View source for Honda Transalp and Africa Twin

The Honda Africa Twin is a 650cc (RD03) or 750cc (RD04, RD07) cousin of the 600cc Honda Transalp.  The earlier Africa Twins are very similar in construction to the Transalp, and many parts can be put onto a Transalp.  Potential improvements include a larger fuel tank, an aluminum swingarm, taller suspension, and a rear disk brake.

=Model Designations=

Model designations become very important when purchasing parts, so it's important to understand the meaning of PD06, RD04, RD04, and RD07.

The Transalp imported into the US in 1989 and 1990 is the <b>PD06</b> XL600V.

There are several models of Africa Twin.  The important thing to remember is that <b>RD07 parts are cannot be used on Transalps</b>.  Many <b>RD03</b> and <b>RD04</b> parts, however, bolt straight up to a Transalp.  The following chart shows years and models.  Note that only models relevant to the US-spec Transalp are shown:

<blockquote>
{| bgcolor="#EEEEEE" cellpadding="5px"
! Year !! Africa Twin
|-
| 1988 || RD03 XRV650 
|-
| 1989 || RD03 XRV650
|-
| 1990 || RD04L XRV750
|-
| 1991 || RD04M XRV750
|-
| 1992 || RD04N XRV750
|-
| 1993 || RD04P XRV750 
|-
| 1994+ || RD07
|}
</blockquote>

For a full breakdown of Transalp models (PD06H, J, K, PD10, etc) see [http://www.ta-deti.de/ta/mods.html Deti's page].

For a full history of the Africa Twin (RD03, RD04L, M, N, P) see [http://www.bbb-bike.com/history/honda/africatwin/ this page] (Japanese).

=Fuel Tank=

RD03 and RD04 fuel tanks, which are identical apart from color scheme, will fit directly onto a Transalp frame.  An RD07 has an entirely different frame, so its tank will <b>not</b> fit a Transalp.

==Interference==

Without the support bracket, the RD03/RD04 tank's [http://www.advrider.com/forums/showpost.php?p=5853492&postcount=3016 petcocks may interfere with the Transalp engine's oil lines].  This does not seem to be an issue with later Transalps, which may use a different oil routing more similar to the NT650 Hawk.

===Support Bracket===

The Africa Twin tank requires a support bracket, which is mentioned [http://www.advrider.com/forums/showpost.php?p=5854010&postcount=3018 here] ([http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v236/241880/RD04060.jpg image]).

This item may be listed on [http//www.ebay.de Ebay Germany] as "Verkleidungshalter" (translates as "Fairing bracket").  It certainly appears to be the exact same part as what is commonly listed as "Kühlerhalter" ("cooler holder").

It appears in the XRV650K microfiche as:
<blockquote><tt>64209-MS8-000 PIPE COMP., COWL MOUNTING</tt></blockquote>
and on the XRV750N microfiche as:
<blockquote><tt>64209-MV1-000 PIPE COMP., COWL MOUNTING</tt></blockquote>

===Fuel Pump===
The Africa Twin tank needs a fuel pump in order to pump the last few gallons.  

====Stock Africa Twin====
The Africa Twin's OEM fuel pump is electric, and it's prone to failure due to internal electrical contacts which arc and destroy themselves.  The pump itself can be hardwired and controlled by an external relay, which prevents the arcing problem.

====Substitute Pumps====
Many people run vacuum-operated fuel pumps.

Another alternative is an electric fuel pump from Spruce Aircraft and Supply.

==Swingarm==
The Africa Twin has an aluminum swingarm which is is longer than the steel Transalp swingarm.  It can be fitting with relatively few problems.  Notably, the drum brake stopper has to be ground to fit the Africa Twin swingarm (assuming an Africa Twin disc rear wheel hasn't been used as well), and a 124 link chain is needed.

The RD03, RD04, and RD07 swingarms appear to be identical, but in fact differ.  The RD04 swingarm is slightly longer than the RD03 swingarm.  The RD07 swingarm has slightly different mounting spacers and bushings and requires adaptation to the Transalp.  If an Africa Twin rear wheel is to be used for disc braking, note that the disc and bracket are different on the RD03 than on the RD04 and RD07.  See below, under "Rear Brake".

*[http://google.com/translate?u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.transalp.de%2Ftechnik%2Fpd-technik%2Fumbauten%2Fat-schwinge.php&langpair=de%7Cen&hl=en&ie=UTF8 Translated "Transalp with Africa Twin swingarm"] (from transalp.de).

===Swingarm Parts Interchangeability===
This diagram from the XRV750N microfiche is colored to indicate compatibility of many of the swingarm parts between the Transalp and the RD04 Africa Twin.  Green indicates that the part numbers are the same, while red indicates that the parts differ.

<blockquote>
[[Image:RD04_Dogbones_Interchangeability.png|400px]]
[[Image:RD04_Swingarm_Interchangeability.png|400px]]
</blockquote>

===Chain Slider===

[http://advrider.com/forums/showpost.php?s=60880171d6df5d8a02b800c23ef3ad92&p=8590308&postcount=2840 This ADVRider post] mentions two European sources which ship internationally and stock Africa Twin chain sliders.

===Rear Brake With Africa Twin Swingarm===

The stock drum brake housing can be machined to fit into the slot on the RD04/RD07 swingarm.

Alternatively, an Africa Twin rear wheel can be used to get a disc brake.  [http://www.advrider.com/forums/showpost.php?p=8173505&postcount=5071 This post] provides the following information on rear brake disks:

<blockquote>
{| bgcolor="#DDDDDD" cellpadding="5px"
! Model !! Rotor Dia. !! Internal Dia. !! Bolt Center Dist. !! Bolt Dia.
|-
| PD06 || 240mm || 105mm || 125mm || 10.5mm
|-
| RD03 || 240mm || 105mm || 125mm || 10.5mm
|-
| RD04 || 256mm || 144mm || 166mm || 10mm
|-
| RD07 || 256mm || 144mm || 166mm || 10mm
|-
|}
</blockquote>

The same post goes on to point out that the RD03 and RD04 rear caliper brackets are for different diameter disks, but they are interchangeable in terms of width along the axle.  So, if you have a 240mm disk, use an RD03 caliper bracket.  Otherwise, use an RD04 or RD07 caliper bracket, regardless of which AT swingarm you have.

====Rear Brake Rotors for Africa Twins====

=====EBC=====
* RD03 and later Transalps with disc rear brakes:  MD6097D.
* RD04 and RD07:  MD6103D, pads FA140 or FA140HH.

=Buying Parts=

==Ebay==

Ebay is a good source for used Africa Twin parts.  I recommend [http://www.ebay.de Ebay Germany] since shipping prices from Germany are reasonable, and German sellers have proved very helpful.  UK sellers have either refused to ship, or charge exorbitant rates, and Italian sellers want nothing to do with me.

===Payment===

Traditionally, German Ebay sellers accepted only SWIFT money transfers.  Ask your bank if they can perform an international money transfer.  Get a copy of the transfer form, and look for "SWIFT" in the routing number area.

More recently, some German Ebay sellers have begun accepting PayPal.  This makes the process much simpler and faster.

Make sure to get a shipping quote before committing to purchase!

===German Terms===

Finding parts in German can be tough without any language skills.

<blockquote>
{| bgcolor="#EEEEEE" cellpadding="5px"
! English !! German
|-
| Fairings || Verkleidung
|-
| Tank Support Bracket || Verkleidungshalter ("fairing bracket")<br>Kühlerhalter ("cooler holder")
|-
| Swingarm || Schwinge
|-
| Brake Rotor || Bremsscheibe
|-
| Sprocket || Kettenrad
|-
| Sprocket Carrier || Kettenradträger
|-
| Rear || Hinten
|-
| Wheel || Rad
|-
| Rear Wheel || Hinterrad
|}
</blockquote>

==Other==

* [http://www.advrider.com/forums/showpost.php?p=9267616&postcount=6629 This post] gives contact information for a seller in Singapore.

==Substitution==

Honda reuses parts whenever possible across models.  It's worth finding part numbers on the microfiche and looking them up online.  [http://www.ronayers.com Ron Ayers] has an excellent parts lookup facility.

===Petcock===

According to [http://www.advrider.com/forums/showthread.php?t=39170&page=136 this page], "the left AT petcock is the same as the petcock for a 1990 NT650 Honda Hawk" ([http://houseofmotorcycles.bikebandit.com/honda-motorcycle-nt650-hawk-gt-1990/o/m2452  $55 at BikeBandit.com]).

==Microfiche==

The Honda parts microfiche for Africa Twins is an absolute necessity.  I have made PDF copies particularly relevant pages of the XRV750N microfiche:

* [http://gummycarbs.com/wiki/images/8/85/XRV750N_Swingarm.pdf Swingarm]
* [http://gummycarbs.com/wiki/images/8/85/XRV750N_RearWheel.pdf Rear Wheel]
* [http://gummycarbs.com/wiki/images/8/85/XRV750N_GasTank.pdf Gas Tank]
* [http://gummycarbs.com/wiki/images/8/85/XRV750N_RearSuspension.pdf Rear Suspension]
* [http://gummycarbs.com/wiki/images/d/d9/XRV750N_FrontCowl.pdf Front cowl]

=Resources=

==Conversion Examples==
* [http://www.advrider.com/forums/showpost.php?p=8851901&postcount=6140  dualdogdave] appears to have a very clean Africa Twin swingarm and fork conversion (called TANTAT).
* Jeff Stoess?