Looking into a V65 Magna

[Davecm203]

The sad part is that he may have not been going as fast as he thought. Speedo's on bikes are notoriously optimistic. And then on a 20 year old bike.

It is a good looking motorcycle and VERY clean looking for the year. I think he did well with it from what I read. Also, I am giving him the benefit of the doubt and am thinking his speeding was a way to try to figure out if it is running OK or not. I think if he was really concerned with speed, he would have wanted a sport bike instead. I think he is just paranoid that he bought a lemon with (his admitted) limited funds.

[Matt_1233]

Hey I've got another question. Do shaft driven bikes naturally have a lot of mechanical drag? When I spin my rear tire on the center stand, it won't even make a complete turn before it stops. . . Well maybe just a full turn, no more. Are they all like that or are my brakes dragging by any chance? Either way, it seems like it has a lot of drag. This is my first shaft driven bike.

How am I coming along with maintence since I got the bike?

-Oil + filter change at 1000 km mark since last, I'm due for another one in about 400 kms
-Coolant Change (Prestone Long Life Dex-Cool 50:50)
-Diff oil change (80W90 Honda)
-General Check including Clutch and Brake fluid

I've got a new K&N air filter to install, but I'm waiting for my DynoJet kit to come first. I noticed my fork seals are cracking up, seal and fork fluid change will be coming up too.

-Matt

[omegajim]

I'd say you're doing okay.

as far as fork seals, I took the forks off the bike and knew a good local place that did them for me. This served at least 2 purposes.

1) the fork seals were installed correctly
2) I didn't have to worry about wrecking something installing the fork seals incorrectly (the forks are aluminum and can be prone to damage if one is not careful).

I don't remember for the drag %, but I want to say shaft drive can be up to 10% parasitic drag vs say a chain or a belt.

However, with a v65 (we're talking 1100 cc of mean vicious power) I really would consider it a nonfactor.

btw, the bike has a hydraulic clutch?

[Matt_1233]

Yes, it has a hyd clutch. I've changed fork seals before, no big job. I did them on my dirtbike. My only concern is the bike going to remain on the center stand if I remove the forks and front tire? I doubt so, but I've never tried. Just gotta use a floor jack to help support the front. I've got a bike rally coming up so I'm all fired up! In total I think its a near 400 km for me, since I live 50 kms away from it.

-Matt

[omegajim]

you've done all I would on a bike of this vintage; soon thereafter you reach the point of diminishing returns - aka - I did too much work on the bike for the amount of riding.

Now, ride the bike 100,000 km, then do some more work on it.

[Matt_1233]

Quick update. I put on 350 kms today, my back is sore as hell and I put a bad dent in the front of the tank. My key chain somehow got jack knifed inbetween the bars and tank during a slow speed lane change, the tank gave out. (Tears!!) I'm gonna look into to getting that dent popped out if possible at an autobody shop. I don't think I'm gonna sleep tonight. It always happens in the dumbest situations doesn't it? Dammit! That bike WAS MINT.

-Matt

[Easy Rider]

Originally Posted by Matt_1233

...I put a bad dent in the front of the tank. My key chain somehow got jack knifed inbetween the bars and tank during a slow speed lane change, the tank gave out.

Not trying to be a smart-ass here but..........

keychain ??? why was there a keychain anywhere close to the bars/tank ??

Experience is the best teacher.....but she is not always kind!!

[omegajim]

that's why it's nice to have an older bike to make these mistakes; they're a lot less expensive vs a newer bike where same damage would have exceeded $100 quite easily.

[Matt_1233]

I don't know, I almost never use a key chain on it but since I was in the city I didn't want my key free in my pocket alone. So I hooked it to my main set and well dammit! Normally I have it flipped up, so it never comes close to the tank. It was just one of those fluke things, why it was hanging down I don't know. Its not that bad, its one of those things a guy doesn't notice until you point it out, but then its there and can't help but always see it. Its about the size of a hail damage dent. Bad thing is I was taking it to a show and shine this weekend, but now. I don't know, it really bothers me. Oh well, whats done is done.

-Matt

[Tab B.]

Chill out Matt. Poop happens. Just wait till you have a real "D-ooh" moment, like losing your balance at a stop,,,, and over she goes. Just part of the territory.

[V65 Magna 86]

Matt, I think you need to have your bike checked out... Mine has around 35,000 miles on it and when I bought it, it had a bad flat spot at around 2500-3000 rpm. Rather than spending the time and money to have someone rebuild the carbs, I added 1/3 of a can of Sea Foam to each tank of premium fuel for the first 5-6 tanks of gas and that cured it.

After that, I bought a K&N air filter and installed the oil mod. Once my gummed up carbs were cleaned out, I have NO problem at all doing 140 MPH (in overdrive) with my full fairing on... I am certain that the speed was accurate because I was with a '07 Busa and a 2005? CBR900RR (I think) and they both agreed that the speed was accurate. With the windshield off, I can only guess at the top speed.

Before I messed up my clutch I could be rolling along at around 4500-5000 rpm in first gear and crack the throttle and the front wheel does indeed lift off the ground about 4 inches, I have a nice pic of that somewhere. Jamming second gear sometimes does... sometimes doesn't... wheel spin is more common than a wheelie. I have Metzler ME-880's on it, they grip really well, but still break loose frequently under hard acceleration.

I (thankfully) have a KG Slider backrest installed which looks kinda stupid, but it is SO comfortable I can't imagine riding without it. Also, I added a really stupid looking Corbin saddle seat... also too comfortable to live without ( but I'm 43 and my skinny rear end can't take long rides on the factory seat)

I hope you can get that sweet bike running as well as it should be, because you are only getting a taste of what it is truly capable of... One thing to consider is the fact that your bike is in SUCH fantastic condition that it is indeed worth pumping some money into... so don't be discouraged, be excited about what lies ahead...

Peace,
John

[Matt_1233]

Yes, I knew it. I have good and bad news. Good news is that the reason why my bike had poor acceleration is mainly because of one of the vaccum pistons was not opening in the carb. Fixed that and she goes like hell, like it should. Other than the low compression, it ran good. Notice I said ran good, not runs good. My motor is now making a rattle sound at 3500 rpms and above. Runs clear and quiet at an idle. What does that sound like? Cams, Rockers, and tensioners were changed 10,000 kms ago. You'd think those would be fine because of the top-end oil mod.

-Matt

[st4r50]

interesting thread. Doesn't seem to be many mag lovers in this one. Nice ride Matt. Mine's an 83 and I love it. I'm sure by now you have felt it out and know what to expect. How's that seat? I have a Corbin on mine.
While you have it apart, check for rust in the reserve fuel tank. There are some kits to "coat" the inside after an acid wash to get rid of the rust problems they have. That will continually cause carb problems. If you don't have a fuel filter add one.
As far as the oil mod, it is well documented there was a problem with the v4's for eating camshafts. It is also well documented that only some fail and that most don't unless there is a considerable amount of low rpm running/idling. I have seen plenty of oil mods and if one comes along at a cheap price I may get one for mine. I have also seen 65's with 60k miles on them and no oil mod. That is a hit and miss situation.
Good luck.
As far as the noise...check out the v4 forums, there are several experts there who are helpful. I'm not sure if I can post the link to the site on here as I am new but if you have trouble finding it let me know.

Mike