"RC30 Forever"

Photos: Honda

Last year, the HONDA original spare parts range "RC30 Forever" was successfully launched in Japan. Now it comes to Europe.

• The "RC30 Forever" project is coming to Europe after being launched in Japan in 2020
• For the legendary RC30, about 150 original parts will be available, which can be ordered via the Honda dealer network
• New moulds are produced for the parts
• The parts list was created together with established RC30 clubs in Japan and Europe
• The VFR750R (RC30) was first launched in 1987 according to the homologation rules of World Superbike

HONDA is known for not only listening to the voices and wishes of its customers, but also for implementing them. Thus, the 'RC30 Forever' program was launched after some meetings with established RC30 owner clubs in Japan and Europe. Owners of the RC30 expressed a strong desire to keep their legendary motorcycles with original HONDA spare parts on the road and in the best condition. For HONDA, this and the road safety of the customers was reason enough to implement the program.

In this context, HONDA produces about 150 new original spare parts for the RC30, covering the engine, chassis, body and electronics. The decision on which parts to reproduce was selected based on the wishes and experience of experts in HONDA's research and manufacturing facilities.

Parts can be ordered from May* 2021 through dealers throughout Europe.

"RC30 Forever"

At the beginning of the "RC30 Forever" project, an examination of the RC30 archives carried out in 2017 revealed that none of the original wooden models or shapes for the RC30 had been preserved. It was clear that the original drawings would be needed to start the project.

Like all motorcycles produced at the time, the production of the RC30 was based on hand-drawn 2D wireframe plans from which models and shapes were created. Compared to modern methods of 3D computer modeling and digital drawings, these blueprints contain far fewer specific details, which made it difficult to reproduce the new parts.

The available blueprints were digitized, enlarged to a scale of 1:1 and compared with existing parts borrowed from the remaining RC30s within the HONDA family and owner clubs to ensure their accuracy. Nevertheless, there were still some difficulties to overcome and gaps in the detailed information to fill.

To live up to a high standard, it was important to include the original team members, many of whom are in their 60s. Their know-how, passion and experience were essential for this project. Only with their help was it possible to create new wooden models out of nothing.

The combination of tangible elements and new digitized drawings, as well as the experience of returning members of the HONDA family, ultimately made the project so successful in Japan.

The VFR750R (RC30)

The legendary RC30 was first unveiled at the Tokyo Motor Show in 1987 and made its way to Europe in 1988. It is limited to around 5,000 units worldwide and was designed to meet the homologation rules required to participate in the newly formed Superbike World Championship.

The RC30 was hand-built in the Hamamatsu factory and powered by a liquid-cooled 748cc 90°V4. It was equipped with the latest racing technology of the time - an approach unknown at the time.

HONDA's development engineers also used exotic materials such as carbon fiber, Kevlar and magnesium throughout the bike. The engine was equipped with titanium connecting rods and an anti-hopping clutch, which worked together with the transmission in the style of a large racing machine.

Wheels and brakes were equipped with quick release and the suspension was fully adjustable at the front and rear. The bike was prominently featured with a distinctive one-sided pro-arm swingarm that helped with quick rear wheel changes during the race.

The RC30's legacy was solidified when it won the Superbike World Championship with Fred Merkel in 1988 and 1989. It also won several national and international races, including victories on the Isle of Man in the hands of famous drivers such as Joey Dunlop, Carl Fogarty, Steve Hislop and Philip McCallen.

* The start of sales varies depending on the part. The sale is subject to limited stock availability for all parts. More information can be found here.