Blue Christmas?

Hey, if you can use KBB to your benefit, it's smart. They won't budge if they don't have to, so don't feel bad about being shrewd. Shrewd does not equal shady. I just wanted to point out that KBB isn't the end all for pricing.

As for my avatar, well, that's what my left shoulder area looked like last April after an accident I had in March. It's all better now, but had to have surgery on my glenoid process (part of the socket), which fractured due to the impact. All that's left is a big scar. The doctor went a bit overboard with the scalpel, IMO.

 

sorry to hear about your 3rd gen. but glad to know your ok.

 

Thanks. Feel like a wimp though after seeing jamiev34's avatar

 

I live in Atlanta also. Saw the 2980 bike before I pulled the trigger on a 3rd gen - it was a mess!

Bent front forks, deeply scarred right side engine cover, literally "every" plastic piece on the bike (except piece above taillight) was broken and badly road-rashed in numerous places. The panels had been broken around every fairing nut or screw on the bike. Both clutch and brake lever/ master cylinder were scored and the right front brake rotor was warped (although that probably could've been turned out by a competent machine shop).

The bike did have a Corbin saddle, but it was worn through and torn in three places. There was also significant amounts of rust on exposed metal parts, as though the bike had been stored outside for a few months. I'd never seen anything like it.

The bike had been sitting in their upstairs loft since at least last June. The dealer claimed the bike was a "Steal" at 2980 because the KBB wholesale value was from 2200-3400. They also said I couldn't ride the bike before purchase (I had cash in-hand and my wife was with me), or even listen to the engine run; but they would "make good" on anything wrong with the bike after the sale. I couldn't make the bike go through the gears while it was on the centerstand, something was wrong with second.

I offered them 1900 and walked away when they said no & refused to come off their 2980 price.

 

Sorry to hear about the careless destruction of a Honda classic! I woulda kicked in EVERY PANEL on that dumb bitch's car!!

I heartily agree that the gen 3 is better looking, but gen 4 has some engineering improvements........may also have more comfortable riding position and wider parts availability

 

Glad you're OK!!
Definitely go look at the 4th gen!! I'm somewhat distrustful of dealers anymore, so take a good look and run a carfax before you sign on the dotted line.
I've also been seeing 5th gens running for under your 3k budget lately, so don't rule them out altogether.

Just saw Dean's post. Something decent at a good price will turn up soon.

 

Thanks Deanc. I had a similar experience with the whole "make good" after the sale speech with them. Your eye must be better than mine, cuz I missed the bent fork. Of course, they had the bike crammed up there in that loft amongst others so it was a hassle just trying to look close to the faring let alone the rest of the bike.

You mentioned having a 3rd Gen? What did you pay for it, how many miles and condition? Still trying to get a feel for the market here and pricing.

 

I paid $1200 for my 1993, but it's a beater winter project bike. Got it from a guy in Murrayville, who was "optimistic" in his craigslist description of condition.

So far, I've installed the vfrness; rodded, straightened and repainted the radiator; un-bent some damaged lines that were rubbing on each other; replaced the battery; replaced both switch housings; replaced all water hoses; replaced all fluids; replaced the very uncomfortable "custom-cut" seat; and re-did several half-a**ed plastic repairs. Next up is replacing the catch-as-catch-can body bolts with a stock Honda set.

I bought the bike as a winter hobby and so far it's keeping me busy alright. :crazy:

Anyway, VFR's in good shape get dramatically cheaper and much harder to find in the winter. Year-round average prices are about 1500-4500 for used, depending on condition.... average 3rd gen around 2500-3200.

 

deanc

yeah there's a guy in Lawrenceville who's sellin one for 3,000. supposed to look at it saturday morning. it's a '90 with 33,000 miles. pictures look good, but we'll see.

where are you gettin your parts for the bike? any problems? needed float bowl gaskets for my 91 and service honda had me waiting 3 months cuz of "back order". guess that's the challenge with older bikes though.

sounds like you got your work cut out for you.

 

I hope you got hurt!!

(A little)

A small bruise, cut, or scratch is evidence of "pain and suffering," which her insurance will PAY FOR, easily $2000 or more for a couple of subdural hemotomae (bruises) or cuts....especially if you missed work.

And your gear, scuffed helmet, ripped gloves, torn pants ( assuming you were pant-clad), they'll pay for that too.

 

Man, I'm an idiot. It never occured to me to get reimbursed for my helmet, boots, and jeans. And now I'm a little peaved that my own insurance company (who should be experienced at this) didn't ask me about that stuff. They already cut me my check for the bike so I'm wondering if that officially closes out my claim. I am shaking my head at my naivete.

 

briq23 - Good luck with the Lawrenceville bike. If it looks anywhere as good in-person as in the ad, it's a bargain.

I just bought my 93 a couple of weeks ago, not real familiar with the viffers yet. In another lifetime, I used to work at Roswell Fun Machines & got to ride a few VFR's. I built and sold an Interceptor 500 & 700 while I worked there. Ever since then, always wanted one. I prefer the 4th gen for looks but the 3rd gen is definitely a pretty bike. A clean & straight 4th gen was out of my budget, hence the beater. But I'm happy with it, I love tinkering... guessing most of us on the list do.

So far parts are coming from eBay, David Silver, and local boneyards. Anyone in ATL with a 1st or 2nd gen - check out Rockdale Cycles, they've got 20-odd Interceptors in their yard.

 

Been there done that. Not worth the court time, or $$$$$ for lawyer. You have to prove that you were still in fear for your life while you were tearing her car apart. (and "proof" costs money, lots of money) Long term satisfaction out weighs instant gratification. Silently and secretly have all of the windows busted out of her car and home every few months until you get bored.
"Life is funny, I have the money to have you killed by somebody who has nothing."
-Marshal Mathers

 

Funny.

Reminds me of a story I heard about a guy whose wife left him for his business partner, cleaning out the bank accounts as they left town together...

The guy hired a detective agency to track down his former partner. On the anniversary of that day, he showed up and beat the living crap out of his former partner - put him in the hospital.

Every year for several years after that, he did the same thing. Eventually, the business partner became a fearfully quivering mass of jello and had a nervous breakdown... whereupon the wronged man reported the former partner to the police and the SEC.

Sorry, more than a little off topic, but I just couldn't resist telling that story.

The woman who hit you probably swears to this day that you "came out of nowhere".

 

yeppers. the first words she said to me were "well I put my blinker on". as if to suggest I shoulda been able to stop in my tracks goin' 40 mph. at least it caused me to swerve rather than t-bone into her. don't even wanna think what coulda happened with THAT kinda collision.

 

All the insurance people want to do is GET YOUR SIGNATURE on some documents. Hold out, don't sign quickly-- you could have hidden injuries that only show up later. Maybe talk to a lawyer. You should never accept their first settlement offer; instead, state what you want ( much higher, of course) but say you might consider a figure closer to theirs.

Next you have to deal with the "buy back" fee on your bent bike. They used to be dirt cheap, but have crept up alot--too much-- in recent years.

You and maybe another biker should view the wreck and carefully asses the actual damages and what needs replacing, then decide whether rebuilding or parting out is the better deal for you.

I learned these lessons the hard way after being hit on a Hawk from behind by a young bitch in a Blazer at a stroplight!!

The Hawk is still on the road. I was commited to saving it, not sending it to some fillfy junkyard.

 

briq23 - did you ever find another good viffer?

 

Hey Deanc

Arrg. No luck yet, and not for lack of trying. Even spent part of my roadtrip to my parents during New Years to try and look at a 5th gen bike in Chattanooga for $3,000 (dude stood me up and wouldn't return my call when I wanted to know where he was) and a 5th gen in Greenville for $3,500 (bike shop had traded it's VFR for a Kaw by the time I got there). Looked at the 1990 on Craigslist in L'ville, but the guy won't go below $2,500 and it needs cosmetic work. Turns out the pictures made it look better than it was. So I dunno at this point. The guy in Chattanooga made me hopeful of finding a newer bike for $3,000, but most 5th Gens I've seen on this site are goin' for 3,500 which is a tad out of my range. Still.....the thought of getting a 5th gen for a 500 bucks more has me wondering if it's possible to sweet talk my wife into raising the budget, ya know?

 

Yep, I know about wives and budgets alright.

Sometimes it's better to buckle down and spend a few extra bucks upfront, than try to fix all the problems an older bike will always have. I learned that lesson once in my younger days, but (ouch!) forgot and bought another basket case... thought this would be a winter hobby bike, turning into a huge winter time sink. But I'm making headway...

Oh well, not like the weather gives us a lot of other choices anyway. Which Canadian let the cold air in?!! Not to smash on the Canadian people, who are fine and good folks - but holy cr@p it's cold this year!