In 1985, Honda opened up an American R&D branch, and one of their early project goals was to create a motorcycle different and unique from what customers had been used to seeing. The project brought both motorcycle and car engineers together – drivetrain, engine, and frame were developed by the bike engineers while body and styling was handled by the car engineers. Come 1989, the Honda PC800 ‘Pacific Coast’ appeared in showrooms.
The engine was a 57hp, 45° V-Twin stolen from the VT800 Shadow with lots of rubber mounts put about to reduce vibrations. After all, this was a bike marketed as friendly and reliable towards white-collar professionals as an easy daily rider. Honda delivered on this with a comfortable riding position, car-like instrument cluster, low-maintenance shaft drive, 5-speed gearbox, and a reliable drivetrain that could go 80-100k miles with just regular services.
The Pacific Coast was actually offered in two model runs, ’89-’90 and ’94-’98 and by far the niftiest feature was the integrated trunk. The passenger seat was attached to a trunk lid that was controlled by a pull release under the lockable gas cap. Two storage areas flanked the rear wheel, and the space was ample – you could easily store two full-face helmets and two medium-sized bags, or plenty of groceries. For more info on this unusual and and offbeat bike, check out Rider Magazine’s retrospective here.
Manufactured in June 1995, this example is VIN: JH2RC3400TM400235. The seller acquired it seven months ago “from a gentleman in Modesto who had bought the bike to take his kids around town and did just that. His story from the seller he received it from was that he bought it from this man who is famous amongst the PC800 community. His name is Leland Sheppard and he had bought the bike in Baltimore Maryland and rode it all the way back to Placerville, California.”
During his ownership, the seller has covered 4,000 miles. The odometer shows 36,943 miles.
“I simply don’t have as much space as I wish I did. I recently acquired a 1977 BMW R100/7 and I’ve packed the garage with projects. This bike takes as much space as a car.”
The bike is shown on “Leland Sheppard’s PC800 Page” – Leland had named it “Hannigan” and it was his fifteenth motorcycle. He notes:
“On August 10, 2005, I flew back to Baltimore and picked up Hannigan from a friend in Salisbury, Maryland. I paid $6,000 for this bike and it had 11,421 miles on it when my friend picked it up for me in Baltimore. By the time I got ready to leave Maryland, the bike had 11,500 miles on it. Over the next four days, I drove (remember it has a sidecar – you don’t ride sidecar rigs, you drive them) it back to California. The trip was uneventful except for a flat tire on the sidecar in the middle of nowhere in western Utah. I got lucky and a replacement tire found me and within a couple of hours I was on my way again. Other than that, per usual, the PC itself performed flawlessly even through Eisenhower Tunnel (at over 11,000 feet) and over Vail Pass (at 10,616 feet). This year I took Hannigan on the PCH ride and had fun trying to keep up with everybody else on solo bikes, particularly through the twisties. Coming back from the PCH ride, I did a Saddlesore 1000 with Hannigan and am waiting for certification from the IBA on that one. That was 1018 miles in less than 24 hours. As of November 10, 2007, Hannigan has 28,300 miles on it.”
Maintenance:
“No maintenance is known on the bike. I have changed the oil but that’s as far as I’ve gone. Sadly no documentation for anything. The only thing I typically worry about is valves adjustments but this hydraulic valve lifters so no manual adjusting is needed.”
Mechanical Issues:
“The tires should be replaced although I still ride on them. Sidecar strut to hold the top is weak.”
Modifications:
“It has a 1999 Hannigan Super Sport sidecar which features its own brake rotor and caliper and has hydraulic electronically controlled height. It also is paint matched and has pinstriping throughout the bike and sidecar.
A removable leather front bra and tonneau cover also are included.
A hatch has been cut out in the front of the sidecar for access and has been equipped with a hinge.
Highway pegs are installed on the bike and so is an aftermarket raised windshield that has an adjusting vent for airflow.
A rear storage box is also mounted.
A light is also installed that shows when power is being used and turns green, yellow, and red depending on how many accessories are turned on.
An aftermarket car sized battery is used instead for the increase in power used for the lights on the sidecar.”
Inside of the tank:
It is riding on Metzeler/Dunlop tires that have aged out.
The sale includes 2 ignition keys.
Cosmetic Blemishes: please see the album in the “Photos” tab for all known cosmetic blemishes. Here is a selection:
“The sidecar has its fair of dings and dents. The right side of it features some paint missing and flakes. Under the bra, the front of the sidecar has a questionable job in reguards to paint correcting and the at home front hatch is not done so well. The right side lower fin of the bike has a crack as well. The front fender has some chips on the top where the shock is partially covered. Left side peg rubber needs to be glued down. License plate mounting area has a crack.”
Currently located in Sacramento, California, this Honda is offered on a clean California title with registration current through August 2027.
Have any PC800 Pacific Coast stories or questions about this listing? Let us know in the “Comments” tab!
