Description
Please note: Per the seller, this RC30 features an HRC frame without a VIN, so it does not have an assigned production year.
If you’d like to hear Jim talk about the bike, check out the latest Bike of The Day over on our YouTube channel:
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.
Because of the HRC frame, this example has no VIN; it bears the ID decal from the Manx GP in which it was campaigned.
It is being sold on behalf of renowned RC30 expert, Jim Granger of Blackheart Racing. He originally acquired the bike around 1990. During that time, he also purchased a lightly built stock engine (the one currently installed) from Ray Plumb when he was with American Honda. In 2013, Jim and his son, Russ, campaigned the bike in the Manx Grand Prix. The pair had installed different bodywork, but here are some shots of the bike upon completion and as it was raced!
There is no odometer; true mileage is unknown.
Maintenance:
In preparation for the listing, the seller had us clean and sync the carbs, remove and lube the throttle cables, top off the coolant, and drain some excess engine oil. We also cleaned the gas tank and serviced the petcock as the race foam had broken down.
Our service department notes the following in their condition report:
Gas Tank Condition: Ok
Tire Years – Front: 1315; Rear: 2310
Tire Life – Front: 0%; Rear: 0%
Tire Pressure – Front: 36 PSI; Rear: 38 PSI
Brake Life – Front: 30%; Rear: 20%
Hydraulic Fluid – Front: Fail; Rear: Dark
Engine Oil – Level: Ok; Quality; Aged
Coolant – Level: Ok; Quality: Aged
Low Beam: NA, RACE BIKE
High Beam: NA
Turn Signals: NA
Tail Light: NA
Brake Light: NA
Plate Light: NA
Killswitch: Ok
Horn: NA
Fork: No Leaks
Shock/s: No Leaks
Final Drive: Needs Clean/Lube
Battery: OCV: 12.86; Charging: 13.80
Test Ride: None taken, runs on bench
Notes:
– RACE BIKE (NO HEADLIGHTS, TURN SIGNALS, REAR LIGHTS OR HORN)
– Race prepped
– Temp gauge non-functioning
– No speedometer
– Kit upper radiator installed
– Marvic wheels
– Penske shock
– Öhlins damper
– Keihin flat slides
– Ported cylinder heads
– Ti headers, HRC silencer
– Kit Oil Pan installed
– Painted OE bodywork
– No Rear Butt Pad
REPAIRS RECOMMENDED
– Coolant
– Engine oil and filter
– Hydro 2
– Chain service
– Tires
Modifications:
Not pictured: Lightly built engine with stock pistons, HRC flywheel cams, ported cylinder heads, HRC ignition. Per Jim, the output is now up to 140hp.
HRC silencer, titanium headers, kit deep sump oil pan.
HRC factory modified frame.
HRC kit radiators.
Keihin flat slide carburetors.
Commonwealth Racing bodywork, 17″ Marvic wheels.
Resprung forks, Penske shock with remote reservoir.
Brembo brake calipers, aftermarket mounting brackets.
Öhlins steering damper.
Custom clutch cable perch for extra leverage.
Custom chain guard.
Inside of the tank:
It is riding on Dunlop Sportmax GP-A slicks with date codes of 2310 and 1315.
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 Bill of Sale only. Have any RC30 stories or questions about this listing? Let us know in the “Comments” tab!
Please note: This RC30 features an HRC frame without a VIN, so it does not have a production year.
