Newbie questions (1988 Africa Twin 650 XRV)

[mhouck]

Murray


Just had another look at it, and I think it looks pretty good.

I notice the VIN plate is missing from the right hand side of the frame (just above the footrest) but this should correspond to the VIN stamped into the right hand side of the headstock. Worth checking, because you MAY find the bike was imported as something else (as AT's weren't homolagated in the US, don't know about Canada) so check the ID and titles etc.

Another thing worth checking is the engine. I notice that the rear engine mounting bolt and associated bracket is missing (near where the VIN plate should be) so this could mean it's just been lost, has a 750 engine it in, or a motor from a Transalp or something.

Apart from that, it looks tidy'ish. Are you going to restore it (for shows etc) or just smarten it up for road/off-road use???




Bob

Thanks so much for this...
We'll see how it goes, but I would love to get her back to something close to stock.
I asked the owner about the speedo, tach console and his mechanic pitched it, which is too bad. I have see them on eBay, but for the 750. I wonder if it would fit or could be modified.
Depending on how my hunt for stock parts go, the project could go one of two ways. Stock, nice and pretty or a modified rally with a Boano or African Queens fairing kit...
Going to look at her in person tomorrow morning, so we'll see how it goes. Thanks agian for the help.
Murray

[BobA]

Thanks so much for this...
We'll see how it goes, but I would love to get her back to something close to stock.
I asked the owner about the speedo, tach console and his mechanic pitched it, which is too bad. I have see them on eBay, but for the 750. I wonder if it would fit or could be modified.
Depending on how my hunt for stock parts go, the project could go one of two ways. Stock, nice and pretty or a modified rally with a Boano or African Queens fairing kit...
Going to look at her in person tomorrow morning, so we'll see how it goes. Thanks agian for the help.
Murray

Restoring to stock would be great, and with time and patience, affordable hopefully.

The clocks are easy, because you can use RD03 or RD04 ones (but not RD07/a) Original RD03 are in KPH only, but RD04 will be in either MPH or KPH.

You CAN get most parts, although you will be at a slight disadvantage with shipping costs.

This is a great forum for sourcing parts (in the WANTED/FOR SALE area) and for info, so stick around and contemplate subscribing which is worth its weight in gold for savings you may make (it means you can post WANTED/FOR SALE ads and use the PM function)

Keep us updated. I'm gonna bet you get drawn in by the bike and don't come home empty handed!!!



Bob

[raymo]

looking at the way the headers are, its an AT motor.. could be a 750 ( my RD03 has a 750 motor), but no oil cooler as the coolant expansion bottle is where the 750 oil cooler sits.. so most likely a 650 motor.. ( hopefully )

yup I would have it for e750

as folk have said.. plenty of stuff can be fixed and or sourced but most of it is there.. good bike

I would sort the cockpit out.. and those bits come up onEbay france & germany quite regularly..

great project, are even a good tidy and you have a hell of a bike

ohh and welcome by the way

Ray

[mhouck]

menu


This breaker in italy has just broken one(2nd rd03 on list), he seems to have sold (venduto)the bits you're looking for , but the image of the two bikes (prossime cadavere) next corpses will be next for the block, believe they are good prices,but Italian post can be expensive. If you choose to contact him & don't know a local Italian/speaker, would be glad to help as would a couple more on this site i'm sure. For the money/worth it, decent front wheels are pulling £200 in europe. good luck whatever you decide.

Thanks for this. We'll see how the bike looks and if I purchase, I may take you up on your offer to translate!
Cheers
Murray

[raymo]

menu


This breaker in italy has just broken one(2nd rd03 on list), he seems to have sold (venduto)the bits you're looking for , but the image of the two bikes (prossime cadavere) next corpses will be next for the block, believe they are good prices,but Italian post can be expensive. If you choose to contact him & don't know a local Italian/speaker, would be glad to help as would a couple more on this site i'm sure. For the money/worth it, decent front wheels are pulling £200 in europe. good luck whatever you decide.

just checked this breaker site... truely heartbreaking to see those two RD03 lined up for the slab

[mhouck]

Restoring to stock would be great, and with time and patience, affordable hopefully.

The clocks are easy, because you can use RD03 or RD04 ones (but not RD07/a) Original RD03 are in KPH only, but RD04 will be in either MPH or KPH.

You CAN get most parts, although you will be at a slight disadvantage with shipping costs.

This is a great forum for sourcing parts (in the WANTED/FOR SALE area) and for info, so stick around and contemplate subscribing which is worth its weight in gold for savings you may make (it means you can post WANTED/FOR SALE ads and use the PM function)

Keep us updated. I'm gonna bet you get drawn in by the bike and don't come home empty handed!!!



Bob

Got her....
Will post some pics when I get her home.
I better subscribe soon!

Murray

[POTSKI]

Hi mhouck,

These pannels might be useful and so is the site the come from for Africa Twin Alp stuff

Carénage avant complet Africa Twin 650 Motos Isère - leboncoin.fr


Cheers
Potski

[BobA]

Got her....
Will post some pics when I get her home.
I better subscribe soon!

Murray

Hahahaha suckered in... I knew you wouldn't come home empty handed!!!


Start your restoration by getting used to late nights, as you'll probably be glued to eBay on Sunday evenings now!



Look forward to your pics and plans. If you want some AT p0rn, do a forum search, or Google search on XRV650 and RD03 Marathon.

[mhouck]

Hahahaha suckered in... I knew you wouldn't come home empty handed!!!


Start your restoration by getting used to late nights, as you'll probably be glued to eBay on Sunday evenings now!



Look forward to your pics and plans. If you want some AT p0rn, do a forum search, or Google search on XRV650 and RD03 Marathon.

Looking forward to the project and still can't believe my luck! There are not too may AT's in Canada and I would not be suprised if this is the only RD03....

Perhaps a silly question, however are there any OEM plastics, etc. available from Honda or am I stuck to eBay, etc?
Cheers
M

[BobA]

Looking forward to the project and still can't believe my luck! There are not too may AT's in Canada and I would not be suprised if this is the only RD03....

Perhaps a silly question, however are there any OEM plastics, etc. available from Honda or am I stuck to eBay, etc?
Cheers
M

SOME bits are available new, so you could probably sell your house to finance a new front fairing from Honda!!!

Some good UK suppliers are David Silvers for OE parts, WEMOTO for pattern parts. In Holland you have CSMNL who are good stockists. All will probably mail to Canada no problem, and you are guaranteed quality with new purchases.

Kitped (on this forum) was manufacturing the RD03 Marathon rear side panels, and I've just started reproducing the OE headlamp guards.

You can be really lucky with eBay (German eBay is usually very good) and you can get caught (I've been punked twice with Italian eBay purchases) but it all depends on how much you need the parts.

Make a list, place an ad in the WANTED area, and keep your fingers crossed. There was a guy in California with an RD03, and years ago I had my first RD03 sent over there for a TV makeover programme. They removed and trashed the entire bodywork and tank on my RD03 which broke my heart and his, as he was a few miles from the place they did it!!!

Keep us posted.


Bob