update: Sold for $12,250
Honda’s VFR750R may have codified the company’s endurance-racing formula, but the often-forgotten VF1000R laid the groundwork for that iconic machine. Designed for the same purpose, to homologate the platform for production-based racing classes, it included a raft of features that improved the bike’s competition prospects. This example has just undergone a frame-off nut-and-bolt cosmetic and mechanical restoration to return the bike to factory-fresh condition.
At nearly 600lbs wet, the VF1000R was bigger and heavier than the familiar RC30 and RC45 that followed, a result of Honda’s tendency to overbuild and overengineer their bikes of the period: just check out that ventilated rear brake disc and the spring-loaded flaps in the fairings to reduce temperatures! But the physical size meant rider comfort, and the bikes could spend all day at their nearly 150mph top speed.
At the heart of the beast and cradled in a square-section tubular steel frame was a 998cc V4 with gear-driven cams that gave the engine its classic whine and produced 125hp. Torque-Reactive Anti-Dive Control forks reduced brake dive and featured quick-release axles for faster wheel/tire changes, adjustable bars meant comfort for riders of various sizes, and the distinctive modular Comstar wheels were, unusually for the time, wrapped in radial tires.
Note that this stunning example features a headlight configuration designed for the US market, instead of the one intended for the rest of the world that included a pair of lamps behind a single lens.
From the Seller: Freshly Restored 1985 Honda VF1000R for Sale
This is a stunning example of Honda’s rare 1985 VF1000R homologation special that was produced in limited numbers. This particular example has gone through a multi-year frame off nut & bolt OE restoration by Modern Classics Sportbike Restorations (MCSR) based in California.
The entire restoration process was documented in a series of video’s that potential buyers can find on the MCSR YouTube channel. In keeping with previous restorations at MCSR this bike is not only visually stunning but rides like it just left the showroom, with cold start and ride along video’s available on the channel.
Where possible NOS components were sourced to complete the restoration, otherwise the original components were replated or refinished to match OE finishes. The following is just a small list of the work carried out.
- Engine strip with full top end rebuild including valve seats and oil seals
- Full carb strip and rebuild with new fuel connecting pipes, needles & stage 1 jet kit
- New clutch, chain and sprockets
- Full brake rebuild front & back, new master cylinder seals & caliper piston seals all-round
- Front & rare brake rotors resurfaced
- Full rebuild of the TRAC system, with new seals
- Fully rebuilt clutch master & slave, with new seal kits
- Rebuilt front forks and rear shock, with new seal kit & bushings
- Full wheel strip, refinish & rebuild with new bearings
- Show quality paint & replacement decals precisely matched to the OE scheme
- Fitted with European style gas tank for improved aesthetics
- All electrical equipment and wiring loom refurbished
- New Bridgestone Battlax BT46 tires
Restoration was completed in June 2023, with less than 100 shakedown miles accumulated since then. Bike comes with clean California title with registration currently on non op.
In addition to the video above, the seller has included a whole raft of high-quality pics of the bike both naked and clothed in all that classic 80s bodywork.
-tad
