Update 12.3.2012: We first listed this bike about 3 weeks ago and it failed to meet reserve just shy of $23.6k. The seller has contacted us to alert us that is back on eBay. Good luck to potential bidders and the seller. Links updated. -dc
On this one I’ll let the pictures do the talking because it looks freaking great! All I’ll say is: less than 5k miles, two owners, one blem on the tail as disclosed by the seller, and a recent out of storage service all add up to a promising lead. Mark has shared the reserve price with us and it’s well within the wheelhouse a collector would expect and consider purchasing. Good luck Mark!
dc
1990 Honda RC30 For Sale on eBay
From the seller:
4110 miles, very few 1990 model VFR750R bikes made for USA (30-40?).
Very, very clean bike, one previos owner, an orthopedic surgeon racer who raced a different RC30 race bike in AMA Superbike and World Superbike. This was his weekend canyon carver. Meticulously maintained by Honda Factory Race Team trained technicians.
Stored correctly since 1996 in climate-controlled shop, just back from $600 service- new fluids, tune, valve adjustment. Never raced, never abused, very nice 2-owner bike. Seat section was painted once, I don’t know the story–but is was done very well except for one area where there is one 2″ x 4″ area that has 2 or 3 1/2″ runs in the white near the left seat section by the intake area.You have to look really hard to see it. All the fiberglass is original, one 1/16th-1/8th inch chip between upper and lower on left side. Have manuals, original toolkit and wheel, shock tools. Has paddock rear wheel stand as well.
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Looks awesome! Love these bikes. Is it me, or does the red paint on the upper part of the lower faring look to be a slightly different color? Is this normal on these bikes? I seem to recall seeing this on several other examples.
I believe I can answer that question . From what I have heard over the years Honda somehow made a mistake when painting the fairings and actually they came out as two different colors . Most people when they restore and RC30 wind up matching the upper and lower 100% . As far as I have heard it is accepted to do that later on in its life when restoring . If you see the 2 colors you really know it is 1005 original …or maybe someone has a really keen eye and actually matched the subtle difference in reds …..
RC30FREAK is completely wrong on this. Honda did not make a “mistake” with the paint.The red section on the lower edge of the upper cowl is in fact a decal.It is not painted.The slight difference in colour is factory original and is what you should be looking for if you are after originality.Some people have it repainted,in the incorrect colour to match the lower cowl,because the dzus fasteners that are twist-turned to release the bellypan,distort the vinyl decal,if they are removed when the fairing is still hot after a ride.
I’m in the market for a clean RC30. Unfortunately I live in CA. Prefer a 49 state model with more than 7500 miles that I can register here in CA, but would also consider a 50 state bike. If anyone knows of any leads let me know! Is there a wanted section here at RSBFS?
US total RC30’s was 300+ units.
Not 20 or 30.
RC45 total was originally intended to 50, but only 44 chassis where ever accoutned for (in 2000 when I put together the only real RC45 registry).
Of those 44, at least 8 where consumed as race bike chassis replacements.
In the end RC30’s are far more plentiful than folks care to admit.
The wear on that rear sprocket doesnt look like a scant 4K miles worth…And did Honda factory safety-wire the bolts?
Mark,the bike does have a few flaws.The rear sprocket is not original.It has been swapped with an aftermarket alloy sprocket.The screen appears to be a replacement item and teh screen fasteners are not correct.Th fuel tank cushion rubber is missing from the right side frame spar.But be aware of the seat unit.That is a terrible paint job.In particular,the gold striping on the left side of the seat.You can see how poorly it has been done in the muffler picture.What sort of person would buy a motorcycle off Ebay?
Yes,Honda did lockwire the sprocket mounting studs,just above the crown of the sprocket retaining nuts.Check it on YouTube under the title,”Honda RC30 Promotional Video”.They also lockwired the rear axle nut to the sprocket driven flange.
OH,…I just noticed.The upper cowl mounting screw, between the headlights,is not the correct part.
Have to agree with RC45, the RC30 is WAY more common than a 45, build numbers total were around 5000, QUITE a few more than 45s, of course no 30owner will never admit this 😉 RC45 it’s interesting you say you could only account for 44 of the US 45s, My chassis build puts it in the ‘allocated’ US number but I live in Australia and mine is ED spec it was sold new in Aus by Honda Aust.
Jamie RC45, very interesting that. How many 45’s where ear marked for Aussie? Perhaps some of the US bikes never made it to the USA. As it is, my research indicated that about 20 bikes remained unsold into 1995 and 1996, so the full complement of 50 might never have come over.
Mine was #20 (has been listed on RSBFS a couple times now) and finally sold as new in 1996 from what we found out. I then bought it with 800 odd miles on from the 1st owner in 2000.
Overall, even though the 45 is the ‘less desirable’ it is the rarer and far harder to sell as the small market makes pricing difficult to do.
RC45, 9 were earmarked for Australia(but not consecutive numbers, frame numbers are all over the place), 3 went to the Aust superbike team which won the Aust title 1994/1995 back to back. The other 6 were complied and sold as road bikes, so very very rare in Aust, over the years a few grey imports have been imported(mainly from Japan) but only a handful. Aust got about 150 RC30’s so they are quite common in comparison. Back to back, I prefer the 45, much nicer bike to ride, and when fitted with NL5 kit engine(like mine) quite a lot more power than an equivalent kitted 30. Here in Australia the 45 is actually more desirable