Description
Additional photos are available here for your perusal.
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.
This example is VIN: RC302001161. The seller purchased the bike June 2023 and states, “I bought it from the first owner. He bought it from the Norwegian importer (Kellox) in 1991. Kellox planned to keep this bike for the future but when the owner of Kellox sold the company, the new CEO agreed to sell the bike to a friend (the first owner) under the agreement that he would take good care of the bike. I got to know the owner and together we decided that I should buy it and give it a full refurbish then let it go to a good home.” Regarding the bike’s origins the seller also adds, “I spoke with Kellox today about this. They order their bikes (pre order) through Honda Europe. The person I spoke to was not involved around 1988, but he assumed that it went like this also in 1988. I guess the point here is, Kellox AS is, and was, the official (and exclusive) Norwegian Honda motorbike importer. Their business is dictated by Honda Corp. and the logistics is as Honda set it at any time.”
The odometer shows 1,223 kilometers (760 miles).
Maintenance:
Per the seller, “All work has been carried out at Dholda Racing (Belgium). The bike is still on (as new) the original sprocket and chain and the lock wire on the rear sprocket is original. Original forks with new seal and oil. Dholda Racing is considered one of the best RC30 specialists in the world. No effort has been spared to bring the bike back to “as new” condition and it’s ready to ride!”
Modifications:
According to the seller the bike is completely original and it is riding on original tires.
The sale includes two keys, owner’s manual, and tool kit.
Cosmetic Blemishes: please see the album up top for all known cosmetic blemishes. Here is a selection:
Not shown: “There is a small crack in the fairing under the belly. This was discovered during the refurbish and the first owner was not aware of it. We guess it must have come during loading/unloading during the time when the importer used the bike for display. Since it is not very visual, we decide to leave it as it is, to keep the bike authentic.”
Currently located in Hamme, Belgium, this Honda is offered on a Bill of Sale only. Have any RC30 stories or questions about this listing? Let us know in the “Comments” tab!
