Author Topic: was there a honda cycle called rc 31?  (Read 2745 times)

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Offline cb(r)

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was there a honda cycle called rc 31?
« on: August 02, 2007, 06:05:33 AM »
I was talking to some friends, yesterday, about a bike I rode once when I was in college.  It was a classmate of mine.  He let me ride it right before graduation.  I just can not remember the model.  I believe it was a honda RC 31. 
I rode this bike back in 1992 here in the u.s.  can  any of you gurus help me out on the info. was I imagining the model or something?  If not any info would be appreciated.

one other thing I remember is the kid said it was usually made just for the track. 

thanks

Offline xtalon

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Re: was there a honda cycle called rc 31?
« Reply #1 on: August 02, 2007, 06:11:04 AM »
I was talking to some friends, yesterday, about a bike I rode once when I was in college.  It was a classmate of mine.  He let me ride it right before graduation.  I just can not remember the model.  I believe it was a honda RC 31. 
I rode this bike back in 1992 here in the u.s.  can  any of you gurus help me out on the info. was I imagining the model or something?  If not any info would be appreciated.

one other thing I remember is the kid said it was usually made just for the track. 

thanks

Hi CB(r),

If memory serves, I believe the Honda 650 Hawk (twin) had a RC designation in its VIN number or model number.  The RC30 was Honda's 750cc superbike (single-sided swingarm) at the time (late 80's) and the Hawk had a single sided swingarm and I believe it was designated RC31 although it was never really called that.

Someone can correct me if I'm wrong.

--xTalon
1976 Honda CB750K
2006 Yamaha R6v
2009 Ducati SportsClassic Bi-posto

Offline cb(r)

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Re: was there a honda cycle called rc 31?
« Reply #2 on: August 02, 2007, 07:23:49 AM »
xtalon,

now that you mention it I do believe it was a twin.  It was a hawk model i am for sure about that.  I remember some of the conversation, with this guy, about how light it was with two cylinders.  It was a full fairing bike with ,again not sure but, rc 31 stickers at the bottom of the fairing.  I am going to try and do some more searching.  thanks for the info xtalon.  if anyone has any info it would be appreciated.

cb(r)

Offline cb(r)

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Re: was there a honda cycle called rc 31?
« Reply #3 on: August 02, 2007, 07:42:55 AM »
I found out the bike. there is one on ebay right now. it was honda hawk nt 650.  it just has an after market full fairing on it. the rc 31 stickers that I remember from the old bike were probably put on  by the owner.
below is the ebay to the bike I was referring to. 

later days

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/1989-Honda-Hawk-NT-650-GT-Good-Condition_W0QQitemZ290143789004QQihZ019QQcategoryZ6708QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

Offline xtalon

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Re: was there a honda cycle called rc 31?
« Reply #4 on: August 02, 2007, 08:00:21 AM »
Yep, that's it.  The Hawk was a naked bike.  Any fairings were aftermarket and some I believe made the Hawk look a lot like an RC30. Once people picked up on the RC31 designation, they started advertising that fact on their bike too.   ;D

I think Two Brothers made a lot of aftermarket pieces for the Hawk.

Lots of guys I rode with back in the day rode them and raved about them, including a famous sportscar driver friend of mine.  A friend of mine still has one and I rode it last year.  Not much in the power or suspension department, but I'm comparing it to modern sportbikes.  Even so, it was FUN to ride!

Watch your local paper or local motorcycle sales papers and you could probably pick one up cheap.  I would only use ebay as a last resort.

--xTalon
1976 Honda CB750K
2006 Yamaha R6v
2009 Ducati SportsClassic Bi-posto

Wally Anderson

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Re: was there a honda cycle called rc 31?
« Reply #5 on: August 02, 2007, 12:47:17 PM »
Yes, the RC31 was a NT650 Honda Hawk. I built a RC30 replica a few years ago
        http://www.hawkland.de/beatty/pg4.html

I sold the bike about 5 years ago, I should have kept it. The owner parked it out of doors, I'm sure it's now a pile of rust.


Offline DarkRider

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Re: was there a honda cycle called rc 31?
« Reply #6 on: August 02, 2007, 01:59:34 PM »
The RC30 was the race bike based off of the VFR Interceptors at the time. If i remember right it took over where the original Interceptors left off in racing.
'84 Chevy C10
'73 MGB Roadster
'69 Ford F250

Currently a rider without a bike

Quote from: heffay
so, you say just tie myself on with this... and steer w/ this?   ;D ;D  ok.  where's my goggles?   8)

Offline xtalon

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Re: was there a honda cycle called rc 31?
« Reply #7 on: August 02, 2007, 02:07:09 PM »
The RC30 was the race bike based off of the VFR Interceptors at the time. If i remember right it took over where the original Interceptors left off in racing.

Outlaw, part of your statement is true.  The RC30 came after the 2nd generation Interceptors, but it wasn't based off them.  The RC30 was a purpose built race bike that was more based on the RVF racebikes.

At the time, I would have given almost anything to own one, but I was poor college kid at the time.   :'(  I still wouldn't mind having one today.

--xTalon
1976 Honda CB750K
2006 Yamaha R6v
2009 Ducati SportsClassic Bi-posto

Offline DarkRider

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Re: was there a honda cycle called rc 31?
« Reply #8 on: August 02, 2007, 02:11:33 PM »
you arent the only one on that one lol...well there are some simularities between the Interceptor and the RC30..but then again i think the later years of the Interceptors took some lessions from the RC30. Eh either way im content with riding its predicessor.
'84 Chevy C10
'73 MGB Roadster
'69 Ford F250

Currently a rider without a bike

Quote from: heffay
so, you say just tie myself on with this... and steer w/ this?   ;D ;D  ok.  where's my goggles?   8)

Offline xtalon

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Re: was there a honda cycle called rc 31?
« Reply #9 on: August 05, 2007, 10:04:55 AM »
Yes, the RC31 was a NT650 Honda Hawk. I built a RC30 replica a few years ago
        http://www.hawkland.de/beatty/pg4.html

I sold the bike about 5 years ago, I should have kept it. The owner parked it out of doors, I'm sure it's now a pile of rust.



Dang Wally, I didn't click on your link the first time I read your post as I had seen people put fairings on Hawks before and wasn't that impressed, but WOW, yours looks almost like the real thing.   Excellent job!

--xTalon
1976 Honda CB750K
2006 Yamaha R6v
2009 Ducati SportsClassic Bi-posto