Honda Magna
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[edit] 1st Generation VF750C (1982-1986)
The 1982 Honda V45 Magna was sold in 1982 and was available in either Candy Maroon or Candy Imperial Blue, for the gas tank and side covers. The headlight, instruments, and fenders were chrome. The front disc brakes have straight grooves, double piston calipers, and TRAC anti-dive. The speedometers read 85 mph, and the red line is 10,000. The engine is a 748 cc DOHC 16-valve liquid-cooled 90 degree V-4 linked to a 6-speed transmission with hydralic clutch and a shaft drive. Compression is high, and thnm m me stroke is short.
A milestone in the evolution of motorcycles, the V45's performance is comparable to that of Valkyries and Honda's 1800cc V-twin cruisers. However, its mix of performance, reliability, and refinement was overshadowed by the more powerful 1098cc "V65" Magna in 1983. Honda notoriously emphasised the speed of this bike. In failing to stress the total package, the engineering and design triumph was foiled by a feeble marketing approach. This era produced the aesthetically dubious, but fast, V-Max by Yamaha. Suzuki also joined in on the v-four cruiser trend with the Madura, mostly noted for having hydraulic valve lifters, as opposed to Honda's DOHC set-up, which was prone to premature wear of the cams.
The 1983 V45 Magna was available in one of two colors and the headlight, instruments, and fenders were chrome. The gas tank and side covers were the basic color (maroon or black). The front disc brake grooves were curved. The speedometer had a 150 mph (240 km/h) limit. The engine was a 748 cc DOHC 4-valve liquid-cooled V-4 linked to a 6-speed transmission and a shaft drive. (1983 starting SN JH2RC071*DM100011)
The US government imposed tariff rate hikes for foreign-built motorcycles in order to combat their rise in sales in North America, and to aid the domestic motorcycle manufacturers, namely Harley-Davidson. So for 1984 Honda responded by reducing the engine size for the 750s, and the Magna became the VF700C in the USA. Colours available for 1984 were either black or Candy Andromeda red.
Specifications:
- Engine: DOHC 4 valve 90 degree V-four
- Displacement: 748 cc
- Transmission: 6 speed
- Seat height: 29.9 in (759mm)
- Final Drive: Shaft
- Cooling: Liquid
- Brakes: Dual Disc-Front, Drum-Back
[edit] 2nd Generation VF700C and VF750C (1987-1988)
Various mechanical and cosmetic changes were introduced over the years, but the basic core of the Magna remained the same. However, for the two years the 2G Magna was produced, it was dubbed the Super Magna. In 1987, the 700 cc engine produced 80 bhp (60 kW) @ 9500 rpm, with torque being 46 ft·lbf (62 N·m) @ 7500 rpm. In 1988, the Magna grew back to its original size of 748 cc.
Note that the 1987-88 Magna engine is significantly different internally than previous engines. The 82-85 750 and 700 Magna engines have 360 degree cranks. Meaning that the crankpin for all four pistons is in the same plane. In 1987, the "Super" Magna received a completely new engine casting, and a 180 degree crank. The 180 degree crank means that the crank pin for the #1 and #2 piston is 180 degrees opposite of the crank pin for the #3 and #4 piston. This made for a freer revving more responsive engine. The Super's cams are also line-bored (a feature first seen in the 1986 VF700 Magna), which greatly reduced the premature cam wear that plagued the earlier models.
The 1987 V45 Magna was available in either Candy Wave Blue or Candy Bourgogne Red (1988 dropped Blue in favor of Black), the air cleaner cover was wrinkle black with a "V45" emblem, and the "MAGNA" tank decal was silver. The exhaust system was now an upswept 4-into-4 set of pipes, truly unique in the cruiser world. Although the exhaust pipes were a beautiful sight, they were not friendly to the use of saddlebags as they were too high. The rear wheel was a solid aluminum disc. The chin fairing was unfinished black plastic for the 87, and color-matched for the 88. 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. A total of 16,000 units were built for the 1987 model year, while only 3500 were built for 1988. (1987 starting SN JH2RC280*JA100001)
Specifications:
- Engine: dohc 4 valve 90 degree V-four
- Displacement: 700 cc and 748 cc
- Transmission: 6 speed
- Wet weight: 529 lb (240 kg)
- Seat height: 27.8 in (706 mm)
- Final Drive: Shaft
- Cooling: Liquid
- Brakes: Single disc front, drum rear
[edit] 3rd Generation VF750C (1994-2003)
The 'Power Cruisers' category that had been occupied by the Kawasaki Eliminator's and the Yamaha V-Max, (as well as the 1980s Magnas), was bolstered in 1993 with the Magna 750. 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 engine itself was beautified by the addition of chrome and some extra fins, and by the chromed 4 into 4 exhaust. The seat was kept very low, at 28 inches, with the passenger seat being detachable. The all new frame was complemented by 41 mm forks, dual shocks, and a single disc on the front. A drum brake was used on the rear. 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. Smaller carbs were also utilized. The changes resulted in a stronger mid-range pull, and a very broad band of power. Power is 78.2 bhp (58 kW) @ 9000rpm, with torque of 48.2 ft·lbf (65 N·m) @ 7250 rpm.
The design of the 3rd generation Magna remained relatively unchanged over its lifetime. The tank decal was changed in 1995, and a miniature fairing was available on 1995 and 1996 Deluxe models. 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 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. All these bikes have a strong following in their respective categories, and their current owners are saddened at the huge loss. However, just as the Magna was discontinued for a number of years between the 2nd and 3rd generations, there is a possibility that a 4th generation is waiting in the wings that would satisfy enthusiasts' desires. This would include dual-disc brakes up front and a single in the rear, extended range between refueling stops, a better stock seat, and upgraded styling. It has been suggested that the current iteration of the VFR800 with VTEC would make an ideal candidate, while other adherents would like to see the return of the V65 in Magna guise.
Specifications:
- Engine Type: 748 cc liquid-cooled 90° V-4
- Bore and Stroke: 70 by 48.6 mm
- Compression Ratio: 10.8:1
- Valve Train: DOHC; 4 valves per cylinder
- Carburetion: Four 34 mm CV
- Ignition: Solid-state digital
- Transmission: 5-speed
- Final Drive: O-ring-sealed chain
- Front Suspension: 41 mm cartridge fork; 150 mm? travel
- Rear Suspension: Dual shocks with 5-way spring preload adjustability; 3.9 inches (100 mm) travel
- Front Brake: 2-piston caliper, 12.4 in (315 mm) disc
- Rear Brake: Single-leading-shoe drum
- Front Tire: 120/80-17 tubeless
- Rear Tire: 150/80-15 tubeless
- Wheelbase: 65.0 inches (1.65 m)
- Rake/trail: 32°/5.2 in (132 mm)
- Seat Height: 28.0 inches (711 mm)
- Dry Weight: 505 pounds (229 kg)
- Wet weight: 539 lb (244 kg)
- Fuel Capacity: 3.6 (US or imperial?) gallons, including 0.8 gallon (US or imperial?) reserve
- Quarter mile (402 m) acceleration: 12.71 s, 102.9 mph (165.6 km/h)
- 200 yard (183 m) top-gear acceleration from 50 mph (80 km/h), terminal speed: 73.0 mph (117 km/h)
