With the help of Thunder and Stormforce8, I am now the proud owner of a 1989 RD03! As far as I have been able to figure out, I am one of four owners in all of North America. Here's the story...
I finished my RD07a rebuild project just over a year ago. While chatting with Stormforce8 about some parts, I casually mentioned that I dreamt of owning an RD03 some day. Little did I know that he would remember that comment...three months later, he called back to say that Thunder had one for sale in Ireland. I contacted Thunder, got pictures of the bike and agreed on a price. The bike would stay with him until Stormforce8 and I had figured out all of the paperwork. An RD03 in my garage!! I was very excited to own the first Africa Twin model as my fellow AT nuts can imagine.
While Thunder patiently waited with the bike, Stormforce8 and I figured out the paperwork and shipping details. The trick came down to proving the age of the bike. If older than 21 years, it could get past a lot of paperwork. Stormforce8 fought with Honda UK for a few months and emerged victorious with a Year of Manufacture Certificate.
Seven months later with all the paperwork and planning complete, Thunder had the bike sent to James Cargo. The bike was packed up and off it went to yet another new continent.
A month later the container arrived in San Francisco and I was told I could pick it up...
The warehouse (my bike is somewhere in there):
I explained to the people at the warehouse that I didn't have a truck to put the crate in; I planned to take it out of the crate, get it running and drive it home two hours away (registration was already in progress thanks to Donna Leek and insurance was sorted). They looked at me like I was nuts but agreed to bring the crate down to the parking lot. Here's my bike be backed down a ramp backwards :toothy8:
The bike finally emerges:
After 30 days in transit, the battery was flat. It also took some time to get the fuel system working properly. An hour later the bike was ready to be ridden home:
Now its at home with its younger brother:
The plan is to ride the bike for a year or so and then do a full restoration. First impression is that the XRV650 is many of the things I liked about the 89 Transalp (smoother engine, lighter and narrower) with many of the things I love about the RD07a (longer range, longer suspension and a beefier build).
Huge thanks to Thunder and Stormforce8 for helping me get a very rare bike. These two gentleman went above and beyond for a fellow motorbike nut. Much appreciated gents :thumbup:
I finished my RD07a rebuild project just over a year ago. While chatting with Stormforce8 about some parts, I casually mentioned that I dreamt of owning an RD03 some day. Little did I know that he would remember that comment...three months later, he called back to say that Thunder had one for sale in Ireland. I contacted Thunder, got pictures of the bike and agreed on a price. The bike would stay with him until Stormforce8 and I had figured out all of the paperwork. An RD03 in my garage!! I was very excited to own the first Africa Twin model as my fellow AT nuts can imagine.
While Thunder patiently waited with the bike, Stormforce8 and I figured out the paperwork and shipping details. The trick came down to proving the age of the bike. If older than 21 years, it could get past a lot of paperwork. Stormforce8 fought with Honda UK for a few months and emerged victorious with a Year of Manufacture Certificate.
Seven months later with all the paperwork and planning complete, Thunder had the bike sent to James Cargo. The bike was packed up and off it went to yet another new continent.
A month later the container arrived in San Francisco and I was told I could pick it up...
The warehouse (my bike is somewhere in there):
I explained to the people at the warehouse that I didn't have a truck to put the crate in; I planned to take it out of the crate, get it running and drive it home two hours away (registration was already in progress thanks to Donna Leek and insurance was sorted). They looked at me like I was nuts but agreed to bring the crate down to the parking lot. Here's my bike be backed down a ramp backwards :toothy8:
The bike finally emerges:
After 30 days in transit, the battery was flat. It also took some time to get the fuel system working properly. An hour later the bike was ready to be ridden home:
Now its at home with its younger brother:
The plan is to ride the bike for a year or so and then do a full restoration. First impression is that the XRV650 is many of the things I liked about the 89 Transalp (smoother engine, lighter and narrower) with many of the things I love about the RD07a (longer range, longer suspension and a beefier build).
Huge thanks to Thunder and Stormforce8 for helping me get a very rare bike. These two gentleman went above and beyond for a fellow motorbike nut. Much appreciated gents :thumbup: