New Bike For My Dad

[D0wn5h1ft]

I just told my dad a couple of weeks ago that I have and have been working on motorcycles. Instead of being upset I was surprised that he actually had the opposite reaction. He wants us to have matching bikes so when I fly back to Michigan to visit we can ride together. I don't have the money right now for us to have matching reliable bikes but in the mean time I bought this for him. Now while I'm gone across the country for work and the National Guard he can practice on something and learn to ride so when I do have enough money we can get matching Yamaha Strykers!

3700 miles. One owner bike. It's a 1983 Honda Magna V45. By far the most complicated bike I've had the (dis)pleasure of working on but it's reliable, low miles, and a great beginner bike for him. Just gotta figure out how all this stuff on it works so I can get it running. If anyone has any experience with these I'd appreciate any tips you have.

[madmax-im]

nice...that is a 750cc V-4 engine...they had a V65 which was 1100ccs'...dont know much about them...test rode the V65 Magna and it had a ton of torque...that is a characteristic of V4 motors...so the V45 is quite a decent beginner bike...if you Pa has the money he should take the MSF beginner's riders course. Theres alot of valuable things he can learn and in many states there is a credit or waiver for taking the driver's portion of the test to get the endorsement...you'd only have to pass the written test given by DMV

[natemoen]

Watch out for the cam oiling issue.

[motoman]

Watch out for the cam oiling issue.

Wasn't an issue on the 45's. If the 'mod' was done on the early 2yr. 65's, they were fine. The 3rd(and last yr. of production) year model was resolved.
BTW, the 65Sabre held 'braggin' rights all three years of production............after which the V-Max took that over.

Nice lookin Magna there!

[natemoen]

Wasn't an issue on the 45's. If the 'mod' was done on the early 2yr. 65's, they were fine. The 3rd(and last yr. of production) year model was resolved.
BTW, the 65Sabre held 'braggin' rights all three years of production............after which the V-Max took that over.

Nice lookin Magna there!

I believe you are mistaken. I do not feel like doing the research again, but when my brother bought a v45 and we were researching it all the info said that the v45 had the same cam oiling issues.

[jwhughes3]

Strykers look cool (my son has one) but they are a young mans bike. While my son rode his 7000 miles on our trip last year and was fine, I rode his 10 minutes and was ready to get off. Nice power. Nice position. Suspension was harsh. Harsh harsh compared to my XJ Air Shocks.

V45 is a reliable bike. You will be happy.

John

[BA80]

Strykers look cool (my son has one) but they are a young mans bike. While my son rode his 7000 miles on our trip last year and was fine, I rode his 10 minutes and was ready to get off. Nice power. Nice position. Suspension was harsh. Harsh harsh compared to my XJ Air Shocks.

V45 is a reliable bike. You will be happy.

John

Those XJ shocks will spoil you in a hurry.

Worked with a guy in Texas back in the early 90's that had a V45. I can't remember what year it was but one year had a longer wheelbase, that's what he had. I rode it a lot and that seemed like the perfect bike to me then. Smooth and powerful.

[motoman]

Those XJ shocks will spoil you in a hurry.

Worked with a guy in Texas back in the early 90's that had a V45. I can't remember what year it was but one year had a longer wheelbase, that's what he had. I rode it a lot and that seemed like the perfect bike to me then. Smooth and powerful.

That they are!........add that to the V65 Sabre/Magna and their 125ponies AT the wheeel, they were the rocket of the day, and STILL not a bike to take lightly when twistin' the right hand.

[Prisoner6]

I do not feel like doing the research again, but when my brother bought a v45 and we were researching it all the info said that the v45 had the same cam oiling issues.

You're right, Nate ...

The V45 had the same issue as the V65 ... the oil pump did not provide adequate oil pressure at idle, causing premature camshaft

wear due to poor lubrication. Honda did fix the problem when they became aware of it, but I don't think it was fixed in time

for the 1983 model year (second year for the V45).

Also, IIRC, some V65 owners complained of a 2nd gear slip (imagine that! ). Not sure if it was an issue on the V45 ...

[motoman]

You're right, Nate ...

The V45 had the same issue as the V65 ... the oil pump did not provide adequate oil pressure at idle, causing premature camshaft

wear due to poor lubrication. Honda did fix the problem when they became aware of it, but I don't think it was fixed in time

for the 1983 model year (second year for the V45).

Also, IIRC, some V65 owners complained of a 2nd gear slip (imagine that! ). Not sure if it was an issue on the V45 ...

Nate, Marco, I stand corrected. The addition of the two teeny dia. stainless hoses for additional top-end oiling came too late(late 84), and unfortunately was it's demise for just a three year prod. run. Other than the two downdraft, two sidedraft Kiehn's that were a tricky sync, they were actually dependable tough built motors. Valve adjustments were easy-peasy with a set screw and lock nut........no bucket over or under involving shims........and the six-speed was a bonus.

[BA80]

Valve adjustments were easy-peasy with a set screw and lock nut........no bucket over or under involving shims.........

That's the same way my CX500 was set up.