Honda Africa Twin RD07 Rally Build: Ultimate Adventure Bike Transformation
Transforming a Honda Africa Twin RD07 from a legendary classic into a modern, rally-ready adventure bike—this was the goal for our latest build. This project focuses on giving the bike a custom rally makeover, enhancing both its looks and performance to make it ready for any off-road challenge. Here’s a detailed look at the process, the custom parts we used, and why this transformation is perfect for adventure bike enthusiasts.
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1. The Bike: Honda Africa Twin RD07 (1993)
The bike we began with was a 1993 Honda Africa Twin RD07, a classic adventure bike that had already seen nearly 30 years of use. While the bike was still functional, it had suffered from wear and tear, making it the perfect candidate for a complete rally conversion.
The goal was clear: transform this legendary bike into a high-performance rally machine—a bike that could take on both technical terrain and long-distance adventures. The project, called Mata De Aqua, was born out of the owner’s desire to create the ultimate rally adventure bike.
Explore the Mata De Aqua Project on Instagram: Mata De Aqua
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2. The Rally Build: A Step-by-Step Transformation
The journey from stock to rally-ready began by stripping down the Honda Africa Twin RD07 to its basic frame. We removed all the plastics, headlights, and rear brake lights, as well as various other components that were outdated or not suitable for a rally build.
Key Upgrades and Custom Parts:
Radiator Protections: Custom Aluminum Guards
The first key upgrade was the installation of custom-designed radiator protections. Rally-style bikes endure extreme conditions, and protecting the radiator from debris, mud, and impacts is essential. We designed strong aluminum radiator guards that not only offer maximum protection but also enhance the bike’s rugged, off-road appeal.
Chain Guard: Durable and Stylish
Next, we replaced the stock chain guard with a more robust version, designed to withstand the harsh conditions of rally riding. A rally chain guard not only protects the chain but also contributes to the bike’s aggressive off-road aesthetics.
Frame Covers: Reinforced and Sleek
Frame covers were added to provide additional protection to the bike’s vital areas. These custom covers were made from tough materials to shield the frame from potential damage during intense off-road riding. The sleek design complements the bike’s rally-inspired look while improving its durability.
3. Installing the Navigation Tower
The navigation tower is the heart of any rally bike. It holds the essential instruments such as headlights, speedometers, and windscreens. The Honda Africa Twin RD07 already had a factory bracket designed to hold the headlights and clocks, making the installation process smoother.
Our custom navigation tower design provides a solid base for the headlights, speedometer, and windshield, ensuring they are secure and functional during rough rides. This part is crucial for any rider participating in rally events, as it allows the rider to navigate, track speed, and stay safe under various riding conditions.
4. Creating Custom Rally Side Panels
Arguably one of the most challenging parts of the build was designing and installing the side panels. We started with a pair of fiberglass panels, similar to the stock ones, but with an important design goal in mind—maintaining the bike’s aerodynamics and functionality while giving it that true rally look.
Our original idea was to keep the air intakes on the side panels for better airflow, but after testing, we realized that the design did not work as expected. Instead, we cut and reshaped the fiberglass panels to create a sleeker, more aggressive design. This new look not only improved the overall aesthetics but also eliminated any unnecessary intake openings that could potentially compromise the bike’s performance during rides.
The result was a set of custom side panels that fit perfectly and gave the bike a more aggressive rally appearance—exactly what we were aiming for.
5. Upgrading the Rear Fender and License Plate Holder
After the side panels were finalized, the next step was to upgrade the rear fender and license plate holder. The rear fender is an important element for both aesthetics and functionality, as it shields the rider from mud and debris.
For this build, we reused a design from previous projects, making several modifications to ensure it fit perfectly with the Africa Twin RD07’s rear fender mounting points. The rally-style rear fender followed the natural lines of the bike and provided a clean, modern look while staying functional for off-road riding.
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6. The Finished Rally-Ready Bike: Ready for Any Adventure
With all the parts installed and tested, the Honda Africa Twin RD07 is now a fully transformed rally bike that’s ready to take on any adventure. Here’s a recap of the key features and upgrades we’ve added to make this bike rally-ready:
- Custom Rally Side Panels: Designed for improved aerodynamics and a sleek, aggressive look.
- Navigation Tower: Holds the headlights, speedometer, and windshield, essential for rally riding.
- Aluminum Radiator Protections: Strong, durable, and perfect for protecting your bike during tough conditions.
- Durable Frame Covers: Protects key parts of the bike’s frame from debris and impacts.
- Upgraded Chain Guard: A rugged solution to protect the bike’s chain during off-road rides.
- Rally-Style Rear Fender: Designed for functionality and a modern, rally-inspired look.
After completing the build, we took the bike out for a road test, and the results were outstanding. The bike handled like a dream, with its aggressive new look and performance-ready upgrades. It’s a true rally machine that can handle any terrain with ease.
7. Ready to Build Your Own Rally Adventure Bike?
If you’re looking to transform your Honda Africa Twin or any adventure bike into a rally-ready motorcycle, we’ve got the parts, expertise, and experience to help you achieve your goal. Whether you’re interested in a complete rally bike conversion or simply need specific parts like navigation towers, rally side panels, or radiator protections, we’ve got you covered.
Contact us today to learn more about our custom rally builds, and let us help you create the ultimate adventure bike that’s ready for any challenge!
