Looking into a V65 Magna

[Tab B.]

Originally Posted by omegajim

It's hard to believe a bike that old is in that good of shape.

Around here, the aluminum gets corroded.

Hey, every once in awhile, a bike gets lucky. Nice to see, isn't it.

[Matt_1233]

I was talking about MPH, I just ended up getting 125 MPH(200 km/h) this afternoon. I had the wind in my favor so I couldn't resist. It runs at a top, doesn't need jetting because of poor running condition. But like any bike, I imagine it is running lean like because of emission standards. I'm just looking for more power. Maybe exhaust, filter and jetting is all the performance mods I'm gonna find for this cause of it's age. I don't want to start digging into the motor to make it a race bike, I still want reliability. I'm happy with it so far, it's a nice bike and I want to keep like that. Now that I know how fast it will go, I'd like to see what kind of fuel mileage I can get out of it. Lately I've been getting around 170 kms before hitting the fuel light. I'm gonna ride it easy now and see if I can get 200 before the light. One guy told me his on average gets 200 kms and then another 30 on the reserve tank.

-Matt

[omegajim]

chances are, if you take it in to get the carbs synchronized, you'll gain another 5 - 10% power.

or another 10 mph.

[Matt_1233]

I've found out my bike has low compression. Its at 155 psi (warm), manual calls for 184 +/- 28 psi. 184-28=156. Is there any need for concern? The motor like I said many times runs like a new bike. It has 58,000 kms and is bound to be getting a little tired already. Is 155 psi something to be concerned of? Rebuilds are very expensive and I don't think it NEEDS it. Doesn't burn any oil, maybe it could use a valve job? Or should I look into getting the valve clearance set, if that makes any difference? I'm assuming thats the reason why I've been dissapointed in the power. I do have a K&N filter coming in the mail and I'm gonna order a jet kit today.

-Matt

[Easy Rider]

Originally Posted by Matt_1233

I'm assuming thats the reason why I've been dissapointed in the power.

You are dissapointed in the power because...........it is not a rocket ship on wheels. It IS what it is. Nothing that you do short of replacing it with another bike is going to satisfy you.

The compression is fine......for the bike it is.
A slight change in valve clearance won't do anything noticeable.
Screwing around with the jets will likely do more harm than good.

IMHO, you need to do one of two things:

1) Sell it and get a bigger bike so you can kill yourself in style

OR

2) Enjoy the bike for what it is and stop whinning.

[omegajim]

well, matt, I'm going to disappoint you, but 155 psi means you're still cooking nearly 10.5:1 compression.

One bar (atmosphere) is 14.7 psi. If the bike is meant to have 180 + to one, you're at nearly 12:1? or a little more?

More importantly, are all the cylinders close in compression to each other?

I have read that it is equally important that all the cylinders are close in compression to each other as it is to have good compression.

Needless to say, if you have 150 + psi, I think you will be fine.

[Tab B.]

Originally Posted by Easy Rider

You are dissapointed in the power because...........it is not a rocket ship on wheels. It IS what it is. Nothing that you do short of replacing it with another bike is going to satisfy you.

The compression is fine......for the bike it is.
A slight change in valve clearance won't do anything noticeable.
Screwing around with the jets will likely do more harm than good.

IMHO, you need to do one of two things:

1) Sell it and get a bigger bike so you can kill yourself in style

OR

2) Enjoy the bike for what it is and stop whinning.

Yeah Matt. Stop worring about turning a sow's ear into a silk purse!

[omegajim]

Well at least he's concerned about what kind of sows ear he has purchased.

It may well turn out to be a bike that serves for several more years.

[Tab B.]

Originally Posted by omegajim

Well at least he's concerned about what kind of sows ear he has purchased.

It may well turn out to be a bike that serves for several more years.

I was just being a smart a$$. Once he gets familiar with it, he should have a great time with it for many miles/years,,, if he wants to.

[Easy Rider]

Originally Posted by Tab B.

if he wants to.

Right now he has a but problem.

It runs great but.......
I like it fine but......
It goes 125 but......

[omegajim]

sometimes, you just have to buy what you can afford, despite all the "yeah buts"

[Matt_1233]

The compression is the same in each cylinder or very close. I'm happy to know that is normal. I am very happy with it, just wasn't all what I expected. I've put on over a thousand kms since I bought it. If I didn't %%%%ing like it that much, I would have sold it already. This is a forum, this is the place to clear up my concerns. I'm not %%%%ing whinning, I'm asking if this kind of stuff is normal. Some of you guys can't %%%%ing understand that? Is that not the main purpose of an online forum, to ask questions? If I read that it has a top speed of 160 mph, why is it silly for me to say mine will only pull to 125. I was concerned perhaps my motor needs a rebuild.

[Easy Rider]

Originally Posted by Matt_1233

This is a forum, this is the place to clear up my concerns.................... Is that not the main purpose of an online forum, to ask questions?

Some questions can be answered sight-unseen and some can't.
Unfortunately most of yours can't.

You threw some stuff out and we've taken our best shot.
If you want more, you're gonna have to do something different........like find an experienced mechanic to look at it.

There is absolutely nothing wrong with asking whatever questions you might have. You just need to understand that you might not always get back the kind of answers you would like.........for various reasons.

Sometimes the best answer is: We don't have an answer. Re-phrasing the question is not likely to change that.

[2005GZ250]

Matt, you have a good looking ride! So enjoy it! Just ride it and have a good time, when it starts having problems or smokes then rebuild or sell it. If you want a bike that can do 160 then buy a modern sport bike

http://motoprofi.com/motospecspictur...agna-1983.html

[omegajim]

Anything that clears 100 is way more than fast enough.

Around Wisconsin, anyway.

Good to hear you have solid compression (feigns surprise) it is a Honda after all.

[Easy Rider]

Originally Posted by Matt_1233

If I read that it has a top speed of 160 mph, why is it silly for me to say mine will only pull to 125.

OK, let's go about this a little differently. Just exactly where did you read that the model year that you have was supposed to go 160 mph??

I find that suspect. If we assume that when new the practical top really was 140, then considering the age and mileage, I'd say that 125 is about right on the money.

[Tab B.]

Originally Posted by Easy Rider

OK, let's go about this a little differently. Just exactly where did you read that the model year that you have was supposed to go 160 mph??

I find that suspect. If we assume that when new the practical top really was 140, then considering the age and mileage, I'd say that 125 is about right on the money.

It also depends on what numbers he was reading. I think the theoretical top speed of that bike in 6th overdrive at redline, might be that high. Lots of vehicles have outrageous theoretical top speeds, but don't have anywhere near the torque to overcome all of the accumulating aero drag. He just has to slow down a little and read between some of the lines, of the mag articles.

[Matt_1233]

I can get 125 in 5th gear, 6th gear will just bog down the bike to around 110. I talked to a guy that said I need to drop down to 4'th, but revving the bike that high is just stupid. Yes, its fast enough. I ride +/- 5 mph the speed limit anyways, I just wanted a quick bike and thats what I have. EasyRider, Look at the link 2005GZ250 posted. Top speed is 165 mph. In the guiness book of records it was recorded 173 mph. Obviously its calculated. When I roll the odometer to around 90,000 km's I'll do a rebuild. I don't think I want to sell it for a while. I really like it, I didn't want you guys getting the idea that I didn't. Thanks all.

-Matt

[omegajim]

okay, let's look at what you have.

A high performance bike that I wouldn't drive over 100.

A high performance bike that's in good enough shape that everything still holds together over 100.

A bike that is fairly low miles for it's vintage.

That all said, I doubt I would rebuild the engine at 90,000 km. Or 100,000 km for that matter.

If it continues to give you good compression, and if you can tell if there's good oil pressure (don't know how to check that) I wouldn't touch the engine.

There are, however, other things I would investigate, such as.

Better front shocks to improve handling.

Better rear shocks (easier to find) for the same reason.

[Tab B.]

Yeah, it kinda gets to a point with these older bikes, that you really have to weigh what you are trying to achieve. If it is to make a certain machine fully modern and competitive with what is available today, and that would pertain more to sportbikes than cruisers, you might be somewhat successful, depending on the bike. But what about next year,,, and the year after that,,and so on. If you are just having fun tinkering and making an older bike just plain more enjoyable, just for the sake enjoying it,,, well, that is where I am, you can't really lose. You just have to be realistic about what you are riding.