No Reserve – 1989 Honda RC30 Project

SOLD FOR: $15,435

Reserve price has been met.

This auction ended on September 20, 2023

Winner: robin20

Winning Bid: $14,425
Buyer Fee: $1,010
Total: $15,435

Next Auction Ending >

Description

If you’d like to hear Adam and Steve discuss this project’s potential (and fixes), check out the below video!

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.

This example is VIN: RC302100629. It came to Iconic from an estate in Arizona (along with the the Honda CBR900RR currently up for bidding and the RC51 bodywork/parts lot that we sold). The bike was imported from Canada and per the VIN it is a 1989 model, but we do not know where it was originally sold.

The included odometer shows 1,755 kilometers (1,090 miles). However, we cannot confirm whether this figure is accurate, so true mileage is unknown.

Maintenance:
In preparation for the listing, our service department attempted to perform a compression test, at which point we discovered that the engine is stuck. Accordingly, we pulled the valve and clutch covers to inspect the bike for signs of possible damage. Steve did the work, he notes the following in his condition report:

Tire Year Front/ Rear: PRE 2000
Brake % Front/ Rear: NONE
Hydraulic: NONE
Oil: NONE
Coolant: NONE
Low Beam: NONE
High Beam: NONE
Turn: NONE
Tail Light: NONE
Brake Light: NONE
Plate Light: NONE
Kill: NONE
Horn: NONE
Battery: NONE

Notes:
○ ENGINE DOES NOT FULLY ROTATE; NEEDS REBUILD
○ Project/parts bike missing SEVERAL components
○ Possible broken valve in Cyl #4
○ Transmission hard to turn; could be broken shift fork, etc.

Modifications:
Penske shock.

Inside of the tank:

It is riding on Bridgestone Battlax BT57 tires that have aged out.

The sale includes a selection of NOS and take-off parts. Please note: This is not a complete bike, and additional sourcing will be required. Iconic is happy to help the buyer do so (within reason).

The sale also includes an owner’s manual.

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
Arizona title. Have any RC30 stories or questions about this listing? Let us know in the “Comments” tab!

Additional Information

Location

Santa Monica, California

Year

1989

Make

Honda

Model

RC30

Mileage

True Mileage Unknown

VIN

RC302100629

Title

Clean

Title State/Country

Arizona

Private Party/Dealership

Private Party

Additional Charges

No

Total Bids Placed: 78

Auction has ended.

Highest bidder was: robin20

Bidder Name Bidding Time Bid Auto
robin20 September 20, 2023 12:15 pm PDT $14,425
Jetski27 September 20, 2023 12:15 pm PDT $14,325 Auto
Jetski27 September 20, 2023 12:13 pm PDT $14,200
robin20 September 20, 2023 12:13 pm PDT $14,100 Auto
robin20 September 20, 2023 12:11 pm PDT $13,900
Jetski27 September 20, 2023 12:11 pm PDT $13,800 Auto
Jetski27 September 20, 2023 12:09 pm PDT $13,750
robin20 September 20, 2023 12:09 pm PDT $13,650 Auto
robin20 September 20, 2023 12:08 pm PDT $13,450
Jetski27 September 20, 2023 12:06 pm PDT $13,350
robin20 September 20, 2023 12:06 pm PDT $13,250 Auto
robin20 September 20, 2023 12:05 pm PDT $13,128 Auto
Jetski27 September 20, 2023 12:05 pm PDT $13,028
robin20 September 20, 2023 12:04 pm PDT $12,900
Jetski27 September 20, 2023 12:04 pm PDT $12,800 Auto
Jetski27 September 20, 2023 12:02 pm PDT $12,750
robin20 September 20, 2023 12:02 pm PDT $12,650 Auto
robin20 September 20, 2023 12:00 pm PDT $12,427 Auto
Jetski27 September 20, 2023 12:00 pm PDT $12,327
robin20 September 20, 2023 11:59 am PDT $12,105
madmattdawson September 20, 2023 11:59 am PDT $12,005 Auto
Jetski27 September 20, 2023 11:59 am PDT $12,000
madmattdawson September 20, 2023 11:57 am PDT $11,850 Auto
robin20 September 20, 2023 11:57 am PDT $11,750
madmattdawson September 20, 2023 11:55 am PDT $11,350 Auto
robin20 September 20, 2023 11:55 am PDT $11,250
madmattdawson September 20, 2023 11:50 am PDT $10,700 Auto
robin20 September 20, 2023 11:50 am PDT $10,600
madmattdawson September 19, 2023 2:40 pm PDT $10,200
robin20 September 19, 2023 2:39 pm PDT $10,100
madmattdawson September 19, 2023 2:39 pm PDT $10,005 Auto
madmattdawson September 19, 2023 12:17 am PDT $10,000 Auto
filscoca September 19, 2023 12:17 am PDT $9,900
madmattdawson September 19, 2023 12:16 am PDT $9,800 Auto
filscoca September 19, 2023 12:16 am PDT $9,700
madmattdawson September 19, 2023 12:15 am PDT $9,600 Auto
filscoca September 19, 2023 12:15 am PDT $9,500
madmattdawson September 19, 2023 12:13 am PDT $9,400 Auto
filscoca September 19, 2023 12:13 am PDT $9,300
madmattdawson September 19, 2023 12:12 am PDT $9,200 Auto
filscoca September 19, 2023 12:12 am PDT $9,100
madmattdawson September 19, 2023 12:12 am PDT $8,900 Auto
filscoca September 19, 2023 12:12 am PDT $8,800
madmattdawson September 19, 2023 12:12 am PDT $8,500 Auto
filscoca September 19, 2023 12:12 am PDT $8,400
madmattdawson September 19, 2023 12:11 am PDT $8,300 Auto
filscoca September 19, 2023 12:11 am PDT $8,200
madmattdawson September 17, 2023 7:05 pm PDT $8,100
clifton September 17, 2023 7:05 pm PDT $8,000 Auto
clifton September 17, 2023 12:33 pm PDT $4,600 Auto
SaintRC51 September 17, 2023 12:33 pm PDT $4,500
clifton September 17, 2023 12:32 pm PDT $4,300 Auto
SaintRC51 September 17, 2023 12:32 pm PDT $4,200
clifton September 17, 2023 10:21 am PDT $4,100
SaintRC51 September 17, 2023 10:21 am PDT $4,000 Auto
SaintRC51 September 14, 2023 11:34 am PDT $3,877 Auto
BIDRIDER September 14, 2023 11:34 am PDT $3,777
SaintRC51 September 14, 2023 10:33 am PDT $3,600
Minitwin51 September 14, 2023 10:33 am PDT $3,500 Auto
SaintRC51 September 14, 2023 10:33 am PDT $3,400
Minitwin51 September 14, 2023 9:03 am PDT $3,300 Auto
Kawa Hman September 14, 2023 9:03 am PDT $3,200
Minitwin51 September 14, 2023 12:10 am PDT $3,100
VEYSPOWER September 14, 2023 12:10 am PDT $3,000 Auto
VEYSPOWER September 13, 2023 6:05 pm PDT $2,900 Auto
SaintRC51 September 13, 2023 6:05 pm PDT $2,800
VEYSPOWER September 13, 2023 3:21 pm PDT $2,600
2strokejamoke September 13, 2023 3:21 pm PDT $2,500 Auto
2strokejamoke September 13, 2023 3:17 pm PDT $2,101 Auto
VEYSPOWER September 13, 2023 3:17 pm PDT $2,001
2strokejamoke September 13, 2023 3:04 pm PDT $1,101
carson4x5 September 13, 2023 3:02 pm PDT $1,001
2strokejamoke September 13, 2023 3:02 pm PDT $1,000 Auto
2strokejamoke September 13, 2023 3:01 pm PDT $600 Auto
carson4x5 September 13, 2023 3:01 pm PDT $500
2strokejamoke September 13, 2023 3:01 pm PDT $201 Auto
carson4x5 September 13, 2023 3:01 pm PDT $101
2strokejamoke September 13, 2023 2:36 pm PDT $1 Reserve
Auction started September 13, 2023 11:37 am PDT
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Shipping Information

Continental US:
Haul Bikes will ship anything sold through Iconic for a starting rate of $750 in the Continental US (prices may increase in rural markets), and Iconic will handle the paperwork on your behalf. You do not need to crate your bike or drain the gas/disconnect the battery if you go with Haul Bikes. We are glad to work with the shipper of your choice as well, but you will have to arrange it.

Please note:

  • spares/extras will have to be shipped separately via FedEx or similar.
  • the fee includes $15,000 of insurance with a $500 deductible. Additional insurance can be purchased at a cost of $50 per additional $5,000 of value.
  • additional details can be found here

Southern California
On a case-by-case basis, we can transport motorcycles in our van.

We are located in Santa Monica, California 90405.
Local Rates (one way):
0-50 miles: $150
50-150 miles: $300

Alaska/Hawaii:
Please contact concierge@iconicmotorbikes.com for a quote.

Canada:
We recommend TFX

$1,500 for Los Angeles, CA to Canada is a ROUGH ballpark, please contact TFX for an exact quote including shipping and customs.

Europe and Asia:
We recommend Shippio

$5,000 for US to Europe/Asia is a VERY ROUGH ballpark which includes transport as well as customs fees and duties. Please contact Shippio for an exact quote.

Australia/New Zealand:
We recommend Bikes Abroad

$1,500 for US to Australia is a ROUGH ballpark, please contact Bikes Abroad for an exact quote including shipping and customs.

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