Africa Twin owners and wannabes thread

[Padmei]

Great stuff Bubbs. That snow looks nice & crisp. I'm glad we're finally getting some beaut days in now.

[Underground]

aww , now I just want to go ride in the snow !

[NordieBoy]

aww , now I just want to go ride in the snow !

You still running the same tyre as last time in the snow?

[Eddieb]

http://www.trademe.co.nz/Trade-Me-Mo...-306143373.htm

$6800 ono

[buggsubique]

Man, twins are a handful to work on alone... Lucky she's not shiny and new anyway so she doesn't mind layin down to kick off her shoes.

Had a snag list a few lines long so thought I'd start while I'm away in Waiouru; free up the mind on the weekends while skinning knuckles and getting grease up my nose.

Steering bearings were a piece of piss. Binned the old balls and chucked in the rollers. Bought a bunch of odds and sods, mostly collars, dust / oil seals and a few fairing clips, thinking I'd just get the bare essentials from Europe and pick up the basics locally.

Nothing goes to plan, so after stripping the swing arm and rear cush off the bike it turns out no one stocks the needle bearings I need (17.5x24.5x22). Jumped on the iNet to scattergun some queries out by email so will wait to see if I get some replies next week. Bloody expensive too - $US 20 odd a piece from www.bikebandit.com...which is still cheaper than my German and Netherlands options.

So anyone know anyone who knows anyone? Next step if a negative from NZ bearing supplies will be to go through one of the Honda dealers, no doubt ex Japan.

The cush bearings were in average nick, seals a bit shot, but to be honest, the swing arm pivot and the linkage arm bearings were pretty good. SO it's really just the cush that needs the rebuild. Getting the needle housings out is proving to be a real c&ntfest. Had the blowie on it, crc'd it, been punching and hammering them. Got two out (two in each hole) but the next two have disintegrated, leaving the housing inside the cush. Lovely. So that's next weekend after a few days of CRC bathing...

Also found the rear wheel bearing on the disc side was on its way out, so replaced that. Generally find it goes pretty quick, especially in relation to the twin oversized bearings on the drive side. Not looking to get stuck in the Rainbow like last time (aye Jeff!).

I think in another 2-5 years I'll strip the bike right back to bare frame and repaint it as there are a few surface rust spots apparent. By then I think the plastics will need to be stripped back too, built up where cracked and stressed and then repainted.

Engine still going strong but could probably do with a new set of rings. Carbs need a strip and rebuild too as she runs pretty rich down low below about 2800.

Anyway, fun & games. What it's all about, right?

[NordieBoy]

Carbs need a strip and rebuild too as she runs pretty rich down low below about 2800.

CV carbs?

[buggsubique]

CV carbs?

Buggered if I know actually - certainly not the FCR pumper the DR-Z used to have! What should I be looking for?

[NordieBoy]

Buggered if I know actually - certainly not the FCR pumper the DR-Z used to have! What should I be looking for?

Those caps say CV carb to me. There's a diaphram under each that's connected to the slide. The butterfly opens and vacuum lifts the slide. At low revs the needle can be moving up and down a bit with each engine pulse.
If the idle is erratic and it's boggy off the bottom, it could be the needle jets.
They can get worn ovalish by the sides of the needle.

[thepom]

Of course everyone knows this site is great for information and an e bay link for stuff at the top of the page....http://www.xrv.org.uk/forums/africa-twin/

[cooneyr]

Given my experience with Honda suspension bearings you in for a world of financial pain. The dimensions (0.5mm increments) are gonna cause trouble. The XLR125 I had for the DB1k I spent $300 on bearings and seals

You say they are 17.5x24.5x22, I'm assuming this is 17.5 ID, 24.5 OD and 22 width. If I've got this right I'd suggest that you see if bearings of 18x25x22 exist, over bore the linkage arm and get new spacers turned up. No idea what is the best metal to use or if you bother with the chrome plating for the spacers. Might be more hassle (vs cost) first time around but it will be a piece of cake to maintain after that. Just keep up with the greasing and bearing replacements and the spacers will give you pretty good life.

Whatever the case - good luck!

Cheers R

P.S. XTZ750 Super Tenere's were famous for wearing the needle jets oval in very short time frame. Nickel coated jets are available from Factory Pro for the XTZ750 so I'm guessing you should be able to get some as well. About $100 when Bro did it.

[alane]

Suppose you,ve tried Malcomb Kirby @ ECONOHONDA.
He has a lot of stuff.

[buggsubique]

Cheers fellas,

yeah the 0.5mm increment means about $US20 a piece. I don't envisage doing them very often so will stick with OEM for now and avoid oversizing the linkage.

Matt

[Underground]

You will think you're on a brand new bike after doing the steering head and linkage bearings, you will become an instant riding god ! (rebuild the shock while you're there,mine only cost about 4hundy and its mint)
Those needle rollers are an arse, select a socket from your socket set of the right dia and press them out in a vice or with big clamp and use a big socket on the other side for them to exit into ,might need the FBH for a bit of gentle persuasion.
press them back in in the same manner ,being careful cos I think one of them has a space between them .
I bought mine through the local Honda dealer, worked out best, and most of them are the same as the Dommie ones except for the long one, on the RD03 at least .
I know because I just used the best of the old AT ones to fix the Dommie, might be cheaper and more available than AT ones.
Carbs....stay in touch, mine are desperate for a rebuild after 130,000 k's

[buggsubique]

got a source in Taranaki - Rod Eales at BTS Taranaki Ltd can get them overnight at about $30 a pop... Awesome service so far from him, highly recommended (thanks Alane!). Jeff, will look at the carbs maybe in the thick of winter - yep, keep in touch.

Cheers, Buggs

[alane]

Glad you had success Bugs