I'm a Craigslist junkie, spend way too much time on it than I actually spend money... Anyway I saw a listing for a 1987 cbr1000 but it's a V4, hard for me to tell if it's even a Honda. The VFR's look to have a much different frame. What do you think?

 

I would have guessed a Sabre but Google proved me wrong. Hint: It is a Honda, and only existed because of Harley Davidson

 

Ok thanks, the hint got me looking again, it's an RC24 engine I'm pretty sure which makes it a VFR750F of some grade - The frame and right hand side housings look identical. Not sure what the connection to Harley is, that would be cool info to know about.

 

I'm pretty sure if it's an '87 in the states, that makes it a VFR700F. I couldn't find any visual difference to the VFR750F, except that it wouldn't have been in the states due to Harley's conspiracy to keep all foreign bikes under 700cc's. The VFR750R had a different frame and a single-sided rear and didn't come to the states until 1990 afaik

But does it run?

Edit: Here's a link to an article explaining the tariffs that 'saved' H-D in the 80's

https://www.revzilla.com/common-trea...arley-davidson

 

Yes, the single sided rear - I do remember reading about the tariff issue, didn't know it lasted that long. But Honda did manage to quickly modify their engines with the Sabres anyway.

I doubt that thing runs, and I doubt it's worth the thousand dollar asking price all torn apart like that lol.

 

Haha of course he thinks it's worth $1000. Not even if that grocery bag stuffed into the frame had $999 cash in it

I'd love to add a VFR to my collection. Did a 1000km road trip on my brother's VFR800 last year. Lovely bikes

 

Around here it's amazing what people call near mint! I think this one just "needed a little work". Yes, I think the VFR was a pretty classy bike but haven't found anything I would pull the trigger on. I think Honda came to their senses when they went back to the straight rack, the V4 configuration was such a cool engine though.

 

Yeah, the styling is a little dated, and there are legitimate concerns about reliability, but more cause the previous owner had modified a lot of things, and it's getting up there in age. It has a great sound, and it feels smaller than it is. Comfy and quick too. Great all-rounder

The I4 is definitely a utilitarian engine. It's the logical choice for so many reasons

The V4 is more whimsical. Cocky even. I've got a V65 Magna in the garage and while I wait for decals for my CBR, I get to check for smeared cams. Fun fun

 

I'm reading that the V engines are much tougher to work on and the later 80's models are more perfected regarding mechanical reliability. Getting the carbs in and out of a V45/V65 engine looks like a nightmare - Can only imagine what dealing with top end issues is like. I have a VT cruiser that I might get to some day - Everything looks really cramped and complicated as if the designers were more interested in creating a cool looking bike instead of how things will play out when it is wrench time.

The I4 has been fairly easy to know so far. Other than the pilot screws on the side of my CBR no frustrating hassles yet. If I could figure out the carb issues I would be in heaven with that thing.