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Well here it is finally - my
reworked Super Magna. I'd picked it up as a project
about 6 years ago when I was running a motorcycle
shop dealing in imports. I'd been running an old
ironhead sportster chop for 7 years and fancied a
change. The Super appealed as it was long low and
even as a standard bike was different. It had been
down on it's side and there was a fair amount of
damage so the first rebuild would mean some non
standard fits. Its first incarnation saw it with
forward controls and drag bars sitting on new slab
yokes and risers. I tooled about on it like this
until the ravages of UK winters took their toll and
things started looking a little sorry. (It doesn't
get tucked up in the winter waiting for the
sunshine) There was a pic in the gallery of me
smoking the back tyre! So I set about a rebuild, the
idea being that I wanted it a bit more laid back and
looking not so standard. Two things that I didn't
like on the Magna were a) the side pods, covering
the thermostat and fuel taps etc and b) while the
rear lights look ok the unit is massive and looks a
bit cheap. Needless to say as things progressed
ideas changed, and once I'd decided to dump the side
pods I was left with some crap plastic airbox.
Something else to go. I thought about 4 separate K&N
filters but discovered that I couldn't get them to
fit due to the way the carbs are connected - so I
decided on a different approach, a flat airbox with
a single intake and single K&N. The pipes were
almost rotted through so a new set was called for as
well - so much for a quick rebuild! I ordered a new
desperado seat from Custom Cruisers in the UK- nice
seat but a bit fat so had it slimmed down and then
recovered. I also ordered a set of Marvin pipes from
Italy, great looking slash cut pipes- but after
waiting for 14+ weeks I gave up - never order
anything from Italy! Ordered a set of genuine
replacements from David Silver Spares and they were
delivered within 3 days (They carry them in stock!)
Meantime I had a guy make up a new flat stainless
plate to fit across the airbox with a single feed
K&N filter, he also made the wiiiide stainless
cruiser bars. Stripped everything down and resprayed
the bike in a Peugeot blue and then put it back
together as quick as possible as riding time was
being lost! Mini indicators were fitted to keep the
whole thing looking nice and clean. The front ones
are tucked inside the fork legs. So we now run
cruiser bars, risers, forward controls, stainless
hoses, minicators, one off airbox, small twin light
rear unit, etc etc. How does it run? Bit concerned
having played with the airbox so first time out was
likely to be interesting. A mate runs a tuning shop
and agreed to dyno the bike if it needed doing. It
fired up fine and seemed to run ok, so I set off
down the road and found the interesting feature of
the throttle not shutting down when the throttle was
wound off. I wound down the throttle stop and things
improved no end, but still a little slow in the revs
dying, my mate said that this is due to the vacuum
not closing the slides quick enough and suggested I
compress the springs a bit or put stronger springs
in. I put a spacer in and the thing runs like a
train. The added benefit is that you get a really
healthy induction noise at low revs that turns into
a sna\rl as you increase in speed. It reminds you
that you are riding a motorcycle. Well that's it,
rebuilt, tidy, shiny and a bit different from some
of the others. Do I like it? You Bet! More laid back
than before but still good for 100+ if you want.
Mind you she may be sold end of the year as I'm
looking at building a new Triumph Bonneville chop
and something might have to go to fund the project!
So ride free and enjoy the roads Nick F |
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Owner: |
Nick Francis |
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Bike: |
1987 Honda Magna VF700C |
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