Hello all

[Jockrd0490]

Sorry to be asking a favour straight off but im confused with my purchase

I am new to the forum also to africa twins bought my first rd04 other day 1990 model

bit of a strange request but wondered if anyone in my area could take a look at it and tell me if anything wrong with it as it seems under powered as to my expectations and also rattles n judders n wurrs this may be normal but doubtful

any help would be greatly appreciated thanks lee jockrd0490

 

[rainbar2]

Welcome jock sorry i cant help with your mechanical probs but there will be someone on here with a wealth of info.

 

[Lutin]

Sorry to be asking a favour straight off but im confused with my purchase

I am new to the forum also to africa twins bought my first rd04 other day 1990 model

bit of a strange request but wondered if anyone in my area could take a look at it and tell me if anything wrong with it as it seems under powered as to my expectations and also rattles n judders n wurrs this may be normal but doubtful

any help would be greatly appreciated thanks lee jockrd0490

Hello and welcome to the forum.

Now then, about your bike. It sort of depends on what you are used to. A v-twin is going to feel really odd if all you are used to is in-line 4's - and your bike is 24 years old, so not exactly a spring chicken.

Unusually for a v-twin, these Hondas don't like to run at very low revs as they tend to "chug" quite a bit if you let the revs drop too far. For a start I'd say keep the revs above 3000, at least until you get used to it.

As for underpowered - again it depends on what you are comparing it with. I'm sure that some fettling would do the world of good. A lot of problems stem from out of balance carbs - it really does make a difference when they are set up correctly.

What were your previous bikes, if you don't mind me asking?

 

[Jockrd0490]

thanks for relpys

to be honest ive had all sorts of bike bandit 600 ,gs1100 ,klr 650 a1 ,crf 450, klx250, dr650se, dtr125, and various others although im not most mechanically minded when it comes to fault finding !

the bike just feels like its struggling to get up to speed s if something binding possibly?then it seems to struggle to 70 ish then i gave up !

im definately in experienced when it comes to a twin but i do suspect this as a possible restricted model possibly ??

dont know whether to take it for longer run but dont want to damage anything

 

[Jockrd0490]

my frame number is rd042001598 if that helps ? Market - Switzerland (Honda Area Code "SW")

Unlike the Austrian and German models, Swiss bikes CANNOT be determined from Engine Number.

Restriction on camshaft AND inlet rubbers. There are carburettor changes also.

Engine Nos: RD04E-2000040 to 2006085 for 1990,
not sure if my bike is swiss tho ?

 

[Lutin]

It could be that it just needs a good going over and a good service. Do you happen to know if this has been done recently? Or even any of the bike's history?

As for it being a restricted model, these bikes were restricted for the Swiss, German and Austrian markets.

German market bikes were restricted by using different inlet rubbers. It should be possible to determine if a restricted model from the Engine Number.

Austrian market models were restricted by having different camshafts fitted. Again it should be possible to determine if it's a restricted model from the Engine Number.

The Swiss market models were fitted with different camshafts, inlet rubbers and had carburettor changes as well. These cannot be determined as to whether they are restricted or not from the Engine Number.

I'm sure that a kind soul on here would be willing to look the bike over for you. They'll be along in a bit as they've probably been out playing in the sunshine.

 

[TopBuzz99]

What Lutin said, but about struggling to get up to 70 then I'd say maybe check your choke cables as they can get sticky and it's an easy fix if you either lube or have to replace them.

My Twin rattles like a rattly thing at anything under 3krpm, and whirrs like a whirry thing as well

Also, the AT / Deauville V-Twin engine is a very softly tuned engine so you won't get the 'snap' that you've perhaps had from your previous bikes mate. The engine was designed to work in harmony with the frame and you may have noticed that, especially at lower speeds in the low gears than an AT's handling feels like riding a 125 or 250 Just remember that it's 500 lbs + when you stop at the lights

 

[Lutin]

my frame number is rd042001598 if that helps ? Market - Switzerland (Honda Area Code "SW")

Unlike the Austrian and German models, Swiss bikes CANNOT be determined from Engine Number.

Restriction on camshaft AND inlet rubbers. There are carburettor changes also.

Engine Nos: RD04E-2000040 to 2006085 for 1990,
not sure if my bike is swiss tho ?

Ah, you found my ramblings on xrv then?

 

[Jockrd0490]

all very helpful info i will ask the bloke i bought it off about it being srviced and check the choke cables and see what they are like i will also check the engine numbers against lutin's post on xrv

Wasnt expecting snappy power from the AT but it does seem flat maybe a haynes manual is in order .

 

[Jockrd0490]

what sort of top speed and revs should the bike be getting ? ill take for a run tomorrow and compare results cheers

 

[Loggy]

It should rev right up to the red line. Speed is over 100mph. I've had mine up to about 105 on a test track...... Mine also rips up to 80 in no time at all. They do rattle. Sounds like some sort of emission control thing or the restrictions on the engine?

 

[Lutin]

I hope that you don't mind me asking, but where did you get the bike from - dealer, ebay???

 

[Jockrd0490]

after speaking to the guy i bought the bike off this is what has been done

clutch plates 400 miles ago
valves ,plugs , oil and filters 200 miles ago
he says its a k and n filter so may need oil !

carbs have never been balanced and he owned the bike 7 years so i do think that is the issue makes sense

does anyone have the info on how to do this ? thanks in advance jock

 

[Jockrd0490]

spoke to bloke i bought bike off

clutch plates done 400 miles ago
valves ,oil, filter ,plugs 200 miles ago
air filter is k&n so might need oil

carbs have never been balanced in time hes owned bike 7 years !

anyone know how i go about doing or getting this done ?

 

[Chewbadger]

You need a set of vacuum gauges. If you anywhere near Staffs, give me a shout.

Rob

 

[Jockrd0490]

cheers xs904 currently asking round my pals se if anyone has any

 

[Jockrd0490]

Well thanks everyone for your responses turns out I'm a divvy ha ! Tool bike on proper run and pinned it properly and it got up to speed fine although a bit lumpy don't think there's anything up other than age of bike