Topic: V 65 MAGNA HELP

[jsaab2748]

Hey folks, I wonder if some of you in the know could tell me about the famous 83 v 65 Magna. I have a line on one that ran a few years ago, but had driveability issues, and was the victim of someone's attempt to convert it to a bobber style bike. It comes with a donor bike, and supposedly has enough parts to bring it mostly back to stock. I've never worked on, or been up close to one of these, so I know very little about them mechanically. Is there a need for special tools to work on one? How about carb sync? Is it difficult? Are there many electronics to deal with? And how difficult? Parts availability an issue?
Exhaust options? Sorry for all the questions, trying to decide if I really want to take this on. I've heard these bikes are very cool when in good condition and that they run like hell.. Thanks in advance    jim

[Aaron J Williams]

First let me say I'm biased towards V65 Magnas because I have one. They are amazing bikes when they run right, as in 130 mph in third gear! Parts can be expensive. I spent $150 for the turn signal controls to get the self canceling turn signals to work again. Mine needs a $140 ignition switch now. The only special tool I have for mine is a rocker arm securing tool that you need to set the valve clearances. I also have the special valve adjuster locknut tool but you don't really need that. The carbs are a real bugger to remove from the bike but easy to work on once you get them out. Synchronizing the carbs is no more difficult than an inline 4 and a bit easier than some Goldwings. There are lots of electronics on them including self canceling turn signals, digital dash, and starter safety interlock. They had a tendency to melt the electrical connector between the stator and the rectifier and they didn't oil the top end of the engine very well. There are many kits available to fix the oiling problem as long as the cams are still good in the engine. They are more mechanically challenging than a CB750 but if you are mechanically inclined in general then you should have no problems. They are cool and they do go like hell but nothing worth having is gotten easily or cheaply.

[bryanj]

Some of the V4's are a real pain to sync the carbs on without the flexible, bent round three corners special screwdriver BUT bech sync with a 1/16 drill usually puts them within tollerance if the rest of the service is done

[MRieck]

 Getting carbs off isn't that hard.....it's getting the bastards back on that sucks! Get new carb boots if you plan on taking them off. Don't even think about it....just get new boots. They are cheap too.

[mikedialect]

hmmmm..... what to know? They are FAST. I had a v45 and it was real quick. My uncle had a v65 and it's faster They have oiling issues. There are mods out there and since the 83 is an early model you might want to look into it.

[jtb]

Getting carbs off isn't that hard.....it's getting the bastards back on that sucks! Get new carb boots if you plan on taking them off. Don't even think about it....just get new boots. They are cheap too.

+1
Listen to Mike, I know of what he speaks.  If you leave the screws that mount the bottom of the airbox loose, and leave the screw that holds the two together on each end, it makes it a little easier to mount them again.