There are few motorcycles on the planet that are true icons, but without question, near the top of that pile is the RC30. Unleashed in 1987, this was Honda at its finest, showing what it was capable of when aiming for race success in the newly formed WSB series. As a race bike it chalked up wins wherever its wheels turned. Whether it was the bumpy Isle of Man circuit or glass-smooth German Hockenheim track it took the top spot. As a road bike it was undeniably expensive compared to the ZX-Rs and GSX-Rs of the day, but it oozed build quality and sex appeal in every nook from the titanium conrods to the Elf-developed single-sided swingarm. As singular components, the RC30 was a perfect example of exquisite craftsmanship on a production scale. On the whole it was a devastating, formidable track weapon, able to bring those components together in a sublime package that made grown men weep at the mere sight of the painfully gorgeous eight-spoke rear wheel.
Though Honda tried to repeat the RC30 success story with the even more relatively overpriced (but still desirable) RC45 in 1994, it didn't quite hit the mark - the bar had simply been set too high. However, fifteen years is a hell of a long wait, so we made our own. Welcome to our RC30X.
ENGINE
115 HP doesn't sound like much in today's money, but back in the early '90s it was enough to propel the RC30 into the Nurburgring record books by posting the fastest officially timed lap. We, of course want more of that V-four drone because it equates to more of that deceptive speed. With a modern fuel injection system, carbon fiber airbox with ram-air for improved breathing and race exhaust system borrowed from the RCV with outlets on either side of the bellypan, 145 HP should be within easy reach, especially bored-out to 800cc. A bigger single radiator replaces the inefficient dual items and will keep temperatures low and prevent the well-documented issue of overheating.
CHASSIS
Using a modified RCV frame as a starting point, our RC30X wears the latest Showa components front and rear to maintain the balance and poise the original is famous for. The single-sided swingarm remains, but is strengthened to cope with the extra asphalt-shredding power. Radial calipers provide arm-pumping stopping power while modern-day wheels stolen from an MV Agusta carry the rubber. Rearsets are courtesy of the 2009 GSX-R1000 and are adjustable.
BODYWORK
With styling cues from the Honda MotoGP bike, we've kept the lines simple and smooth to reflect some of the attributes from the 1987 original, though that's where the similarities end. Ducts sit on either side of the single endurance-spec headlight and channel air to the cylinder blocks as well as into the airbox. There's a tiny upper fairing for reduced frontal footprint and the mirrors are from the 2009 CBR1000RR parts bin. The miniscule tail unit allows easy rear shock adjustment and also helps hot engine air quickly escape.