Newbie seeking advice

[MattG]

Howdy all!

I just recently completed my MSF and got my M endorsement, and bought a '97 Magna - excellent shape (at least cosmetically), and only 4500 miles.  I've downloaded the owner's manual and service manual from here and started looking through both of them, as well as picking up 'Essential Motorcycle Maintenance'.  I worked on musclecars with my father when I was in high school, but this is my first time with a bike.  I'd like to eventually learn to maintain/service it myself, but of course I don't want to do more harm than good.

Oil and coolant and brake fluids all look fine, but I'm leaning towards changing them all out anyway, just so I have a fresh start and I can look for any warning signs while doing so.  And my chain needs cleaning/lubrication, of course.  Also, it came with a brand new Cobra exhaust system installed (I also got the stock exhaust) and a K&N filter and DRP jet kit which are not yet installed, so I plan to do that soon just so the motor isn't running lean.

Beyond these steps, any other highly recommend starting steps?  I've noticed that the bike sounds very 'mechanical' to me (when I can actually hear it over the exhaust), but I don't have any basis for comparison to know if this is normal or if it's caused by one of the symptoms listed in the service manual under 'Excessive Noise'.  Anyone have any thoughts on the 'Inspection' service offered by dealerships?  I'm in the Dallas area, so I was considering the service offered by Honda Suzuki North.

Thanks,
   -Matt

[TLRam1]

Oil and coolant and brake fluids all look fine, but I'm leaning towards changing them all out anyway, just so I have a fresh start and I can look for any warning signs while doing so.  And my chain needs cleaning/lubrication, of course.  Also, it came with a brand new Cobra exhaust system installed (I also got the stock exhaust) and a K&N filter and DRP jet kit which are not yet installed, so I plan to do that soon just so the motor isn't running lean.



Thanks,
   -Matt

That would be a good start and I normally do the same.

[TLRam1]

Beyond these steps, any other highly recommend starting steps?  I've noticed that the bike sounds very 'mechanical' to me (when I can actually hear it over the exhaust), but I don't have any basis for comparison to know if this is normal or if it's caused by one of the symptoms listed in the service manual under 'Excessive Noise'.  Anyone have any thoughts on the 'Inspection' service offered by dealerships?  I'm in the Dallas area, so I was considering the service offered by Honda Suzuki North.

Thanks,
   -Matt

Most of the Magna's will need very little and you can really just ride. That being said, maintenance is crucial to any motorized vehicle. Change the fluids, keep it clean and lubed.

Noise, maybe nothing, oil could be an issue, possible a timing chain tensioner might be bad.

Welcome to the site, if you could, put in your signature line or under your avatar your location.   

[TLRam1]

If you see this guy from Florida come up, tell him he's great, be agreeable and you'll be fine.....he eats that stuff up along with his favorite cocktail of Seafoam, so include a can in your photos. 

He voted himself the policeman of MOOT, except he's like Barney, one bullet and No power but it makes him feel good so we play along. 

[MattG]

Welcome to the site, if you could, put in your signature line or under your avatar your location.   

Done, thanks.

[Charles S Otwell]

Welcome to Moot, you'll find folks on here are very hands on, when it comes to helpful. Stay tuned and maybe someone close to you will offer up a wrenching session. Again welcome ..

[hootmon]

Matt -


I'm the one that Terry warned you about...
There are a couple of guys in the Dallas area that can provide a lot of good advice.. I'm sure someone will have a "Wrench Session" soon. A W.S. is when someone offers up their garage (usually on a Saturday) and several people come over to their house and they all look at each others Magna's, Nope, Valks, Nope, Suzuki 2-Stokes, Nope, Triumph Rockets.. Complement each other on their "improved" beer gut, and laugh at the Florida Boy..

Well, Being that I'm in Florida I've never actually been to a "Wrench Session".. But I've heard that if you're new to Magna's, it's a GREAT place to start... You could probably get your Carb kit and air filter installed (for free) and these guys know what they are doing unlike the Stealer, Oh ... I mean Dealer who MAY have someone that has seen a Magna before, but keeps scratching his head on why there are exhaust pipes on BOTH sides of the motorcycle..

All Kidding aside.. Terry was kinda NOT joking about the SeaFoam.. We try to get a can of SeaFoam in at least one of the shots we post.. Exceptions are accepted outside of your garage / work area (If you are on the road, you are not expected to carry a can of SeaFoam with you - Although it is a Great idea and I have done it on several trips!!!)

So now that you kinda know the lay of the land, and know that you have a few friends around you.. Meet up, learn and enjoy the ride.. Lube the chain within every 600 miles and otherwise you should be pretty much Maintenance free!!
OH, and post up a picture of your beauty!! (with SeaFoam of course, Maybe someone will have some at a Wrench Session soon)

Here is an example.. Just so there is no Confusion.. Penalties can be harsh!!!
BTW - You should be able to see at least 5 mods in this picture!!

[silveradocowboy]

Matt, I am in Frisco and can help for most things on a 3rd gen Magna but the gurus around here should chime in soon.

[MattG]

Matt, I am in Frisco and can help for most things on a 3rd gen Magna but the gurus around here should chime in soon.

Great! I'll take you up on that.

[Magnum Magna]

Welcome to the MOOT.

Your idea to have a good starting point is a good idea.  I would changed the cooling fluid also just that you know it has been changed.

I have never really dealt to much with "Honda Suzuki North"  In 72 my first bike came from there.  It was just Honda North at that time.  Three years back I got my Magna from them and I was very impressed with the preparation of the bike before selling it to me.  Brenda got a new Suzuki two years back and I have been happy with the warranty work they have done so far. 

The wrench sessions are good for learning and socializing so I highly recommend the wrench sessions.

I have not had the need to buy any Seafoam so I will throw in the picture a bottle of synthetic blue Rotella oil. I have never used Seafoam but I hear it can be a miracle worker for rough running carbs.

[MattG]

Well, I tried to knock out a couple of 'simple' tasks tonight, with no luck.

First up was a center stand that came with the bike, uninstalled.  I was told it was from Cycle-istic and it was clearly previously on some bike, so figured it would be good to go.  I didn't have any instructions and all I got was the stand itself (no extra bolts or brackets or instructions), but it seemed to mount without too much grief once I got everything lined up with some help from my better half.  But the foot lever rubbed a little against the bottom left pipe, it seems to kinda hang down even when stowed, and I can't fully stow the side stand with it on.  Getting the bike up on the center stand was pretty much impossible (Saw the thread about this, tried all the advice there, but didn't really try too hard given the other issues.

Here's a pic to show what I mean:
(Disclaimer: I haven't had a chance to pick up a bottle of Sea Foam yet, but I will soon I promise!)


I also took a couple pics of the stand back off the bike, to see if anyone who has the Cycle-istic piece can look at it and quickly tell this isn't really one of Dobie's creations (or Dobie himself can, of course ).  It doesn't quite look the same as the pics on the Cycle-istic site, but it's hard to tell.




So I decided to give up on that for the night and at least do the simple BSR-3 install, since this was a brand new part that just arrived yesterday from Cycle-istic, so how can I screw that up, right?  I get the old rod off with no problem, but the new rod seems to be about 1/8 - 1/4" shorter, and I can not for the life of me get it on there with both bolts properly seated.  I'm guessing there's a trick to this as well?  The instructions that came with the BSR-3 made it seem like this thing should go on in 5 minutes flat.

Frustrated, but ready for Round 2...

[hootmon]

And NO attempt at SeaFoam or any other Popular preferred product

[MattG]

And NO attempt at SeaFoam or any other Popular preferred product

I mentioned it in my disclaimer... I'll pick some up this weekend! *hangs head in shame*

[hootmon]

And NO attempt at SeaFoam or any other Popular preferred product

I mentioned it in my disclaimer... I'll pick some up this weekend! *hangs head in shame*

My Bad..
But you were warned about my zealous ways!!!

[Charles S Otwell]

Floridians , it's all that extra floride ya know, pay no attention ..