The Honda XRV750 Africa Twin is almost thirty years old, and fast approaching legend status. So most Honda fanatics will probably baulk at the thought of customizing one.
Luis Correia and his crew at Maria Motorcycles weren’t keen to cut into their client’s 1992 Africa Twin either. But it wasn’t just down to reverence for the adventure sports icon.

?We accepted reluctantly,? Luis explains, ?because a bike like this is not a walk in the park to make. There are lots of limitations when dealing with liquid-cooled bikes: we usually have a lot of parts to hide and to get off the bike.?
Plus, the recently acquired Africa Twin was in a pretty terrible condition. So the Portuguese crew stripped it down without too much remorse, and set about transforming it. ?The idea was to make an old Dakar dirt bike,? says Luis.
But first, the Maria team had to bring the V-twin motor back up to scratch. So they cracked it open, checked it thoroughly, and replaced everything that wasn’t in good condition. They stripped off the ageing engine paint too?and left it as a mix of raw and polished finishes.
?With this touch,? says Luis, ?the engine looks like it?s from a classic bike from the 70s.?

Maria also refurbished the 43mm front forks, and stiffened and lowered them. The Pro-Link rear suspension was upgraded with a new shock. Then the wheels were rebuilt with stainless steel spokes and nipples, and a new 19? front rim installed?two sizes down from the 21? stocker....