Something different.

[Scout63]

I got that call the other day from a friend of a friend.  The one that makes you feel a little conflicted but you secretly love that starts with “I just want it out of the garage.” $500 and 30 miles later this 1990 VFR750 is disrobing in my garage. It needs a fuel pump, fluids flush etc. More to follow.






coin flip website

[chuck peterson]

90 degree V4…

102 hp…

145 mph…

Mr Honda was quoted as saying it’s the perfect motor..

[cliffrod]

Very cool, Ben.   

According to his biographer son, Renoir viewed the experience of life as a cork bobbing in the stream and sought to experience & appreciate the opportunities presented along the journey.  That looks like a fun bike to have that can be ridden without the level of angst that accompanies other bikes.  There’s a lot to be said for that.  Enjoy!

[Sprouty115]

I got that call the other day from a friend of a friend.  The one that makes you feel a little conflicted but you secretly love that starts with “I just want it out of the garage.” $500 and 30 miles later this 1990 VFR750 is disrobing in my garage...

I need better friends...

[Huzo]

Jeez you’re an arsey bugger.


Did you score that Doohan Arai in the scoop as well ?

[Huzo]

1990 VFR750 is disrobing in my garage. It needs a fuel pump, fluids flush etc.

I’d be having a fluids flush if I scored that little prize too…!

[Stretch]

I need better friends...

Looks like a good 'un, Ben!   

                          -Stretch

[tris]

I had a  green 1994 example as my second  bike which got written off after busting the chain at WOT

With hindsight it was probably too much bike for the abilities I had at the time, but a lovely machine.

That being said,  I can remember swearing as I rolled to a halt because the chain hit my boot on its way off and deciding that I wanted a shaft drive bike, and so began my Guzzi adventure

[bigbikerrick]

Honda V4s are great ! I have owned a few, a couple of Magnas, and an ST 1300.  Smooth, powerful,and well engineered.
Rick D.

[sdcr]

Ben,

Very nice, and I am sure you will have it sorted before long. They are superb machines, and make a very good sport touring platform. IIRC, Corbin had offered side bags at one time.

I owned a ‘91 version, which would be identical to the ‘90, except for bronze colored wheels.

Some observations...
They are deceptively top heavy, especially with a full tank. Speaking of which, mine could only pull about 32-35 mpg.
Also, summer riding will bring out the heat, predominantly from the exhaust side.
 These are really minor nits, as they are well engineered machines, and the V4 makes its own music.

Good luck with it.

[FarmallA]

Ben

I love my '94 4th generation.





Same engine as your '90 I believe with gear drive, shim under bucket cams.  Comfy and quick enough for old me. 

Voltage regulators are a well known weak spot.  I lost mine three weeks ago. Engine died and wouldn't restart (10.3V on an old battery) right in front of Hudson NY's Moto Coffee Machine.  Anthony had a new proper Yuasa battery in stock, so he filled it up with electrolyte and charged it for an hour while we had a nice cup of coffee.  I unplugged the headlights and made it 30 miles home with 11.4V showing on the meter.  Of course I had a new spare sitting on a shelf at home.  Rick's Regulator's MOSFET unit is recommended.

External fuel pump is an easy fix.

Dunlop Roadsmart 4 tires work great for me.

FarmallA
Steve

[Tom]

Good bike to ride solo.   

[s1120]

Great deal, on a amazing bike!!  Amazing sound those v4's make! And really the bike does everything good, and is not boring doing it.

[chuck peterson]

Rocket bike..don’t lose your red suspender license!

[Scout63]

I’m afraid I buried the lead on this.  I gave up riding about a month ago.  I was riding home from work one night and the voice in my head said to stop.  46 years of riding almost daily since the age of 14. I’ve been holding off posting to make sure that it sticks. That’s why I said no the first two times the seller called me.  This is going to be a quick freshen up and sale. I will continue to build bikes and have two Laverdas and a Guzzi to put together, as well as ten complete bikes to dispose of over time.

I did get the helmet in the deal. Anyone who wants it can have it for the postage. I’ll post the size.

[Stretch]

Well Ben, everybody calls it a day - or has it called for 'em - at some point for one reason or another.

I hope I don't hear those voices for a long time -  I'm planning A LOT of time on the bikes
in retirement! 

Good Luck to you.  I hope we continue to see you on this forum and at the odd event.

                                                                          -Stretch

[Huzo]

I’m afraid I buried the lead on this.  I gave up riding about a month ago.  I was riding home from work one night and the voice in my head said to stop.  46 years of riding almost daily since the age of 14. I’ve been holding off posting to make sure that it sticks. That’s why I said no the first two times the seller called me.  This is going to be a quick freshen up and sale. I will continue to build bikes and have two Laverdas and a Guzzi to put together, as well as ten complete bikes to dispose of over time.

I did get the helmet in the deal. Anyone who wants it can have it for the postage. I’ll post the size.

Well…
He IS an Aussie….

[s1120]

I’m afraid I buried the lead on this.  I gave up riding about a month ago.  I was riding home from work one night and the voice in my head said to stop.  46 years of riding almost daily since the age of 14. I’ve been holding off posting to make sure that it sticks. That’s why I said no the first two times the seller called me.  This is going to be a quick freshen up and sale. I will continue to build bikes and have two Laverdas and a Guzzi to put together, as well as ten complete bikes to dispose of over time.

I did get the helmet in the deal. Anyone who wants it can have it for the postage. I’ll post the size.

WOW didnt see that one coming at all. We all need to do what our head, and hearts tell us to, and when its time its time. When I got back to riding after a decade of not, I had big visions of long rides, and doing some traveling. Really as it turned out, my body, and mind is really maxed out at the 100 mile trip each way to the IMOC rally. Really the slow 45-55 mph backroads where I live with little or no traffic is where I enjoy it the most. I have a 15 min trip to work over some of the nicest roads anywhere with little traffic, a small town, farms, and curves, and even a grass strip airport where I can pase a small CUB taking off...  ZERO interests in spending days in the seat. Enjoy your shop time! 

[Tom]

Maybe just rides during the day?

[Scout63]

A little background. I turned 60 this year and started the process of planning for retirement. I’m a few years away at least but needed to start figuring it out. Then my wife Sara and I spent two weeks in Provence in late September and had a wonderful time. I think unconsciously I realized that after working so hard for the past 35 years and saving enough money so I can hopefully spend 15 or 20 good years with Sara, it  could be wiped out in a moment.

I’ve had maybe 5 significant accidents over the past 45 years, including hitting a deer at speed and having a car cross the road and hit me head-on. Many lesser incidents like sandy low-sides and close calls. None of that fazed me.  Nor did every well-meaning friend who told me with a smile about the most recent tragedy. I think I just subconsciously chose Sara and elimination of that nagging fear that sooner or later I was going to go down again. Once my mind spit it out at me it felt ok. I really didn’t want to tell you all since we are all one and the same person in some ways. We all love bikes and riding so much.

[cliffrod]

I’m probably not the only one here who understands your thinking about this matter.  There’s no reason to criticize or judge.  Friends want friends to be happy and safe.

My bike journey reached a crossroad when I started carving stone.  My potential success as a sculptor was & still is largely dependent upon my hands and physical dexterity. Knowing that one good get-off could disrupt or even end my work has been a tough pill to swallow.  My gift & talent isn’t being a motorcycle rider, so I made my choice.  My love for bikes never diminished, but I don’t have hundreds of thousands of miles of riding under my belt like many do.  The older I get, the more I’m concerned about what a wreck could do to my studio & work that I love just as dearly.   

When I was in Chelsea, Ben, Tim wanted me to come Vintage racing with him with some of my singles. He was doing carpentry cabinet work.    I told him I couldn’t risk a wreck messing up my hands so I couldn’t carve.  He poo-pooed the idea, said there wasn’t much risk because they didn’t push it hard like the pros do.  Soon after that, he went off easy in the gravel on a turn and buggered his shoulder in Aug-Sept(?).  He was still wearing a sling in March at town meeting and still not working.  Not cool.  he said maybe I had a point.

I think about the days when I had a real desk job & no great wife or daughter before doing stone.  I rode more and with more impunity that I ever had. But then I walk out of my studio down back at the end of the day and stop to lay a hand or even sit on my bike.  That’s usually all I need to be completely content. Then I usually enjoy the evening sitting in the couch with my wife doing little as we laugh about getting old, being a has-been and how we’re very fortunate that our youthful adventures didn’t win.

Enjoy your world and time with Sara, Ben.  That’s what really matters.

[n3303j]

A little background. I turned 60 this year and started the process of planning for retirement. I’m a few years away at least but needed to start figuring it out. Then my wife Sara and I spent two weeks in Provence in late September and had a wonderful time. I think unconsciously I realized that after working so hard for the past 35 years and saving enough money so I can hopefully spend 15 or 20 good years with Sara, it  could be wiped out in a moment.

I’ve had maybe 5 significant accidents over the past 45 years, including hitting a deer at speed and having a car cross the road and hit me head-on. Many lesser incidents like sandy low-sides and close calls. None of that fazed me.  Nor did every well-meaning friend who told me with a smile about the most recent tragedy. I think I just subconsciously chose Sara and elimination of that nagging fear that sooner or later I was going to go down again. Once my mind spit it out at me it felt ok. I really didn’t want to tell you all since we are all one and the same person in some ways. We all love bikes and riding so much.

Still riding at 78 with plans to continue long trips when possible. I figure you go when you are supposed to go. The expiration date is set at birth and has little to do with what we would like to see happen. Ernest Gann sort of discusses this in his excellent aviation book, "Fate is the Hunter".

[Moparnut72]

I am also 78. I plan on riding as long as I am able. I think the one thing that keeps me going is that I think about and plan in my mind on what rides I am going to take next year. Where I am going to go and what I am going to do when I get there. I just bought a new Mandello and am working on setting it up for next year to be able to continue my moto camping. Engine guards just arrived yesterday, luggage rack ordered, on back order but will be coming. Also waiting on the dealer to get the side cases. Really looking forward to the national.
kk

[BigDuke6]

A little background. I turned 60 this year and started the process of planning for retirement. I’m a few years away at least but needed to start figuring it out. Then my wife Sara and I spent two weeks in Provence in late September and had a wonderful time. I think unconsciously I realized that after working so hard for the past 35 years and saving enough money so I can hopefully spend 15 or 20 good years with Sara, it  could be wiped out in a moment.

I’ve had maybe 5 significant accidents over the past 45 years, including hitting a deer at speed and having a car cross the road and hit me head-on. Many lesser incidents like sandy low-sides and close calls. None of that fazed me.  Nor did every well-meaning friend who told me with a smile about the most recent tragedy. I think I just subconsciously chose Sara and elimination of that nagging fear that sooner or later I was going to go down again. Once my mind spit it out at me it felt ok. I really didn’t want to tell you all since we are all one and the same person in some ways. We all love bikes and riding so much.

I can respect this.  It's interesting to me though.  After working in a nursing home for a little while, I decided that the older I get, the faster and more dangerous bikes I'm going to ride.  I'm also thinking of purchasing a biplane at some point in the next few years.  After leaving the Army, I spent so much of my life being careful and as I get older that becomes less and less important and actually more and more detrimental (in my opinion).  I figure I'll just do crazier and crazier stuff each year and the whole thing should just work itself out eventually. I love my wife and kids dearly as well but I don't want to get too old if I don't have to.  Two different responses to the same situation...

Oh, I forgot to add - that Honda is an achingly gorgeous bike.  Nice find.

[Tom]

2nd Hand Lions.     Good movie.   

[s1120]

I can respect this.  It's interesting to me though.  After working in a nursing home for a little while, I decided that the older I get, the faster and more dangerous bikes I'm going to ride.  I'm also thinking of purchasing a biplane at some point in the next few years.  After leaving the Army, I spent so much of my life being careful and as I get older that becomes less and less important and actually more and more detrimental (in my opinion).  I figure I'll just do crazier and crazier stuff each year and the whole thing should just work itself out eventually. I love my wife and kids dearly as well but I don't want to get too old if I don't have to.  Two different responses to the same situation...

Oh, I forgot to add - that Honda is an achingly gorgeous bike.  Nice find.

There is really a lot of truth to that line of thought..  Not sure its how I feel, but I do understand 100%