Topic: V65 Sabre info-Worth reviving?

[TwoTired]

In keeping with my affliction of ressurecting derelict motorcycles, a Honda V65 Sabre as made itself available.  Hasn't run in a number of years and was left outside.  The dial lenses are all white. And the fairing mount blocks viewing the Vin plate for year of manufacture.  The seat, oddly is still in very good condition.  I can't find any evidence of accident damage except the left lower on the Hondaline fairing.  But, that appears to be parking movement damage as all the surrounding bits have no marks.

I know the carbs and tank (maybe) will have to be addressed, as well as tires, brakes, battery, coolant, and the dials.  The clearcoat on the paint is blistering in many places.

I've been doing research on the V65 and found quite a bit on camshaft oiling issues.  I'll have to examine those, prepurchase.

I've been told, if this bike was in good condition it would Fetch $2000.

The tentative price for this one is $500 as is.

I've always admired the V65 and I've got the bug for this one.  But, I've only riden a used V65 Magna for a test ride once many years ago. Anybody out there want to talk me out of pursuing this one?

Thanks for your comments,

[ofreen]

I know the feeling of seeing a poor neglected motorcycle and wanting to bring it to life.  However, a V45 or V65 Sabre or Magna wouldn't even tempt me.  My brother had a V45 Sabre and a good friend had a V65. I rode both a lot and guess who got to work on them. The way the V4 engines make power is appealing, so they were fun to ride even though the handling wasn't very good.

However, they were a couple of the worst bikes I ever had to work on.  Access is difficult.  All of the virtues of simplicity exhibited by the SOHC4s is absent in the V4s.

I made a resolution awhile back to stay away from motorcycles that had lived outside, even if they were free, unless I wanted them for parts.  I decided life is too short for the frustration involved when there are better examples of whatever I am looking for out there.  But that's just me, and I know you are very experienced.  The way you describe the bike makes it sound like a piece of crap, though.

[bwaller]

Not my place to talk you out of it, I have a VF500F Interceptor and the V4 is a strong engine design. By the way, if you buy it and you're interested, I have a top-end oiling kit for these V4's which sends filtered oil at higher pressure to the cams. It supposedly eliminates any top-end oiling issues with these engines.

[TwoTired]

Thanks for your responses guys.  I'm still torn about getting it.  I lean yes then no then yes about 5 times a day.

I think I have to spend enough time with it to inspect the cams.  If they are bad, I'm not buying it.  At least not for $500 bucks for sure.
I really like the hondaline fairing, but I'm uncertain about repairing the left lower as part appear to be unobtainium.  Seems like everything else on it is just routine servicing.

My problem is that I always see the bike the way it can be, even though I know what isn't right with it right now, if you know what I mean.

If I do get it, I'll have to put that oiling kit on it, for sure.

Since 1975, I've never driven any bike home.  They've all been essentially basket cases or bikes that were given up on by their owners.
I usually enjoy the resurrection process more than riding the bikes.  The puzzle of a different machine intrigues me.  And curring the ills that other couldn't or wouldn't do to it.

I am concerned about the statement that they are unpleasant to work on.  If you could give an example, I'd appreciate it.

Do you suppose I'd be happier with an ST1100 project?

Best regards,

[scondon]

 I can't speak on the difficulty of working on this bike but the '84 v65 was the bike I learned to ride on. A buddy was going to put a 550 together for me but kept stalling so long he lent me his v65 in hopes that I would buy it instead. I lied and told him I knew how to ride, he gave me the keys, and away I went. To my credit I did not kill myself or anyone else. I sure did like that bike and would have bought it if I could afford it. Smooth and fast, a bit heavy in the turns, and that 6th gear for long cruises at 100mph. Digital gear display reads 1,2,3,4,5,..OD

  Fast forward 20 years and I still get a hankering to own one. I always get talked out of it by the local cycle repair shop owner. I can't remember the details but it boils down to "problems-hard to work on". For the moment that is enough but I,like you TT, take this caution with a grain of salt and just see a puzzle/challenge to overcome/opportunity to learn something new.

  Is the bike you're looking at the one in S. San Jose?  If so then Sweeeet   If there's room on that fence I'll sit there with ya

[bwaller]

I'll admit that these V4's are a little more labor intensive, that is removal of odds'n'ends to get the cam covers off, carb removal a little more difficult, one just needs to be a little more methodical I quess.

[dusterdude]

i heard the v65 was scaringly fast.

[Orcinus]

I used to have the V45 Magna, and always wished I'd bought a Sabre instead because I'm not really the "Cruiser" sort.  I just wanted to chime in with the opinion that while the V4 isn't the easiest to work on, I think it's the finist riding bike engine ever put out by Honda.  Smooth, low maintance, excellent power band.  Pulls like a v-twin at low speeds and rips like a inline 4 at high.  While I'm looking forward to getting my F2 back on the road, if the opportunity presents itself (along with the money...) I'd be happy to share my garage with the F2 AND a Sabre, either a V45 or a 65.

[eldar]

If I can, my next would be the v45 or 65. I love the way they look. I like the magna more than the sabre but it is is the same engine. Yes they are a pain to work for some things, but if properly cared for, last very long too. Def check the cam. If it is good, 500 is a good price as I seem on evilbay for an average of 1500+.

10 years from now, I will still want one.

[Orcinus]

I'll admit the new Magna's are pretty nice looking, my old 83 was a typical early eightys cruiser, stepped seat, apehanger bars, kind of odd looking.  I got a good deal on it which is why I bought it.  I've always loved traditional styled bikes (Like my F2) and the Sabre is slick without looking like a squid bike.  That's not to say I didn't miss the Magna when it was stolen.

[crazypj]

cam chain tensioners are a real POS. Cheapest mod is to remove them then cut off the rubber sleeve /spring dampener then refit without that piece. Its still a POS in my opinion but can be made to work (why do you think they changed to gear driven cams?) When it fails you can punch out the rivet and turn the bar over to unworn portion, gets you another several thousand miles.
PJ

[ofreen]

I usually enjoy the resurrection process more than riding the bikes.  The puzzle of a different machine intrigues me.  And curring the ills that other couldn't or wouldn't do to it.
I am concerned about the statement that they are unpleasant to work on.  If you could give an example, I'd appreciate it.
Do you suppose I'd be happier with an ST1100 project?
Best regards,

Sorry it took so long to respond, but I've been gone.  My beef with working on the V4s was that access was difficult in order to perform basic maintenance.  Particularly the rear bank of cylinders.  As others commented, you have to remove a lot of stuff to do anything.  That becomes less of a concern as you become familiar with the bike, obviously.  I've heard that many Sabres came from the factory with their wheels not aligned.  My brother's '82 V45 had that problem.  It would wobble a little in the corners at a brisk pace.  It would get worse as the tires wore.  I checked everything I could think of to fix it, but the frame was crooked.

Both the V45 and the V65 I worked on began to show pitting on the cam lobes as time went on.  Both were early bikes, and my understanding is that Honda addressed that issue and a lot of bikes were fixed even after they were out of warranty.  Maybe the one you are looking at has been fixed.  How many miles are on it? 

The early bikes had LCD readouts.  I wonder how many of those are still working?

I re-read my first post and I was pretty negative.  I liked the bikes, but I was used to Hondas being maintenance friendly and then I ran into the V4s.  If you want something to work on, a V65 that's been stored outside for who knows how long will probably keep you busy, all right.

If a ST1100 project presented itself, I'd go for it.  I've never worked with one and maybe ignorance is bliss.  ha ha.  At least the cylinders are pointed to where you can get at the top end.  Cassette tranny too, I think?

[jtb]

So, ... Lloyd, did you do it?  Thinking about trying to get one for my next project.  (Of course Martha says, "Let's not start another project till Fall." and "You have to sell one before you can get another.")  So, the Boulevard's gotta go.  The 750 is a lot more fun to ride.

[TwoTired]

No, I didn't get it.  Though the danged thing is still available and tempting me.  I'd probably have it if I had room to put it.  I'm falling way behind on  maintenence tasks as it is...

I keep finding other V65's available, but they all seem to have 2nd gear out.   5 out of 5 so far.  What's up with that?  A weak point?

Cheers,

[KB02]

I'd be temped, too. I've always liked those sabres. Just something about them. And I love a V-4 engine (not as much as my v-twin, though.  )

Although... an ST1100 project might be fun, too. That's one heck a bike as well.

[ofreen]

No, I didn't get it.  Though the danged thing is still available and tempting me.  I'd probably have it if I had room to put it.  I'm falling way behind on  maintenence tasks as it is...

I keep finding other V65's available, but they all seem to have 2nd gear out.   5 out of 5 so far.  What's up with that?  A weak point?

Cheers,

I've seen a couple with bad second gears, and heard of others as well.  My theory is that it is due to botched upshifts.  These bikes (especially the Magnas) were thought of as power cruisers, the same niche as V-Maxes.  People got on them and thought they were Pee-Wee Gleason.

[DarkRider]

I will admit from working on my roomates V45 Interceptor it is a little more labor consuming to do something as simple as plugs but other then that these engines are great runners. As said earlier pulls like a Twin on low end and takes off like an inline 4 once you get into the upper revs. I noticed this same sort of transition on my V45 at around 6500 RPM. If i snapped it open at that point the bike would just take off like a bat out of hell. Within the next month or so my V45 will be spending some time at the dealership to get new fork seals installed. Once it comes home it will be getting new plugs and wires. But yea...If i was in your position i would probably buy this bike only if the 2nd gear was still good. If its shot...well add that to the list of what it needs for help. With that said its only a parts bike then really.

[TwoTired]

What would be the best way to test for good second gear on a non-running V-65?

[ofreen]

What would be the best way to test for good second gear on a non-running V-65?

That's a good question.  The two bad ones I saw would pop out of gear under load. 

You already know what I think.  If I came across a non-running V65 that had been sitting outside, they'd have to pay me to haul it away for them.

[paxtonpony]

Not real fond of the Magnas but the Sabres were cool looking.  I was looking at a couple of V65 Sabres awhile back but almost everyone of them had the same problems.  Second gear popped out and the electronics were all messed up.  Man did they sound cool though!  Had I found one in semi-running condition for 500 I'd probably have it in my garage rather than my VFR.

[bill440cars]

  Never had any dealing with one of those, you all are making me want to check one out, if I ever get the chance though!

                                                           Later on, Bill

[TedT]

One thing that hasn't been touched on so far is the sound of the V4.  Very distinct, a lower and more raspy tone than an inline-four, the only sound I can compare it to would be something similar to a MotoGP bike.  The 700 Interceptor out in the garage has a set of 80's slip-ons on it, and man am I glad it does.  Yeah, it's a pain to work on, but when it's good, oh man is it good.

[paxtonpony]

Ya, the V4 has a wicked sound.  My VFR has a nice V-8 sounding growl till I get up in the 10k range, then it has a sound that'll raise the hair on your neck.  Was one of the things that sold me on the bike.

[DarkRider]

the only sound I can compare it to would be something similar to a MotoGP bike. The 700 Interceptor out in the garage has a set of 80's slip-ons on it,

The early VF/VFR Interceptors are the street version of the Honda MotoGP bikes. The original Interceptors were built for AMA Superbike Racing along with the later VFRs.

[OldSchool_IsCool]

My neighbor is looking at a '83 V65 Mag.  It has the 2nd hear pop-out under load issue. He sayz it stays in as long as you don't get on it hard.

Is that a deal breaker, price negotiation point?  Can the cam issue/fix kit be detected without significant test-down?

What else should be looked at?


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