Posts by tag: VFR400R

Honda October 24, 2018 posted by Mike

Uncommon: 1992 Honda VFR400 NC30

In the annals of grey-market antics, the NC30 is a much loved platform. With a high-reving, ~~24-valve~~ 16 valve vee four, this is a smooth four stroke that makes us (temporarily) forget the smokers that came before. Light in weight but heavy in sound and presence, the baby RC30 is a gem to ride and surprisingly affordable when placed next to its bigger brother. Sought by avid collectors and riders alike, the VFR400 was never officially imported into the United States, adding to the allure (and complexity) of ownership.

1992 Honda VFR400 NC30 for sale on eBay

The resemblance to the RC30 does not end with the graphics. Offering an all aluminum chassis with that magnificent single-sided swingarm and adjustable suspension, the NC30 was built to handle. The size may be reduced, but every effort was made to make this stand out in the very competitive 400cc category. Bodywork is straight from the track, as are the endurance racing inspired dual headlights, the triple disk brakes and the tidy (and relatively tight) cockpit. Small movements result in significant changes, making this a scalpel on track days or canyon rides (*if so titled). You don't have all the power, but momentum is definitely your friend. Learn mid-corner velocities that would wipe you out on a larger machine and you will have a hard time wiping the grin off your mug.

From the seller:
1992 Honda VFR400 NC30
***No Title***
Bill of sale only. I never attempted to register it in CA.
Please do your research, as there are title services that can be used to obtain a title.
This bike is being sold as off road use only, in CA.
Local pick up only.
20298 KM = 12613 miles

Because the lack of official importation makes the NC30 more rare than your average streetbike, most of the ones that we see are in pristine - or close to pristine - condition. We have also seen bikes in the complete other direction, not so much part of a collection as a collection of parts. In these cases, buyers are interested in the project. Today's bike is definitely not the latter, but is not quite the former either. It looks to make a decent looking rider, but there is some uncertainty as to the amount of work necessary before you ride it.

More from the seller:
This bike is a part of collection. It is not perfect, but in excellent condition for a 26 year old bike.
Frame VIN and engine number appear to be matching.
Bike is currently not running. Just pulled out of storage, in a temperature controlled garage. Will need a battery and carb cleaning.
All bodywork is OEM and have been repainted.
Tank has a light dent on the LT side and paint is slightly faded.
Ethos Design Carbon full exhaust
Aftermarket aluminum rear sets
Race clip ons
Oil breather kit
Showa rear shock

I have several OEM spare parts, including a spare motor, tank, fairings, MPH gauge cluster, and various manuals. Buyer will have first opportunity to purchase. I will not sell the spare parts until the bike is sold. I will consider a package deal. The list is too long to post here.

With the RC30 in the $25k+ range, the look-alike NC30 is a veritable bargain. While exemplary specimens will crack double digits, most examples are sub $10k in today's dollars. This particular bike with 20 KMs on the clock (12,000 and change in miles) hasn't run for a while, but looks like it was not spared the rod, biblically speaking. The ad states no title (after all, it is located in California), but the eBay section until "title" also shows salvage. Although we have seen a couple of NC30s in the past weeks these are not that common - so more questions and some investigation might be order for serious buyers. Provided that a carb cleaning and a new battery and tires makes for all the right noises, this could be a fun project and great rider. Check it out here, and review the pictures carefully. This is not a stocker nor a museum dust collector and deserves to get back out on the road. Mad genius or mad gamble? Let us know your thoughts!

Honda October 22, 2018 posted by Aaron

Baby Viffer: 1990 Honda VFR400R

This 1990 Honda VFR400R was imported from England wearing a body kit that mimics the almighty RC30, the 750cc WSBK rocket that these beginner-friendly ultralights were intended to mimic. Rather than let the bloodline do all the work to sell these things, though, Honda made them standouts in their own right, with sweet-handling chassis and a 60 horsepower mill that belied the bike's humble displacement.

1990 Honda VFR400R for sale on eBay

This one has been used as intended, and carries a few battlescars and needs some minor sorting consistent with its age and 36,000 miles. Thanks to the slip-on muffler, the carbs could use some tuning and the seller says it's a little temperamental until it gets up to temperature. It has a Hagon rear shock to replace the stock piece, and needs to have the rider's seat recovered.

From the eBay listing:

For sale is a rare UK import 1990 L series NC30 Honda. This is the little and much cheaper version of the RC30 750cc bikes which fetch $25-50k now. Single-sided swing arm, 400lbs wet and 60 horsepower turned these bikes into rocket ships. 36k kilometers (roughly 21,000 miles). Hagon rear shock conversion... rides nice!

New radiator stack (yes 2 radiators), carb re-jetting and an aftermarket muffler makes a deep growling sound that sings when it hits redline at 14,500 rpms. Cool bodywork paint scheme resembles the RC30, but is apparently an aftermarket body kit, except for the fuel tank. Carbs might need more jetting as the a/m muffler has less back pressure. These bikes are cold-blooded anyway, according to the various forums. Once it is past the 70C temp reading it runs great! Driver seat needs a recover.. see photos.

$400 spent on getting this officially registered and licensed in California. Riding position is just a bit too low for this 70 year old man, so it needs to find a more flexible and appreciative rider. New CA title in my name, so ready for a clean sale and transfer. No reserve auction. Very few of these bikes are in the country, much less with a clear California title.

PLEASE NOTE: I have shortened the end of auction so it will be a 5 day auction, not 7 days.......

The auction has a precious few hours left, and bidding is approaching the buy-it-now price of $7,600. We haven't seen the popularity of these things wane much, so this could be a cool opportunity to get a winter project that will return the money next year!

Honda October 1, 2018 posted by Mike

Doppelganger: 1989 Honda VFR400R NC30

In the world of collector motorcycles, few are as recognizable - or as valuable - as the vaunted Honda RC30. Built to dominate Superbike racing, the VFR750R RC30 was released as a homologation machine in limited numbers and continues to appreciate in value. Love the RC30 looks but not the price? What is a rider to do? RSBFS suggests you take a gander at the excellent VFR400R NC30 - the twin baby brother to the Superbike. Yes, you give up about 53% in displacement. But what you get is the same great looks in the sweetest handling middleweight ever built, and even bigger break on the collector price.

1989 Honda VFR400R NC30 for sale on eBay

Like the bigger brother, the NC30 features a V-4 with gear driven cams. This arrangement produces the flat, hypnotic sound so characteristic to these models. Four valves per cylinder and a "big bang" firing order aid in providing a wider powerband, although the limited displacement only brings about 60 ponies to the party. But that party keeps going on and on - up to 14,500 RPM. And dry weight is a scant 362 lbs. There is a lot to love about having just a little bit less, and with the aluminum perimeter frame, the single sided swingarm, the adjustable suspension and the race track grade brakes, you are not giving up a lot.

From the seller:
You are looking at a 1989 Honda vfr400r - nc30. The Honda vrf400r was legally imported from Japan and now has a legal Washington State clear title. This vfr400r is the baby brother of the nc30 which was a 750cc model, the 400 is light nimble and the perfect machine for a tight race track or mountain roads. This particular vfr400r has very low 9646 miles (15,524 kilometers), and the bike is mostly all original and in exceptional preserved state.

More from the seller:
The body work is in perfect condition, there are absolutely no cracks on any of the body panels and there are absolutely no scratches anywhere on the body panels. Some of the body panels were touched up by a very good painter who only touched up the areas that needed it and preserved the original paint. The frame is in great shape with no major scratches or nicks and the motor is nice and clean. The wheels are perfect with no rock chips or scratches anywhere. Overall cosmetically this bike is perfect with the exception of the muffler which had a small weld repair around the heat shield areas, but other than that this bike has no cosmetic flaws.

More from the seller:
The bike runs and rides perfect, and it shifts smoothly through all 6 gears. The carburetor was recently ultrasonically cleaned and adjusted, and a full service tune-up was performed which included new, spark plugs, chain, air filter, EBC brake rotors, brake pads, oil change, and fluids flushed. All of the lighting, switches and electrical components work as they should.

More from the seller:
This is a great opportunity to buy a very rare near perfect condition 1989 Honda vfr400r. These bikes were never imported into the USA and very few were exported outside of Japan to any other countries so it is a very rare Honda model. If you need any additional pictures or have any additional questions please feel free to email us. Domestic & International buyers are welcome to bid but must arrange the shipping themselves. We will however be glad to assist with any loading of the motorcycle. We have helped with the shipping of motorcycles across the country and overseas for other customers in the past. Please feel free to bid as long as you make the shipping arrangements.

NC30s are all imported machines of the gray variety; Honda chose to not officially market them in the United States. And while the 400cc model was not limited in the same numbers as the RC30, finding a clean one that is properly registered is not an everyday occurrence. With damage free bodywork, great presentation and under 10,000 miles, this VFR400R NC30 might be just what you are looking for. Check out all of the details here, and look through the high-res pictures. With the current bid below $7k (and reserve still in place), this particular example has a lot of folks watching. The price is still under market, so you might want to get in line now. The NC30 is a fantastic sport bike in its own right, and these models hold value well. If you are sitting on the fence, this one might be your sign. Good Luck!!

Honda July 18, 2018 posted by Tad Diemer

Meeting Your Heroes: 1989 Honda VFR400R NC30 for Sale

With values of the VFR750R RC30 through the roof, the VFR400R NC30 has become the affordable go-to for fans of Honda's V4 homologation specials. Styled like a 4/5 scale model of the RC30, the NC30's dual headlamps, aluminum beam frame, and Pro-Arm single-sided swingarm ape the bigger bike's look and function. Significantly the engine shares its V4 configuration, gear-driven cams, and 360° "big bang" crankshaft with the RC30.

The big bang firing order helps give the later Honda V4s their characteristic flat droning exhaust note and supposedly improves corner exit grip, compared to a more traditional 180° firing order that evenly spaces the combustion events. Even if you're not pushing the limits of traction, the big bang engines offer a very wide, forgiving powerband.

On paper, the Honda VFR400R doesn't seem like it'd impress a modern rider. Just 400cc? Are you joking? Well no. First of all, it has a dry weight of around 300lbs, so the 59 horses don't have very much mass to haul around, which is reflected in the bike's surprising 130mph top speed. Most importantly, the NC30 was designed to offer some of the best handling available at any price, and is still considered to be one of the all-time greats.

I was lucky enough to ride one of these recently and it was an absolute pleasure: famously agile handling meant the bike was intuitive, east to ride, and plenty of fun, even though I wasn't pushing its cornering limits. If you're slightly terrified trying to use anything approaching maximum revs on a modern sportbike, you'll be happy to know that the NC30 is both flexible at low rpm and happy to spin to its 14,500rpm limit. In fact chasing the redline was pretty much required, since I was working to keep up with a friend who was riding an MV Agusta F4R...

From the original eBay listing: 1989 Honda VFR400R NC30 for Sale

Up for auction is a beautiful 1989 Honda VFR400 model NC30. Hands down the most desirable color scheme. Gas tank is mint condition with zero rust inside the tank. The bike was legally imported into the United States. The bike has a clear Arizona US title with the proper 11 digit VIN number (title and frame number match). Bike starts right up runs perfect with no oil leaks. The bike is all original and is a true pleasure to ride pulling through all gears very hard. With a 14,000k rpm red line the bike will leave you with a smile on your face for days. Please view all the images as there are few scratches and scuff's throughout the bike. Also please keep in mind that this is all OEM factory Honda fairings and not the cheaper aftermarket stuff.The bike is all sock minus the stainless steel brake lines. All the electronics including horn, turn signals, high / low beam, and Killswitch all work as they should. This bike is being sold locally and I encourage all bidders to come down and view the bike in person or send a local mechanic on your behalf to view for you. Rare vintage Japanese bikes don't come up often and this is a beautiful example with no disappointment.

These days, it isn't too hard to find an NC30 for sale: the spike in RC30 prices and the fact that these have hit the 25 year mark has seen an influx of Japanese market bikes. So the trick isn't so much finding one for sale, it's finding a nice one for the right price. This one looks very clean and original, with the usual wear and tear you'd expect on a bike of this age that's actually been ridden often enough to accumulate the 27,000 miles indicated. The stock exhaust is a little quiet for my taste, but it does mean you can hear the cool whine from the gear-driven camshafts... There are still several days left on this auction and bidding is a bit slow so far, possibly owing to the mileage. But this is a Honda, and the fact that it isn't museum-quality just means you might get to ride and enjoy this cool little machine for

-tad

Meeting Your Heroes: 1989 Honda VFR400R NC30 for Sale

Featured Listing June 15, 2018 posted by Donn

Featured Listing x 2 – 1989 and 1990 Honda VFR400R NC30 !

Not one, but two of the most sought after middleweights have become available because of a slight shortage of garage space. The 1990 ( white tank and nose ) was purchased from RSBFS sponsor Moto2 Imports and the 1989 ( red tank and nose ) found locally. A tune-up for the '89 put things right, traded bodywork with the 1990, and both are for sale.

1989 and 1990 Honda VFR400R NC30 For Sale

The NC30 was built from 1989-92 and was the latest of three VFR400R generations. The lightweight and sweet handler was meant for the Japanese market and their progressive licensing laws, but acquired a following in the U.K., down under, and lately here in the U.S. Always equipped with a carburetted V-4 good for 59 hp, the later NC30 had a 360-degree big bang crank, exhaust on the left to expose the single sided swingarm, and sharp RC30 styling. Gear driven cams impart a vintage whine to the 14,500 rpm rev limit, and offset tire sizes ( 16-inch front / 18-inch rear ) insure agile handling.

Both bikes are super clean, the '89 having an aftermarket monoshock and exhaust, and '90 is nice shape - having been recently delivered from Moto2. Both have new voltage regulators, and a lot of spares are available. Comments and gallery for each bike follow below.

1989 NC30 ( Type III Color - red tank and nose ): Overall, she's in very good condition

- Installed new Electrex regulator/rectifier

- Replaced all floats, float valves, correct needles (previous too rich) and full set of LiteTek carb gaskets

- Fairing is still good condition from the other '90 NC30; but has a few hairline cracks in the usual places (willing to include new Type I aftermarket set)

- Viper exhaust (OEM included)

- Hagon rear shock (OEM included)

- It's time for sprockets and chain change; parts in hand, just haven't gotten around to replacing.

1990 NC30 ( Type I Color - white tank and nose ): Overall, she's in excellent condition and needs nothing.

- Recently installed new OEM Honda regulator/rectifier for reliability (properly soldered all terminals)

The NC30's fair power, almost full size and low ready-to-ride weight have made it the standard for small sports. Reviews from the day praised the easy riding balance and top build quality. The 1990's Moto2 pedigree is helpful since a thorough going over by Speedwerks is part of their service, and the RC30 lookalike livery will make them wonder - if only for a time. The 1989 has recent maintenance, some nice mods and backup fairing, exhaust and monoshock.

The owner Ken has made a deal with his better half to get it down to one bike and has his eye on a follow-on model, the RVF. Located near Washington, D.C. he offers delivery in DelMarVa, or will prepare the bikes for pickup. Ken asks $16,000 for the pair and can be contacted - here -.

-donn

Featured Listing x 2 – 1989 and 1990 Honda VFR400R NC30 !

Sport Bikes For Sale April 23, 2018 posted by Mike

Bonhams Spring Stafford Sale – April 21st!

Update 4.23.2018: We've updated most of the listings below with their sale prices, and estimates from Bonhams were very close in most cases. Their showcase pieces did very well also. From Bonhams:

Bonhams Spring Stafford Sale took place this weekend (21 and 22 April) at the International Classic MotorCycle Show and saw an incredible 92% of lots sold, achieving a total of £3,376,045 (US $4,708,029).

Several world records were broken, including the 1970 Clymer Münch 1,177cc TTS 'Mammoth' which achieved a staggering £154,940 and the 1973 MV Agusta 750S which realized £96,700, the highest prices ever achieved for these models at auction.

Congratulations to Bonhams on a great sale and to all the new owners!

-dc

For those lucky enough to be in attendance at the Staffordshire County Showgrounds in Stratford, UK, there will be an amazing collection of motorcycles passing over the auction block courtesy of Bonhams. But fear not: you need not be in attendance in order to participate in the auction. And just so you don't miss out on any of the key lots going up for sale, RSBFS is here to help you navigate through the drool-worthy articles on hand. Register early, and bid with confidence!

For the rest of us, let us know what you think of the sale and estimates in the comments below.

- RSBFS Team

1998 Ducati 916 SPS - This 4,000 mile machine has a Bonhams estimate of $21,000 - $27,000 USD. SOLD - US$ 20,196 inc. premium

1990 Ducati 851 SP2 by NCR - Never been raced, but chock full of NCR parts. Bonhams estimate: US $39,000 - $49,000 USD. SOLD - US$ 27,631 inc. premium

1989 Honda VFR750R Type RC30 - this works Honda is an Isle of Man TT and Macau Grand Prix veteran. Bonhams estimate: US$ 35,000 - 49,000. SOLD - US$ 40,393 inc. premium

1987 Ducati 851 - Alan Cathcart's personal machine since new, this tri colore beauty has a Bonhams estimate of $49,000 - $63,000 USD

1998 Ducati 916 Senna III - This low mileage 916 is number 281 of 300. Bonhams estimate: $14,000 - $17,000 USD. SOLD - US$ 22,620 inc. premium

1998 Ducati 916 SPS - With a documented history (including complete engine rebuild) this SPS has a Bonhams estimate of $18,000 - $24,000 USD.

1999 Ducati 996 SPS2 - Only 150 examples of this Euro-spec model were built. Bonhams estimate: $13,000 - $17,000 USD. SOLD - US$ 13,733 inc. premium

1986 Ducati 400 F3 - With only 327 kilometers showing, this late Cagiva-era Ducati has a Bonhams estimate of $5,600 - $8,400. SOLD - US$ 5,655 inc. premium

2000 MV Agusta 750cc F4 S - This '1+1' Biposto example of the astounding F4 lineup has a Bonhams estimate of $9,800 - 13,000. SOLD - US$ 10,987 inc. premium

1990 Suzuki GSX-R750L 'Slingshot' - Presented as virtually new after an extensive restoration, this bike will be sold at No Reserve. Bonhmas estimate: $4,900 - 6,300. SOLD - US$ 6,947 inc. premium

1988 Honda VFR400R Type NC21 - A rare oddity in the US, this baby RC30 shows approximately 23,000 miles. Bonhams estimate: $3,100 - $3,900. SOLD US$ 4,524 inc. premium

1978 BMW 980cc R100RS 'Krauser' - Though rather high mileage at 80k+, this looks well looked after. Bonhams estimate: US$ 7,100 - 11,000. SOLD - US$ 7,755 inc. premium

1971 Moto Guzzi V7 Sport 'Telaio Rosso' - Recently restored, previous magazine tester. Bonhams estimate: US$ 34,000 - 42,000. SOLD US$ 43,625 inc. premium

1976 Ducati 900SS - Used in the late 70's in amateur racing, it was later returned to road duty but includes many spares. Bonhams estimate: US$ 35,000 - 45,000. SOLD - US$ 37,162 inc. premium

1977 Benelli 750cc Sei - odometer shows 13k KMs, includes receipts. Bonhams estimate: US$ 11,000 - 17,000. SOLD - US$ 22,620 inc. premium

1979 Honda CBX1000Z - Imported to the UK via Canada in 1982. Includes receipts and Delkevic exhaust system. Bonhams estimate: US$ 14,000 - 20,000. SOLD - US$ 15,349 inc. premium

1983 Suzuki GSX1100 Katana - Shows nearly 25k miles and includes some receipts. Bonhams estimate: US$ 7,100 - 11,000. SOLD - US$ 12,926 inc. premium

1979 Suzuki GS1000 - No mention of Wes Cooley, is it a clone? Bonhams estimate: US$ 6,400 - 9,200. SOLD - US$ 11,310 inc. premium

1970 Clymer Münch 1,177cc TTS 'Mammoth' - One of the featured lots of the Stafford auction. Completely restored. Bonhams estimate: US$ 110,000 - 140,000. SOLD - US$ 217,692 inc. premium

1973 MV Agusta 750S - Another featured lot at the Stafford sale and noted as one of the most desirable of post-war motorcycles. Bonhams estimate: US$ 99,000 - 130,000. SOLD - US$ 135,864 inc. premium

1957 F.B. Mondial 250cc DOHC Grand Prix Racing Motorcycle - World Championship and Isle of Man TT-winning motorcycle of great historical and technical interest. Offered with assorted correspondence relating to its provenance. Bonhams estimate: US$ 110,000 - 170,000. SOLD - US$ 129,569 inc. premium

Honda 250cc RC163 Grand Prix Replica - The 250cc inline four gem was a championship winner, this replica is suitable for parades or vintage racing. Bonham's estimate: $20,000 - $25,000

1974 AMF Harley-Davidson 250cc Grand Prix Racing Motorcycle - This Aermacchi-designed two-stroke is unrestored and was in the stable of the Cesena Motorcycle Club before being on display at the Rimini Motorcycle museum for the past 30 years. Bonham's estimate - $17,000 - $21,000. SOLD - US$ 17,773 inc. premium