Proud new papa + request for Austin mechanic recomendations

[v4_jeff]

Hey all -

Just picked up a neglected '87 SuperMagna a week ago. This is my second V4 - the Magna will take up residence next to my '86 VFR700F2 Interceptor - but I've been around them for a long time. My dad bought an '84 VF700C new in '86, and has put a lot of miles on it since. That bike, in fact, is the first that I ever rode. Since then I've put about 45,000 miles of tarmac behind me split between a '92 Seca II, then the above Interceptor. I'm eager to start with a Magna of my own!

Before I can really get rolling, the poor thing does need a little work. Can anyone recommend a mechanic in the Austin area that doesn't mind working on this older bike? I do most of my work myself, but I have a laundry list of stuff that I'd rather not tackle on my own with this thing. Top of the list are new tires, fork seals, carb tune/sync, diff and drum service while the rear is off, may also throw some progressive springs in while they've got the forks open for the seals.

Any recommendations would be greatly appreciated. I'm right around Parmer and 620, almost Cedar Park, but I don't mind hauling it a bit for someone who knows what they're doing.

I'm glad to have found the MOOT site, and hope to get to know everyone. I definitely plan on participating in some of this group's rides once I get this little beast going!

Here's the new girl:

[Charles S Otwell]

Hey v4_Jeff, welcome to MOOT, I can't help ya with a mechanic in the Austin area but if ya check the events section I believe there is a wrenching session in the Austin area this weekend. Great bunch of guys, tons of talent and information, Check um out you'll have a blast!

[TLRam1]

Welcome and do check out the wrench session in Austin.

[RedMagna]

Grats!  You might want to check out the Super Magna Forums for info.  I got to ride with these guys on their annual SuperMagna Meet in Hickory, NC and it was a blast.  Some of them may be from you neck of the woods, as I know they had several from the midwest and even one guy from England at the meet.

http://forums.delphiforums.com/super_magna/start

[v4_jeff]

Thanks for the welcome, guys -

I've been reading through the SuperMagna site, and yes, there is a wealth of information there. The Delphi Forums are a bit annoying, but maybe I'm just too used to php and vBulletin. I hope as I nurse this bike back to health, I'll have some contributions of my own for that site as well as this one.

I saw the notice of the wrench session in Austin this weekend, but unfortunately already had other plans. Hopefully there will be another one soon so I can get to know some of you folks in person. I have a bit of experience maintaining my own bikes, but also have helped to build a few racecars, so I know my way around a toolbox pretty decently. I'd love to host one myself, but my apartment complex probably wouldn't like that too much. Killjoys!  

[stryder]

Jeff,

I've had work done on my previous Magna and current ST at Georgetown Honda. Chief wrench is a guy named Bob who seems to really know his stuff. He likes unusual stuff. Put an automotive cruise control on my ST for me.

They ain't cheap, I think around $65-70 hr shop rate but everything they've ever done for me (4 yrs and countless dollars) has been done right the first time.

If you're looking for a shade tree mechanic. A guy ran a post on Craig'slist indicating that he could  do about anything for about 1/2 of shop rate. Coincidentally(?), he said his name was Craig. He posted this  phone no. (512) 797-5768 I know nothing about him, just passing the info.

Good luck,

Mike.

[v4_jeff]

Yeah, I'd be much more comfortable with a shop doing the work. Thanks for the recommendation, I'll check them out. That's actually a better rate than I'm used to - Denver shops usually charged $85-100/hr for labor.

Which cruise control did they use for your ST? Was it the servo-driven Audiovox like this one?

[Greg Cothern]

Could always make a trip up to my place and we tackle it during a wrench session??

[stryder]

Which cruise control did they use for your ST? Was it the servo-driven Audiovox like this one?[/quot


That's the one. Works like a champ.  I think that's the best mod that I've ever put on a bike. When I brought the project to Bob at G-town Honda, he actually got excited about the prospect as he had never done one.

And what Greg said, I've been to one of his wrench sessions, there's usually a lot of talent attending and they seem to be able to fix almost anything. Or host one of your own, MOOT guys are some of the most helpful folks you'll run across.

[v4_jeff]

That's the one. Works like a champ.  I think that's the best mod that I've ever put on a bike. When I brought the project to Bob at G-town Honda, he actually got excited about the prospect as he had never done one.

Very cool. I've thought about putting one of those on the Interceptor, but just never got around to it. Maybe some day, and if I round out my v4 collection with an ST, I'll definitely have to look into it more.

After taking the new bike for a quick shakedown spin, I'm noticing that the bars sit a bit off-center. I'm hoping the forks are just tweaked in the clamps and not actually bent. If they are bent, and need to be replaced, I'd love to get something on there that will handle a twin front brake setup. Has anyone heard of a twin brake conversion on the Super, or does anyone know of a set of forks that might work?