When the new World Superbike Championship was introduced in 1988, Honda had an issue as its highly successful custom-built RVF750 factory endurance racer (not the RC45) wouldn’t be eligible to compete. So they set out to create a new top-shelf, street-legal, limited edition race bike, producing the minimum number of units required to satisfy homologation rules. Knowing it would only have to turn out a relatively small batch of machines, Soichiro Honda wanted to use the new model to demonstrate what its factory race department was capable of. The result was a no-expense-spared race-grade legend brimming with features previously reserved for track-only machinery. Japan called it the VFR750R, but the bike we fell in love with in America was named the RC30.
At the heart of the RC30 was a liquid-cooled, 748cc, 90-degree V4 engine with four valves per cylinder, gear-driven double-overhead cams, titanium connecting rods, forged two-ring pistons, an 11.0:1 compression ratio, and a “big bang” firing order. Paired with a six-speed transmission with a trick slipper clutch, the sophisticated V4 made 118 hp at 11,000 rpm and 55 ft-lbs of torque at 9,800rpm (unrestricted). The VFR750R had a best-in-class dry weight of 396 lbs and a wet weight of 488 lbs, which was almost 10 lbs less than the game-changing Suzuki GSX-R750. The VFR had a top speed of over 150mph, and thanks to an incredibly high gear ratio, could break 80 mph in first gear.
The RC30 got fully-adjustable Showa suspension fore and aft — 43mm telescopic forks up front and a mono-shock out back. Braking duties went to a pair of fully floating 310mm discs bit by four-piston Nissin calipers in the front and a single 220m unit pinched by a dual-pot caliper in the rear. The bike’s fork sliders also allowed the front calipers to remain in place during wheel changes, a feature that, like the ELF-designed single-sided swing-arm, was born out of competition for ultra-quick pit stops.
Exclusive to the French market was the Bol d’Or model, a designation that came about as a result of the Honda’s RC30 homologation requirements. Along with boasting an unrestricted engine, it also sported the large headlights and a set of Bol d’Or decals. Not only that, but the bike also purportedly saw a slight change in the frame (although, based on the information from a press release packet from Honda, it was cast in the same mold as the original RC30). Here’s a copy of said press release if you’re interested (and can read French).
This example is VIN: RC302001726.
The odometer shows 685 kilometers (425 miles).
Maintenance:
In preparation for the listing, we replaced the fork oil and seals, the intake manifolds, the water pump o-ring, and the fuel valve. Additionally, we cleaned and synced the carbs, changed the oil and oil filter, flushed the hydraulic fluid and coolant, and serviced the chain.
Olly did the work, he notes the following in his condition report:
Tire Life – Front/ Rear: 100%
Tire Pressure – Front/ Rear: 34/36PSI
Brake Life – Front/ Rear: 90%
Hydraulic Fluid – Front/Rear/Clutch: Ok
Oil – Level: Ok; Quality: Ok, New
Coolant – Level: Ok; Quality: Ok, New
Low Beam: Ok
High Beam: Ok
Turn Signals: Ok
Tail Light: Ok
Brake Light: Ok
Plate Light: Ok
Killswitch: Ok
Horn: Ok
Battery: 12.48V
Moreover, we sent out the fork lowers for vapor blasting and we had Brian from B.K.M. Creations refinish the pimples on the belly pan, touch-up the road rash on the mirror, and buff-out the chips and scratches on the tail. We also had M.B. Powder Coat strip, blast, and refinish the clutch master cylinder and the water pump cover.
Modifications:
MRA windscreen.
Battery tender lead.
Cosmetic Blemishes: please see the album up top for all known cosmetic blemishes. Here is a selection:
Inside of the tank:
It is riding on Dunlop Roadsmart IV tires with date codes of 1421 and 1921.
The sale includes two keys.
Currently located at our facility in Santa Monica, California (please make an appointment for an inspection), this Honda is offered on a clean Oregon title. Have any RC30 stories or questions about this listing? Let us know in the “Comments” tab!
Additional Information
Location
Santa Monica, California
Year
1988
Make
Honda
Model
RC30
Mileage
425
VIN
RC302001726
Title
Clean
Title State/Country
Oregon
Private Party/Dealership
Dealership
Additional Charges
No
Total Bids Placed: 53
Auction has ended.
Auction expired without reaching reserve price.
Highest bidder was: s*********7
After the auction ended, the seller accepted an offer of $53,000 including buyer fees.
Bidder Name
Bidding Time
Bid
Auto
s*********7
February 1, 2023 12:59 pm PST
$37,100
s*******5
February 1, 2023 12:59 pm PST
$37,000
Auto This was automatically placed for a bidder with a higher proxy.
s*******5
February 1, 2023 12:57 pm PST
$36,600
Auto This was automatically placed for a bidder with a higher proxy.
o*****e
February 1, 2023 12:57 pm PST
$36,500
s*******5
February 1, 2023 12:56 pm PST
$36,300
Auto This was automatically placed for a bidder with a higher proxy.
o*****e
February 1, 2023 12:56 pm PST
$36,200
s*******5
February 1, 2023 12:55 pm PST
$36,100
o*****e
February 1, 2023 12:55 pm PST
$36,000
Auto This was automatically placed for a bidder with a higher proxy.
o*****e
February 1, 2023 12:21 pm PST
$35,200
s*******5
February 1, 2023 12:07 pm PST
$35,100
o*****e
February 1, 2023 12:07 pm PST
$35,000
Auto This was automatically placed for a bidder with a higher proxy.
o*****e
February 1, 2023 12:05 pm PST
$34,300
Auto This was automatically placed for a bidder with a higher proxy.
m********o
February 1, 2023 12:05 pm PST
$34,200
o*****e
February 1, 2023 12:05 pm PST
$33,100
Auto This was automatically placed for a bidder with a higher proxy.
m********o
February 1, 2023 12:05 pm PST
$33,000
o*****e
February 1, 2023 12:05 pm PST
$32,100
Auto This was automatically placed for a bidder with a higher proxy.
m********o
February 1, 2023 12:05 pm PST
$32,000
o*****e
February 1, 2023 12:05 pm PST
$31,100
Auto This was automatically placed for a bidder with a higher proxy.
m********o
February 1, 2023 12:05 pm PST
$31,000
o*****e
February 1, 2023 10:06 am PST
$30,143
s***p
January 31, 2023 12:47 pm PST
$30,043
s*******5
January 31, 2023 12:47 pm PST
$30,000
Auto This was automatically placed for a bidder with a higher proxy.
s*******5
January 31, 2023 9:23 am PST
$29,943
Auto This was automatically placed for a bidder with a higher proxy.
s***p
January 31, 2023 9:23 am PST
$29,843
s*******5
January 31, 2023 9:23 am PST
$29,143
Auto This was automatically placed for a bidder with a higher proxy.
s***p
January 31, 2023 9:23 am PST
$29,043
s*******5
January 30, 2023 4:14 pm PST
$28,100
m********o
January 30, 2023 4:14 pm PST
$28,000
Auto This was automatically placed for a bidder with a higher proxy.
m********o
January 28, 2023 8:18 am PST
$27,600
s***p
January 28, 2023 8:18 am PST
$27,500
Auto This was automatically placed for a bidder with a higher proxy.
s***p
January 28, 2023 8:17 am PST
$26,500
Auto This was automatically placed for a bidder with a higher proxy.
m********o
January 28, 2023 8:17 am PST
$26,400
s***p
January 27, 2023 8:38 pm PST
$25,100
m********o
January 27, 2023 8:38 pm PST
$25,000
Auto This was automatically placed for a bidder with a higher proxy.
m********o
January 26, 2023 12:47 pm PST
$22,100
Auto This was automatically placed for a bidder with a higher proxy.
l********s
January 26, 2023 12:47 pm PST
$22,000
m********o
January 26, 2023 7:59 am PST
$20,100
Auto This was automatically placed for a bidder with a higher proxy.
b*c
January 26, 2023 7:59 am PST
$20,000
m********o
January 26, 2023 3:15 am PST
$18,100
Auto This was automatically placed for a bidder with a higher proxy.
j*********i
January 26, 2023 3:15 am PST
$18,000
m********o
January 26, 2023 3:14 am PST
$17,100
Auto This was automatically placed for a bidder with a higher proxy.
j*********i
January 26, 2023 3:14 am PST
$17,000
m********o
January 26, 2023 3:13 am PST
$16,300
Auto This was automatically placed for a bidder with a higher proxy.
j*********i
January 26, 2023 3:13 am PST
$16,200
m********o
January 25, 2023 3:43 pm PST
$16,100
Auto This was automatically placed for a bidder with a higher proxy.
o*****e
January 25, 2023 3:43 pm PST
$16,000
m********o
January 25, 2023 3:35 pm PST
$5,850
r*****t
January 25, 2023 3:35 pm PST
$5,750
Auto This was automatically placed for a bidder with a higher proxy.
r*****t
January 25, 2023 3:20 pm PST
$5,100
g**********z
January 25, 2023 3:20 pm PST
$5,000
Auto This was automatically placed for a bidder with a higher proxy.
g**********z
January 25, 2023 3:19 pm PST
$4,600
Auto This was automatically placed for a bidder with a higher proxy.
Continental US: Iconic has several private shipping partners that criss-cross the country for us. Please email transport@iconicmotorbikes.com or fill out the form at the bottom of this page to request a quote.
California/Nevada/Arizona We are located in Santa Monica, California 90405. On a case-by-case basis, we can transport motorcycles in our van. Please email transport@iconicmotorbikes.com or fill out the form at the bottom of this page to request a quote.
$2,000 for Los Angeles, CA to Canada is a ROUGH ballpark, please contact TFX for an exact quote including shipping and customs.
Europe and Asia: Please inquire though transport@iconicmotorbikes.com and we would love to put together a custom quote for you with our trusted transport / shipping partners.
