Hey Frank, as you will have seen on my Facebook post, I just bought a 1992 RD04 Africa Twin! I really enjoy a nut and bolt restoration and will be stripping the bike right down for a full refurb and rebuild. Cheers for the info, very helpful!
AT ('97 RD07a) has also been in my ownership for 10 years and with mine I went through almost all of the above ... When I look back so concisely, her demands were not so great compared to the pleasure I received in return. Excellent summary of the problems of an exceptional motorcycle. Thanks and ride safe!
Overtightening the chain not only damages the output (counter) shaft bearing but can also strip the splines for the front sprocket. My RD03 was so worn the sprocket had walked off the end of the shaft and the retaining bolts drilled a hole in the cover. It also bent one of the shift fork shafts meaning 4th gear was impossible to select as the shift fork couldn't move all the way over to the right. as the RD03 uses a RC31E engine (Bros/Hawk 400/650) I bought a good used gearbox from a NC25 Bros 400 and replaced the output shaft, bearings and selector fork/shaft. If the shaft is only slightly worn you can fit a KKBike Superpinion sprocket.
You are spot on, the chain slack should be monitored closely on these bikes, failure in this will certainly result in un necessary costs with an engine out procedure, thank you for the detailed comment, much appreciated.Frank
The contacts (brushes) of the fuel pump are replaceable. to prevent wear to them you can fit a snubber diode. RD03-RD07 models are known for hard starting due to fuel evaporation from the carb bowls due to the design of the breather circuit. You can either replumb the breathers to RD07A spec or as I have done fit a priming switch. the priming switch is a momentary push button that supplies power to the pump before starting the engine. Hold the switch button until the pump stops clicking so the carb fuel bowls are filled then start the engine as normal.
Thanks for the video! My problem is that my front cilinder warms up slower than my rear.. Second problem is that the motor dont reach the operating temperture. I replaced the thermostat already..
Hi Frank, bought a rd04, shifting smoothly is difficult. Specially from 1tst to 2nd. Changed oil and filter. Put in 10w40, it didn’t change much. I can only compare it to previous Hondas I have used, usually very smooth. Could it be it needs to be opened up before something goes wrong? Or are the AT a bit rough to shift? Thank you in advance. Love your videos, simple to the point. Alex
Thanks for comments...what i would do is to take off the clutch cover...pull out the gear selector shaft and check if it's possibly bent....old bikes that have seen a lot of fall overs...also just do a proper inspection of gear linkage mechanism...let me know how it goes.
Great video. I have a RD04 and this is all very helpful. I’m looking to upgrade my stock suspension (front and rear) and was wondering if you had any suggestions around what’s available in SA?
Great video. I changed thermostat cause my temperature didnt go up at all. Now its going up and fan switch turns on like it should. Only problem is that when driving city or slow riding in woods temperature goes up to 90 like it should, but when drive constant in city or highway temperature goes down almost to 0. Like it been cooling from wind/driving. Do you know the problem? Maybe temperature sensor in thermostat? Thanks
Hi,mine does the same,open road very low temp.As long as your fan kicks in,dont worry about the lower temp on open road.When doing slow rides,it definately needs to kick in..
hello Franks i got back firing on my rd07. any air screw position no exaust leak carb cleaned (new joint kit) CNC choke screw (graissed) air filter new valve clearance done new sparks air cut valve tested gpr silencer with or without db killer she's working perfect exept that Can't figure it out... increase the iddle jet from 40 to 50? V from France Fred
Hi Fred, firstly i would mention exhaust leak, but you covered that, did you do a compression test to see if you have leaky valves somewhere? When it comes to carbs, screw out, richens the mixture as im sure you know...Try richen it up half a turn on one carb only and see what it does.One thing i always do is to check, WHAT has changed on the bike since this issue started? let me know how it goes, check for a leaky valve first.
@@FranksWay big thanks for your response Franck!! nothing change if i richen the screw. yes good idea to check the compression to looking for a leaky valve !! i bought it with a dirty carb so she wasn't working well before. after all that. on full throttle she working well. just a very regular back firing on closed throttle (sound like only one cylinder) i do the test and maybe come back to you , if you don't mine V Fred
Hi,i would firstly change all 4 plugs,take a compression reading and move towards carbs thereafter,make sure all the basics are in order first,you are welcome.Frank
Hello i just bought an xrv africa rd07 but the engine label is rd04E but thats not the issue here the issue is that it burns oil id like to do a rebuild on that africa in order to keep it but is it ok to rebuilt? Is it safe? Or should i sell it right away ( i kinda like the bike and it runs ok it just burns tons of oil)
Hi,i bought my RD07 on 36000km, drove it to 200000km and did a rebuild.Riding above 140kmh mine also burnt all, i think most do anyway...kinda natural.You can do a rebuild no problem.Buy parts off CMSNL.COM maybe, and depending where you are, get someone reputable that knows the AT motor to do it for you.They are getting rarer by the day.
Thanks for the reply here in greece we have many old worth buying bikes but as you said the know how is rare ill try it, after all you cant kill a legend but you can ride it !! Thank you again !
IS the rectifier mentioned here also compatible with the RD04? Looking at Startline's catalogue the most similar is no.66-05-RT027 - do you know if this would work? Any assistance welcome! Great videos btw - always watching for XRV750 insights
My engine is 100% my damage are more cosmetic. My son used the bike for 5 years, and did not tell me that the brake disks are cracked and it's been standing outside in the weather 😢
Hey Frank, as you will have seen on my Facebook post, I just bought a 1992 RD04 Africa Twin! I really enjoy a nut and bolt restoration and will be stripping the bike right down for a full refurb and rebuild. Cheers for the info, very helpful!
Pleasure John, enjoy that RD04.
AT ('97 RD07a) has also been in my ownership for 10 years and with mine I went through almost all of the above ...
When I look back so concisely, her demands were not so great compared to the pleasure I received in return.
Excellent summary of the problems of an exceptional motorcycle.
Thanks and ride safe!
The best bike...EVER!!!
Overtightening the chain not only damages the output (counter) shaft bearing but can also strip the splines for the front sprocket.
My RD03 was so worn the sprocket had walked off the end of the shaft and the retaining bolts drilled a hole in the cover.
It also bent one of the shift fork shafts meaning 4th gear was impossible to select as the shift fork couldn't move all the way over to the right.
as the RD03 uses a RC31E engine (Bros/Hawk 400/650) I bought a good used gearbox from a NC25 Bros 400 and replaced the output shaft, bearings and selector fork/shaft.
If the shaft is only slightly worn you can fit a KKBike Superpinion sprocket.
You are spot on, the chain slack should be monitored closely on these bikes, failure in this will certainly result in un necessary costs with an engine out procedure, thank you for the detailed comment, much appreciated.Frank
The contacts (brushes) of the fuel pump are replaceable. to prevent wear to them you can fit a snubber diode.
RD03-RD07 models are known for hard starting due to fuel evaporation from the carb bowls due to the design of the breather circuit. You can either replumb the breathers to RD07A spec or as I have done fit a priming switch. the priming switch is a momentary push button that supplies power to the pump before starting the engine.
Hold the switch button until the pump stops clicking so the carb fuel bowls are filled then start the engine as normal.
Thank you for the information,much appreciated 🙏
Tickling the carbs was the solution on old Brit bikes
Nice to know,i learnt something 😀
Thank you very much for this Video. 👍✌
Always a pleasure thanks..
Hello thank you for this video
Indeed this are the common problems on the at 750
Kindest jaap stam
Thanks for your comment,much appreciated.Frank
Thanks for the video!
My problem is that my front cilinder warms up slower than my rear..
Second problem is that the motor dont reach the operating temperture. I replaced the thermostat already..
Have you found the problem yet, in which country do you ride the AT?
Excelentes concejos 👍👍🇦🇷🇦🇷
Thank you,hope it helps
Thanks for a very informative video! 👍
Thanks,i will keep them coming
Motobatt? HECK NO!! they never last, uk suppliers stopped doing them because they had to many issues
Heya...thanks for the feedback bud...appreciated.
Fantastic!! Thanks
Thank you
Hi Frank, bought a rd04, shifting smoothly is difficult. Specially from 1tst to 2nd. Changed oil and filter. Put in 10w40, it didn’t change much. I can only compare it to previous Hondas I have used, usually very smooth. Could it be it needs to be opened up before something goes wrong? Or are the AT a bit rough to shift? Thank you in advance. Love your videos, simple to the point. Alex
Thanks for comments...what i would do is to take off the clutch cover...pull out the gear selector shaft and check if it's possibly bent....old bikes that have seen a lot of fall overs...also just do a proper inspection of gear linkage mechanism...let me know how it goes.
Great video. I have a RD04 and this is all very helpful. I’m looking to upgrade my stock suspension (front and rear) and was wondering if you had any suggestions around what’s available in SA?
Hi,currently in Jhb,i suggest you do progressive springs,check it out on the web...
Great video. I changed thermostat cause my temperature didnt go up at all. Now its going up and fan switch turns on like it should. Only problem is that when driving city or slow riding in woods temperature goes up to 90 like it should, but when drive constant in city or highway temperature goes down almost to 0. Like it been cooling from wind/driving. Do you know the problem? Maybe temperature sensor in thermostat? Thanks
Hi,mine does the same,open road very low temp.As long as your fan kicks in,dont worry about the lower temp on open road.When doing slow rides,it definately needs to kick in..
hello Franks
i got back firing on my rd07.
any air screw position
no exaust leak
carb cleaned (new joint kit)
CNC choke screw (graissed)
air filter new
valve clearance done
new sparks
air cut valve tested
gpr silencer with or without db killer
she's working perfect exept that
Can't figure it out...
increase the iddle jet from 40 to 50?
V from France
Fred
Hi Fred, firstly i would mention exhaust leak, but you covered that, did you do a compression test to see if you have leaky valves somewhere? When it comes to carbs, screw out, richens the mixture as im sure you know...Try richen it up half a turn on one carb only and see what it does.One thing i always do is to check, WHAT has changed on the bike since this issue started? let me know how it goes, check for a leaky valve first.
@@FranksWay
big thanks for your response Franck!!
nothing change if i richen the screw.
yes good idea to check the compression to looking for a leaky valve !!
i bought it with a dirty carb so she wasn't working well before.
after all that.
on full throttle she working well.
just a very regular back firing on closed throttle (sound like only one cylinder)
i do the test and maybe come back to you , if you don't mine
V
Fred
Hi,i would firstly change all 4 plugs,take a compression reading and move towards carbs thereafter,make sure all the basics are in order first,you are welcome.Frank
I am looking for the "Facet FP 1810" fuel pump. I can't find it on their website either. Has the name changed in the meantime?
I doubt it changed,i have it listed as part FED.FP1810
Hello i just bought an xrv africa rd07 but the engine label is rd04E but thats not the issue here the issue is that it burns oil id like to do a rebuild on that africa in order to keep it but is it ok to rebuilt? Is it safe? Or should i sell it right away ( i kinda like the bike and it runs ok it just burns tons of oil)
Hi,i bought my RD07 on 36000km, drove it to 200000km and did a rebuild.Riding above 140kmh mine also burnt all, i think most do anyway...kinda natural.You can do a rebuild no problem.Buy parts off CMSNL.COM maybe, and depending where you are, get someone reputable that knows the AT motor to do it for you.They are getting rarer by the day.
Thanks for the reply here in greece we have many old worth buying bikes but as you said the know how is rare ill try it, after all you cant kill a legend but you can ride it !!
Thank you again !
Ride it brother...
Does anybody know how/where to buy a bike like this in the US?
Hi..not sure sorry..try groups on facebook maybe
Using diesel to clean chain is the worse thing that you can do, I would be right only for non sealed chain which is not the case of an Africa Twin 750
Thanks for the input 😉
That was interesting way to do a video Frank.
Positive or negative views maybe?, it took a day to write the script and put it together..takeaway thoughts?
@@FranksWay Positive, of course ... 👍
Thank you very much
IS the rectifier mentioned here also compatible with the RD04? Looking at Startline's catalogue the most similar is no.66-05-RT027 - do you know if this would work? Any assistance welcome! Great videos btw - always watching for XRV750 insights
I will look into the catalogue part number...pop me an email sometime on channel email addy 😉
I have a XRV650 I want restored. Who can I contact in RSA Western Cape
I am back from France in April if you need it done. Thanks Frank
@@FranksWay Hi Frank! How scars are the parts for African Twin 650?
@user-ln5ht4wg5l I have a whole stripped 650 motor still at home.
If you need engine parts, i have for the 650..
My engine is 100% my damage are more cosmetic. My son used the bike for 5 years, and did not tell me that the brake disks are cracked and it's been standing outside in the weather 😢