great in HRC colors and is a pretty cool bookend for the earlier bike.

Obviously, this matched pair is meant more for collectors than for riders: there are plenty of well-maintained examples of these out there if you’re looking for something to put miles on. But if you’re looking for the perfect bikes to complete your V4 Honda set and sit alongside a VF1000R and an RC30, your search is over.

-tad