Purists and Honda fans might want to avert their eyes now… Styled like a baby RC30, the VFR400R NC30 has long offered Honda V4 thrills and character in a more affordable, less intimidating package. Of course, the steady rise in RC30 prices means that values for the NC30 are on the way up as well, as the bike has always been like a gateway drug for folks craving a Honda V4 rush. But because the NC30 was made in greater numbers and the bike has been pretty affordable, the bike can be considered less sacred, and is more likely to be subjected to modifications…
At a glance, you could easily confuse an NC30 for an RC30. The design is intentionally very similar, although the NC has smaller headlights and looks overall a bit like an RC that’s been through the wash in hot water. It shares the RC’s beam frame design, Pro-Arm single-sided swingarm, and V4 configuration. And the difference in displacement and overall performance is mitigated by a substantial weight disparity: the NC weighs 401lbs wet, compared to the RC’s 488lbs wet.
We’ve gotten used to 200hp road missiles but, with sophisticated electronics needed to help manage these beasts, I think we sometimes underestimate just how much fun a pure, unadulterated 60hp motorcycle can be when it’s this light and this thoroughly developed.
The rise in prices will also likely lead to purists being more offended by bikes like this one. Honestly, the modifications, although fairly extensive, are pretty tasteful, carefully thought out, and easy to miss at first since the bike retains the iconic HRC colors. Personally I’m kind of a fan of endurance-racing squinty-eyed headlamp setups like this. Airtech makes some neat ones for the GSX-R and ZX-7 and it makes a great, but maybe too-familiar design look fresh.
Head on over to eBay for a whole bunch of additional pictures of this little resto-mod.
From the original eBay listing: 1992 Honda VFR400R NC30 for Sale
This bike has been a project to build a very cool VFR400 I have worked on over the last couple years after I purchased it from a friend who owned it for quite a few years. This bike has been in the US for many years, it does not suffer from much of the corrosion issues that many new Japan NC30 imports are plagued with. This bike has a 17 digit VIN, which is how I bought it. Currently titled and reg’d in Arizona this bike IS LEGAL TO REGISTER IN CA with the 17 digit VIN.
This NC30 is turn key, ready to ride, track day or display in your collection. EVERYTHING is new or fresh.
The following is BRAND NEW in last few weeks:
- Complete fresh paint and bodywork $3500
- Brand new Bridgestone S21’s front and back, no miles $350
- Brand new Tyga Full exhaust System $800
- New Tyga fork adjusters and re-freshed forks $300
- Freshly powdercoated wheels front and back $300
- New Thermae upper and lower oversized radiators $600
- NC35 17″ rear wheel $350
- Full service front to back, oil, filter, coolant brake fluid front and back.
You can probably not build an NC30 like this for less… and I have more in it than I am asking for!!!
This is a 1992 VFR400. It is wearing a Tyga Suzuka Style cowling with an NC35 solo style tail section. The bodywork has just been freshly professionally painted in RC30 style classic Honda tri colors.
- The bike is on an NC30 3.5×17″ front wheel with NC35 rotors, the rear wheel is an NC35 17″.
- Wheels freshly powdercoated and wearing brand new Bridgestones.
- Tyga Performance Full Stainless exhaust system with carbon can.
- Tyga Performance rear sets
- Tyga Performance fork caps with Full rebound adjustment
- Ohlins rear shock
- Thermae Oversized race radiators
- HRC rear brake reservoir
- Samco hoses
- Braided brake lines
This NC30 is very clean and well sorted, it has a rare Ohlins rear shock, the NC35 17 inch rear and looks incredible with the Suzuka style bodywork. The bike is very clean for its age, please look at the photos with the lower bodywork removed. No leaks or mechanical problems, carbs recently cleaned, jetted for exhaust. Everything works, currently the bike does not have front blinkers installed, but I have a Tyga set that can go with the bike and be installed at your discretion.
All other electrical works as it should, and it has an updated reg/rec, so no issues with the stock Honda ones that often fail. This bike is also equipped with an aftermarket top speed de-restrictor to get around the JDM 180 kph limit.
Not a stock NC30 by any means, but I think it has all the right mods, looks incredible and will make someone VERY happy… and you will NOT see another one like it at your next bike night!
Please check out all the pictures, contact me with ANY questions or if you need more photos!!!
So it’s not completely original, and it isn’t even close to stock, but the seller is obviously a knowledgeable enthusiast. Modifications like the NC35 rear wheel make plenty of practical sense and, if you’re looking for the V4 experience on a budget and have an irreverent streak, that $10,500 Buy It Now price represents a screaming deal.
-tad
Love it, the mods make a lot of sense and make a fun bike that much more so. I like mods that are well thought out over a box stock bike but i understand I may be in the minority here.
I don’t think it’s heresy, but probably most people here will be completely cool with the mods. Good looking bike. I wonder if the spark plugs have been changed–my memory is they’re super-expensive.
The only issue (other than price) I can see is it being “legal” to register in California. It isn’t illegal to try to register any vehicle–it’s just that they won’t process it and give you a license. Call me prudent, but unless it already has a CA license plate, I’m hesitant to believe it can be registered. Nevertheless, GLWS for a bike that looks like it was stored inside vs. almost all other Japanese imports.
None of those mods would detract from this bike for me.
Not sure how hard it be to register that bike is on the fmvss bikes to legally import list even before the 25 year n older rule.
The bike itself is great. But trying to recoup those mod prices in the sale price is probably hurting a quick sale.
$3500 for new non-stock bodywork and paint/? That is money you spend not expecting to recoup. And not sure what makes an Ohlins shock rare.
The idea of the seller waving a handful of receipts and expecting the buyer to pay premium because they over paid on mods/restoration/maintenance has always intrigued me.
The bike will have a used value and perhaps a novelty value added on, but that’s the way to truly value a used bike for buyers. Otherwise they WILL overpay and most likely never break even when they try sell.
Good luck to seller and especially buyer – as the modded bike ages the value-add of the mods is reduced and you will hopefully ride the bike to enjoy the whole package over your ownership period rather than just sit on it expecting a windfall sale in 10 years 🙂
Love the paintwork here. Not a stock repro, which great. Love the red logo on the tank and the tail is super.
Not digging the upper fairing, but that’s me. I’ll take the twin lamps.
Perfection for my taste is to powder coat the forks silver and I’m in. If it were not for the price outside my range this would be my next track toy. The 17” wheels do a wonder to make this far more maintainable and useable for track duty. It’s a sexy little partner, but like most sexy little partners it’s above my pay grade.
I rode our NC30 just yesterday and you don’t know what you’re missing until you try one. Such great little bikes. I dig endurance headlights but never liked the flounder style light…to each their own though. I can say this from very recent personal experience on our NC35 build. It would be tough to build one this clean for less. I personally think the price is right but ideally, there’s some stock bodywork to go with it in “any condition”. Nice job on the build and best of luck.
Now imagine how the NC30 felt as a new bike in 1989. It is such a pity that the small bikes of today are such rough clunkers – it would be better if people could cut their teeth on these Swiss Watch style 400s of the 80s and 90s.
I had an NC30 for a short while back in the day, however the CBR400RR won me over in the end – but the small V4 is sublime.
In the Feb 2012 issue of Practical Sportsbikes (UK) is a resto modded RC30 chassis with a VFR750F streetbike engine, built by England’s V4 expert Rick Oliver. An amazing article, if you can find the back issue. If you have an NC30 or NC35 you should know about Rick; https://www.rickoliver.co.uk/
It’s a great bike, but if you look closely, the lines of the paintwork don’t line up. It’s such a shame after all the work put into it.
You make a great point about the paint not lining up, that’s really a bummer…. I kept thinking about this one but that’s a deal killer for sure. Really a shame and can’t believe I didn’t notice it. Guess I was so stuck on that flounder headlight and trying to get my hands around it.