1986 Honda VFR700F on eBay - located in Simi Valey, CA - project bike

3 days left with starting bid: $2,450 (no bids)

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Description on eBay auction page:

This is a 1986 Honda VFR700F Interceptor Japanese Sport Bike. It is a project or parts bike. See images for main description of cosmetic condition. We would be happy to send additional images or video. Numerous scratches, some dents etc, it needs work. This bike has not been tested or run it needs servicing and repair or broken into parts. You will need a trailer to pick it up. It was registered in Florida until 2017, then put into storage. Two owners, no reported accidents, etc. We can provide full Experian AutoCheck report upon request.

VIN: JH2RC2601GM000794

It is in as-found condition and was purchased from a storage/liquidation auction. Not tested, no keys, NO title. FOR PARTS.
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1 of 25 photos on the auction site:

 

Puh
Leeze

Got to be kidding me...

 

The starting price is very unrealistic sure but if it was close by I'd try to get it for a lot less $ and either restore or at least there's a lot of parts there.

 

It was originally a CL listing for STUPID MONEY.

Still is.

 

^^^ i disagree

could be restoed for some time and not too muck cash. its almost worth that price imo. rare bike with intact bodywork, clean, its all there. dont be put off by she seat cover.

its not a parts bike, who would do that ?

it needs work maybe but why undervalue our bikes ?

 

I think it's over-priced myself but you could probably get it for less from the seller if you had cash in hand. $1,500 would probably take it - maybe even less.

These are the ones though you'd love to see saved!

Going to need the usual stuff....fuel system, hydraulics, change oil & filter....and after that...I dunno. Cosmetics starting with seat & windscreen replacement, fix blinkers, and then clean up the plastics.

Seat maybe just a recovering.

 

Priced like a ridable bike, but with...

NO TITLE !!!!!!!!

You guys are high.

You can't walk up and offer less cash. The thing was on CL where you can deal and went nowhere.

They are also high.

 

With no title, good luck getting it legal to ride.

 

I've bought two bikes with no title.

One was the Euro '83 RC15....the other the White '86 RC26 from Kenny Kaplan. Kaplan buys out collections sometimes and that's how they end up with those bikes with no title.

In both cases, my local tag office furnished me with the paperwork needed to get titles.

One form is a VIN verification, to be signed by local law enforcement/community relations.

One form is filled out by purchaser with standard info as you would normally fill out when transferring a title.

And the last form is called a "Hold No Harm" form to be filled out by the seller whom also has to furnish a copy of their ID - usually a drivers license will do.

Then you will also have to pay a special fee in addition to normal fees.

That's here in my county in Florida.....and I assume the same in the rest of the state here.

It's a P.I.T.A. but do-able if you don't mind the extra time and effort (and $$$) it takes.

The thing is.....this is one of the negotiating aspects a prospective buyer should use when negotiating selling price. Probably knock off $400. for this - maybe more.

Also.....the ad states "NO KEY"....another P.I.T.A. situation to deal with. Probably knock off $300 right there.

Then there is the unknown about the condition of the engine which happens every time you buy a non-running bike. Probably knock off another $4-500 for this.

New battery, seat work, and blinkers.....knock off another $3-400.

Now we taking off $1,500-1,600 from the asking price.

The best part is all of this stuff is based on reality....not just someone saying "Well I'll give you this amount."

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With my very limited experience buying and working on these bikes I've reached the conclusion the amount of work and money needed to bring a bike back to roadworthy condition may not be worth the trouble compared to paying more for a better condition example. Such as I have done with some of my recent acquisitions.

But there IS also the satisfaction factor of SAVING a bike of this generation Interceptor. As long as you don't pay too much!

 

I get the satisfaction thing, obviously. Rebuilds are usually not a winning proposition for any budget.

If the seller is the titled owner but just lost it, that's relatively straight forward here, but requires a Notary. But getting a title in WA without the legal owner is not easy at all. I literally replaced a frame instead of playing the ridiculous game. It's way more than just having law enforcement verify the VIN and filling out forms. You have to make an appointment and pay for a Washington State Patrol Inspection and the bike has to be complete and DOT road legal. I know somebody that got rejected because the CB100, that was trailered there, did not have mirrors. If you make it thru that, you get a 3 year temp registration where the person that is named on the title can still claim the bike.

No thanks.

 

Oof.......but yeah.......it'd be different for me if I lived in Washington like you, Capt!

Even here it used to be much easier until about a year ago when they tightened things down.

I have to say though both sellers were very cooperative and didn't hesitate to do their part in the two bikes I bought. Nice to have decent folks you're doing business with - even in a private sale.

I'm taking the White '87 over to my tag office later today to get her registered and title transferred. Because it's coming from out of state, it will need a VIN verification. When I was at the tag office last week I asked if they could just do it there at the tag office. She replied yes as long as they don't have to climb up on a trailer. I replied "So you're telling me it's BETTER to have it parked on the pavement." She nodded yes. I took that to mean they don't care how it gets there...they just don't want to have to climb up on a trailer...lol. I have the tag from my '84 on it for now so shouldn't get pulled over or anything.

 

So using my talking points from post #9 above....the adjusted asking/selling price should be around $850-950.

Sound better?

 

That price sounds better Baza, but the title thing would be a nightmare in California. It took 7 months to get my wife's '68Nova through, because it was missing an ORIGNAL smog sticker from 1968 with an out of state title. We don't even smog a car older than '74 in this state..WTF

 

Day I brought home Japanese Sport Bike. Non-running (ran when parked), with seat cowl and TITLE.... $700



Baz, that's the faded tank I was talking about.

 

You're always welcome to re-locate to Florida, my brother. Waves not as good as Cal but warmer water and we do have some decent surf - at least where I live in NSB!

Won't get into any politics but you can draw your own conclusions there, brother Rogue......

Gotta also say...your wife has a '68 Nova? Damn......

Oh OK - definitely see the faded wing!

And probably had a key(s) for it too, I bet!

Looks like a very nice score, Capt......did it turn out in yours eyes to be a nice score?

 

Yes, with key(s). I think I did fine and it was priced about right. Threw the complete brake systems, front and rear, straight into the trash. They were TOAST.

 

Nah, Cali politics blows. We are ex-ranchers, surfers, and racers here.

 

Rode the White '87 - the one that was made in America - over to the tag office this morning. Got the title transferred and a 2 year registration & antique tag for her. She ran so sweet, too!



They did the VIN verification right there - super easy. BTW...the VIN plate numbers on those American units are a little funky looking - like they were stamped by hand. Unlike the ones from Japan......

American:



Japanese: