Looking on purchasing a rd07 / similar Africa Twin.

[theoperator]

Hi All, this is my first post so be nice

Im looking at picking up my first AT around january time, i know you will have heard this story many times before allready.

I have around 1900 to play with, would it be possible to pick up a decent africa twin for this price? Im not too worried about mileage but looking for somthing in good nick.

[Paul-S]

1 - Welcome to the madhouse

2 - Holme Valley as in Holme Firth ?

3 - That kind of money will get you a decent 96 - 98 model

Regards

Paul

[theoperator]

Thanks for the welcome . Im not too far from Holmfirth, but yes im in that area.

96-98 model would be great for me! I have been looking on ebay and all the AT's seem to have stupid premiums slammed on them, and looking on the forum for sale section i cant really see anything for sale in my price range. Advice on where to look?

[AIRWOLF]

Thanks for the welcome . Im not too far from Holmfirth, but yes im in that area.

96-98 model would be great for me! I have been looking on ebay and all the AT's seem to have stupid premiums slammed on them, and looking on the forum for sale section i cant really see anything for sale in my price range. Advice on where to look?

Welcome mate

just be patient, one will turn up.

[foz1969]

Amazed the old school haven't posted...

1- MAJOR make sure the drive spocket hasn't been welded on !!!
2- SERIOUS check the rims, rot from the inside, so if the rim is looking rough on the outer. beware. wheels cost!
3- Petrol pump, reg/rec, and choke can be problematic but are cheapish & easy to resolve.


THOSE IN THE KNOW....
anyone anything to add?

GOT MY 1ST AFRICA TWIN '98 THIS YEAR LOVE IT!!!

[theoperator]

Yes i have heard stories about the drive sprocket, and the pain and effort to replace it.

How would i go about checking for rim rot?

[Paul-S]

How would i go about checking for rim rot?

Generally, you will see black dotted pit marks on the rim - even the newer ones suffer from this, however the earlier bikes had better alloy and gold anodising on the rims

If the rot is quite serious around the areas where the spoke nipples come through the rim this could be bad - Bazza had this earlier in the year and some spokes broke away from the rim

"96-98 model would be great for me! I have been looking on ebay and all the AT's seem to have stupid premiums "

That's because they're good, timeless and saught after if a little overpriced

[theoperator]

Thanks for the tips regarding the rim rot, I will keep this in mind. Yes I understand but I have seen 95 models asking for 2800GBP?

[Paul-S]

Some people do ask completely off the wall prices !!

[futter]

Don't discount the earlier RD04. I have seen it mentioned on this forum that it is better to have a decent RD04 than a ratty RD07. Keep in mind that an older bike may well already have new rims and stainless spokes (like mine) and have no problems with pump/drive shaft etc (like mine) and they are still in decent nick. Parts are not an issue and they go for a bit less cash but are just as good.

Just my two penneth.



And for rotten rims .... this was the inside - the outside "looked" ok.