Description
Click here for an CycleVIN Motorcycle History Report on this 1990 Honda RC30. 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 and Europe 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 monoshock 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.
Manufactured in December of 1989, this example is VIN: JH2RC3005LM200070.
The odometer shows 86 miles. However, true mileage is unknown.
Maintenance:
In preparation for the listing, the seller had us clean and sync the carbs, repair the headlight wires, and re-install the bodywork.
Angel did the work, he notes the following in his condition report:
Tire Year Front/ Rear: Front:2018; Rear:2018
Tire % Front/ Rear: Front: 100%; Rear:100%
Tire Press Front/ Rear: Front : 36PSI / 36PSI
Brake % Front/ Rear : Front: 95%; Rear: 95%
Hydraulic: Good
Oil Quality: Good; Level: Good
Coolant Quality: Good; Level: Good
Low Beam: Ok
High Beam: Ok
Turn Signals: Right side is bad
Tail Light: Ok
Brake Light: Ok
Plate Light: OK
Kill: Ok
Horn: Ok
Battery: 12.9V Standing 13.8 Charging
Test Ride: Ran bike for 3 miles, bike operates as intended
When the bike first arrived (wearing a very different paint scheme), Adam took it out on a Sunday ride to the Rock Store. The neutral safety switch was not functioning so unfortunately when Adam fired it up at one point, it lurched forward and started to tip over. The bike was caught before it hit the ground but the tail hit the handlebar of a bike next to it and was punctured. We had Brian from BKM Creations repair the tail and give the bike a complete respray inspired by a very high profile Honda: the RC213V!
The front fender, uppers, lowers, tank, tail, and rear fender are all custom painted. Brian even managed to give the livery some logos that pay tribute to the bike’s inspiration!
Modifications:
Carbon fiber bodywork with custom paint.
Öhlins forks.
Aftermarket triples.
Penske rear shock with remote reservoir, aftermarket linkage.
Carrozzeria wheels.
Full titanium aftermarket exhaust with carbon fiber can.
ISR six-piston brakes, galfer wave rotors.
ISR levers, master cylinders.
Woodcraft clip-ons with carbon fiber handlebars.
Aftermarket case cover.
K-Factory clutch slave cylinder.
Sato Racing rearsets.
Aftermarket sprocket, swingarm slider.
Aftermarket headlight.
Aftermarket turn signals.
Aftermarket taillight.
Aftermarket dash.
Aftermarket gas cap.
Carbon fiber frame covers.
Not pictured is a carbon fiber subframe which doubles as a catch can, flatslide carburetors, carbon fiber ram air intake, and anti-gravity battery.
Inside of the tank:
It is riding on Bridgestone Battlax Racing Street RS10 tires with date codes of 1018 and 4118.
The sale includes one key.
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 New Jersey title. Have any RC30 stories or questions about this listing? Let us know in the “Comments” tab!
