“The privileged few assure us, it rides like a magic carpet, turning, braking and tug-tug driving with an aloof deliberateness that is unimpeachable. The fastest two-wheeler on every road? The RC 45 comes close.” – Bike magazine.

Replacement for the exotic VFR 750R (RC 30), the RVF 750 (RC 45) was another racer-for-the-road and even more exclusive. Like its illustrious predecessor, the RC 45 was a thinly disguised, limited edition, ‘homologation special’ intended to provide Honda with the means to win the World Super Bike Championship, a feat it achieved in 1997 with American John Koscinski riding.

Although clearly related to the RC 30, the RC 45 took development to the next level, there being scarcely a single component that had not been carefully scrutinised by Honda technicians with a view to improvement. Developed jointly by Honda Racing Corporation and Honda R&D, the engine remained a 90-degree V4 with gear-driven cams, but was an all-new, more compact design featuring simplified camshaft drive, narrower valve angle, beefier clutch and PGM-FI electronic fuel ignition. A maximum power output of 120bhp was claimed for the standard road version, while in excess of 150bhp was attainable with the factory tuning kit. Basically similar to that of the RC 30, the frame consisted of a combination of aluminium castings and extrusions supporting the familiar single-sided swinging arm at the rear. At the front however, the conventional forks had gone, replaced by a set of cartridge-type ‘upside-downers’, while braking had likewise been improved courtesy of Fireblade callipers and NR 750 discs.

Hand-built on a special assembly line at Honda Racing Corporation, the RC 45 was necessarily expensive; at a fraction under £18,000 when launched it cost over 50% more than a Ducati 916. Its high price and rarity ensured that the RC 45 would achieve the same iconic status as the RC 30, becoming equally, if not more, collectable.

This superbly presented example has, at the time of cataloguing, covered a road mileage of just 13,272 miles and has never been raced. Modifications include a metal chain guard, fitted hugger, stainless brake hoses and clutch and a Quill end can fitted. The original end can and plastic chain guard are offered with the bike. It also comes with a bike stand, workshop manual and a Datatool alarm. The bike has been regularly serviced with an oil change every 3,000 miles and new spark plugs, air filter and brake pads were fitted at 8,000 miles.

The machine comes with a Swansea registration document for its appropriate registration number and is offered with current road fund licence and MoT certificate.