We posted a great looking RC30 in Australia just a few weeks ago, and while there is no question it’s a solid bike, there were lots of notable discrepancies being discussed in the comments section regarding it’s originality and need for additional history. In fact the amount of expert evaluation displayed made Mike and I both take notice and realize we need to take better advantage of the knowledge available within our own community. While there was a lot of people involved in the conversation, I’d like to call out SixthGear, Hwood851, and RC30Freak in particular to share their expertise on this example shown today. We really appreciate your contributions and professionalism, and hope you’ll step up again to help out our readers. My sincere thanks in advance!
dc
1990 Honda RC30 for sale on eBay
from the seller:
I bought this wonderful bike about a year ago with an intent to re-live my experiences from when I owned a new one back in 1991. Unfortunately (or fortunately) I have become consumed with vintage autos and will now be going vintage racing. Other than a few miles of driving, she has been sitting in the corner of my garage during my entire ownership period. A totally undeserving lot for a bike of this caliber. I’m lucky that my garage is heated and she sits on a battery maintainer. I frequently start and bring her up to temperature. She starts right up without difficulties.
I hope the following facts will help you decide if this is the right RC for you:
1. This bike is everything my new one was back in the day. The visuals, sounds, and textures are great.
2. During my ownership I topped off the fluids, put new factory grips on, and have been slowly refreshing the exterior.
3. This bike has had a clear bra on it from almost its entire life (or perhaps for every minute of it). I removed it because it was lifting at the edges. What I found underneath was essentially pristine paint. I recommend the next owner re-apply a clear bra as it obvious worked for the first 13K miles.
4. The previous seller owned the bike twice (sold it once, bought it back a year or two later, and then sold it to me). He stated a notable CA specialist (name available) serviced the bike while he owned it. The emissions equipment was removed and is now in a box.
5. Since I’ve been deep cleaning and refreshing the bike, I’ve found numerous small paint defects here and there. From 3 feet away she looks a 10 out of 10. From 6 inches she looks like a 9 out of 10. I haven’t yet removed the wheels and gotten inside all of the spokes etc. but they have a few paint defects as well. A strip and powder coat would make them as new.
6. I bought a new reproduction high quality sticker kit from the UK to replace the tank stickers. If it actually arrives it will be included in the purchase. All the rest of the stickers are factory. I have found no evidence of any bodywork or paintwork on this bike. She’s all original as far as I can tell.
Some things that are currently imperfect:
1. The rotors are on backwards and they pulse on application. I was going to send them out to a specialist floating repair shop for repair but haven’t gotten around to it. I don’t know how or why they ended up backwards prior to my ownership.
2. The neutral indicator doesn’t light up in neutral. Previous owner said it worked for him and perhaps it was just a micro switch.
3. On the lowest portion of the fairing nearest the exhaust there is some slight discoloration in the white and if you look at a high angle, some lifting or bubbling (0.5mm?). The area involved is about 1.5″ in diameter and wasn’t noticeable until I removed the clear bra and cleaned and polished the surface. I’m not sure if this is typical for a 13K mile RC or not.
4. A couple of the dzus fasteners have damaged the paint underneath, noticeable when you remove the fastener. A couple are missing the plastic washer which I think is the culprit.
5. The license light is missing. I’ve been looking for a replacement but haven’t found one yet.
6. The factory stand is mechanically fine but the finish is tired. I have the yellow warning sticker for it but haven’t gotten around to the task of stripping and refinishing.
For all parties: The seller has already disclosed a number of issues that need addressing. Lets keep the conversation productive and respectful by discussing what other issues he may have missed and other related information that could help a potential buyer.
Thanks in advance to all those who comment,
dc
Nice looking bike and a decent price, but I would never buy a Cali RC30, even though they are rare and only 50, I believe, were produced. The CA specialists does first rate work and has done so for bikes around the world.
JMHO,
Joel
Here is the ad from 2012:
http://motorcycleslog.com/asp/Item.asp?soldid=143401&make=Honda&theday=12%2F17%2F2012
Thanks for the appreciation . I have read everything and I must say I think you could do worse for an investment . The seller appears to be on top of things and very up front about the condition of the bike and what’s been done and what needs to be done . I don’t know everything there is to know about California emissions , but it seems good that he removed them , but has kept them for originality sake . I always owned Canadian models (5 at different times) so not familiar with CA equipment or US models other than what I read myself .
My only constructive critisism I would add would be as I am sure my fellow enthusiasts would agree , would be to include some pics of the bike with its bodywork removed . I agree it takes a little time to remove it , but it does add an extra from of distance inspection for a perspective buyer . Other than that I think someone would be very lucky to scoop this one up . Good luck to the seller and to the potential purchaser .
In regards to the CA models, 58 units produced of the approx. 316 units to the US market.
Which would amount to approx. 1.7% of the total amount produced.
Overall looks pretty spot on to me from the distance of the pics.
Nice bike!!
Also, may have been for sale May of 2013.
Sorry …… bad math!! lol
1.2% being CA models
I agree with the above comments from you other contributors, and I remember this particular RC30 from before. I’ll go ahead and add my observations and opinions. First, this example certainly doesn’t raise red flags everywhere like that Australian RC30 did. It doesn’t appear to have an untold story behind it, and seems to have been loved and maintained. The number one biggest downside has already been called out- it’s a California model. In 1990, the U.S. received 300 bikes- 250 RC30 49-state model (which features a “0” in the 8th position of the VIN). The 50 California models (which is identified by a “1” in the 8th position of the VIN) were more restricted and had a low lift cam and softer valve springs while redlining at 12,000 rpm (12,500 rpm redline for the rest of the U.S. models). Both had exhaust air injection pumps for the front cylinders. The fact that there were only 50 CA models does not offset the less desirable power loss- emissions were removed, but what about the CA engine internal parts? Seller doesn’t say either way, and if it’s still a lower power model it’s worth 20% less than maximum value in my opinion. Buyers may disagree, overlook that, and want it at any price, though. We’ll see how much it affects value.
That said, I only see minor issues in the pretty poor picture presentation. RC30Freak mentioned it: why no pictures underneath the bodywork to support the written condition claims? It can only add confidence for bidders, it backs up your claims, and helps tell the complete story. I’m not saying strip it down to the frame, but it literally only takes 10 minutes to remove the tail section and lower fairing. Analogy: would you marry a woman without first seeing her unclothed? I would never buy a $20,000+ motorcycle without seeing underneath the bodywork in person, let alone online. I’ve seen too many “sins of omission” underneath- I’m not saying this seller is hiding anything, but why not show us exactly how it looks underneath?
Issues: budget $400+ for replacement front brake rotors as seller mentioned pulsation and odd reverse mounting- I doubt you’ll centerless grind or turn them true. Fork legs have an odd/incorrect satin look like someone tried to refinish them without disassembly and doing it the right way. Minor details: floppy turn signals are an easy fix, red fuel tank breather is aftermarket tubing and lacks clip, and is routed incorrectly. Both fork caps are missing the rebound stickers. Those and the white plastic washers that go under all bodywork fasteners are cheap and still available from Honda.
That said, seller seems genuine and straightforward. This is a nice rider, not an out-of-the-crate museum piece…but I’m still having trouble getting past the California model reality.
I love waiting for Sixth to observe and add his opinion . He really has an eye for the details . If I am laying out decent coin for a bike I would love to have Sixth there to check it out ….see what I am really getting for my coin . I am not as familiar with the CA model as mentioned previously , but I would tend to agree with Sixth on the value . Too bad about the restriction of the CA models , nonetheless still an overall decent example worth considering .
And I always say , if you can actually go and eyeball it in person it is always a good call , especially when parting with lots of heard earned cash . And at least as Sixth agreed the seller seems quite straightforward about what you are really getting for your money .
I’m a little suspicious because he said he’s been “driving” it. Just kidding…very nice bike and a decent stating price.
Thank you for the amazing and expert contributions made thus far!
dc
+1. I very much enjoy the insightful contributions added above and would like to thank these guys for taking the time to add them.
Been in a dialogue with the owner.
Seems to be sold at 23K.
I hate being on the west side of Canada!! lol
If anyone knows of a nice example for sale, please contact me.
hwood851@msn.com
Cheers.
Thanks Sixthgear. Great commentary. Very insightful. As someone who has sold several bikes on ebay I too appreciated the seller’s forthrightness in mentioning known albeit minor issues. I don’t doubt your assessment on value. As somewhat of an RC30 newbie, aside from resale value, does it really make a difference if a bike that’s mostly going to sit in a heated garage with some regular exercise is a 49-state or CA model? If a buyer is looking for a pretty much unmolested bike that can be ridden without fear of losing thousands in the first mile, seems like even as a CA model you could do much worse. Just thinking any RC30 doesn’t come up too often and as hwood851 states there are always guys looking.
On another note, you mention easy fix for the floppy turn signals. I have the same condition on my 1986 VFR750F. Can you explain or point me to a link you trust for the right fix?
Thanks. Joe
Hi Sixthgear … just wondering your opinion on the following RC30 in Victoria Australia. http://bikestock.peterstevens.com.au/stock_locator/search/Used/Honda/VFR750R+%5BRC30%5D/nullfrom-nullto/nullfrom-nullto/0/1
Thanks John