Honda
65 Magna
|
Honda |
|
|
|
|
|
Personal cycle pages, here will be some notes/info of interest on the Vmax and FZ sites: [] V65 Sitemap [] HONDA V65 MAGNA [] V65 MODS AND OPINIONS [] V65 CRACKED HEAD [] [] VMAX SITEMAP [] VMAX, THEE MUSCLE BIKE [] ZMAX MODS & OPINIONS [] YAMAHA FZ1 FAZER SITEMAP [] MAIN IOWAZ SITEMAP [] Some major SABMAG LINKS will give a starting place to learn about the early Honda V4's of the early to mid 1980's, the Magna, Sabre and Interceptor : [] Tony's MagSab Customiztion and Tech Site [] SabMag FAQ and Update [] Robyn Lander's V4 Page [] PARTSFISH (diagrams/parts)
|
|
|
|
I met my first V4 in the July of 1982, while "baby sitting" a friends V45 Magna. Was I impressed! The inline fours of the '70's were aggressive machines, but the V4 was more responsive and powerful. My only concern at that time was the confined riding position on my knees. Otherwise I was happy with the design, and believed in Honda engineering and reliability. |
| In July of 1983, the real love affair began.
Another "baby sitting" session, this time with a real "animal",
the V65 Magna. At that time I never would have guessed a stock bike would accelerate
that hard to 145+(stock speedo) and have more left before running out of road. The first true Muscle Bike had
been created by Honda.
|
|
|
|
After living in a void and entering Cyberspace about 1994 I was sick to find out about the apparent cover up by Honda of the oiling problem in the upper heads of apparently all early V4's. It basically means all of Honda's early V4's are potentially cam and engine eating machines. I was not happy! I am still not happy. |
| All Honda early V4's are apparently going to have lubrication problems in the upper heads and that topic can be researched online by the many links offered by the fantastic group of riders and mechanics that continue to idolize the Sabres, Magnas and Interceptors. There is only one answer in an attempt to correct the problem and save the beloved machines---do an oil mod and use the right oil. My opinion on oil mods? If you are going to use the method that drills into the main oil gallery, be very careful about taking the project on without serious wrenching ability, research, and advice from someone that has succeeded with that method. There are easier methods but most are more expensive than just going to the local stores for hardware. Research the various methods online, as the opinions on the best methods and procedures is dynamic. As for oil, that is easy, change to Mobil 1 synthetic immediately!! Or another quality synthetic cycle oil. There are other good synthetics. I presently use Mobil 1 Cycle in all my bikes. |
|
|
|
V65's will still smoke any stock street cruiser on the road with the exception of the Vmax, and now perhaps the new performance cruisers just hitting the market. Light-to-light or roll-on's nothing lights it up like the V4's of the mid-'80's. If you like old muscle, find a Honda early V4 or a Yamaha Vamx. The need for speed is still available. If you like new street muscle look at one of the new breed of street standards, sometimes called the "naked bikes" as their motors show as did the old muscle bikes. I have selected the FZ1, which I consider the best all round bike to date. |
| From my experience and background, I would never advise anyone to purchase an early Honda V4 unless you really like the old muscle bike and are willing to take the time, effort and expense of doing an oil mod, putting on some descent shocks, replacing the fork springs and putting on a fork brace. That is the minimum. A header system such as a Kerker, K&N air filter, removing the center stand, replacing shocks will add horsepower performance and agility, with a weight lose of about 40 lb and a slight hp increase. V65 MODS AND OPINIONS |
|
|
|
So you want a real Muscle Bike? Forget the early Honda V4's unless you just have to have one, and are willing to do what it takes to keep one running. These bikes are all getting old and will require maintenance. All of the rubber is aging, there can be issues with the electrics, starter motor and starter clutch, etc., and of course the engine oiling situation. You need to very seriously surf the existing V4 pages and links, and can start with [] Tony's MagSab Customiztion and Tech Site [] SabMag FAQ and Update [] Robyn Lander's V4 Page []
|
|
In my opinion, the V65 Magna was the first muscle bike, but the only true muscle bike to survive is the Vmax. "There is only ONE, the Max!" Would I buy another Vmax? Absolutely not, unless I also was in love with the old Muscle Bikes and wanted to spend the time and money to do the mods necessary to make it run to its potential. Now with the new modern super standards on the market, they become the new breed of street standards, the new muscle bikes, and are generally performance right out of the box. They have modern suspension and power trains. They are high performance platforms capable of high speed and high ability cornering. |
|
|
|
But you do not get rid of a true love. So I keep the old
Magna and Vmax ready to fire up and capable of still smoking nearly anything
around. The old Animal should not be taken too lightly, with the
Vmax still a heavy weight!
|
Links into V4 Land
will get you started
Personal cycle pages, here will be some notes/info of interest on the Vmax and FZ sites: [] V65 Sitemap [] HONDA V65 MAGNA [] V65 MODS AND OPINIONS [] V65 CRACKED HEAD [] [] VMAX SITEMAP [] VMAX, THEE MUSCLE BIKE [] ZMAX MODS & OPINIONS [] YAMAHA FZ1 FAZER SITEMAP [] MAIN IOWAZ SITEMAP []
Some major SABMAG LINKS will give a starting place to learn about the early Honda V4's of the early to mid 1980's, the Magna, Sabre and Interceptor : [] Tony's MagSab Customiztion and Tech Site [] SabMag FAQ and Update [] Robyn Lander's V4 Page [] PARTSFISH (diagrams/parts)
Any reproduction of this site or it's contents requires express written consent.
