Africa Twin spare parts and servicing
 

Will be taking a short break in Colombia from my Central and South American tour soon to return to the UK for 6 weeks. Was wondering what I might need to buy in the way of spare parts while I am home.

The bike currently has 28000 miles after adding 12000 in the last 4 months. Will be needing a proper service soon after only replacing the oil after every 6000 miles.

Anyone got any words of wisdom via the crystal ball of experience for me? How long does the chain and sprocket last normally?

What about the dreaded fuel pump?

Bit upset about the short life of a set of Michelin Siracs purchased en route in San Diego. 6000 miles is not very convenient when the Trailwings give 10K. Where can I get good tyres in Central America?

Any help much appreciated. I figure on at least another 25000 miles before I am done.

Cheers, Matt

You don't say what model @ your riding. Some of the ealier bikes (RD04 and earlier) suffered from premature wear in the wheel bearings and in some cases complete failure. This was due to the lack of a shield being fitted and the grease being washed out. If in doubt there easy enough
to change.

With regard to chain wear it depends on the type of chain and sprockets, type of lubrication used, terrain your driving through etc etc. I changed the standard chain and sprockets on my last @ at around 26,000mls, but I was using the bike mostly in the UK and Europe on well paved roads, I ride like an old man and had a Scotoiler fitted. In dry dusty conditions wear rate would increase significantly. Best thing to do is check the chain and sprockets before you return to the UK and if in doubt buy a new set.

I also like Trailwings. They give a decent enough grip in the wet and I get around 12,000mls from the rear. I've tried 'Enduro 4' and Siracs, both were good tyres, but didn't last as long.

Bon Chance Bob.

Regarding the fuel pump. Apparently you can buy a mechanical fuel pump that will fit the @ from 'Africanqueens' at www.africanqueens.de/ There's alot of discussion on the hubb re this subject. Also check out www.xrv.org.uk

Bob.

[This message has been edited by mcdarbyfeast (edited 06 June 2004).]

Cheers Bob. It's a RD07 2002 machine. Hopefully I haven't got the bearings issue that you have mentioned. I will watch with interest the views on the fuel pump and come to some decision as to what to do.

I am hoping that all filters and regular service items will be readily available as I travel. Having said that, Mexico was not a very Twin friendly place. Will try here in Costa Rica.

Any news from Chris and Liz? Have not heard anything from them since we shipped to LA and they were having e-mail trouble. Hope they are doing OK and send my regards if you are in contact.

Hi Matt, you won't have any problems with the bearings on a your @ as they now used sealed units.

Unfortuneately Chris and Liz are due back in the UK this week. Liz's mum is very ill. They had travelled down through Mexico and were heading back up North when the news broke. I presume they will resume the trip later on. If I see them I'll say you were asking after them.

Bon Chance Bob.



[This message has been edited by mcdarbyfeast (edited 07 June 2004).]

As I understood it, the fuel pump non-problem (according to Honda) is now resolved. It was only ever an issue on the early RD07 bikes. Since then it's been fixed.

Is this the case?

Iain

This would be very useful to clarify. Maybe owners with RD07 bikes could post some mileages that their original fuel pumps have lasted. I recall a thread some time ago with most failures coming in between 20k and 35k. My 2002 bike is on 28000. Aggghhh!

I would also be keen to learn when (approx. mileage) the chain and sprocket need to be changed. Further to Bob's post (BTW I drive like an old woman), I seem a bit concerned that a change is needed at 25000 miles.

Was hoping for more feedback on a shopping list of parts to bring on my South American leg. I have settled on the following:

Oil and air filters
Chain and sprocket
Fuel pump (pending outcome of straw poll)
Steering head bearings.

Would anticipate another 30000 miles in South America.

Thanks in advance for any ideas.

Matt

Matt, my pump started acting odd at around 22,000 and I finaly could not put up with it any more, so replaced it at around 29,000.

The list of spares lookes good - chain and sproc set not heavy no?

Cheers
Brian
http://colesyboy.tripod.com

Damn, it would appear this isn't the case after all.

Iain

http://www.horizonsunlimited.com/ubb/frown.gif NO.... The problem is not fixed.
If you want garanty... Get a other type of pump.

I replace the pump before leaving Holland with the "new and improved" pump... and yes it was better... it only failed after 50.000 km...

Now I have a Moghul-carter centrifugal pump. Works great.

Maarten

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- www.maartensworld.com -
- Some photo's -

Where do I get this pump? 50000kms is now up!

Thanks,

Matt

Hi Matt

Good to hear things are going well with the trip. Ain't Mexico great! Loved it. Re: parts to bring back from the UK - when we fly out to resume the trip in a couple of weeks all being well all I'm bringing back out with me is a couple of front sprokets as they are specific to the @RDO7. Everything else we seem to have been able to get in C. America without too much trouble. BTW the rear sproket on an @ is the same as a number of Honda bikes in the Americas hence only taking back the front sproket. Just watch the different wear rates if fitting different makes of sprokets front and rear when you come to do it.

Good to hear you made it to Col. The last we heard of you was from that mad German at La Bufa in the Copper Canyon. Now there's a charictor!!

Safe travels

Chris

a friend of mine had his pump go on him and was short of cash. He got round the broken pump with a car one from a scrapyard. Think the car was something like a misubishi or nissan, if anyone else can clarify which car pump fits (bodged fit anyway)I guess that would be usefull info if you are caught where there aren't any dealers.

My mate rode from the UK to malaga with no problems, not sure if he has ever changed back to the honda part.

When mine went in Mexico, the only pump that could be found was one that was for a bus! The guys at the garage managed to source an adapter for this and the bike worked fine until I noticed that the cowboys at the garage screwed the adapter on skew, so it started to leak!! Goddam cowboys, thats another reason to do it ALL yourself whenever you can.

Cheers,
Brian

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http://colesyboy.tripod.com