Opinions sought

[PeterPan]

Hello to you all

I am thinking of buying an AT and have seen one today that I am tempted by (See image below)

Its a 1995 but I am not sure what RD number that is

Can anyone give me some pointers as to what to look out for as I am a little apprehensive about parting with some cash

I do know that the speedometer has apparently just started playing up. It also has had a new fuel pump fitted from Honda last year. It also has a cracked screen

It has a short MOT and it needs a dam good clean

I did ride it up the road and back and it all seems OK

Many thanks for reading and any input would be appreciated

Peter

[DRLANER]

Hi and welcome,

Its is an RD07 that you have looked at, the main thing to look out for is the main driveshaft bearing and output shaft where the front sprocket is!

If this is worn out or the splines on the shaft have worn, then you are looking at a complete engine rebuild!!

as for the speedo, It might be a simple fault it just depends on what it is doing?

[BobA]

Peter


I can't see the pic, but I am guessing it will be an RD07.

All AT's are old bikes now, but for me, whatever the year, the same rule applies... CONDITION IS EVERYTHING.

An AT can cope with high mileage and is robust, but what will kill it is lack of, or bad servicing.

The most important things to watch out for are as follows;

The most serious AT gremlin is the gearbox output shaft, which the front sprocket is mounted on. An overtight drive chain will strip the splines from the shaft and it is VERY expensive to fix.

Next is wheel corrosion. The alloy rims do corrode, especially if they are used on salty road through the winter. Check for sign of bad corrosion on the rim surface and around the spokes. If there anything questionable, the inside (where you can't see because of the tyre) is often worse. Salt marks (black spots) on the rim are common but yu can live with as long as it hasn't started to eat into the alloy. Another Expensive repair if they are shot!

Front calipers binding. This is due to calipers that are suffering from corrosion or just bad maintenance. Could be expensive.

There are other gremlins, but most are curable if you are fairly proficient with a spanner.

Also watch out for

Rough idling, possibly a sticking choke or carbs that need balancing.

Scratches and dings are par for the course on a bike that is expected to go off-road occasionally!

A new screen is about £60ish depending on what you want. Powerbronze sell a good budget one.


Take your time, there are plenty around still, but summer is on the way, and that's when most people start planning trips and don't wanna sell their babies!!



Bob

[super@]

Africa twins are keepers.....I just got asked if I wanted to sell mine by a mechanic and the answer was a resounding no, even thou in spain second hand bikes are v expensive and could have got a wedge for it. Whatever is wrong with it is repairable, If theres loads wrong with it then the price should reflect that. personally if you buy it you wont be sorry because no matter how much it will cost to repair, you will not be able to find a better bike out there.

go for it, I have even insisted to the missus that "when" we win the lottery, I wont be trading my 14 year old bike in for a new one, I will be rebuilding it.

I think that answers everything

[Xman]

Africa twins are keepers.....I just got asked if I wanted to sell mine by a mechanic and the answer was a resounding no, even thou in spain second hand bikes are v expensive and could have got a wedge for it. Whatever is wrong with it is repairable, If theres loads wrong with it then the price should reflect that. personally if you buy it you wont be sorry because no matter how much it will cost to repair, you will not be able to find a better bike out there.

go for it, I have even insisted to the missus that "when" we win the lottery, I wont be trading my 14 year old bike in for a new one, I will be rebuilding it.

I think that answers everything

Crikey thats what I call infatuation, I have a Africa Twin, I have just tested the new GS 1200, it was a brilliant bike in every respect. It made my old 80's technology Honda feel archaic, but, alas, it is a trade in, and 7000+ pounds too far away, I still enjoyed my ride home...but if I won the lottery, it would be gone, despite being mint and in the best colours of -r/w/b!!

[PeterPan]

Thanks for the answers looks like the main thing for the look out for is the Gearbox output shaft which is not something I had heard about before.

I like your answer Super@ I might be the same about the Pan but then I have ridden the GS just for a laugh and did not like it. Perhaps if we win the Lottery we shoould buy the Xman a GS in return for his red white and blue AT which as he says the best colour and the fastest as well I should think

Peter

Peter

[super@]

I have RWB one so you can have it.

[Zanzibar]

Just talking with my ins. broker who says that ATs are HIGHLY stealable in the UK . So lock it well.
Peter - you don't say how much this bike is on sale for; or the mileage, or anything much. So that will affect the answers given.

[PeterPan]

I am now the proud owner of an Africa Twin

All I need now is a new Headlight glass

Any ideas

Peter

[BobA]

Placing an ad in the WANTED / FOR SALE area of the forum is one of the best ways, although you will have to subscribe (a paltry £10 a year) for this priviledge.

Other than that, eBay is your friend.


Bob

I am now the proud owner of an Africa Twin

All I need now is a new Headlight glass

Any ideas

Peter