buying a 1989 rd-03

[hurbie]

hello all,

i'm going to have a look at my (hopefully) first africa twin , a 1989 rd-03 with close to 60.000 km's on it , on pictures it looks real nice (no scratches etc ....clean rims etc ....)


what do i need to check on this one ......

any hints ??



thanks in advance


gerben
netherlands

[cabbage2404]

Hi Hurbie, good choice, same checks as any other bike really. Make sure the frame and engine no's match up with the reg doc, check for corrosion on frame, sub-frame and wheels, loud rattles from engine, oil leaks, smoke from exhaust when warmed up, condition of brakes,tyres and chain and sprockets and how it steers and handles on a test ride, plus that the electrics all work as they should. If you are happy with all of that then "job's a good 'un !"

[Lord Vader]

Hi Hurbie welcome to the site
If you wait a bit the tech heads will come on and you will get a lot of info on that
Sorry can not help you,since i just ride the thing

[Pussyhorse]

Check the end can for rot if it has the OE can. A few uk winter will kill the honda one.

Other than that it's the usal stuff. They're very strong bikes.

[Dilbert]

Excellent choice my friend, as above really, don't worry about the mileage if you work it out over the seventeen years it's next to b88ger all (or 3,529 km/year if you prefer)

a lot depends on whether it's been used rain or shine, given the mileage i doubt it's been used in the wet all that much though.

These are rare in the UK, but those of us who have them absolutely love them and those who have had them and sold them wish they hadn't.

Spares are a lot easier in "Europe" (most people in the UK think they don't belong to this continent ) especially France and Germany.

I have an '88 model (Belgian import), I've had a few minor niggles with the electrics (switches mainly) which do get a bit tired over this length of time, apart from that, nothing else much to report.

Highest seat (86.4cm) on this model so you may find it difficult if you're under 175cm tall, I'm 5'10" (178cm) and after a little getting used to, i find it just fine

[hurbie]

thanks for the advice given ...

time to find out if this will be the "one" ..





greetings
gerben

[hurbie]

today i went for a look , and bought it

beautifull bike with only slight damage to the headlamphousing ....
(even the rims are pristine .....)

so it's time to sort that out ...

it even has the original owners manual




thanks again for all the help and advice.

[Dilbert]

WhooHoo, well done, pictures please

[cabbage2404]

Excellent, as Dilbert says, lets have some pics please

[hurbie]

lets see if this works