Looking into a V65 Magna

[Matt_1233]

Hello all,

I'm looking into purchasing a V65 Magna. I've made up my mind and I want a cruiser, NOT a sport bike. 105 RW/hp really gets my heart beating and being the fastest production bike in most of the 1980's, I've decided this is the bike I want.

I rode an 83' a few weeks ago. The bike idled rough and smoked like a 2 stroke at it's worst. Dissapointed in the power, but could be cause of in severe need of a tune up. I heard these bikes do power wheelie's in 1st and 2nd gear. I was shifting at redline 10,000 and the front tire was flat on the ground solid.

Anyways, I've found an 86' locally. The guy wants a big price, but the cams/rockers have just been rebuilt and he also added a top end oiling kit. The type which fits onto the oil filter housing. Any disadvantages to getting an 86? Where they detuned compared to the first years? The bike has 54,000Km's, the top end rebuild was 3,000 km's ago. Was 1986 the best year of the V65 Magna? I would have figured the cam deteriation would have been solved, but appearantly not. How about the 2nd gear troubles, did the 86' still have that issue?

Basically what I'm getting at, was the 86' inferior to any of the other years of the V65? These bikes are extremely rare to come across of now. Either there smashed up or totally miled out here in Canada. This might be one of my few chances to own the one of a kind V65.

Thanks.

-Matt

[SNAFU]

to M-j!

Sorry I can't help.

[Easy Rider]

Originally Posted by Matt_1233

I was shifting at redline 10,000 and the front tire was flat on the ground solid.

Let me get this straight.......you were doing this on a bike that was running rough and smoking ???

I'd say you are lucky it didn't throw a rod up through the seat and right into your.......

Tell us a little more about yourself, Matt.
I have an uneasy feeling about this developing story.

[Tab B.]

My dad had an 83 or 84. He did the top end oiling kit as a preventive measure.
I had heard that the ones that really had cam problems were the ones that lived on the Autobahn. Although, a friend of my dad, had a V65 Sabre that had the cam oiling problem. Myself, having ridden it a few times can comment on a few things. They aren't powerful enough to do "power wheelies" in 2nd. Not even close. 1st gear, maybe on the right day, even then. What they do have, is a real flabby suspension. You may feel like you are popping a wheelie, but you are just topping out the forks. Undersprung, and underdamped on both ends. You can put some air in the forks, maybe change to a heavier fork oil. Heck, I'd see if RaceTech makes a cartridge emulator for it. Better aftermarket shocks would be nice if you want to spend the money. They have all of the nasty habits that shaft drive bikes were known for in the past.
The flabby suspension only amplifies the shaft drive's torque reactions. You will have to be fairly smooth with the throttle in the corners, or the bike will move about disconcertingly, and drag things unexpectedly. This is with the suspnsion settings on full couch mode, the way my dad likes it. Power wise? A friend of mine had one{83} for a short while. At the drag strip he was turning low 12's, at about 110 mph. That isn't horrible. You could give a V-Rod Harley a bit of a hard time. I wouldn't go hunting for anything more muscular than that, to pick on. My dad was feeling his oats with his, and I put him in his place with my then new, and absolutely stock 86 GSXR750. Rolling on from the bottom of 1st gear, it was all over before I hit the redline{yes, I was pulling away}. The killer for him, was high gear roll ons from 50 mph. Sixth on the Magna is an overdrive. The gixxer would pull away, albeit slowly. Letting my dad drop to 5th gear, while I stayed in 6th, only delayed the point that the gixxer would pull away.
I'm not trying to be mean. Just, ahhh, brutally honest. Should you buy one? If that is what you like, of course. Fix it up, dial it in to your tastes, ride the heck out of it. It should give you many miles and many smiles. I think my dad put well over 60,000 miles on his himself, and he bought his used. With many years gone by, I don't know if any year of the Magna, would have an advantage over any other. I would be looking closely at the kind of life the old thing has been living, more than anything. Oh, and I still have my old gixxer. Time stands still for no motorcycle.

[Clint]

Great writeup, Tab. My riding buddy had a V45 from that era. Not sure how similar the chassis are, but I remember his being pretty soggy, too. They built to different standards back then. Even the most basic, non-adjustable suspension of recent years is a big improvement. Still, if you find a good price I'm sure you'll enjoy whatever you're riding.

[2005GZ250]

If that's the style of bike that you like then go for it! I ride a "heavyoldandslow" '73 Suzuki GT750K and enjoy every ride! stroknsmokngt - Photobucket - Video and Image Hosting

[BudTheGrey]

Sorry, my brain stuck on the concept of wanting a cruiser that does power-shift wheelies. Matt, it sounds like you should really just go buy a 'busa or a b-king.

[Matt_1233]

Thanks for the comments. This won't be my first bike, however I am 18 years old. All my friends tell me to get a crotch rocket, but I insist in getting a cruiser because I like to tour and cruise on the highways. Reason I want a V65 Magna is because I love the styling and it's about as close as a crotch rocket I'm gonna find from the 1980's(made by Honda anyways), but still a cruiser ofcourse. I don't have the wallet to buy a newer bike from the 90's or 2000's. I'm actually coming off of a 81' Cm400T, so when I rode that 83' the handling was amazing compared to what I was used too. Anyways, I've already made up my mind what I want. Back to the answer I'm looking for, was there any years actually better than others? Just cause I'm 18 don't assume I have no idea what I'm getting into. I understand the problems of the honda V-4 bikes and the maitnence required for a 20 + year old bike. I'm pretty mechanically inclined.

Thanks.

-Matt

[Matt_1233]

Well, just to let you guys know I bought that 1986 V65 Magna. I love the bike, still seems a little short of power to my liking. I got it up to 120 mph, I figured it would pull to atleast 130 or 135, but I guess not. I can't see how this bike at one time was the fastest prduction motorcycle?? Anyways, it is a blast to ride. I've already racked on nearly 700 kms so far.

-Matt

[robertc729]

Congrats on buying the bike now post up some pics.

[omegajim]

w/out all the aerodynamics (fiber glass) I wouldn't recommend much over 120.

Which reminds me of an article I read once about a guy who took an old Honda (perhaps even a v65, I don't recall) and put the bike into an old ww2 fighter drop tank.

Well, the end result was top speed went from 120 something to 180 something, just because of the aerodynamics.

ps, if you feel the need for more power, you'll need to look at something 919ish.

You'll get a bit more power, but it will cost you.

[Easy Rider]

Originally Posted by Matt_1233

Well, just to let you guys know I bought that 1986 V65 Magna. I love the bike, still seems a little short of power to my liking.

It wasn't necessarily known for it's top end; just getting there rapidly!

With a 22 year old bike of unknown history, the very least I'd do is give it a heavy dose of carb cleaner. If it's got a lot of miles, the compression might be down just a tad.

Is it supposed to use Premium fuel?

Be careful, it has plenty enough power to kill you in the blink of an eye.

[Matt_1233]

To be honest, I thought this bike held the road very well at 120 even. No speed wobble of any kind, just LOTS of wind and the steering was a little stiff already. Here are the pictures, I love it, it is a beauty! These pictures are the ones the guy sent to me before I bought it. Back then it had a windshield and the motor had some white residue on it. That is all cleaned now. One of these days I'll get some new pictures up for you all. How do you like the seat cover ? At first I had my doubts but it is such a clean fit.












The bike runs like a top, I really don't think it needs a carb cleaning. It starts good, doesn't smoke and has smooth throttle operation. The powerband is so smooth on this V4, I love the power delivery. Can anyone reccomend some jetting for this bike? I'll prob just buy a jet kit and a K&N air filter. Not sure about drilling the baffle out. Will I lose a lot of low-end and mid range power? I'd like some more rumble, but I find loud 4 cyls to sound stupid cause of how high they rev. I'm not prepared to drop the money for a Kerker 4 into 1 yet either. Is there any very common mods people do to the V65's? This guy took very well care of this bike. He gave me his maitnence schedual and it is top notch. Changed the oil every 1000 kms, ran synthetic too.

I was a little dissapointed in the power though, even with these VF1000 cams. 22 years old, prob just getting tired already. I shouldn't have a problem with hitting 100, 000 kms, eh(canadian)? That is around 63,000 miles.

-Matt

[Tab B.]

You may have a hard time sourcing hot rod parts for it, for two reasons. It is 22 years old, and this only adds to it, in it's day, it wasn't a hot rodders choice. In the early to mid 80s, the big Suzukis and Kawasakis were the choice of the drag racers, still are for some folks. So parts and services are still available. The Superbike class was at 750cc in 83, so the focus was on that class as far as technical goodies. Even Honda focused more on the VF750 Interceptor, than they did on the VF1000. I'm not saying it can't, or shouldn't be done in your case. I just think it would cost way too much, for too little improvement. This is coming from a nut who has probably put too much money into his 86 GSXR. Your best bet is to give it a thorough tune up, and just enjoy it.

[Easy Rider]

Originally Posted by Matt_1233

To be honest, I thought this bike held the road very well at 120 even. No speed wobble of any kind, just LOTS of wind ......

The bike runs like a top, I really don't think it needs a carb cleaning.

Matt

120 MPH or KPH....big difference. If that's MPH.....with no windshield....then I'd say "lots of wind" is a big understatement.......and not a very smart thing to do either.

If you don't "think" it needs carb cleaning, then it doesn't need jetting either.
Make up your mind.
Either you are pleased with how it runs or you aren't.

If not, then some carb cleaner and a compression check are the first things to do, whether you think it needs it or not, before you waste a lot of money on other things that won't accomplish anything useful.

[Atlas68]

Hey Matt. You may find this site helpful as it contains alot of enthusiasts for the V45 and 65's. Lots of guys in the know to be found here.

The Compleat® SabMag Links

Of course, you could have saved yourself alot of headache and disappointment by purchasing the original musclebike/cruiser of the 80's and beyond...The legendary VMax.

[robertc729]

For its age, it looks like it was well taken care of.

[Tab B.]

Originally Posted by Easy Rider

120 MPH or KPH....big difference. If that's MPH.....with no windshield....then I'd say "lots of wind" is a big understatement.......and not a very smart thing to do either.

If you don't "think" it needs carb cleaning, then it doesn't need jetting either.
Make up your mind.
Either you are pleased with how it runs or you aren't.

If not, then some carb cleaner and a compression check are the first things to do, whether you think it needs it or not, before you waste a lot of money on other things that won't accomplish anything useful.

He is right on the money.

[Atlas68]

Another one for you Matt. Hope these help.

Honda Sabre, Magna, Interceptor BBS - Index

[omegajim]

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

Around here, the aluminum gets corroded.