Honda VFR750R
Encyclopedia
The Honda VFR750R, frame designation 'RC30', was a fully faired
racing motorcycle created for homologation
purposes for the World Superbike championship by Honda Racing Corporation (HRC). It was first released to the Japanese market in 1987. American enthusiasts had to wait until 1990 to get their hands on an RC30. The final one hundred RC30 machines were made for England in 1990. Even then, a lofty price approximately twice that of a production 750 of the time and limited availability made them a rare sight on public roads. The original intent of being a race bike didn't help the RC30 survival rate, where many were lost to the rigors of the gravel trap.
connecting rod
s that reduced reciprocating weight (50g lighter and 8 times the cost) and, gear driven camshafts. The engine firing configuration was very different from the road-going VFR750F from which it was derived with a 360 degree 'big bang' crank arrangement instead of the smoother 180 degree. This feature produced a very broad spread of power and, when coupled to the close ratio gearbox which had an extremely high first gear ratio (0 - 82 mph), made the RC30 untouchable in terms of driveability when on the move. Slowing down was made easier with a slipper style clutch, and impressive braking capability for the era.
While being inspired by the Honda RVF endurance racer (not to be confused with the Honda RVF750 RC45
) the VFR750R instead had its engine based on the 1986-7 VFR750F (RC24), the engine changes being tried first in the VFR750 '6X'. The engines are almost identical externally, the only visible differences being in the cylinder heads and the engine side covers. Inside the engine no major parts were identical to the RC24. The clutch, gearbox, crankshaft, oil pump, connecting rods, water pump, pistons, starter clutch, and the entire valvetrain and cylinder heads are specific to the RC30.
It redline
d at 12,500 rpm (in comparison to the VFR750F which redlines at 11,000 rpm) and weighed approximately 192 kg (420 pounds) ready to ride. Power outputs varied by country of sale with the most powerful advertised at 112 horsepower. Japanese domestic market, Australian, Swiss, and the US, specification machines were restricted in power output to varying degrees.
(originally patented by ELF of France), and attached with a single castellated nut and cotter pin. It was also equipped with fully adjustable Showa suspension which, as it only had a single seat thus focusing suspension performance, gave superior ride and handling characteristics. The engine and low storage position of the fuel in the fuel tank combined to give a low centre of gravity which aided its handling prowess. Further statements of its hand-built quality were shown in a full stainless steel 4-2-1 exhaust system, alloy fuel tank and hand laid fibreglass bodywork.
The bike was fitted with an 'anti-squat' rear brake linkage that linked the rear caliper to the frame via a rose-jointed linkage through the swingarm (reducing rear suspension displacement under braking).
closely resembles the VFR750R (RC30).
The RC30 was superseded some 4 years after the last one was built by the Honda RVF750 RC45
in 1994 but is often considered the predominantly collectible model as it gave the privateer a tool with which to race competitively, specifically in the Isle of Man TT
races. Helmut Dähne
in 1993 set the "eternal" record on the Nordschleife with a RC30.
Motorcycle fairing
A motorcycle fairing is a shell placed over the frame of some motorcycles, especially racing motorcycles and sport bikes, with the primary purpose to reduce air drag. The secondary functions are the protection of the rider from airborne hazards and wind-induced hypothermia and of the engine...
racing motorcycle created for homologation
Homologation
Homologation is a technical term, derived from the Greek homologeo for "to agree", which is generally used in English to signify the granting of approval by an official authority...
purposes for the World Superbike championship by Honda Racing Corporation (HRC). It was first released to the Japanese market in 1987. American enthusiasts had to wait until 1990 to get their hands on an RC30. The final one hundred RC30 machines were made for England in 1990. Even then, a lofty price approximately twice that of a production 750 of the time and limited availability made them a rare sight on public roads. The original intent of being a race bike didn't help the RC30 survival rate, where many were lost to the rigors of the gravel trap.
Engine
Though the 748cc 16-valve gear driven double overhead camshaft liquid-cooled RC24 derived 90° V4 produced just 86 horsepower (in its US release form, Most European bikes made 112 hp) — not a class-leading figure by 1990 standards — they contained race-inspired components. These included such items as titaniumTitanium
Titanium is a chemical element with the symbol Ti and atomic number 22. It has a low density and is a strong, lustrous, corrosion-resistant transition metal with a silver color....
connecting rod
Connecting rod
In a reciprocating piston engine, the connecting rod or conrod connects the piston to the crank or crankshaft. Together with the crank, they form a simple mechanism that converts linear motion into rotating motion....
s that reduced reciprocating weight (50g lighter and 8 times the cost) and, gear driven camshafts. The engine firing configuration was very different from the road-going VFR750F from which it was derived with a 360 degree 'big bang' crank arrangement instead of the smoother 180 degree. This feature produced a very broad spread of power and, when coupled to the close ratio gearbox which had an extremely high first gear ratio (0 - 82 mph), made the RC30 untouchable in terms of driveability when on the move. Slowing down was made easier with a slipper style clutch, and impressive braking capability for the era.
While being inspired by the Honda RVF endurance racer (not to be confused with the Honda RVF750 RC45
Honda RVF750 RC45
The Honda RVF750R RC45 was a fully faired racing motorcycle created for homologation purposes for the Superbike World Championship by Honda Racing Corporation. The RVF750R was the successor to the VFR750R RC30...
) the VFR750R instead had its engine based on the 1986-7 VFR750F (RC24), the engine changes being tried first in the VFR750 '6X'. The engines are almost identical externally, the only visible differences being in the cylinder heads and the engine side covers. Inside the engine no major parts were identical to the RC24. The clutch, gearbox, crankshaft, oil pump, connecting rods, water pump, pistons, starter clutch, and the entire valvetrain and cylinder heads are specific to the RC30.
It redline
Redline
Redline refers to the maximum engine speed at which an internal combustion engine or traction motor and its components are designed to operate without causing damage to the components themselves or other parts of the engine...
d at 12,500 rpm (in comparison to the VFR750F which redlines at 11,000 rpm) and weighed approximately 192 kg (420 pounds) ready to ride. Power outputs varied by country of sale with the most powerful advertised at 112 horsepower. Japanese domestic market, Australian, Swiss, and the US, specification machines were restricted in power output to varying degrees.
Suspension and Brakes
The RC30 front suspension was made by Showa and had wheel and brake pads that had quick-release mountings. The rear wheel carried a brake disc to the inside and a chain sprocket to the outside of a single-sided swingarmSwingarm
A swingarm, or "swinging arm" is the main component of the rear suspension of most modern motorcycles and ATVs...
(originally patented by ELF of France), and attached with a single castellated nut and cotter pin. It was also equipped with fully adjustable Showa suspension which, as it only had a single seat thus focusing suspension performance, gave superior ride and handling characteristics. The engine and low storage position of the fuel in the fuel tank combined to give a low centre of gravity which aided its handling prowess. Further statements of its hand-built quality were shown in a full stainless steel 4-2-1 exhaust system, alloy fuel tank and hand laid fibreglass bodywork.
The bike was fitted with an 'anti-squat' rear brake linkage that linked the rear caliper to the frame via a rose-jointed linkage through the swingarm (reducing rear suspension displacement under braking).
Relatives
The VFR400R (NC30)Honda VFR400
The Honda VFR400 series of motorcycles were a related series of 399 cc V4-engined motorcycles, which were essentially scaled-down versions of the larger VFR models of the day...
closely resembles the VFR750R (RC30).
The RC30 was superseded some 4 years after the last one was built by the Honda RVF750 RC45
Honda RVF750 RC45
The Honda RVF750R RC45 was a fully faired racing motorcycle created for homologation purposes for the Superbike World Championship by Honda Racing Corporation. The RVF750R was the successor to the VFR750R RC30...
in 1994 but is often considered the predominantly collectible model as it gave the privateer a tool with which to race competitively, specifically in the Isle of Man TT
Isle of Man TT
The International Isle of Man TT Race is a motorcycle racing event held on the Isle of Man and was for many years the most prestigious motorcycle race in the world...
races. Helmut Dähne
Helmut Dähne
Helmut Dähne is a German former motorcycle racer, active not in Grand Prix races, for which the rather tall Dähne is not well suited, but in endurance racing with production machines, comparable to touring cars and rallying with automobiles...
in 1993 set the "eternal" record on the Nordschleife with a RC30.