Description
12/19 Update: This RC30 is titled as a 1988 model.
Click here for an VINData Motorcycle History Report on this 1987 Honda RC30. Additional photos are available here for your perusal.
We obviously love our Honda RC30s here, but this one is pretty special — even for us. Honda gave Americans access to the RC30 in 1990, and our European colleagues were able to buy it as early as 1988. However, the first 1,000 examples were exclusively offered in Japan, and what you see before you is one of those very bikes.
When the first RC30s were announced in Japan in the summer of 1987, Honda essentially used a lottery to select who would be able to buy one. The lucky few were rewarded with one of the most iconic race replicas of all time — a homologation specifically created so that Honda could compete in the new-for-1988 World Superbike Championship.
There are several features that are unique to the original 1,000 RC30s, including smaller headlights, blue turn signal housings, a 77 horsepower restriction (the Japanese limit for 750cc motorcycles at the time), and a numbered plaque on the frame which said that this bike was “For those few who can appreciate the finest Motor Sports has to offer.”
This example is VIN: RC301000587. A frame number beginning with “1” denotes a desirable first-production-year 1987 example. The bike was discovered at Moto Village, a scooter shop in Kamakura, Japan and imported to the U.S. in 2020.
The odometer shows 6,389 kilometers (3,969 miles).
Maintenance:
In preparation for the listing, we cleaned and synced the carbs, topped up the coolant, replaced the sub air filter, installed a new right headlight bulb, and repaired the front brake switch. Additionally, we cleaned up the top triple clamp, replaced a missing dzus fastener, and gave the bike a detailing. Our service department notes the following in their condition report:
Gas Tank Condition: Ok
Tire Years – Front: 0519; Rear: 0319
Tire Life – Front: +80%; Rear: +90%
Tire Pressure – Front: 36PSI; Rear:
38PSI
Brake Life – Front: +80%; Rear: +90%
Hydraulic Fluid – Front/Rear/Clutch: Ok
Drive Chain Condition: Ok
Engine Oil – Level: Ok; Quality: Ok
Coolant – Level: Ok; Quality: Ok
Low Beam: Ok
High Beam: Ok
Passing Light: Ok
Parking Light: Ok
Turn Signals: Ok
Tail Light: Ok
Brake Light: Ok
Plate Light: Ok
Killswitch: Ok
Horn: Ok
Battery: 12.22V; Charging: 14.1V
Test Ride: 1 mile test ride, unit operates as designed
Notes:
-Few scratches On RH fairing lower, tail, LH mid fairing and mirrors
Modifications:
Battery tender lead.
Inside of the tank:
It is riding on Dunlop Roadsmart III tires with date codes of 0319 and 0519.
The sale includes one key, the original Japanese service manual, the original Japanese parts manual, and Japanese export documentation.
Cosmetic Blemishes: please see the album up top for all known cosmetic blemishes. Here is a selection:
Currently located at our facility in Santa Monica, California (please make an appointment for an inspection), this Honda is offered on a clean Montana title. Have any RC30 stories or questions about this listing? Let us know in the “Comments” tab!
