Honda: brought the "RC30 Forever" program to Europe [PHOTO]

After the success achieved in Japan one year after its introduction, Honda will propose the original spare parts program “RC30 Forever” also in Europe. A choice that came after some meetings with well-known clubs of RC30 owners located in Japan and Europe. On this occasion, the owners had expressed their desire to keep these examples in the best conditions using original spare parts.

The VFR750R (RC30) model

A motorbike introduced at Tokyo Motor Show of the 1987 and then arrived in Europe in 1988. Production was limited to 5000 units worldwide, developed to compete in the emerging World Superbike Championship, keeping in mind the necessary homologation criteria.
Fred Merkel's World Superbike victory in 1988 and 1989 made this model iconic for RC30 enthusiasts. A winning model also on the Isle of Man, entrusted to specialists and champions such as Joey Dunlop, Carl Fogarty, Steve Hislop and Philip McCallen.
Developed in the Hamamatsu factory, the RC30 is equipped with a powertrain V4 90° da 748 cc liquid-cooled, as well as cutting-edge racing technologies of the period. An unprecedented appearance for a production model, until then. Noble materials such as carbon fiber, Kevlar and magnesium were used for the development. Thanks to the presence of titanium connecting rods and an anti-slipper clutch (another new feature at the time), the performance and dynamism expressed are typically sporty. In the rear area there is a single-sided swing arm, a functional solution for quickly changing the tire during a competition. Fork and monoshock are multi-adjustable, as is the braking system and quick release rims, as mentioned.

The 'RC30 Forever' replacement parts scheme comes to Europe

The project

Returning to the origins, as told, after a research of 2017 in the Honda archives it was discovered that none of the original wooden models and molds used to create the RC30 had been preserved. To continue with the project, then, the original drawings were used. Like the various motorcycles made at the time, however, the production of the RC30 referred to hand-drawn blueprints and the models and molds were created from these. Given more modern, computerized 3D and digital drawing methods, there are fewer specific details in the blueprints, complicating the production of new parts.
The blueprints were digitized, enlarged to a 1:1 scale and, for real accuracy, compared with parts borrowed from RC30s in the possession of Honda and private individuals. Even with this careful work, there were still gaps that hindered the achievement of a level of quality necessary for the project. Therefore, it was necessary and valuable to recall the members of the team who worked on the original program, several of them over sixty years old, sharing with them the knowledge, passion and experience acquired and thus allowing the new team to reproduce specimens from scratch and wooden molds.
The combination of tangible elements such as digitized drawings and spare parts, together with other intangibles such as the experience of Honda technicians, has made the program successful in Japan.

The 'RC30 Forever' replacement parts scheme comes to Europe

The arrival in Europe

Honda will develop approximately 150 original spare parts concerning the bodywork, chassis, electronics and engine of the RC30. As specified: “The start of the sale will vary depending on the spare part and any changes will be notified through the honda.it website. Parts sales are subject to limited stock availability.”
The choice of parts to be made is linked to the requests of the owners and the indications of the experts in Honda's Research and Development departments. Starting from May 2021, spare parts will be available to order through the network of Honda Official Dealers across Europe, as indicated.

The 'RC30 Forever' replacement parts scheme comes to Europe

Photo: Honda Motor Europe Ltd. Italy