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• Auction House:
  Donington Auctions
• Sale Name:
  Collectors' Motorcycles & Cars (New South Wales)
• Sale Date:
  12 Dec 2021 ~ 12noon (AEDT)
• Lot #:
  5
• Lot Description:
  1987 Honda VFR400R NC24 Rothmans Edition - Scaled down version of the legendary Honda VFR750
  During the 1980s Honda gradually moved away from their traditional inline four, developing a range of production and racing models powered by a V-Four. This culminated in the spectacular racing RVF750 that eventually evolved into the RC30. The RC30 is now one of the most desirable production models but lesser known are the smaller VFR400s. The first VFR400R was released in 1986 alongside the new-generation VFR750F and was known as the VFR400R (NC21) The 59 horsepower engine was a miniature VFR750 unit (55x42mm), with a 180° crank and gear-driven camshafts, while the frame was also an alloy twin-spar type. The 16 and 18-inch wheels were three-spoke Comstar but the weight was quite high at 182kg. These were primarily sold in Japan where sub 400cc motorcycles enjoyed significant tax, insurance and registration advantages. The NC21 became the NC24 for 1987, and while it was similar to the NC21 in appearance, the engine now had a 360° crankshaft, 11.3:1 compression ratio, tiny 8mm spark plugs and four 34mm Keihin CV carburettors. The single exhaust on the right was mounted higher and the redline 14,000rpm. A cable clutch replaced the earlier hydraulic unit. The updated chassis included an ELF-designed Pro-Arm single-sided swingarm. This was the first time the Pro-Arm appeared on a production Honda and would later become a trademark feature. The front fork was an inverted 41mm Showa and braking by a pair of 269mm floating drilled discs with four-piston Nissin calipers. The TRAC anti-dive system was retained on the left front fork leg but was no longer adjustable. As on the VFR750F the wheels were six-spoke 16 and eight-spoke 18-inch. The styling was similar to the NC21, retaining a large single headlight. The seat was changed and included separate rider and pillion pads. The NC24 rolled on a short 1,345mm wheelbase, weighed 170kg, and had a top speed of 219 km/h. As with the NC21 the NC24 was primarily a Japanese market model and produced in three colour schemes for 1987. One was a Rothmans replica, mimicking the Rothmans sponsored factory NSR500 Grand Prix racer of Wayne Gardner. The NC24 was also produced for 1988 but for 1989 the NC30 replaced it. Also primarily a Japanese market model, the NC30 was available until 1993 before it evolved into the RVF400 (NC45) for 1994. This 1987 Honda VFR400R is offered in very original condition. The odometer reads 40,878km. This motorcycle is being sold unregistered.
• Estimate:
  A$8,000 - 12,000
• Realised Price:
  *****
  

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• Category:
  Automobiles & Accessories

This Sale has been held and this item is no longer available. Details are provided for information purposes only.