bike - Honda Magna
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However, its mix of performance, reliability, and refinement was overshadowed by the more powerful 1098cc V65 bike Magna in 1983. Honda notoriously emphasized the speed of this bike in an era that produced the very fast Yamaha V-Max and Suzuki Madura. The introduction of this engine on the Magna and the Sabre in 1982 was milestone in the bike Marathon mountain bike races evolution of motorcycles that would culminate in 1983 with the introduction of the Interceptor V-4.
Colors available for 1984 were either black or Candy Andromeda red. The engine is a 748 cc DOHC 16-valve liquid-cooled 90 degree V-4 linked to a 6-speed transmission with a hydraulically actuated wet-plate clutch and shaft drive.
The 85 was black and scorpio red. A total of 16,000 units were built for the 1987 model year, while only 3500 were built for 1988.
As well, unlike the larger displacement V-four motors, the VF500 did not suffer from the oil cooling issues of the larger V-four motors (the larger displacement engines would not send sufficient oil to the cam lobes under 3,000 rpm, causing premature wear), yet the VF500 was still phased out as Honda reworked its technical designs for all its VF motors and cut down on its number of competing models in the market to keep from cannibalizing its sales. The all new frame was complemented by 41 mm forks, dual shocks, and a single disc on the front.
Although the exhaust pipes were a beautiful sight, they were not friendly to the use of saddlebags as they were too high. The engine was a 748 cc DOHC 4-valve liquid-cooled V-4 linked to a 6-speed transmission and a shaft drive.
The front disc brakes have straight grooves, dual piston calipers, and TRAC anti-dive. A drum brake was used on the rear.
For 1984-1986, Honda produced the 498 cm3, V4 DOHC VF500 for the VF500C Magna V30 and its sister bike, the VF500F. In 1987, the 700 cc engine produced 80 bhp (60 kW) @ 9500 rpm, with torque being 46 ft·lbf (62 N·m) @ 7500 rpm.
The rear shocks also changed to eliminate the extra fluid resivoir. This engine is an evolution of Honda s original domestic market 400cc engine, originally deemed too small and underpowered for certain markets - notably the United States and Europe.
However, for the two years the 2G Magna was produced, it was dubbed the Super Magna. The 87 was black and Candy Bourgogne Red.
The speedometer reads 80 mph. For 1987, the fake airbox covers were wrinkle black with a Magna emblem.
Quick cuts, 1984: the 70 x 45.4mm 700 (699) arrives. The front disc brake grooves were curved.
The engine itself was beautified by the addition of chrome and some extra fins, and by the chromed 4 into 4 exhaust. Honda only made the vf700 for the late part of 84 , 85 , 86 , and 87 , then back to the vf750 after that.
(1987 starting SN JH2RC280*JA100001) The Power Cruisers category that had been occupied by the Kawasaki Eliminator and the Yamaha V-Max, (as well as the 1980s Magnas), was bolstered in 1993 with the Magna 750. Thanks to its V4 design, power in the 500 engine is not peaky and ample torque can be found throughout the rev band, and the six speed transmission ratio was unique to this bike versus the ratio on the VF500F. The Magna had no shaft drive like its larger siblings, but a traditional chain drive.
1980=Dunstall Suzuki GS1100CS 1981=Dunstall Suzuki GS1100CS 1982=Dunstall Suzuki GS1100CS 1983=Dunstall Suzuki GS1100CS 1984=Dunstall Suzuki GS1100CS 1985=Honda V65 Magna 1986=Honda V65 Magna 1987=Honda V65 Magna 1988=Honda V65 Magna 1989=Honda V65 Magna 1990=Kawasaki ZX10 116 BHP Japanese Honda V-65 Magna with a liquid cooled V-4, 4 cylinder 16 valve DOHC 1098cc (67.1 cubic inches) engine with a top design speed of 173 MPH. The redline is 10K rpm.
The gas tank and side covers were the basic color (maroon or black). The speedometer had a 150 mph (240 km/h) limit.
The headlight and fenders are chrome. The second generation was also the first to have the lower seat height of a mere 27.8 inches (706 mm), more than 4 inches (102 mm) lower than its predecessor.
The first part of 84 the magnas were vf750. The large displacement 1,099 cc (67.1 cu in) V65 Magna created buzz as Honda s entry in the 1/4 mile wars between manufacturers at the time, causing Suzuki to respond with the 1200 Madura (1/4 mile time 11.66s at 115.7 mph), and going up against such competition as the Suzuki GS1150E (10.47s at 128 mph). Year for year in Guinness Book listed as the fasted production motorcycle. The only practical way to tell the year of a Magna from a distance is by its paint scheme, but even that is not a given since only a few colours were rotated through use.
The fake airbox emblem changes to V45 for the 1988 model. The 1987 Super Magna had a silver, grey & black Honda wing tank decal, while the 1988 model had a silver MAGNA tank decal. The exhaust system was now an upswept 4-into-4 set of pipes, truly unique in the cruiser world. The V45 s performance is comparable to that of Valkyries and Honda s 1800cc V-twin cruisers.
1982: the 70 x 48.6mm Magna 750 debuts. Though criticized for its long-distance comfort, and lauded mainly for its raw acceleration, The Magna and other large-displacement Hondas were assembled in the Marysville Motorcycle Plant in Ohio. The first generation 1982 Honda V45 Magna was available in either Candy Maroon or Candy Imperial Blue.
The 86 was black and glory red. Compression is high, and the stroke is short. The 1983 V45 Magna was available in one of two colors and the headlight, instruments, and fenders were chrome.
The engine is almost entirely identical to the version in the Interceptor VF500F sport bike, and while Honda sold the VF500C Magna in the United States, it advertised it as the most powerful midsize custom in the world . This standard motorcycle was introduced as a balanced bike that was just as enjoyable yet easier to ride in town than its larger Magna siblings, with good power and a broad torque band. The chin fairing was unfinished black plastic for the 87, and color-matched for the 88.
As an early release 1994 model, Honda sought to capture the market for powerful cruisers by lifting the engine from the VFR750 and slotting it in a cruiser chassis. The tank decal was changed in 1995, and a miniature fairing was available on 1995 and 1996 Deluxe models.
The seats were changed to a wider 2 piece design in an attempt to improve rider comfort. In 1988, the Magna grew back to its original size of 748 cc. On similar fashion the Magna V-four has done the old 750-700-750 two-step.
The headlight changed from round chrome to a rectangular chrome housing. The rear wheel was a solid aluminum disc.
The wheels were different as well. Focusing on adding power and versatility to its motorcycle offerings, Honda bored the original 400cc motor and improved its power and performance.
Today the bikes have a small but loyal following for their great handling and reliability. Specifications: Changes by year Facts from Cycle Magazine, July 1984 Various mechanical and cosmetic changes were introduced over the years, but the basic core of the Magna remained the same. The most distinctive paint scheme was a scalloped design found on mid-late 1990s models. 2004 saw the demise of the Magna, along with other Honda stablemates such as the V-Twin Shadow ACE and Shadow Spirit, as well as the 6-cylinder Valkyrie. .
Standing quarter mile time of 11.07 seconds @ 123.62 mph and 0-60 in 4.3 seconds according to cycle world magazine. The Honda VF500 is one of Honda s second generation V4 motorcycle engines produced in a series of motorcycles designated with VF and VFR initials. Like the original 750 Sabre and VF 750, this 750 Magna engine uses a 360-degree crankshaft and chain-driven double-overhead camshafts.
The changes resulted in a stronger mid-range pull, and a very broad band of power. The design of the 3rd generation Magna remained relatively unchanged over its lifetime. A few internal changes were made to the VFR engine for use in the Magna, including a different crankshaft, a 5 speed transmission and chain driven cams.
The Honda Magna was a cruiser motorcycle made from 1982 to 2003 powered by Honda s VF/VFR V-4 engine. Revival, 1988: back to the original stroke and 748cc displacement.
Thus, the VF750C unit is technologically quite different from Honda’s last V-four sport bike engine, the VFR750 Interceptor, which had gear-driven overhead cams and a 180-degree crankshaft. The Super s cams are also line-bored (a feature first seen in the Euro 1985 VF1000F & F-II, and 85/86 VF1000R, 1986 VF500F, 1986 VF700C Magna), which greatly reduced the premature cam wear that plagued the earlier models, together with changed oil ducts. The 1987 V45 Magna was available in either Candy Wave Blue or Candy Bourgogne Red (1988 dropped Blue in favor of Black). (1983 starting SN JH2RC071*DM100011) The US government imposed tariff rate hikes for foreign-built motorcycles over 700 cc in order to combat their rise in sales in North America, and to aid the domestic motorcycle manufacturers, namely Harley-Davidson.
The Magna V-four has endured through the first and second generations of the VF and VFR Interceptors - both come and gone by 1988. So for 1984 Honda responded by reducing the engine size for the VF750s to 698 cc, and the Magna became the VF700C in the USA.
