1984 Honda Magna 750CC

[benwaechter]

Hey, going to look at a 1984 Honda Magna 750cc shortly. I have done some reading and it is fairly common for these bikes to suffer from lack of lubrication to the camshafts. I have read about some aftermarket kits that can be installed that put more oil directly on to the cam bearings and also seen some guys that have built their own kits. Wondering if anyone on the forum rides one of these or has had one of these and can say they have done the mod? Either way I am going to do it but any one that has input would be helpful. Thanks again.
Ben.

[british bulldog]

Ben.     Jack Graves who is in the PGVMCC i believe did the complete conversion with cooler etc. to his Honda V4 750 Intercepter. I suggest that  you have a chat with him first. It and the Magna were known for their chocolate cams. I hope they are paying you to buy it. That is one dogs opinion good luck.

                                       British Bulldog

                                   

[thejij]

Ben you can also talk to parker...madmac ...he has one. Also bulldog will say that about any bike that's not British so don't read too much into it.

[british bulldog]

British bikes have there issues to in engering, i will be the first to admit that and what it might cost and stay away from unless you have a love for a certain model. I love all motorcycles i started riding at 16 and i am  64 and still riding. What i am trying to say is try and find a bike with power plant that might not cost you big dollars unless that is the baby you relay want and don't care what it might cost you in the end. But as long as you are happy that is what counts. Sorry for been rude if that is the bike and model of your dreams. Just trying to help SORRY. Try and find a bike with a engine that is known to be close to bullet proof and a good track record without add on kits. The bike is 24 years old what i wonder what the bottom end may be like? Just a thought. Remember i love all motorcycles and it doesn't matter what a person rides to me as long as they are happy with the wind and a smile on there face.

                                             British Bulldog

[british bulldog]

Correction it is 29 years old

        British Bulldog

[benwaechter]

this bike only has 22,000 km on it and I am hoping that the cams haven't taken a beating yet. I read that Honda was replacing them for free back in the day so my hope is it is on it's second set. Besides the additional oil needed at the cams I haven't found to many things that go wrong with these. I pulled and inspected the carbs last night, which is far less fun than my CX500, and they were spotless. Emptied the tank, put in a inline filter, with a little coaxing it fired up and idled quite well. I think all that is left before riding is disassembling the front calipers to clean them out and getting the clutch bled. If MadMac has any suggestions/tips I am all ears. First time with one of these bikes and the previous owner gave me a owners manual he printed, only problem was he only printed the odd number pages. It is half helpful.......

[fast1]

  I gave Parker a couple manuals, you may be able to bribe him with beer... As for this oiling thing I have never heard about it. Emery has a v-45 that is a high mile rat bike that he rides hard and it runs fine. Used to have a customer with a V-65 that was over 200,000 k and ran great. As long as it got the upgraded cams you should be good to go. CHEERS.

[fj1200]

From what I have picked up over the years is that both the Sabre and the Magna had "some" cam issues. Honda did fix a few and after the first couple of years or so they fixed the problem and no more issues.  It's sort of like the exploding Pintos (Ford for you younger ones  ). A few burned and the reputaion exploded. Yet there are 1000's that didn't. There are lots of sabres/magnas out there that have not had any problems. So ride and enjoy. 

[madmac74]

 If the top end sounds quiet, then have at er. I have a 500 Magna that I thought was in need of a valve adjustment, Boy was I wrong.  I ended up pulling the motor and  getting the cams re- ground. I do not advise digging into this V-4 honda as i did. Unless, of course, You like a challange, as your tag line suggests.....

[benwaechter]

I hope I don't have to do any major engine work but if it comes to that it could be interesting. Does anyone on here have a source for the small tapered head bolts that hold your clutch and brake fluid reservoir cap down? they always seem to be seized in on me and cannot find them anywhere. Even Wiser Wire and Rope doesn't have them, they seem to have everything. Also I am looking for a set of mufflers for this bike, I don't need them to be the same as the ones I am running but would hope they are not crazy huge or super small. Thanks, let me know what you have and what you want.
thanks again for all the help this forum offers.

[fast1]

   Here's the trick. Steel and aluminum like to bond over time. Before you even try to turn those screws  give them a good rap or 3 with a small drift (I use a brass one)  This should break the bond and they will turn out easy.  If you or (most likely) someone else has already stripped the screw head you want to use the same hammer and drift more aggressively. Beat the crap out of it forcing the corners in. Now take a 1/4 drive #2 Phillips bit and tap it into the top of the screw. Remove with screwdriver. Works 99 out of a hundred. As for replacement screws you might try Northern hardware- every time I can't find something they have it and they do have a large selection of smaller  fasteners and a competent staff. Win or lose you can skip over  to the  Ritz bakery for the  best bread in town and  a tasty treat. If you go in the morning the bread is still warm . Luck and CHEERS.

[benwaechter]

I did try the punch trick, worked on one, the other still wouldn't come, I used a small chisel and forced it to turn slowly. Thanks for the help.

Dennis do you have  a pair of Drag Bars I could borrow for a night to see if they work for me? I can come by anytime that is convenient for you. Thanks

[Dennis]

I did try the punch trick, worked on one, the other still wouldn't come, I used a small chisel and forced it to turn slowly. Thanks for the help.

Dennis do you have  a pair of Drag Bars I could borrow for a night to see if they work for me? I can come by anytime that is convenient for you. Thanks

I loaned them and my super bike bars but they haven't come home yet.   Elliot has a used set in my garage which he'd probably loan for a mock up. 

Some one should be in the garage tonight.  I will be coming and going.  I will be there late for sure because I have to have the flat tracker in it presentable state tonight or else.

Peace & Grease, Dennis

[benwaechter]

Thanks Dennis.

I will have to swing by another time. Got busy tearing apart the two front calipers and master cylinder tonight. Cleaned them all and they no longer drag. Went to Northern Hardware today and they do not have the bolts I need to hold down the master cylinder lid. Does anyone have any other suggestions as to where a person could buy these? Cycle North said they don't have anything which I find hard to believe. If I can't source new ones I will have to go out to Roys and pull some out of an old piece. thanks again.
Ben.

[The_Heathen]

Chieftain is always worth a shot.  I managed to get replacement Allen bolts for my 1980 KZ750 starter clutch, and they were a pretty random size.