Importing an RD03

[Guido]

Having been a fly on the wall of your forum for the past few days, I have been very impressed by the detailed knowledge of many of the contributors so I felt that I had better come forward and make my first entry. Since the RD03 was never officially imported into the UK they are obviously a bit thin on the ground but there seems to be plenty of suitable bikes for sale which have'nt suffered 20 UK winters in Southern Europe particularlry Italy. I was just wondering whether anybody has any experience in sourcing one from Italy and importing it into the UK and what are the likely pitfalls? I was planning on buying one and riding it back.

[AlanH]

Someone was discussing doing this a few months back but I can't remember who it was. It seems like a great way of combining a holiday with acquiring a nice RD03 which are a bit thin on the ground over here.

As far as drawbacks - are there any with RD03's other than the Kmh clocks? Pretty much everything is still available new at a price apart from the exhaust collector. They are pretty bullet proof bikes and, as you say, one that's been sunning itself all its life will be a good option. Usual stuff to look out for - wheel corrosion, worn output shaft, general wear and tear.

The only major drawback at the moment will be the exchange rate.

Oh, and welcome to the forum

[BIGROG]

Having been a fly on the wall of your forum for the past few days, I have been very impressed by the detailed knowledge of many of the contributors so I felt that I had better come forward and make my first entry. Since the RD03 was never officially imported into the UK they are obviously a bit thin on the ground but there seems to be plenty of suitable bikes for sale which have'nt suffered 20 UK winters in Southern Europe particularlry Italy. I was just wondering whether anybody has any experience in sourcing one from Italy and importing it into the UK and what are the likely pitfalls? I was planning on buying one and riding it back.

Hi Guido.

glad you came in from the cold, one thing that may be helpful for you is, we have many overseas members who I am sure could act as an agent for you in europe and check out your purchase before you part with your cash or buy travel tickets, I know this has happened before but you would need to be a subscribed member to make use of the PM system but well worth it anyway. I would suggest that once the bike is in the UK you use a trailer or a van to get it home and also check with customs prior to importing, A big welcome to the forum Guido and good luck with your plan.

Rog

[Jacqueslemac]

I've imported a few cars and a bike from the mainland into the UK and it's pretty easy. I've also imported one from the UK into France and there's a lot more paperwork doing it that way round.

Most UK insurers will insure a foreign-registered bike for 60 days in the UK, so you should be able to arrange UK cover before you leave.

When you get it into the UK, all you really need to do is get an MoT, then fill in a form. You can request a pack from DVLA online which has the forms and guidance.

I have had several cars in the UK with speedos in Km/h and never had a problem with MoTs, but opinion seems to be divided on it.

[Roadcat]

Almost all of the RD03s on this forum have speedos that are in km/h and as far as I'm aware nobodies had problems with getting an MOT.

[kitped]

Almost all of the RD03s on this forum have speedos that are in km/h and as far as I'm aware nobodies had problems with getting an MOT.

Easiest thing to do is get hold of a 90-91 RD04 UK speedo these fit on the RD03. I think it must be the one before the trip meter was fitted. I will stand corrected if anyone knows any different but that what I have on my 2 RD03's

[fergus1964]

i brought mine in from germany a couple of years ago (swiss origin, with square headlight up front), in the back of a van. customs weren't interested in something so old. all you need is a UK mot on the chassis number, and then take proof of ownership and overseas registration docs (which will be the italian version of the V5 log book) to your local dvla office. they will issue you with an age related UK plate. it's that easy. the other issue with such a bike is that if it is low mileague (as mine was - have since done 50K kms on it), it will have been laid up unused a lot, which means things like fork seals might be hardened and leak, rear linkages might be a bit stiff, fuel pump and cdi's might be a bit dodgy. [the fuel pump burns its contacts - this can be fixed cheaply by fitting a cheap relay which takes the current away from the points, and you just chuck the 'sacrifial' relay every time you change the oil] [the cdi units tend to get electrical faults where the seat presses down upon the joints where the wires go in - this can be fixed with a hacksaw and soldering iron, and modify the position so they sit lower or take a hunk out of the underside of the seat]. but apart from these known problems, which can be easily sorted, the bike is 100% reliable and bullet proof. for the last week it has covered in snow and ice (it lives outside in the street), and still starts and commutes up to london and back.

i certainly wouldn't rely upon driving it back from italy, untried and tested, unless you have very good break down insurance.

[Guido]

Thanks for a lot of helpful advice. Sounds like if I intend to ride an "unknown" back to the UK I should take a spare fuel pump and CDI with me after a basic service before setting off if its a tidy one. Flying in and a ride back seems like more of an adventure than a trip in the pickup! Furthermore I have found insurance with Royal Sun Alliance via MCE which will cover me on a chassis number policy for the trip provided it becomes UK registered within 30 days of policy comencement for £87/yr. I will take your advice and now subscribe so if there are any italian forumites who might be able to help with vetting, please let me know.

[fergus1964]

if your out there, why not find several of them to justify a van? on ebay UK they regularly make about £1500. mine cost 1200 euros in germany, with 27k km on the clock. even with a 40% change in exchange rate, you might cover your costs of collection, which would be about £400-500 all said and done, including fuel, ferry and sleeping in van. you will need to fund the purchase first, though , but at least you will have several mint examples of this fine bike.

[Jacqueslemac]

if your out there, why not find several of them to justify a van? on ebay UK they regularly make about £1500. mine cost 1200 euros in germany, with 27k km on the clock. even with a 40% change in exchange rate, you might cover your costs of collection, which would be about £400-500 all said and done, including fuel, ferry and sleeping in van. you will need to fund the purchase first, though , but at least you will have several mint examples of this fine bike.

Excellent idea. I have a large trailer (in France at the moment) capable of taking at least three - or more if they can be laid down.

If I could swing the holiday I might be up for it!