Honda-What next?
 

My Honda Africa Twin is finally giving up the ghost. I bought the bike new in 2003. It's been to North Africa twice and all over Europe several times. We moved permanently to Portugal last year and we rode to the South of Italy then up through Romania before returning home to central Portugal. Other than the normal consumables, tyres, brakes, a set of clutch plates and a replacement fuel pump the only part I've had to replace was the front wheel which I damaged dropping of a high kerb (my fault) Now at 157,000 miles the bike has started using a lot of oil and the gearbox is playing up (difficulty in engaging second from first) The question is: What should I replace it with? Please don't suggest anything BMW. I've had three new and they've all had problems.

I think if I'd owned a bike for 157,000 miles that's been as trouble free as this one I'd simply spend some money to get it fixed and keep it.

And I would guess after that mileage you might just be quite attached to it as well.

Find another AT.

If it is using oil at that number of k's it is most likely just glazing of the pistons and gunked up rings and seals.. Give her a rebuild... Or give her to me.. i''l take her. Anubis (my 2000 AT) has 150k km on it and i have done the above) and she is sweet as!! :D:D:D:D
you will not regret it....

Get a 2012+ Suzuki V-Strom 650.

Brilliant bike.

Well, bought a brand new TA yesterday after testing the V-Strom and Tiger 800xc. Nearest thing to an AT except gearbox seems much slicker. Will keep the AT and try and get a used motor & box.

Congrats! It's always a good feeling when getting a brand new bike.
It's more or less the end of the line; Honda will not be marketing that bike in the future - they don't have a V twin at all, according to a Honda dealer I was talking with a while ago. He also mentioned that he thinks the V4 800cc VFR will be the next bike to be discontinued, but that engine will continue to be available in the Crossrunner.

I´m with this guy. Owned 5 (five!) different 650-750 AT´s in the golden Nineties... still love that bike in a way, but for my use, the new DL simply trumps it in almost everything except maybe looks. Africa Twin is an old bike in 2013. Ok, the AT was probably a bit better for outside the tarmac, but still a heavy beast at that. It´s sad that Honda decided to quit the AT, I´m quite sure they would have sold truckloads of an updated FI version.

Another vote from me for having it overhauled. Powder coated frame and cycle parts, renew whatever has significant ware, shock, bearings and a top end overhaul with a peek at the gearbox to sort that.
I have never owned or ridden an Africa twin but the people I know who have and sold them have regretted it.
Alternatively if you can afford to and have the space get a new bike of your choice and do the above to the AT as you can afford it and keep it for trips down memory lane.

Picked up the Transalp this week and have started running it in. Couldn't me more pleased with the bike. It seems ideal for, the far from perfect, road surfaces here in central Portugal. Met one of the mechanics at the local Honda garage (not where I bought the Transalp, they don't sell big bikes) who is more than happy to help me overhaul the original engine and gearbox and to use the workshop out of hours so, I'll start stripping the AT down this weekend. It'll be interesting project in more ways than one as Portuguese is still in a fairly embryonic stage.

Just so you don´t have to take pics:
Google+ album: http://tinyurl.com/6u93yv2
Dropbox with zip-File: http://tinyurl.com/czj8qgw

Whilst Missus rides an TA XL700VA, I myself look at a KTM LC8 990 Adventure Dakar as a legitimate replacement for the AT.

Cheers
Chris

Thanks for the photo's. I had intended to take some as I stripped the bike down but, I'd slightly under-estimated how filthy it would be. Even after draining the oil overnight I still managed to cover myself and the bench with oil. Taking pictures without submerging the camera in oil would have been impossible!

I've ridden the KTM 950 & the 990 and loved the bike. The riding position is very close to the AT. Unfortunately my midget legs are just a little too short!

Pedro and I finished stripping the AT down this weekend and have been cleaning and checking all the components for wear and tear. So far everything is still within manufacturers tolerances. Cylinder wear is minimal, rings look OK and valve guides are fine. Can't really figure out why it was using oil. Gearbox seem fine apart from some worn clutch plates. The rest of the bike looks pretty good to. There is some wear in the swing arm but the head race bearings (replaced at 80k) seem fine. Wheel bearings were replaced at 80k and are good. The frame has minimal corrosion but will get it powder coated. Not sure how far to go with the rebuild yet but, will change the pistons and rings and clean the bores. Had a nice surprise when a dealer friend of Pedro's turned up with a brand spanking new red, white and blue petrol tank. (must be worth 5-600 euro) The only thing is, it makes the old fairing look a bit dull!

I finally decided my Tiger 955i was too big and top heavy for me about three years ago and had a hankering for an AT. I was advised against it (as it would be too big and heavy!) and, as there didn't seem to be any ATs around at the time anyway, I was at a loss what to get. According to the specs the TA700 was as high and as heavy as the Tiger but I decided, with nothing to lose, to go for a test ride.
Needless to say, I now have one! What a fantastic little bike (it feels little compared to the Tiger) and it has taken me through Europe and along some 'interesting' roads in Romania with ease.
My 'what ifs' had been quashed by the TA anyway but, basically, I'm quietly pleased that an AT owner reckons the TA is a good alternative. :thumbup1:
(I have lowered the pegs by about 45mm which I find more comfortable anyway but also more 'planted' when standing.)

Hi Mermaid,

I've really gelled with the 700 already. I've had a 600TA and the 650TA and the 700 feels completely different. The build quality seems better and I like the bigger feel. I like the sound of lowering the foot pegs as my knees are at more of an angle than the AT. 45mm seems quite alot though. Do you notice the reduction in ground clearance ? Also, where did you get the lowering kit ?

Hi all,

Final post regarding the restoration on the AT. Engine and gearbox are back together but, has not been run as the frame is waiting to go for powder coating. No significant wear on any components so, can't figure out why it was using oil. The only things we've changed are the rings (new Std) valves re shimmed, timing chain and tensioner and the clutch plates in the gearbox. Output shaft bearing, which I'd thought would need to be changed was fine. The valve guides, which I thought may have been the reason for oil use, were fine. The following items were all servicable but as we had them were changed. The leads, all brake hoses, calipers and discs, headrace bearings, wheel bearings, throttle and clutch cable, brake master cylinder and the ignition switch (original had become sloppy but, worked fine) The bike will also have new drive chain, sprockets and tyres. Can't think of anything else. Can't wait to get it back together and take for a spin. Overall I'm really impressed that after the mileage and, I admit, abuse that it's had, so little really had worn and needed to be changed.

Hi mcdarbyfeast,
Although the pegs are a fair bit lower there isn't a change in ground clearance as such because the frame/belly pan etc. are all still lower .... and I don't earhole enough that it's a problem! I guess if you did deep ruts it could be .... ?
I modifed the pegs myself as I couldn't find an available kit that dropped them as much as I wanted. If I do this right I should hopefully attach a some images! They show the off side peg from the side, near side peg fom the rear and the side as I had to mod the gear lever as well. (Not the prettiest job but it works!) As you can see, I kept the peg/footrest itself and made up a new hanger.

Hi Mermaid,

I have to say, I think you made a nice job. The hangers look like you fabricated them from sheet steel? Did you make something to take the pins for the footpegs or do they fit straight through the plate steel?

Thanks! Yup - the hangers are made from sheet and the pins fit straight through this as per the originals. I used the same thickness as the OEM peg hangers and also replicated their design where the hangers interface with the footpeg mount casting so I could use the standard pin, spring etc. and they'd 'sit' right.

Thanks Mermaid. As soon as the AT is finished I'll give it a go and let you know the result!