Motormuizen

The Honda Magna was a cruiser motorcycle made from 1982 to 1988 and 1994 to 2003 and powered by Honda's V4 engine taken from the VF/VFR. The engine technology and layout was a descendant of Honda's racing V4 machines, such as the NS750 and NR750. The introduction of this engine on the Magna and the Sabre in 1982, was a milestone in the evolution of motorcycles that would culminate in 1983 with the introduction of the Interceptor V4. The V45's performance is comparable to that of Valkyriesand Honda's 1800 cc V-twin cruisers. However, its mix of performance, reliability, and refinement was overshadowed by the more powerful 1,098 cc "V65" Magna in 1983.

 

While Honda's release of their V4 technology in the Magna (and other bikes like the Sabre and Interceptor) was certainly a bold move, it was somewhat overshadowed by at least two problems. One was the decline of motorcycle sales after the boom in the 1970s. While Honda quality was a given and the amount of features provided in these bikes was great, they were still relatively expensive bikes at the time. An expensive, complex bike was difficult to sell in a down market. The second was the manufacturing and engineering problems encountered after the release in 1982.

 

Though criticized for its long-distance comfort and lauded mainly for its raw acceleration, the Magna was the bike of choice for a Canadian grandmother who toured the world solo by motorcycle, without benefit of the support crew that usually accompanies riders in adventures depicted in such films as Long Way Round.

 

The Honda Magna of years 1982–1988 incorporated a number of unique features into a cruiser market dominated by V-twin engines. The V4 engine configuration provided a balance between torque for good acceleration and high horsepower. The 90-degree layout produced less primary vibration, and the four cylinders provided a much smoother delivery of power than a V-twin. Good engine balance, plus short stroke and large piston diameter allowed for a high redline and potential top speed.

 

Besides the engine configuration, the bike had water cooling, a six-speed transmission for good economy at highway speed, and common on other middleweight bikes for Honda in the early 1980s, shaft drive. While the shaft drive is very convenient with virtually no maintenance required (and no oil getting slung around), it also robbed some power from where it was more evidently lacking on in town or lower speed riding. Features like twin horns, hydraulic clutch, and an engine temperature gauge add nice touches to the bike. A coil sprung, oil bath, air preload front fork with anti-dive valving was an improvement, although the Magna did not benefit from the linkage based single shock that was on the Sabre and Interceptor.

 

The V-65 Magna and other large-displacement Hondas were assembled in the Marysville Motorcycle Plant in Ohio. In 2008, Honda announced plans to close the plant, their oldest in North America, in 2009, which had been still making Gold Wings and VTX cruisers.

 

1987–1988 Super Magna (1987 VF700C Magna and 1988 VF750C V45 Magna)

Various mechanical and cosmetic changes were introduced over the years, but the basic core of the Magna remained the same. The second generation Magna of '87-'88 was dubbed the Super Magna by aficionados of the bike, though it was not an official Honda name. In 1987, the 700 cc engine produced 80 bhp (60 kW) @ 9,500 rpm, with torque being 46 ft·lbf (62 N·m) @ 7,500 rpm. In 1988, the Magna grew back to its original size of 748 cc.

In countries other than the US, the Magna continued as a 750. The Magna V-four has endured through the first and second generations of the VF and VFR Interceptors - both come and gone by 1988. Like the original 750 Sabre and VF 750, this 750 Magna engine uses a 360-degree crankshaft and chain-driven double-overhead camshafts. 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). For 1987, the fake airbox covers were wrinkle black with a "Magna" emblem. 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. 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)

 

VF700C Magna, VF750C V45 Magna

1987 Honda Super Magna, Canadian-export model

Manufacturer - Honda

Also called - Super Magna

Production - Less than 20,000

Predecessor - 1986 VF700C Magna

Successor - 1994 VF750C Magna

Class - Cruiser

Engine - 699cc 1987 / 748cc 1988

Transmission - 6-speed, shaft drive

Suspension - 39 mm non adjustable fork, dual coil over shocks

Brakes - Single disc front, drum rear

Tires - Front: 100/90-19 tubeless, Rear: 150/80-15 tubeless

Wheelbase - 1660 mm / 65.35 inches

Dimensions -

L: 2385 mm / 94 inches
W: 810 mm / 32 inches
H: 1155 mm / 45.5 inches

Seat height - 27.8 in (706 mm)

Fuel capacity - 13 L / 3.43 US gallons

 

1994–2003 V45 (VF750C)

The Magna 750 was launched in 1993 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.

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.

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.

 

1994–2003 VF750C

Manufacturer - Honda

Also called - VF750C

Engine - 748.8 cc (45.69 cu in) liquid-cooled 90° V-4,

Compression ratio - 10.8:1

Top speed - 120 mph (190 km/h)[20]

Power - 76.3 bhp (56.9 kW) (rear wheel)[20]

Torque - 46.5 ft·lb (63.0 N·m) (at rear wheel)[20]

Transmission - 5-speed, O-ring chain

Suspension - Front: 41 mm cartridge fork; 150 mm travel, Rear: Dual shocks with 5-way spring preload adjustability; 3.9 inches (100 mm) travel

Brakes - Front: 2-piston caliper, 12.4 in (315 mm) disc. Rear: Single-leading-shoe drum

Tires - Tubeless, Front: 120/80-17, Rear: 150/80-15

Rake, trail - 32°, 5.2 in (130 mm)

Wheelbase - 65.0 in (1,650 mm)

Seat height - 28.0 in (710 mm)

Weight - 539 lb (244 kg)[20] (wet)

Fuel capacity - 3.6 US gal (14 l; 3.0 imp gal)

Oil capacity - 3.3 US qt (3,100 ml)