Magna owners

[fudgie]

Looking at getting a 2001 Magna for Kit soon if the price stays the same. John Peebles is looking at it for me and says its pretty good shape. It will need cleaning up since its set outside for 2 yrs. 8,000 miles, lowered 2", drap pipes, bags, etc. Hasnt run in 2 yrs. Figure I could get it running, its a Honda!  I was going to get a new battery, drain tank and all the fluids, add a crap load of carb cleaner or clean the carbs, etc. Anything else I should check? It will be her 1st bike and for the price I cant pass it up, even if I cant get it running. We got cash in hand, which is rare, so it is real cheap!

[3fan4life]

I got a V30 Magna for my son as his second bike.

It's very quick for a 500cc bike.

The Magna is like two different animals, as long as you ride with sense it gives you about what you'd expect for the cc's.

But when you get down on it and run it into the higher RPM's it turns into a rocket.

Because of this I wouldn't recommend one as a first bike unless it is going to be under a well disciplined rider.

I have found the V30 to be difficult to work on. Not terrible, but difficult. If you are going to be doing much I'd highly encourage you to get a shop manual.

They are fun bikes though, I'd love to have a V65 to play with. 

[GreenLantern57]

Go here for all the GREAT help you will ever need. 

http://v4hondabbs.com/index.php

Billy Carr is the man for cleaning carbs. Lots of people swear by him.

[elraque]

Check the cam chains. It has four cams, two for each head. Typically the cam chains loosen up and begin to clatter somewhere around 20,000 miles or so. When it starts you'll hear the valves clattering because the chain is loose. It may go away when the engine warms up.

The cam chain thing has to do with an oil pressure/lubrication design flaw. There's at least one kit available to ensure adequate oil pressure to prevent the cam chain wear and resulting clatter.

BTW, which Magna? V30 (30 cubic inches, 500 cc), V45(45 cubic inches 750 cc, changed to 700 in 1983) or V65 (65 cubic inches, 1100 cc)

I rode a 1982 V45 Magna for about 10 years... great bikes. As was previously posted, keep the rpms low (somewhere between 2000 and 5500). I think 5000-5500 rpm was about 75 mph. Above that the torque curve rolls in and holy smoke that bike moves!! For a 750 they're scary quick, and smooooooth. Almost like a Valk... almost.

[elraque]

2001 Magna will probably be a 750. And will probably have the "fix" for the cam chain clatter designed and built in by Honda.

Still a great bike, though I don't like the styling quite as much as the earlier ones. Post pics!

[Willow]

The 2001 is a 750. 

I put 45K on mine with no  issues.

The Magna will run with the Valkyrie until you head for top end.

I agree with 3Fan.  I'd be very careful with it for a first bike.

[FryeVRCCDS0067]

I've had two magnas, they rock. It's a great motor, valve adjustments on the older ones were interesting, probably the same on the newer ones too.

I would resist the urge to try starting it till you have drained the float bowls and tank and put in fresh gas. Never had to drain either on mine so I can't give any advice and it might not matter but I'm a cautious soul.

It might be shy on ground clearance after being lowered, I'd ask if they've still got the original parts so you can raise it back up if you want.

The V65's could loft the front end and hammer ur head into the pavement in a heartbeat, even passing a car at 70mph. The dealership I bought mine from had a customer who dumped his ol lady off the back on the interstate with an unintentional wheelie while passing. He hadn't put a backrest on it.

I had to jab my rear brake a couple of times to get my front wheel back on the ground. I also had to make my own fork brace out of 1/4" steel after breaking the stock unit with one of those hard landings.    Mine would smoke the tire and intermittently wheelie all the way through 1'st, then light it back up when you slammed 2'nd. I think it hit redline in 2'nd at 77mph with 4 gears to go. It was, indeed a sweet bike. 0-60 time was advertised at less than 3 seconds I think. It would power wheelie with the front wheel only a foot or two high endlessly with Melody on the back, least it seemed that way then. Was probably only a block or two. She'd bang on my back and pretend to be mad after wheelies back then. Now, if she notices a lofted wheel she really is mad.

I don't think the V65's were made after 86 and the smaller 700's and 750's I've ridden were lots of fun but way safer. I rode the Blue Ridge on a 700 with my then 8 year-old son Joe in 1990 or so. That 2001 out to be a good bike but it will be fairly quick.

[Rowdy]

  Jan my wife had a 500, 700, and then a 1100    Magna  84' & 86's
She had no trouble keeping up with the Valk on any of those bikes 
I did not care for the forward style controls, but dang they where quick 
I had to lower the 1100 for Jan - added an oil cooler if I recall and different fan switch to keep the fan on longer to keep it from over heating - nice bikes, manuverable 

RIP Jan I miss our rides

[Tundra]

Magna is a great bike and can be had for a great price. I'd be cautious as a first bike. That bike is a wolf in sheeps clothing, fast and handles, great ergonomics.
  You may want to ask on the Florida board, "Silverfox" has a showroom condition Magna for sale with MANY extra's.

[Jabba]

Everybody is dead on. IMO.  I have a buddy that has a late model Magna that he got at my recommendation.  He likes it a lot, and it'll run.  He keeps wanting to race me, and I keep smoking him, but it's HIM and not the Magna getting smoked.  When I ride it... it runs like a scalded dog.

I don't know Kit well enough to say.  If she rides with some sense, it'll be fine.  It's very well mannered.  If she loses her head and has a knack for Wide Open Throttle (which I would guess is likely) she could get over her skill level quickly.

Good luck man!

Jabba

[solo1]

I had a later model Magna 750 for a short while. I bought it with the intention of taking the place of the Valk (much lighter).  That V4 GOES!.  It was a great bike but I could not get used to the feet forward riding cruiser style.

I'm with the rest of opinions.  It behaves itself well until the throttle is twisted.  Kit would have to  ride easy until she gets experience.

I wouldn't much buy any motorcycle that has been setting outside though. Plays h*** with everything, don't ask me how i know.

There are other Magnas out there to buy.

[roboto65]

Well she will love the Magna just get rid of the stock seat if it has one. They are very fast for a 750 like has been said it will beat a Valk in the 1/4 well a stock one    but does not have the torque the Valk has.

I am the Gulf Coast cooridinator for Magna Owners of Texas and love Magnas but as with most of us the Valk was a natural progression.

The 2001 is what we call a 3rd Gen Magna the carbs are just like the Valk as in they do not like to sit if they do the idle jets will clog up with that being said if you can pull a set of Valk carbs you can pull the Magnas once you know how to pull them it is easy.

Still plenty of aftermarket stuff out there for the 3rd gens and parts are still plentiful.

The only issues that have popped up on the 3rd gen Magnas are some of the regulators go bad have had a few go I have never had one go. Also the front and front mostly is the cam chain tensionor goes south but easy to fix also. And the carbs but you won't have to worry about the petcock as they are not an issue like the Valks
If you have any more questions ask and most likely I have heard it before LOL



My old girl

Oh one more thing the Drag pipes are LOUD 

[roboto65]

Before the Valk there were 2 Magnas in my stable..



Maybe I can have 2 Valks 

[motomama]

I aboslutely loved my Magna and rode it all over the country!  It was a 1997 VF750.  I even did my iron butt ride on it (doing 1,041 in 22 hours) on a stock seat, no less!  My old Magna found a new home in Ft. Wayne, IN.  

With that being said, when I began riding, I rode a 1999 Honda Shadow VLX.  I rode it for about a year and a half.  I rode it pretty much all over, as well, but after one of our long trips, up to Niagra Falls, out and around and then back home, it was time for something a little bigger.  The Magna was perfect for me!  I put many miles on that thing, and took several lengthy trips on it.  At one time, Carl and I were both riding Magnas.  

I have now had my Valkyrie for a little over 4 years, and although I do love it, there are times I miss my Magna.  It was a great bike!  I have had many adventures on my Valkyrie, too, and I would not trade it for the world!  I am glad that I started on the smaller bikes and worked my way up, so to speak!  We do still have the Shadow in our garage, along with the 3 Valkyries.

[Crazy Miles]

Well made bike. Check  chain. (o ring?) lube it good. Check sprockets, worn??? .  Carbs, take off, bench them. clean them!!  ALL easy done! Check fork seals. They do go!   Hell of a bike! My son has road his hard since 2003. 17000+- miles!   Lots of power!  Corbin seat, you bet! Cobras Straight, You bet! NICE BIKE!! 

[Crazy Miles]

These bikes ,,, ROCK!!!

[fudgie]

Well the deal fell through. John text me and said the guy said the bike 'came up missing'. To good to be true I guess.

[3fan4life]

Well the deal fell through. John text me and said the guy said the bike 'came up missing'. To good to be true I guess.

Keep your eyes open, maybe you can pick up a Shadow for Kit to learn on.

[GreenLantern57]

Go to the V4 board and keep a check in the classifieds.  Those guy find deals all the the time, or a board member offers it there before putting ads in paper or internet.  Put a WTB, somebody usually has as a 750 to sell so he can upgrade to the 1100.

[Chippy01]

I got my '88 Magna before I got my standard Valk.
But when I got my Valk, I couldn't bear to part with my Magna. So I kept them both.
The Valk is now kitted out with removable Givi boxes, ideal for touring and SWMBO loves it.
The Magna, I converted to a single seater, and I use for commuting to work; 47 miles each way, in all weather except sheet ice and snow.
As previous posters have mentioned, the Magnas can be a pussycat or a tiger. The trick is knowing where/when the morph takes place.