Africa Twin 1995 - Anything to look out for

[MacJ]

A young bloke has contacted me a he's about to view a 1995 Africa Twin with 46k miles. It was imported from Greece in 2021 but looks in good condition on the photos. It has a recent MOT and a few spares. He intends to ride to Italy in a couple of months. Seller is asking £3400. Is there anything he should be specifically looking for before he buys?
I know he'll appreciate your views.

 

[MotoRevive]

Along the usual when buying a 30 year old bike ??? Assume it needs EVERYTHING.....

The BIG one is the output shaft (front sprocket). Don't buy it unless you can take the cover off and check from wear on those splines. Otherwise you'll need an engine rebuild at huge expense.

Rear shock will likely belong in the bin now.

Brake calipers are known to rot around the seals. And the LH side is no longer available.

Wheel rims can rot.

Fuel pump are shite and should be replaced by a Facet unit.

Airbox rubbers shrink. Check for leaks around the carbs.

 

[DrFarkoff]

AS above!

People seem to have this Rose tinted aspect of Man I have to do this on an 30 year old bike etc etc

IN reality BMW is an option because 95% of the bits are still available and its late 70s tech

But Other than MZ or small CC Jap bikes Not much of the larger traillies is available these days (except Common shared parts) !

 

[MotoRevive]

I have a 1997 Africa Twin. I love it. And I've had five others over the decades.

You just need to look up Adam Reiman and "Warhorse" on Youtube to understand why. It holds true.

I bought my current one about seven years ago. I paid £3000. It had 81,000 miles on it.

I made a mistake, bought it blind and trusted the seller when he said the splines had been checked by a Honda Dealer. He lied. Or they lied.

It had to put a new shaft in. It cost me £700 in parts and A LOT of labour.

However, when the engine was in pieces on my bench I measured and checked everything. The rest of the motor was like new. The cylinder walls measured like they were 100 miles old. Crank shells were smooth. I installed new piston rings and transmission bearings to future proof her.

But on top of that I powder coated the frame, replaced cables, rear shock, carb rebuild, suspension bushes, front fork springs, all frame bearings etc etc etc. The list goes on.

I've recently put a programmable CDI to bring the advance on (because no one runs 80 octane fuel anymore) and up-jetted it. And it's a much livilier bike now.

But it's still 200kg+ and makes 55BHP... It's not going to excite anyone. 80mph is a comfortable cruising speed and most modern cars will smoke me from the lights.

However.... It looks , feels, rides and smells amazing. It's a real ADV riders bike. It's a bike you ride. A modern bike is like riding in a video game.

The bike now owes me £6000. And I'll be exploring Norway on it next month.

 

[DrFarkoff]

I have a 1997 Africa Twin. I love it. And I've had five others over the decades.

You just need to look up Adam Reiman and "Warhorse" on Youtube to understand why. It holds true.

I bought my current one about seven years ago. I paid £3000. It had 81,000 miles on it.

I made a mistake, bought it blind and trusted the seller when he said the splines had been checked by a Honda Dealer. He lied. Or they lied.

It had to put a new shaft in. It cost me £700 in parts and A LOT of labour.

However, when the engine was in pieces on my bench I measured and checked everything. The rest of the motor was like new. The cylinder walls measured like they were 100 miles old. Crank shells were smooth. I installed new piston rings and transmission bearings to future proof her.

But on top of that I powder coated the frame, replaced cables, rear shock, carb rebuild, suspension bushes, front fork springs, all frame bearings etc etc etc. The list goes on.

I've recently put a programmable CDI to bring the advance on (because no one runs 80 octane fuel anymore) and up-jetted it. And it's a much livilier bike now.

But it's still 200kg+ and makes 55BHP... It's not going to excite anyone. 80mph is a comfortable cruising speed and most modern cars will smoke me from the lights.

However.... It looks , feels, rides and smells amazing. It's a real ADV riders bike. It's a bike you ride. A modern bike is like riding in a video game.

The bike now owes me £6000. And I'll be exploring Norway on it next month.

You know what I mean though

How much would that output shaft rebuild have cost some unsuspecting bugger >?

As in "Likely to have Written it off as an Uneconomic repair" ?

 

[casper]

Small world.
This young bloke's girlfriend asked me the same question.
I suggested a Deauville as they are shaft drive and often come with luggage.
Or a NC700/750 as much better than Africa twin on fuel.
Seem quite set on an Africa Twin though.

 

[MotoRevive]

You know what I mean though

How much would that output shaft rebuild have cost some unsuspecting bugger >?

As in "Likely to have Written it off as an Uneconomic repair" ?

The whole job for someone who knows the bike is about 2-3 full days work.

You need a new shaft and bearing £300 ISH (NT750 shaft is the same and available)

Then you need a full engine gasket set with O-rings and seals for other bits. So probably another £200.

So £500 In parts.

Id be charging £1000 in my workshop. And I'm cheap considering how amazing I am

I know a guy who two years ago collected quotes from a main dealer and other bigger independents.

£3000+.

 

[DrFarkoff]

Id be charging £1000 in my workshop. And I'm cheap considering how amazing I am

And not a jot of modesty about yee