shock adjustments for '82 Magna

ThomasMagna · July 27, 2005, 06:58:26 PM

I just bought this bike last week and the kid I bought it off of had no manuals and didn't know much about the bike. (Yes, it is legal and I have the titlefin my name.) Haven't got a manual yet. Can some one help me on the front and rear adjustments on the shocks? I read an article that mentioned settings of 2-3 on the front and 3 for the rear were good for all around riding. Mentioned tighting it a bit more for fast mountain riding.

My ingorance is vast and my knowledge is half vast so very simple answers if that is possible. I see the numbers on the rear shocks but don't know where to read what number they are set on nor how to change it. I didn't see any adjustments for the front or didn't notice.

Tomorrow is my birthday and will enjoy the day off with a ride. The weather finally cooled down and the humidity has gone with it. It is supposed to be a beautiful day here in Michigan. Mine will be anyway.

Just from looking over the posts and answers I can see there is a great knowledge base and some fine folks. Didn't Honda use the "You meet the nicest people on a Honda" ad in the 70's?

Thanks in advance

roboto65 · July 28, 2005, 03:50:09 PM

Well the service manuel give no adjustment for the front. The rear starts out at 2nd notch but I have mine on the third.

Allen

silveradocowboy · July 28, 2005, 09:54:46 PM

The mentioned setting for the front is most likely the anti-dive unit setting (1-4).

ThomasMagna · July 28, 2005, 10:18:51 PM

Thanks fellas. My problem is I don't know how to do the adjustments. I figured out the air in front, getting low pressure air gage tomorrow. Going to use the touring bicycle's hand pump if and when it needs air. Can't find any other adjustments up there. In the rear, I see the numbers but don't know where the marker is the indicates at which number it is set, nor how to change it. Maybe I am not looking hard enough or long enough. I am ignorant.

Allen, I weigh about 140 pounds and things are pretty flat around here. Will that make a difference in my settings when I get things figured out?

Ya, Jeff, the anti dive unit is the thing I am talking about. What is the air part of it. The article I read from an old magizie recomended 8-10 psi.

I know so little and there is so much to know, what fun.

Thanks

Does anyone know if an owners manual can be obtained and where?

Thanks again.

roboto65 · July 28, 2005, 10:43:21 PM

Try this http://www.vidoweb.com/download.php?lng=en

Marc Albea · July 29, 2005, 07:13:42 AM

Lots of people will tell you it rides much better with no air at all in the front. I've tried it both ways on my 30 and on my 65. for me at least the difference is not worth the time investment getting the psi right. If you've got the right weight oil in the front (for your style) and good fork springs air is optional.

ThomasMagna · July 30, 2005, 08:09:39 AM

I am getting some good information. Now what I need is some one to tell me how to make the adjustments. Also, where are the adjustments for the front shocks. I know where the air is.

Roboto65, I am downloading now and will see if that enlightens me at all. I would really like the owner's manual for the '82 Magna. Any ideas on that?

Marc, thanks for the tip about the air. I still might get one since I have a belly boat or float tube for fishing that is low pressure. Still would like to know if the pressure is equal in each sine too. Just curious.

Thanks for taking your time to help me out.

Shortround · July 31, 2005, 10:20:35 PM

You didn't say what year it is. My '96 has no anti-dive or air on the front. The rear is set at one. Comfortable for me.

The Honda service manual may be obtained from Helm Inc. at www.helminc.com . Mine cost $70

ThomasMagna · August 01, 2005, 06:09:04 AM

Shortround. It is an '82. She's a little old and a little seasoned. I believe that they call the anti dive TRAC, but don't remember if that is an acronym for something or not.

I mentioned the year in the header of my original msg. I will check out the site for helminc and see what they have to offer. Not sure I need a service manual just yet. I am not exactly mechanically adept. I can accomplish some things though. Going to start with the owners manual. Hope to meet some folks up here that can mentor me in that area.

I live in Michgan.

no winter riding. Hope to take a ride someday to a wrench session down there. Still getting used to the bike and riding again after a thirty year hiatis. Still unsure about the bike too and don't want to get too far from home just yet.

Thanks for the imput.

Greg Cothern · August 01, 2005, 08:18:56 AM

ThomasMagna, send TigerRider a private message he is in Freemont, MI and knows the first gen Magna pretty well. Not to mention he is one of the nicest people you will meet!

silveradocowboy · August 01, 2005, 05:40:46 PM

Here are some pics that may help you. The first pic is where you adjust the air pressure in the front forks. The second is of the crossovertube that equalizes the pressure between the fork tubes on the V65(the V45's don't have this). The third is of the anti-dive system. You can adjust this(make note of where the dot is) with a flat screwdriver or even a dime while you are out riding it! The settings for the TRAC (Torque Reactive Anti-dive Control) system is 1-4 with one being the softest.[/img]

ThomasMagna · August 02, 2005, 03:36:37 PM

Greg, I did what you recommended and you are right on both counts. And Jeff, the pics really helped out.

Thanks so much to all who have helped me and to those that just read through the posting. That makes a difference to me anyway.

I am sure other questions will arise and I know I'll be back asking for help again. I hate my igorance, but ignorance can be taken care of, thanks again for beginning to fill the void.