Essentially a scaled-down version of Honda’s legendary RC30, the VFR400R, or NC30, was a race-bred 400cc superbike introduced in the late 1980s. A smaller and cheaper alternative to the VFR750R, the 400 still possessed the same bodywork and livery as the 750, as well as its stellar reliability and fit and finish which had become Honda hallmarks.
Powering the NC30 was a carbureted, liquid-cooled, DOHC, 16-valve, V4 with gear-driven cams that gave the NC30 a unique roar. With a relatively flat torque curve and a redline of 14,500rpm, the NC30’s V4 was good for around 30 ft-lbs of torque and just shy of 60hp. Top speed was a respectable 130mph, and with a wet weight of only 400lbs, the VFR400R’s dual front 296mm discs and four-piston calipers were more than sufficient at slowing things down.
The trick little 400 was also an early adopter of various features such as its 360-degree “big bang” firing order, TRAC (Torque Reactive Anti-dive Circuit) 41mm telescopic front-end, and ELF’s Pro-Arm single-sided swing-arm. Just like its three-quarter-liter sibling, the welterweight VFR used a competition-derived aluminum twin-spar frame. A four-into-one exhaust exited on the left side of the bike, enabling easy access to the 18” rear wheel, and the suspension’s preload and rebound were both adjustable.
The VFR400R was created for the Japanese domestic market, though it was officially sold in parts of Europe for a time, albeit in limited numbers. Produced until being phased out in ’94, the NC30 wasn’t ever sold in the US, though grey market examples have found their way to US shores.
This example is VIN: NC301054511. The seller acquired this bike six years ago from a private party in Florida.
During his ownership, the seller has covered 1,500 miles. The odometer shows 13,731 kilometers (8,531 miles).
Per the seller: “Always wanted one. Found a good deal and went for it. I can never leave well enough alone and I tend to pour a ton of money into every bike I have to make them amazing riders. This bike easily has 20k into it. Bike runs very well and has done trips to Austin from Houston and long weekend rides. Very reliable for an older bike. I would not hesitate to daily it. And I did. Need room for more bikes and getting rid of anything carbureted until I build a motorcycle museum.”
Maintenance:
The seller states: “Fully rebuilt engine. Everything has been gone through.”
In preparation for the listing, the seller had us perform a safety inspection, change the engine oil/filter, flush the coolant, install a new battery, flush the hydraulic fluids, install new spark plugs, clean/sync the carbs, and diagnose a faulty rear brake light switch. Our service department notes the following on their condition report:
Gas Tank Internal Condition: Pass
Engine Oil Level: Pass
Engine Oil Quality: New
2T Oil Level: N/A
Coolant Level: Good
Coolant Quality: New
Front Hydraulic Fluid Level: Good
Front Hydraulic Fluid Quality: Pass
Rear Hydraulic Fluid Level: Good
Rear Hydraulic Fluid Quality: New
Clutch Hydraulic Fluid Level: N/A
Clutch Hydraulic Fluid Quality: N/A
Final Drive Condition: Cleaned, Lubed, Adjusted
Headlight High Beam: Pass
Headlight Low Beam: Pass
Passing Light: Pass
Parking Light: Fail
Turn Signals: MISSING R FRONT, LOOSE NOT WIRED L FRONT, R REAR PASS, REAR L. MISSING
Tail Light: Pass
Brake Light (Front Switch): NONE PRESENT
Brake Light (Rear Switch): Pass
Plate Light: Pass
Horn: Pass
Kill Switch: Pass
Brake Pad % Remaining Front: 80%
Brake Pad % Remaining Rear: 90%
Forks: Pass
Shock/s: Pass
Tire Date Code Front: 45/20
Tire Date Code Rear: 27/21
Tire % Remaining Front: 90%
Tire % Remaining Rear: 90%
Tire Press. Front: 33
Tire Press. Rear: 33
Battery Standing Voltage: 13.04V
Charging Voltage @ 4k RPM: 13.80V
Running Condition: Running Well
Test Ride Completed: Completed
Test Ride Distance: 1 Mile
Notes:
NITRON SHOCK
AFTERMARKET BODYWORK
GAS TANK FIBERGLASS
A/M REAR SETS
TYGA EXHAUST
AFTERMARKET RADIATOR
CARBON CHAIN GUIDE
BRAIDED BRAKE LINES
REPLACEMENT F MASTER CYLINDER
MISSING FRONT RIGHT TURN SIGNAL AND REAR LEFT
Modifications:
“Every HRC part used by Honda at the time. Inigtech extrinsic ignition. Started with HRC tuning and then tweaked things on the dyno.”
“New Tyga bodywork repainted with a really nice paint job of my favorite livery. The red is done similar to the Honda NR750. 6 coats of hot neon pink base coat and the. 2 coats of red. White is a pearlescent and everything is clear coated with extremely high dollar clear.”
“Suspension is custom Nitron built to HRC specs and paired with HRC linkage in CNC aluminum.”
Tyga rearsets.
Tyga rear sprocket.
Tyga exhaust.
Tyga dash surround.
PSR Click-N-Roll levers.
Battery tender lead.
Inside of the tank:
It is riding on Bridgestone Battlax T32 tires with date codes of 4520 and 2721.
The sale includes one key.
“I have original bodywork. A new old stock speedometer. A CNC stator cover and kit that allows the use of a GSX-R stator and flywheel. Much lighter and a much faster spool up/rev. Supposed to drastically improve upon the old electric system and bike performance. With the tuning the large flywheel is no longer needed. I also have turn signals off of a CBR250 from the same time period and I 3D printed stalks for them to make them work. They are the same as the original signals.”
[PLACEHOLDER: PHOTO OF EXTRAS]
NOS Honda stator cover
Cosmetic Blemishes: please see the album up top for all known cosmetic blemishes. Here is a selection:
“I had the tail off of the bike on a shelf in my garage to charge the battery and knocked it off with my truck’s fender pulling in one day. It knocked some paint off of the back of the tail and cracked the paint a little. Very sad day. Part of the reason I am selling these bikes is because when playing musical bikes to get to the bike I want or pulling them apart for maintenance there is always a chance for damage. Need more room.”
Currently located in Panorama City, California, this Honda is offered on a Bonded Texas title.
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