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1986 Vfr 750R Rebuild

76 posts Started 4 Dec 2013 Last recovered post 11 Jan 2024 Wayback Machine snapshot 7 Oct 2025
#1 rc30fan Thread starter

Hoping this is the right place to post.

This is the rebuild process of my early prototype VFR-750R built in 1986 and imported into Australia specifically for use as a race bike. I bought it in 1994 and was lucky enough to get it with an engine that was built in 1993 with the full HRC race kit installed. At the time this kit alone cost almost $60,000 in addition to the cost of the bike. And back then they were selling in dealerships for just under $20,000. The bike was raced its entire life and then retired when the RC45 was introduced. Thats when I was able to pick it up for what I considered to be a steal. I rode the hell out of it, doing 50 or so track days in 5 years before the crank lost a gallery plug, causing the bottom end to seize. The stock titanium conrods were destroyed but I was able to get the crank repaired. At the same time I was in the process of moving here to the US so I had no time to repair it. As a result I covered the chassis in a layer of grease, put the engine in a waterproof box and put it into storage. 10 years later I was able to ship it over here so I packed it up and it arrived with the thick layer of grease still in place. It took another 3 years to find all the parts I needed before I could even think about rebuilding it, and then my 996 went all Ducati on me and I had to rebuild it just so I could get rid of it. But once that was done I cleared out my work space and got started. There were a few nasty surprises in the build but nothing I couldn't handle. There were a bunch of parts on this bike custom made by the race team that were either broken or worn out but thats why I taught myself how to use Autocad and a bunch of CAD/CAM programs. I built myself a small CNC mill specifically to make parts for this RC30. So here are some pictures: My first track day on this bike early in 1994 [image: main3-1.jpg] Picking up the package from the freight hub in Houston [image: CIMG0126.jpg] The special parts cleaner in use. It works perfectly. [image: 10_zps54233514.jpg] Cases all clean and ready to go back together. [image: PA040003_zps5580360d.jpg] Heres the top end ready to go back together. [image: main5.jpg] New aftermarket rods cost more than my KTM supermoto. You can see the damage on the original titanium rod but these are not repairable. [image: PA310016.jpg] Checking side clearance on the new rods when installed. [image: P9160024_zps4f2dcdc0.jpg] Using the damned expensive internal micrometer to check the custom bearings. Much more accurate than plastigauge provided you take all measurements with the parts at the same temperature. [image: P9160003_zps2f0311e0.jpg] Old pistons are worn out. Thats why the motor was smoking a little the last few times I rode it. [image: P9160014_zps5242f939.jpg] New pistons. Notice the different reading on the micrometer. Thats the difference between smoke and no smoke under decell. [image: 57_zps5c907e8a.jpg]
Checking the cylinders. Thankfully they were still within spec. [image: P9160009_zps75615a1b.jpg] This motor has the cylinders cast into the top crank case. As a result the engine has to come apart any time new pistons are needed. Here they are going in: [image: PA050005_zps26b1d1b6.jpg] From below. Individually weighed and balanced rods and pistons installed. [image: PA050008_zpsb6e6fc71.jpg] Transmission installed after each gear was washed and all bearings checked. [image: IMG_1904_zps8b5f1f4a.jpg] There are four of these oil jets in the cases. Dont forget any or there will be problems. [image: 40_zpscc529987.jpg] Cases together. It takes a lot of jiggling. [image: 90_zps19604a81.jpg] Heres a question - who can shed some light on the spiral groves on this bolt? It holds the cases together so has no interaction with oil or gears. Heads of two of these are visible in the next picture. [image: Img_1886sm_zpsa84c6a1e.jpg] Flipped over, this is the oil pump. Its actually from a VF1000R as the standard pump doesnt have passages for the lines to the oil cooler. [image: PA080004_zps5c5d991c.jpg] I figured this would be the best time to bring the engine and chassis together. Thats when I noticed the crud in the threads. [image: PA080010_zps00ccbce2.jpg] Heres a shot from the timelapse - frame installed on the engine. [image: G0030033_zps74a9496b.jpg] http://youtu.be/PTBPv6x7GbA
Roger at OnroadOffroad.com rebuilt the shock and forks. [image: PA090001_zps029fb196.jpg] This is the titanium swingarm pivot - part of the HRC kit. It feels light as aluminum. [image: PA080005_zps5e966c0f.jpg] Here are the starter motor and gears I installed when I first got the bike. Why? Bump starting is a real pain. [image: 160_zps2fef5654.jpg] Race kit crank allows ignition timing to be adjusted. [image: 155_zps59df6f82.jpg] All ready to button up. (oil cooler bypass line waiting for new hoses) [image: 200_zps1e7bee30.jpg] Time to start work on the carbs. Luckily I emptied them before I stored them so they werent bad at all. [image: 250_zpsbf1e58d8.jpg] I installed a choke system - not easy with the short-port NL0 heads. But worth its weight in gold. [image: 260_zpsdc42373e.jpg] On the other side of the motor I found some more stripped threads. The race team helicoiled almost every bolt hole in the motor for reduced weight. I did the rest. [image: 280_zps97eff5fb.jpg] Coming together nicely. [image: 290_zps547c6371.jpg] Checking piston travel to verify cam settings. [image: PA250003_zps8b494fcb.jpg]
Checking cam travel. There is actually a degree of difference between the front and rear intake cams. Not sure which one is wrong though. I cant adjust until I know which one is correct. [image: PA280007_zps8e371183.jpg] I then found a bad bearing on the front bank so I replaced both. Here the hot bearing drops onto the chilly cam. [image: 215_zps0e222371.jpg] Race kit ID mark. [image: PA280009_zpsa1fa0287.jpg] Now comes the fun part. The race kit wiring harness was replaced with the stock wiring harness so I could use the starter but is huge and heavy. So I ordered a used VFR-F harness to donate wire and connectors for a new harness made to the race kit wiring diagram. [image: PA280010_zps2ad219f0.jpg] I later found out that there were several plugs missing from the F model harness. I found a goldwing harness that had all the plugs I needed and it was an easy process to make the new harness with starter motor and charging circuit added. [image: PB060017_zps285462ce.jpg] Kit CDI connected to the new harness. We now have sparks in all the right places. [image: PB060025_zps364e55c5.jpg] Heres the new brake calipers mounted with custom made brackets. The old calipers needed new seals that were no longer available. Hopefully these calipers from a 999S will work as well as the AP Lockheed ones. (Thats not dirt on the calipers, the previous owner painted them then scraped most of the paint off. Theres a little more left to do though). [image: caliperadapters_zps66ba1294.jpg] Edited September 23, 2014 by rc30fan
#2 gll429

1st up..

welcome! :smile2:

2nd.. please tell me you live with in 3 hours of DC!! pretty please!!

:biggrin:

3rd. Durbahn in germany make a bunch of goodies that seem right up your ally. :fing02:

#3 YoshiHNS

This needs to be flagged as porn.

:wub2: :wub2:

#6 rc30fan Thread starter

Thanks guys.

The rebuild is about done. All I have left is replacing a few hardware store fasteners with high strength bolts that can only be found online, new chain/tires and brake pads and thats about it.

Heres a video of the engine running:

http://youtu.be/fyLLQviL3To

#7 CBVFRbikeboy
rc30fan Coming together nicely.

Now there's an understatement. Very very nicely.

awesome.

ian

#8 Beck

I'm thinking that the big spirals rolled on to those case bolts in your pics, have some sort of effect on how the bolt stretches when torqued to spec??

#9 VFRBert

Great bike, thanks for sharing al those pics.

Here in Holland in 2008 a guy bought 4 rc30 endurance racers, including a NLOB version, wich is completely factory built. Some parts like the racing carbs where lease only in that time. The bikes were kept for 14 years in a shed.

Here a link to the Dutch forum, language Dutch off course, but a bunch off pics will tell the story.http://www.vfroc.nl/forumVFR/index.php?showtopic=10795

An rc30 having NLOB parts is rare.

Edited December 4, 2013 by VFRBert
#11 Kel

I love when an RC30 falls into the right hands.

#12 rc30fan Thread starter

My mill didnt do a very good job of the foam instrument surround. I'll just have to cut the next one by hand.

[image: PC030004_zps061653ae.jpg]

Lots of plumbing. I have a new catch bottle on its way from England. Making the oil cooler lines was dead simple.

[image: PC030005_zps2f9f9693.jpg]

Still need to finish the front brake lines. They're not so simple to make.

[image: PC030007_zps8169c81a.jpg]

Closeup of the kit CDI, new wiring harness connectors and fairing bracket I made 15 years ago.

[image: PC030008_zpsdbee43c7.jpg]

I found the original connectors for the kit tach. Shipped all the way from England.

[image: PC030011_zpse1950baa.jpg]

New cast iron Brembos compared to cast iron HRC discs that are worn out after a lot of fun track time.

[image: PC030013_zps1b7d5f6c.jpg]

One of the many plastic items I had to make.

[image: PC030014_zpsad448541.jpg]

Its still a little cold blooded. I havent reconnected the choke yet so it takes some convincing to start up.

[image: GOPR1388_zps7ff7712a.jpg]

The tank needs to be repainted. I had a friend remake all the winfield graphics based on the existing decals on the fairings.

I lost the original front fender when I made a mold for the carbon fender in school. I have another one ready for paint and graphics.

[image: GOPR1392_zpsb662aa44.jpg]

#13 Guest ajcmbrown

Wow! That's a very trick piece of (Aussie) motorcycle history you have there! The high standard of your work will ensure that it can be enjoyed for many years to come.

Tony

#14 The Phantom

Top shelf. You and BusyLittleShop are going to be firm friends, if you aren't already!

#15 VF1000RS

Great stuff. Wiring harness(along with everything else) is very cool you made yourself.

#16 Guest theelf

wow you really know your bike? holy cow tore the whole thing down. If you don't mind me asking where did you learn how to do this? i am thinking of taking motorcycle certification classes so i can work on my own bike doing whta you are doing -- Good luck awesome ride..

#17 SEBSPEED

Nice work. Nice to see a bike live its life as fully intended from day one!

I'm curious to know what the plumbed line on the stator cover is for? Looks like a breather tube?

rc30fan[image: PC030008_zpsdbee43c7.jpg]
#19 Switchblade

I'm wondering about the motor mount, looks like they move it down and forward and reinforced it .

#20 rc30fan Thread starter

Thanks for the feedback guys.

Damn Kel, that's about the nicest thing anyone's ever said to me!

Phantom - we have spoken. I'm a machinist also and boasted about the merits of CNC. Larry wasn't convinced!

theelf

wow you really know your bike? holy cow tore the whole thing down. If you don't mind me asking where did you learn how to do this? i am thinking of taking motorcycle certification classes so i can work on my own bike doing whta you are doing -- Good luck awesome ride..

I started teaching myself after a series of screw ups every time I took my bikes in for service - at multiple dealerships. Various ham fisted morons scratched a brand new tank to hell, cross threaded a sump plug, reassembled a gear train incorrectly, left spacers out of a front wheel, lost various fairing fasteners (and didn't replace them), and many more. One even forgot they had my bike.

If it had been only one dealership that would be easy to fix but this all happened at Honda, Suzuki, Ducati and KTM dealerships.

As a result I started out by doing an oil change myself. Then I learned how to change tires, and worked my way up to 2-stroke rebuilds. Then a 4-stroke dirt bike rebuild, then a 4-stroke single street bike rebuild, then a 4 cylinder rebuild. You get the idea.

All it takes really is a Haynes manual and a willingness to invest the money in tools that will pay for themselves many times over.
Check out my YouTube channel for a few different bike rebuilds, http://youtu.be/Jz-MzJ6yKUo

If I had one piece of advice to offer it would be this - buy a dirt bike that's not running. Then buy a Haynes manual for it and use it to learn. If you screw up, the parts are cheap and there's only one cylinder so its simple. Then when its fixed, either ride the hell out of it or sell it to pay for all the tools you had to buy. Then, when you need to work on something more complex/more important to you, the confidence is there because you know what needs to be done.

I personally consider the tech schools out there a total waste of time. They are nothing but profit machines designed to take money from people. If they just happen to turn out a good mechanic its by accident not design. There are so many truly horrific techs working in dealerships that it makes no sense to let them work on a bike. Obviously they aren't all incompetent but the ones who do know what they're doing are under pressure to do their work faster than is possible and get paid barely more than minimum wage to do so. They are not allowed to check their work because that takes time away from other jobs so bikes go back to customers with loose wires, missing bolts and cross threaded plugs.

Damn, I sound cynical but this is all from personal experience, not hearsay.

Seb,

that's a breather for oil vapor. The hose goes up to a catch tank in the tail which is then vented into the carbs.

Switchblade,

As far as I know the motor mount position is stock. What you're seeing is extra aluminum welded on by the race team to reduce/prevent flexing. I have noticed though that the Moriwaki chassis made for this engine actually uses the motor mount down in front of the sump - much like the RC45. That's some forward thinking engineering right there.

Edited December 13, 2013 by rc30fan
#21 Switchblade

Switchblade,


As far as I know the motor mount is stock. What you're seeing is extra aluminum welded on by the race team to reduce/prevent flexing. I have noticed though that the Moriwaki chassis made for this engine actually uses the motor mount down in front of the sump - much like the RC45. That's some forward thinking engineering right there.




Thanks, wonderful bike.

#22 VFRBert
rc30fan

Thanks for the feedback guys.

Damn Kel, that's about the nicest thing anyone's ever said to me!

Phantom - we have spoken. I'm a machinist also and boasted about the merits of CNC. Larry wasn't convinced!

theelf

wow you really know your bike? holy cow tore the whole thing down. If you don't mind me asking where did you learn how to do this? i am thinking of taking motorcycle certification classes so i can work on my own bike doing whta you are doing -- Good luck awesome ride..

I started teaching myself after a series of screw ups every time I took my bikes in for service - at multiple dealerships. Various ham fisted morons scratched a brand new tank to hell, cross threaded a sump plug, reassembled a gear train incorrectly, left spacers out of a front wheel, lost various fairing fasteners (and didn't replace them), and many more. One even forgot they had my bike.

If it had been only one dealership that would be easy to fix but this all happened at Honda, Suzuki, Ducati and KTM dealerships.

As a result I started out by doing an oil change myself. Then I learned how to change tires, and worked my way up to 2-stroke rebuilds. Then a 4-stroke dirt bike rebuild, then a 4-stroke single street bike rebuild, then a 4 cylinder rebuild. You get the idea.

All it takes really is a Haynes manual and a willingness to invest the money in tools that will pay for themselves many times over.

Check out my YouTube channel for a few different bike rebuilds, http://youtu.be/Jz-MzJ6yKUo

If I had one piece of advice to offer it would be this - buy a dirt bike that's not running. Then buy a Haynes manual for it and use it to learn. If you screw up, the parts are cheap and there's only one cylinder so its simple. Then when its fixed, either ride the hell out of it or sell it to pay for all the tools you had to buy. Then, when you need to work on something more complex/more important to you, the confidence is there because you know what needs to be done.

I personally consider the tech schools out there a total waste of time. They are nothing but profit machines designed to take money from people. If they just happen to turn out a good mechanic its by accident not design. There are so many truly horrific techs working in dealerships that it makes no sense to let them work on a bike. Obviously they aren't all incompetent but the ones who do know what they're doing are under pressure to do their work faster than is possible and get paid barely more than minimum wage to do so. They are not allowed to check their work because that takes time away from other jobs so bikes go back to customers with loose wires, missing bolts and cross threaded plugs.

Damn, I sound cynical but this is all from personal experience, not hearsay.

Seb,

that's a breather for oil vapor. The hose goes up to a catch tank in the tail which is then vented into the carbs.

Switchblade,

As far as I know the motor mount position is stock. What you're seeing is extra aluminum welded on by the race team to reduce/prevent flexing. I have noticed though that the Moriwaki chassis made for this engine actually uses the motor mount down in front of the sump - much like the RC45. That's some forward thinking engineering right there.

Amen !!!!

I started driving cars 27 years ago and my experience with dealers was about the same. They send me on the street with a subframe with loose bolts, repaired accident damage, but forgot to replace the fill nipple used for filling up the lpg tank. (I drove cars on liqified petroleum gas, wich is cheap and much better for the environment) Resulting in a pair of shoes, filled with liquid lpg. And that was cold on my feet. :wacko: And at the same time my head turned red (very angry) And many more dumb and even dangerous things happened. So i started to do my own maintenance and repairs. Buy the tools and save lots of money. After a few years i got my motorcycle license and bought a bike. And off course i did and still do all the repairs and maintenance myself.

#23 CornerCarver

WOW....I have been traveling all month for work and just stumbled across this thread...holy crap.

What a rare RC30 you have, I didn't notice the mods to the seat/tank intersect that provide room for the attachments required to remove every fastener and wire on the bike.

Those Carrillo Ti I-beam rods are even more beautiful than the stock Honda Ti rods if that is possible.

Awesome thread, amazing bike, great to see it being used as intended.

Welcome Aboard. Check you calendar to see if you can make it to North Carolina in late May and if not I will gladly give of my time to show your bike around and answer any questions that others may have of your unique and important piece of Honda Racing History.

Keith

#24 keny

That RC30 is sure a exotic (even not a stock bike) that is getting some big love!

#25 rc30fan Thread starter

Small update on this project.

This bike was originally fitted with a tach from the HRC catalog (which only goes down to 3,000 rpm and runs to 15,000 with no red line) which is designed to work with 2-strokes. As a result, the 4-stroke CDI is incompatible and requires a small converter box to talk to the tach.

My converter box was lost in shipping so I was able to borrow one from a fellow enthusiast on the condition that I return it when I've reverse engineered it. To do this I've enlisted the help of an avionics specialist currently working on F-35 systems. He whipped up a circuit and we tested it tonight. With a few more mods the new converter should be complete.

Here is a video of the testing process:

http://youtu.be/U3X9FLwV7PQ

#26 tbzep
rc30fan

To do this I've enlisted the help of an avionics specialist currently working on F-35 systems.

After he's done with it, your RC30 will have vertical takeoff capability!

#27 SEBSPEED
tbzep
rc30fan

To do this I've enlisted the help of an avionics specialist currently working on F-35 systems.

After he's done with it, your RC30 will have vertical takeoff capability!

You meant like this? :wheel:

:biggrin:

#29 rc30fan Thread starter

Heres the custom made converter in action:

http://youtu.be/GlKf5yPXpfw

I'm designing a pcb now which will be easy to make with my CNC mill.

#30 rc30fan Thread starter

I just got back from the Handbuilt motorcycle show held in Austin, sponsored by COTA for the MotoGP weekend. I was invited to bring my RC30 and they had a photographer take pictures of all the bikes. They also had an artist come in to draw selected bikes. He asked me what I considered to be the most visually appealing aspect of the bike and I said the rear wheel/exhaust. I look forward to seeing his interpretation in addition to the photos:

[image: IMG_2350_zpsa7d444ca.jpg]

The show was spectacular. The bikes were amazing, the people even more so. I've never been a fan of custom built bikes that use harley engines and cant go around corners, but these things, and the people who built them, are incredible.

The closer you get to these works of art the more spectacular they are:

[image: IMG_2361_zps865d200d.jpg]

[image: IMG_2362_zpsf514a74d.jpg]

#31 VFGRERR

Love your work mate, big fan of the restoration job.

Corser & The Go Show where my favourite Aussie SBK riders in the 90's and as a younger teenager I had my little VFR painted in the Winfield colours. I just pulled here out of storage last year and did a full restoration to, although a hell of a lot cheaper and simpler. Seems a bit weird though being nearly 40 and riding a bike you had when you where 19.

I looked at restoring an old RC and did the sums and had to part with it :( figured I couldn't do the bike justice by putting aftermarket parts on it.

Glad you stuck with it and kept a piece of Aussie racing history going.

Matt

#32 rc30fan Thread starter

Thanks Matt.

Nice looking 400. Do you have video of it anywhere? I'd love to hear it running.

I'm trying to find pictures or video of Gobert and Corser riding my RC30 back in the early 90's but i'm having no luck at all.

You're right about the cost of rebuilding an RC30. I could have bought a (very) nice track bike for what I spent on this thing.

#33 VFGRERR

I havent actually got any footage of her running, but ill take her for a ride on the coming weekend and pull out the video camera.

For the videos of the 1990's Aussie SBK Swann Series I think the SBS channel covered them.

Try contacting these guys through http://speedweek.com.au/ they do the highlights on the SBS Network of the current Aussie SBK races and I bet you they would love to run a story on your bike and may be able to point you in the right way.

Matt

#34 rc30fan Thread starter

Thats awesome, thanks Matt. Its great to see Aussie racing again, especially on tracks I used to race on myself.

#35 rc30fan Thread starter

I finally got around to scanning the tintype photo taken at the Handbuilt show, printed on a sheet of steel. According to the photographer this picture will last "hundreds" of years.

[image: tintype_zps45cce7be.jpg]


Another shot from the show:

[image: HMS-2_zps2f016b13.jpg]


Recent track day. I didnt take it on track, its too much of a risk.

[image: SUN_IMG_420782_zps5c07056b.jpg]

I have my new V-4 for that:

[image: SUN_IMG_365602_zpsca31c144.jpg]

Edited September 23, 2014 by rc30fan
#36 VFGRERR

Great article in classic mechanics magazine. Great work.

#37 rc30fan Thread starter

Thanks. Bertie did a good job. There were a few minor errors but nothing glaring.

#38 Mohawk

Sweet bike, nice rebuild, glad this thread resurfaced as I missed it at the time.

Only pity is you didn't ride it at CoTA :(

I'm sure the RSV4 is no comparison, a wholly different ride with another quarter century of development behind it ! Not to mention an extra 250cc ;)

#39 The Phantom

So now that I have worked out your name, I suspect that I now know the bike a little better - when I first got into VFRs in 1997/98 I also did some online searching of RC30s/45s, and NRs. You've got to know your heritage, right. And I'm pretty sure I recall finding some stuff from you... you were still Down Under at that stage. So do I correctly remember this bike being all red?

Awesome pics and videos. This sort of stuff is what makes the internet cool.

#40 Baileyrock

Awesome!!! Just pinned this great topic.

Carry on and keep posting!

BR

#41 rc30fan Thread starter

Thanks Baileyrock. Unfortunately now that the bikes rebuilt there's not much more worth posting.

Phantom, I did have a solid red fairing for this bike - i didn't want to risk the winfield bodywork on the track.

#42 VFR Capt.Bob

Inspiring! Almost time to tear down my 98 VFR for it's final transformation into an VFRC51 canyon companion. Thanks for the great write up and pictures.

#43 rc30fan Thread starter

[image: Img_1886sm_zpsa84c6a1e.jpg]

Another update on this project;

I spoke to a few engineers about this bolt. The consensus is the spiral increases stretch which actually reduces clamping force on the crankcases.

#44 HighSideNZ

Just stumbled on this thread today.

That bike has a lot of history on OZ.

As far as I can remember it was one of two that were ridden by Anthony Goberts and Mal Campbell, both riders for Team Honda Australia.

A rare and very interesting find.

#45 The Phantom

The other one is at Western Motorcycles in Penrith, Sydney.

#47 rc30fan Thread starter

Well its a sad day but I finally did it. This bike is now for sale.

I always thought I'd have this bike forever but after seeing how difficult critical engine parts are to get (i.e. impossible, at any price) this just isnt the bike for me anymore. I want a bike I can ride but this one is just too valuable. It needs to be on display somewhere so other enthusiasts can see it.

Its fully functional and I've ridden it once since the rebuild, in addition to starting it up dozens of times so people can hear it run.

Anyone who reads raresportbikesforsale.com will see it there shortly. I took a bit of a guess at the price. Its by no means a pristine RC30 but it has a different value. I'll also be contacting the Barber museum to see if they are interested, plus a collector in Sydney who has the polished frame sister of this bike.

#48 Switchblade

:sad2: Sounds like you made the right decision and good luck with your next project.

#49 CornerCarver

Shaun,

Hate to hear that you have decided it is time for another party to be the steward of this bit of history. Since that history is not just of the HRC marque but also of the country in which you spent much of your youth, I am certain that the decision was not made lightly.

I wish you all the best with the sale and hope to see you on track at some point in 2016 if you are still with Ride Smart.

Thank you for sharing this rebuild thread however briefly with our community. Don't be a stranger here (RSV4 kinda counts for VFR membership).

Keith

#50 rc30fan Thread starter

Thanks Guys,

I'm not sure what I'll replace this bike with yet. I might get another special V4, or I might invest it in a new business.

CornerCarver, I'm not with Ridesmart any more. I'm now a coach for California Superbike School so I'll be doing events all over the country this year. If you ever decide to do a CSS day let me know.

Shaun

#51 CornerCarver

I'll let you know.

I take the test/class to become a Lee Parks Total Control instructor in March and will be required to take classes from other groups annually to keep my certification with Total Control.

I like the sound of "another special V4"....

#53 Rush2112
rc30fan

[image: Img_1886sm_zpsa84c6a1e.jpg]

Another update on this project;

I spoke to a few engineers about this bolt. The consensus is the spiral increases stretch which actually reduces clamping force on the crankcases.

Thanks for this bit of info... I accidentally backed one of these out when I was looking for an antifreeze drain when I first got my Y2K VFR800. It's on the lower part of the front of that engine.

Great thread and what a piece of history... Good luck!

#54 v4hrc
rc30fan, 1/9/2016 at 11:30 PM

Well its a sad day but I finally did it. This bike is now for sale.

I always thought I'd have this bike forever but after seeing how difficult critical engine parts are to get (i.e. impossible, at any price) this just isnt the bike for me anymore. I want a bike I can ride but this one is just too valuable. It needs to be on display somewhere so other enthusiasts can see it.

Its fully functional and I've ridden it once since the rebuild, in addition to starting it up dozens of times so people can hear it run.

Anyone who reads raresportbikesforsale.com will see it there shortly. I took a bit of a guess at the price. Its by no means a pristine RC30 but it has a different value. I'll also be contacting the Barber museum to see if they are interested, plus a collector in Sydney who has the polished frame sister of this bike.

As an RC30 owner, I just want to say thanks for getting it running and sharing the build. I saw your bike at the Handbuilt show in 2014 and really had no idea of its provenance.

post-34789-0-83654200-1452611983.jpg

#55 rc30fan Thread starter

Lets see some pictures of your RC30

#56 Switchblade
v4hrc
rc30fan

Well its a sad day but I finally did it. This bike is now for sale.

I always thought I'd have this bike forever but after seeing how difficult critical engine parts are to get (i.e. impossible, at any price) this just isnt the bike for me anymore. I want a bike I can ride but this one is just too valuable. It needs to be on display somewhere so other enthusiasts can see it.

Its fully functional and I've ridden it once since the rebuild, in addition to starting it up dozens of times so people can hear it run.

Anyone who reads raresportbikesforsale.com will see it there shortly. I took a bit of a guess at the price. Its by no means a pristine RC30 but it has a different value. I'll also be contacting the Barber museum to see if they are interested, plus a collector in Sydney who has the polished frame sister of this bike.

As an RC30 owner, I just want to say thanks for getting it running and sharing the build. I saw your bike at the Handbuilt show in 2014 and really had no idea of its provenance.

And Welcome ..

#57 CornerCarver

What does the NLOB on the heads stand for, "No Longer Obtainable, Bro"?

#58 Cogswell
rc30fan

Thanks Guys,

I'm not sure what I'll replace this bike with yet. I might get another special V4, or I might invest it in a new business.

CornerCarver, I'm not with Ridesmart any more. I'm now a coach for California Superbike School so I'll be doing events all over the country this year. If you ever decide to do a CSS day let me know.

Shaun

Epic story - great read. A bittersweet ending for sure.

Will you be instructing at The Ridge in July? I've been thinking about attending the school for several years - may get to it in '16. Haven't decided if I'd want to flog the VFR or use one of the school's bikes.

Cheers

#59 HighSideNZ

The main case bolts are a single use item and are supposed to be replaced every time the cases are split.

The grooves give a known and controlled stretch in the bolts as they are torqued to a specified tension and then finished with an additional 90 degrees.

Phil

#60 v4hrc
rc30fan, 1/15/2016 at 8:57 AM

Lets see some pictures of your RC30

  This is the best picture I have of it. It was still in the previous owner's possession at this time. It's wearing track bodywork(obviously) and wheels.

post-34789-0-80662100-1453057878.jpg

#61 rc30fan Thread starter
HighSideNZ

The main case bolts are a single use item and are supposed to be replaced every time the cases are split.

The grooves give a known and controlled stretch in the bolts as they are torqued to a specified tension and then finished with an additional 90 degrees.

Phil

Thats what I thought too Phil but it turns out this is not the case. The same style bolts have been used in multiple VFR engines for years but none of the workshop manuals for these bikes include the final additional 90 degree twist. Honda trained mechanics are told to reuse the bolts. Even the race team that built my bike reused these bolts for years, with 3-4 engine rebuilds per season.

v4hrc
rc30fan

Lets see some pictures of your RC30

This is the best picture I have of it. It was still in the previous owner's possession at this time. It's wearing track bodywork(obviously) and wheels.

Looks like it has some nice mods. Whats the history of this one?

Will you be riding it?

#62 v4hrc
rc30fan

Looks like it has some nice mods. Whats the history of this one?

Will you be riding it?

It's a Canadian, imported some years ago to the US but the importer was never able to get the title transferred(unsure of the level of effort put forth). The person I bought it from did the legwork on the title and sorted out any issues the bike had and added a few mods during the few years he owned and rode it. It has a tick over 10,000 miles now. I've had it less then a year and have been able to ride it some. One track day and a few hundred miles of twisty roads. I plan on riding it some every year. Too many people put them in their living room or garage and they never get seen by anyone. That's not why they were built and released to the public. Yours belongs in a museum because of its unique history. Run of the mill ones should be seen and heard for others to appreciate. I hope to have it for a long, long time and I also hope to put many miles on it in that time. Parts availability is always a concern but hopefully with AHRMA making them legal, some people will step in and start making consumables again. Ohlins has made a few batches of rear shocks and sold every single one they've made so there's definitely a market out there.

#63 rc30fan Thread starter

Heres an interesting update.
This bike is still for sale. I've had a few 'firm' offers fail to materialize but I'm not in a hurry to sell. As I said, if I can find someone who can make plain bearing shells to order I wont sell. But thats another issue.

Anyway, I'm in Sydney visiting family and I heard a rumour about the sister bike to mine. I followed up and look what I found:

[image: IMG_4061_zpsfj5rn8gs.jpg]

This bike is identical to mine in all but a few ways.

- polished frame

- stock brake calipers

- ohlins steering damper

- endurance fuel filler

- welded-on side stand boss (required for homologated superbikes back in 1994)

- non-running. (Although it needs some serious work its nothing an experienced RC30 mechanic couldn't do)

Anyone interested can see more pictures here:

http://s841.photobucket.com/user/rc30rdr/library/Winfield%20RC30/sister%20bike?sort=3&page=1

#64 The Phantom

Hi Shaun, is it the one at Western Motorcycles?

regards Murray

#66 rc30fan Thread starter
The Phantom

Hi Shaun, is it the one at Western Motorcycles?

regards Murray

Thats the one. The owner, Ray, is a great guy.

Edited March 6, 2016 by rc30fan
#67 The Phantom

I hope Ray was ok about wiping my drool off it :goofy:

So, did you raise the possibility of Ray making it two from two?

#68 rc30fan Thread starter

He's not in the market for another RC30, although he knows other people who might be and said he will let them know mine is available for sale.

#69 atx

Have you sold this beauty yet? Are you going to be at the hand built show again this year? Bummed i missed out on it last year...

#70 rc30fan Thread starter

Its still for sale. So far 4 serious buyers have pulled out at the last minute. A few people have asked if it would make a good race bike but the answer is a definite no. With no spares available for the NL0B engine, one small issue would turn the bike into a paperweight.

I had to miss the Handbuilt show this year. I broke my leg in two places in January (damn supermotos are fun right up to the point of impact). I'm off the crutches now, but walking around the show would cause serious pain. 

Did you go? Got pictures?

#71 atx

Yeah no pics of the handbuilt show, i just couldn't make time for it. The rest of the weekend at COTA was great though as usual. Here is an album of pics i took fri-sun at the track, i need a better zoom lens but i still always take way too many pics and then just cull out what sucks.

http://imgur.com/a/HdjFm

Next year i plan on taking the 86 to the track.

#72 Chris71mach1

I'm so mad at myself for having taken so long to discover this thread.  What a fantastic build and a gorgeous bike!  If you're in DFW and still happen to have the bike, I'd love to see it one of these days!

#73 HighSideNZ

So this is an Ex Anthony Gobert RC30 so was probably run out of the Nova Honda (Vince Genova) dealership in Melbourne?

#74 bmart

Anthony Gobert...there's a sad story. 

#75 Fastdruid
rc30fan, 12/13/2013 at 9:34 PM

As far as I know the motor mount position is stock. What you're seeing is extra aluminum welded on by the race team to reduce/prevent flexing. I have noticed though that the Moriwaki chassis made for this engine actually uses the motor mount down in front of the sump - much like the RC45. That's some forward thinking engineering right there.

Thanks for sharing, love to see the differences between the various RCs, particularly the ultra rare versions. Shame you feel you need to sell but totally understandable. It's hard enough for parts for the "common" older VFR's without the problem of rare "unobtainium" parts. 

The low down mounts though, more likely carried over from the RC24. The RC30 being essentially a production version of the RC24 '6X' engine with new/better heads and a *much* better more advanced production version of the chassis from the (endurance/prototype race bike) RVF750. But the RC24 also used those mounts so it wouldn't have been a massive leap for Moriwaki to experiment with (re)using them and then of course Honda then did the same with the RC45 (and similar with the baby NC30->NC35).  

"Bubba Shobert's VFR750" 

[image: spacer.png]

Moriwaki RC30 Chassis 

[image: spacer.png]

End of thread · 76 posts recovered Wayback Machine snapshot 7 Oct 2025