Hello good evening....Introduction (New RD04 Member)



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    NC30 is offline Member
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    RD04 Bringing it back to good running condition (hopefully) (pic heavy) (help req)

    Good evening. I'd like to introduce myself to this board (I think I am going to need it) <br>
    <br>
    Iv just bought an RD04, motivation other than having lusted after them for 10years, is an increasing commute twice a week from Sheffield to the far side of Manchester. <br>
    <br>
    I was tempted by an NTV600 but the AT is just much more interesting and represents the next step towards extended bike travel one day in the future. oh and a car is just out of the question for lots of reasons.<br>
    <br>
    Currently I have a very nice well cared for but still ridden (when its dry) NC30 and have been commuting on a cb1 (cbr400 detuned with the plastics removed think baby hornet) <br>
    <br>
    Anyway more about the bike: (sorry too complicated to copy and paste photos across) <br>
    <br>
    <a href="http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/140813952058?ssPageName=STRK:MEWNX:IT&amp;_trksid= p3984.m1439.l2649#ht_481wt_1064" target="_blank">Honda Africa Twin | eBay</a><br>
    Notes so far:<br>
    Little rough engine but I am used to 4 cylinder gear driven cam engines <br>
    Low speed wobble at 20mph <br>
    Rear rim shot <br>
    Front ok <br>
    Input shaft unknown only picked it up yesterday an Iv been riding it all the time since then.<br>
    <br>
    Hopefully I wont be asking too many questions that have been done before.<br>
    <br>
    Oh first question: did Honda make a smaller one as Mrs NC30 really likes it but us way too short and light weight to get on with it
    Last edited by NC30; 28-08-12 at 08:18 PM.

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    Re: Hello good evening....Introduction (New RD04 Member)

    Welcome!

    To answer your question, yes...Honda made the Transalp from 1987 to 2011. They are smaller, lighter and just as dependable as the AT in my opinion.

    You could always try a valve clearance check and a carb sync to smooth out the engine. It will never be as smooth as a 4 cyl though

    I would suggest some excel rims from Rugged Roads.

    Check that output shaft and make sure that your chain isn't too tight. As you probably already know, those are a pain to replace!

    Nice looking bike you have there by the way!
    2000 Africa Twin XRV750 RD07a - Rebuild thread
    1989 Africa Twin XRV650 RD03 - It Arrived!
    1974 CB750K4 - Fully restored

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    Re: Hello good evening....Introduction (New RD04 Member)

    Welcome

    There's a few people over that way that are quite active offroad on Twins

    02 RD07a RWB, Powerbronze tall screen, Remus Grand Prix, TT crash bars, TT pannier frame, Zega style panniers, Alpos top box,TT bar risers, TT headlamp guard, Heated grips, mainstand, Heidenau K60s for road and light offroad, TKC80s for the dirty stuff, Scottoiler, Autocomm, TT Zumo mount, Zumo 550 and most of all A BIG GRIN !!! Oh, and a very nice RD04 HRC coloured Marathon Replica


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    Re: Hello good evening....Introduction (New RD04 Member)

    Hudders and Meesh have ridden @s successfully and they suffer gravity more than most. A lowered seat and suspension plus dropping the forks more than an inch through the yokes worked for them.
    Whealie (Wing Commander, @ Airborne Division)
    Two XRV750-M ('91) RD04s on J ('92) plates.
    Laser Pro Duro, crash bars, bark busters, heated grips, GPS, topbox, Alu Boxes, Scotoiler, Starcom, ciggie lighters and XRV stickers.

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    Re: Hello good evening....Introduction (New RD04 Member)

    Low speed wobble might be overloaded top box or head bearings nipped up a little too tightly.
    3 Africa Twins/280,000 miles. If it's happened to one of mine, it's gonna happen to one of yours.....eventually.

    1 Varadero/34,000 miles ridden (of 57,000 miles on the bike), it's all still new to me!

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    Re: Hello good evening....Introduction (New RD04 Member)

    Back from Holiday (4am this morning) Ive had lots of time to think about the @T


    Managed to get a couple of hours in the garage mixed findings but pretty happy overall

    Initially I wanted to check the output shaft: I was dreading the wear I have seen elsewhere on this forum. I know I should have checked it before I bought it couldn't get hold of the seller before the auction ended. Anyway see photo (big sigh of relief).

    That done I was hoping to adjust the shock and find out where the noise form the front end was coming from, so fairings off tank off, air box off.....well not quite I gave up with it half out. Unsurprisingly I found about 20% of the bolts missing which is not too much of a worry. The air box was giving me problems I gave up until the Haynes arrives. Setting up the rear end is going to be a pain, trying to set sag with half the bike off...

    I have possible found out why I wasn't picking up as quickly as I would have liked
    I have tighten the throttle cable on the carbs, taking the slack out of the cables seems to have slowed down the return but its not too slow as to cause issue.

    The slow speed wobble seemed to have disappeared when I removed the top box but I will try and have a look at the head race this week .

    My immediate issue is the rear wheel which is looking pretty poor, I am in two minds I know it needs a rebuild but as I want to use the bike this winter I am tempted by the idea of using another rear wheel that is solid from another Honda. I read somewhere on here that a cbr1000 rear with some different spacers and bearing might be a good fit.
    Last edited by NC30; 27-08-12 at 08:28 PM.

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    Re: Hello good evening....Introduction (New RD04 Member)

    Hello mate. Just bought an RD07A myself. Picked it up tonight. I like you need to give it a good going over. I noticed that the sprocket cover is loose after the guy took it of so I could look at the output shaft. Will need to look at that. Andy

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    Re: Hello good evening....Introduction (New RD04 Member)

    Welcome to the XRV Forum, full of advice & top tips too

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    Re: Hello good evening....Introduction (New RD04 Member)

    plenty of life left in that rim, clean it up a bit & cover with grease or something. Carb/cylinder rubber... slacken of the jubilee clip, reinsert fully, & don't over tighten or it may pop-off again. spray wd40 around area when its running, to check it's on ok. you'll be a change in revs etc.
    ”If you don’t have anything nice to say about people, come sit over here by me”

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    NC30 is offline Member
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    Re: Hello good evening....Introduction (New RD04 Member)

    Cheers for the advice on the rim most people seem to say chuck it so nice to know there is another option, I did read somewhere about putting apoxy over the oxidation.

    And how the hell do you get the air box out as I want to set the shox up properly.

    Cheers guys

    Oh bought a transfer kit http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/1209759091...#ht_1143wt_812
    Last edited by NC30; 28-08-12 at 08:41 PM.

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