Magna dual sport concept- Magna G/S 750

[akpete]

Hello all from Alaska!!- I'm new to the forums here and to Magna ownership- an 1982 VF750C.  A friend at work gave (cheap as free!) me the beast.  She's was a bit of an albatross, as it was passed around his family from his uncle, to his father and to him.

I knew, going in that it wasn't running (or running poorly), unfortunately- it will be a couple more days before I'll know, as he doesn't even have a key for it!  I called a local locksmith and he thinks there's a key code under the gas tank (or at least he'll be able to rekey the ignition).  I pulled off both and will be going over tomorrow to see his wizardry in action.

I am probably soon to alienate myself from all of you with my heresy....  Anyway- not to offend any of the purists here- but I am considering something like the photo attachment (hope the attachment works- couldn't find the FAQ on how to add photos).


Kind of funny, but aside from the dual rear shocks it looks like some of the early BMW G/Ss.


A few reasons for the transformation-
1. I saw the shaft drive and thought, hmm the beemers have shaft drive.
2. Not sure my buddy will be able to get the title, so I'll need to do a salvage title which will kill any chances of reselling.
3. I would like to tackle some of the trails in the area.
4. Thought it would be a fun challenge!
5. The winters are long up here and *should* have plenty of time to get the work done before next spring.

Still need to research adjusting the rear shocks (or getting larger ones- for more travel), specs on limits of travel on the shaft drive, customizing the exhaust (maybe 4 into 1 and to try to get it protected and higher in the rear), skid plate and radiator brush guards, new straighter handlebars, flat seat and some dual sport tires.

Thanks for all the posts in the Garage!  I have been linking tons of articles to print off as soon as the key situation gets fixed- and if the locksmith is a dead-end there's always wire cutters I guess....

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[roboto65]

That looks like it could be fun !!!! very interesting Idea and Welcome to the Forums

[rjb/AKA Bob Barram]

Welcome aboard Alaska Pete, that key thing could be a problem with the older bike but I am sure someone has had to deal with it before here.  Post it in the Garage about the key and someone else may chime in on it.
Bob

[akpete]

Oh yeah in the interest of full disclosure- I pulled the before picture (below) from an eBay listing of an '84 Magna and performed my SEAMLESS photo doctoring with M/S Paint!!!  (Note the knobbies- can hardly tell they're square blocks from the paint brush...)

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[Magnum Magna]

Somewhere in a past post there was one really cool looking V65 that was modified.  It was not in the group but someone saw it and posted it. 

Welcome to the group

[Magna86]

Pull off your helmet lock and take it to honda. The key code is on the bottom. Its on the ignition too I believe but not on the gas cap.

[MarylandMagnav45]

The key to off road is good grip tires and suspension.

Good luck.

I hate when bikes look the same...like all 1st gen's practically do...my 1st gen naked looks just like the photo you grabbed from ebay!

So something different is awesome in my opinion.

[TLRam1]

Welcome to MOOT, nice to have someone from up your way.

PM sent for Photo Posting.

Cool looking bike with the knobbies on it.

Depending on your duel sporting treks you want to tackle, be it mud, bumps, pot holes, hills or mostly dirt roads/fire roads. For the more aggressive treks, longer travel & stouter suspension will make the bike handle better, shaft travel is a good point to consider. Will you ride the bike in snow or ice?

Should be a neat project, keep us posted as you progress with photos. The only comments you are likely to get from us will be some good natured razzing at times, you sound like the type to deal with some of the fun around here.

Unlucky Dan made some homemade wind hand protectors he can post up a photo for ya if you are watching you pennies on the financial side.

[akpete]

First run, it's dark but at least you can hear it

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vRHrALC-xQI

[TLRam1]

Love the headlight and instrument cluster holder. I keep waiting for you to drop it like the guy in the video or run into a tree.

You have to be pretty excited, didn't sound bad.

[akpete]

Yeah, the street tires are pretty loosey goosey on the grass and gravel.  Plus, it's got tons of torque... 

Took it out for a longer ride afterward, couple of miles out on the road (after reinstalling the headlight and adding some more Seafoam and gas). Ran pretty good, starting backfiring a bit, but then seemed to clear it self out.  Ran it up around 9k in 2nd gear, sounded pretty clean.

Going to put the rear directionals on and try a 5 mile ride later today.

With the coolant, should I see coolant in the radiator?  The resevoir looks good- nice clean green coolant at the full cold level?  Seems odd not seeing coolant from the cap.

(The Pratt and Whitney sticker is pretty hilarious, too.  My friend's dad is a pilot.)

[TLRam1]

Yea, you should see coolant in the radiator, make sure your reservoir hose is not clogged, pinched or has a hole in it.

Keep the vids coming, esp the one where you say, gosh darn headlight fell off and you run it into the lake. 

[Charles S Otwell]

First run, it's dark but at least you can hear it

Gives a new meaning to the word HEADlight Sounds good!!

[hootmon]

Welcome from Safety Harbor, Floriduh..

We like projects.. There is a guy in Korea that was putting 600RR (I believe) forks on the front and rear wheel to have dual discs up front and disk in the rear (gen 3).. so keep going..

If they didn't have the key, it probably sat for a while.. I probably would have drained the gas tank (Varnish) and you may need to clean out the carbs manually to really get the thing running good.
As others have stated.. You may want to improve the headlight, if you are going off-roading!!! 
Unfortunately, with the shaft, you can't change (easily) the gearing ratio, but at least all the parts stay clean from mud and dirt.

Looking forward to things progressing!!!

[silveradocowboy]

Unfortunately, with the shaft, you can't change (easily) the gearing ratio

You can get a final drive off of an 84 Magna to change the ratio.