When I bought my 95 Yellow Magna a year ago it already had two dents (with scratches) on the tank. I mulled over the idea of the tank/valk conversion (and even bought a valk tank) but havn't convinced myself to pay the extra $450+ shipping both ways for the extra 2.5 gal capacity. I live in a small town and rarely see the highway. Average trip is 2-3 miles, so I really don't need it.
At any rate, I am tired of the banged up tank. The magna looks so nice but the dents really detract. So I was planning on doing one of three things . . . Buy a brand new tank (I located one for $526), wait for a good used yellow one on the internet to bolt right on (this may take a while), or buy a banged up used and have it (or the one I currently have) fixed. I enjoy riding too much to take my tank off and have it fixed. I live in a small town and I would have to take it into DFW (200 miles away) to get it fixed.
Also, I am not sure about the price to have one fixed. I located a banged up tank that I can have sent to me for $110 ($75 + shipping), but how much do you suspect dent repair and paint job will cost? My uncle had hail damage on his Magna, and it cost him $500 for all the parts (tank, covers, fenders + radiator cover) to be fixed and painted. So I am thinking maybe $200-$250 for mine. Does that sound right?
I even bought the decals to go on it, though I am not sure to plaster those ginormous flags on an otherwise clean tank. The easiest might be to wait for a good used one to pop up on ebay or on the for sale page. But it would have to be yellow and in great shape. Plus, one of those might fetch a hefty price tag. Why would someone sell a perfectly good tank? There are no aftermarket options to replace it with, and since they are no longer in production, the # availible keeps getting smaller.
Any thoughts or suggestions? Sorry for the long post. dc
It seems like form your description that all the options are all in the same price range. Since you have already invested in a Valk tank, I would go ahead and use that tank.
You have the tank so you would have no downtime and you get the added benefit of extra fuel capacity. Even if you don't need it right now it may be nice to have in the future. It seems a bit crazy to spend all that money to end up with the same thing.
MY vote: Valk tank.
Good luck.
Looking at the closed sales in Ebay, only two 3rd gen tanks have sold in the last couple of weeks. One black with a dent went for $60 and one blue in good condition went for $175. There is a blue one listed now and is up to $123. Finding a yellow one is going to be difficult. If you google motorcyle salvage yards you will find a couple of places that you can put in you part request and it will be sent to numerous salvage yards.
If you get one that is damaged, the color doesn't matter because you have to repaint anyway. They will be more available as well.
I had a VStar with a dented tank that I got repaired and painted (black no seal coat) for $150. It was not a perfect job, but it wasn't a perfect bike. I would call some body shops and see if you could get a ball park figure, then you would have something to go on. Sure would be a lot cheaper to just do yours and wait out the down time.
I personally don't like the looks of the Valk tank conversion. You could probably sell it and get most or all of your money back.
Quote from: antmanYou have the tank so you would have no downtime and you get the added benefit of extra fuel capacity. Even if you don't need it right now it may be nice to have in the future.
The valk tank is actually a conversion of two tanks. So . . . since I already have the valk, all I would need is a magna tank. Then they would both get shipped to the conversion guy, he would cut the bottom off the magna, the top off the valk, adds some pieces, then weld them together. So again, I'd have to take the tank off my bike, or buy used one to send to him. Since I know that would take at least a month, I'd be much more inclined to buy an extra and send to him.
Quote from: antmanIt seems a bit crazy to spend all that money to end up with the same thing.
I agree. But if you put a pencil to it, it doesn't quite work out that way. Here is an estimate of that scenario:
$110 for Magna tank & shipping
$75 to ship 2 tanks to him
$450 for conversion
$35 to get conversion sent back
$75 for valk gas shroud and cap
$200 for paint
-$75 Minus selling my old tank
-----------
$870 Total
If I buy a used Magna tank and get it fixed, here are the costs:
$110 for Magna tank & shipping
$200 for paint
-$75 Minus selling my old tank
-$125 Minus selling my Valk tank
---------
$110 Total
Quote from: DC SmithSure would be a lot cheaper to just do yours and wait out the down time.
You're right it would save some, but you have to consider that even though I have the expense of buying a second one, when it is finished, I have another one to sell. So assuming they go for the same amount, I'm out the shipping of the first one ($35). That is a good thought though.
Quote from: DC SmithI personally don't like the looks of the Valk tank conversion. You could probably sell it and get most or all of your money back.
That was one of my thoughts . . . But, if I do sell the Magna later on, wouldn't the tank add a good bit to the sale. Certainly not the $870, but maybe half that? Maybe not.
DC, you also had a good point about looking for a used one. If it is banged up, the color doesn't matter. Ideally I'd like to find a good yellow one, but that seems very unlikely. The one I am thinking about buying is yellow, but is banged up (just a few small dents), and is $75 + shipping. I don't think I can get much better than that.
Ok, thanks for the good thoughts, please keep them coming. Antman I'm glad you brought up the point about cost. Until I busted out the calculator I too assumed the cost would be about the same.
Thanks again, and please kep the suggestions coming. They are sure appreciated from a guy who knows so little about the two-wheel world. dc
dc , sent you a pm
Me personally I like the Valk tank mod for looks and added range.
Sounds like to me you have 4 choices:
First do nothing and ride it the way it is.
Second, have the one you have repaired.
Third, buy a new one (if you going to replace stock tank might as well be new one right?)
Fourth, do the Valk tank mod.
Cost range is progressive as well from $0 to $1000, if you enjoy your Magna and going to keep it long term and like/want the Valk mod then why not? You could always sell off the Valk tank mod seperately later if you decided to sell the Magna. I bet you could atleast get half your money back out of it. But did you buy the Magna to make money or ride? LoL.
Quote from: dc112675I live in a small town and I would have to take it into DFW (200 miles away) to get it fixed.
Quote from: dc112675When I bought my 95 Yellow Magna a year ago it already had two dents (with scratches) on the tank.
how bad is the two dents (with scratches) on the tank.
You say you are 200 miles from Dallas. I live in Plano just north of Dallas. I have been considering the tank mod. My Yellow tank has a very small imperfection on top of the tank. I rode it for 11 months before my wife noticed it, when the light hit it just right.
The Valkyrie(Vk) tank comes in two sizes Interstate and Regular Size. What do you have. The Regular is 6.3 Gllons
I wish I could see what the tank mod looks like on the Magna.
Quote from: Luke 22I wish I could see what the tank mod looks like on the Magna.
Ask and ye shall receive :wink:
http://www.magnariders.com/html/TipTrick/valktank.html
Thank you Jimmy and you did it in yellow that is awesome. :lol:
Actually Robert, the standard Valk tank is 5.3 gallons. The Valk Interstate tank is 6.9 and I believe it cannot be used because there are clearance problems with the handlebars (even the standard Valk tank is close). Good luck!
Curtis
Quote from: Curtis_ValkActually Robert, the standard Valk tank is 5.3 gallons. The Valk Interstate tank is 6.9 and I believe it cannot be used because there are clearance problems with the handlebars (even the standard Valk tank is close). Good luck!
Curtis
Curtis I don't doubt you for a second.
My source is http://www.magnaownersoftexas.org/tips.htm#A1.4
The regular tank after conversion gives 6.3 US gallons. I see :oops:
Ahh........I guess combining the Valk tank with the Magna pan gets you some extra capacity. Nothing wrong with that! With the Magna's great fuel mileage that setup could net you over 250 miles to reserve!!
Curtis
DC,
That site on MOOT says you need new risers with the coversion. Add that you your price list!!
Quote from: DC SmithDC,
That site on MOOT says you need new risers with the coversion. Add that you your price list!!
I noticed the taller risers requirement.
If anyone is interested in restoring their tank, or just want it coated inside.......
http://www.donhart.com/
They can steam and line your rusted tank or do a complete restore which includes complete sandblasting and a poly-coating inside with a 2 year warranty. I have a Honda Rebel tank there now for the complete restore and will pick it up next Friday. The restored tank is primered when you get it back.
I bet for the non-do-it-yourselfers, they would do the Valk tank mod for you.
David Morris
MOOT #362
With a little more negotiations with my wife it is possible that I could be getting the Magna/Valk tank. I will be talking to her father this weekend.
So Greg where is the Moot equipment to have a wrench session to modify the tank and paint booth. :lol:
Seriously what is expected range of prices for a single color paint job on just the tank and the range of prices on everything getting painted?
Let me just say that GREG is not, I repeat NOT a painter hehehehe. I certainly wish I were as I could get rid of the Male buffalo with the indian face off my trunk on the Valk hehehehe.
Talked to Charles Otwell, he is good with painting and probably could do a good job for you and not charge a whole lot.
Bob
Just saw on another forum that Jimmy Glover has a yellow tank that he is going to paint to match his bike. MAYBE you could buy a tank, he could give you his yellow one and you could split the cost of ONE paint job, instead of both paying for a paint job.
http://forums.delphiforums.com/MagnaRiders/messages/?start=Start+Reading+%3E%3E
See post # 4.
Just a thought!
Quote from: DC Smithinstead of both paying for a paint job.
Just a thought!
dc112675 will not need to paint his. I will have to paint my tank after the two are put together as one.
I am meeting with someone Tuesday to see if they can do the tank mood for me and how much.
Quote from: rjbTalked to Charles Otwell, he is good with painting and probably could do a good job for you and not charge a whole lot.
Bob
I hope that Charles will PM me with an idea of how much.
I just want to say thank you to all of you who have piped in with your thoughts. It seems as though there are several options for me.
Dan- I did email Jimmy and he wants to hold on to his tank.
Charles comes highly recommended and was gracious enough to offer his services for a trade, but unfortunately the cost of shipping tanks back and forth is too expensive.
I also have been visiting with Robert about a trade, and because we might be able to meet to do the swap, it would eliminate the middle man (read: UPS) and save quite a bit of money.
Another option is to look around town at the body shops. I live in a small West Texas town and there isn't much. There are 3 in the phone book, and I don't know the quality and price of their work. I think I may check into that as a back-up plan. That would mean I could sell the Valk tank to offset the cost.
Does anyone know the cost of paint? It is yellow and I need enough to do a tank. I think it requires a clear-coat as well.
Thanks again for all your help. Please keep those suggestions coming in. dc
I went ahead and checked the local body guy, and his price was reasonable. I also inquired from someone else about his work and they said he was the best in town (remember that there are only 3 of them). He quoted me at $150 for the work, but He said he did not have access to the paint, so I would have to supply it. This is where it gets fun . . .
I did not do a great deal of checking, but just from the Color Rite website the prices were $74 for half pint and $110 for a pint. And while that seems a little pricey, you have to factor in that I need a base coat and a topcoat! That is $148-$210 just for paint! Maybe there is a cheaper supplier, but if not that would serve as a last resort. Oh well, it is just a back-up plan.
Quote from: dc112675I live in a small West Texas town
Where?
I live in Sweetwater, 40 miles west of Abilene and home of the Rattlesnake Round-Up.
25 years ago or so I was at Walnut Spring at a rattlesnake round up.
Deja Vu on the Rattlesnake Round-up discussion. Has anyone been to the Cotton gin Festival in Burton? Now that is an engine!!
David
dc112675 wrote
I did not do a great deal of checking, but just from the Color Rite website the prices were $74 for half pint and $110 for a pint. And while that seems a little pricey, you have to factor in that I need a base coat and a topcoat! That is $148-$210 just for paint! Maybe there is a cheaper supplier, but if not that would serve as a last resort. Oh well, it is just a back-up plan.
>>
The price my supplier quoted me for the complete basecoat/clear coat system was around $60.00. Any good automotive paint supply store should have a scanner they use to match paint. Give me a couple of days and I'll send you the name of the nearest paint store to you that has one.
Quote from: dc112675I live in Sweetwater, 40 miles west of Abilene and home of the Rattlesnake Round-Up.
Well crap, I didn't know that. I live in Bronte, just down Hwy 70 from ya :wink:
Jimmy G.-
We are just a stones throw away . . . assuming you have a cannon for an arm and can hurl a rock 40 miles. I go to Mexico 2-3 times a year and pass through a Bronte every time. Next time I'll keep my eyes pealed for a red Magna.
Are there ever any wrenching sessions this far West? I'd like to learn from the pros, but I am pretty sure I have the only Magna in a 39 mile radius (assuming you don't leave the city limits and head north). dc
Hopped onto ebay in my continual quest to find a tank. I have several irons on the fire but want to make sure I have a back up plan.
First off, this one is not what I am looking for, but I found its description interesting. According to the seller, the tank is "Slightly" dented. When he says slightly, does he mean "not run over by a steam roller?"
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/GAZ-TANK-HONDA-MAGNA-750-2003-USED_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQcategoryZ35586QQihZ001QQitemZ110126260103QQrdZ1
The second one does spark some interest. It is new/like new, and has the cooler (read: more subtle) Magna decal (as opposed to the big checkered flag). However, it states that the fuel vent leaks?!? Can that be repaired, or would I have to have major work done to fix it. While my tank may have a few dents, it does hold fuel.
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/HONDA-750-MAGNA-GAS-TANK_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQcategoryZ35586QQihZ001QQitemZ110127288086QQrdZ1
DC,
WOW, the yellow one looks like just what you want. I would watch that one real close. The other one is past slightly dented.
I don't think repairing the leak in the vent would be a big deal. Much cheaper than a paint job I would think.
Of course, I am no body man, but I did stay in a Holilday Inn last night.
Quote from: DC SmithDC,
WOW, the yellow one looks like just what you want. I would watch that one real close. The other one is past slightly dented.
I don't think repairing the leak in the vent would be a big deal. Much cheaper than a paint job I would think.
Of course, I am no body man, but I did stay in a Holilday Inn last night.
ROFLOL
Quote from: dc112675"Slightly" dented. When he says slightly, does he mean "not run over by a steam roller?"
The second one does spark some interest. It is new/like new, and has the cooler (read: more subtle) Magna decal (as opposed to the big checkered flag).
The first one does look bad but not hit by a steamroller I agree. :lol:
I am assuming my 94 decal is the flag one and you know that by the picture I sent you. One good thing is the yellow one has five + days until it ends on ebay. But if you decide to go for the yellow one on ebay and you don't get it we can continue the trade option, if you like. If it does not happen it was not to be.
The person I need to talk to about the modification job will not be in until Thursday so I am delayed again to commit. :cry:
Yes, the ebay one does look nice, but I don't know the cost of having the vent leak fixed. The only person knowledgable enough to fix it in my area may be a dealership in Abilene. And we all know that they are very proud of their work (and they send you bills to prove it).
The seller on ebay is selling it for a local shop, so my question is this: if it is so easy to fix, why wouldn't they fix it and be able to sell it for more? Thats my logic. Of course they may have their hands full and not want to mess with it.
Robert- The ebay tank and any other rabbits I am chasing are all back-up plans. I made an offer and it will remain on the table. Please don't think I would retract it. Like I said, if it works for you then we can do the swap, if not I understand. I also know that a trade for you requires a big (financial) commitment and I don't want you to feel pressured to do it. I am easy to please. And as far as the decal is concerned, it really doesn't matter to me. I was thinking we had the same one (with the flag) and it didn't bother me either way.
I know you are waiting to hear from your fabricator, but I kinda need to know by Thursday afternoon. That way I can drain the tank, get them loaded up, etc. I will probably head that way early Friday morning.
Thanks again so much to all of you guys who have submitted thoughts, ideas, and suggestions. It is greatly appreciated. dc
I know what you mean. I have a full tank and was going to burn it up Wed.. - Fri when the threat of rain is gone. I plan on bring it in the truck to Arlington. I would hate to scratch it bringing it to you on Saturday.
I feel very positive that he will be able to modify the tanks for me.
Quote from: dc112675
I know you are waiting to hear from your fabricator, but I kinda need to know by Thursday afternoon.
If you PM or email me with a phone number I can call you as soon as I know Thursday
He said pick up the tank and he will figure out how to do it, from all the information that has been given to me to give to him.
I also want to thank everyone with the information that has been given.
So if you email me a address or map I can meet you Saturday. I don't know the purpose you are in town but if you like, we can have lunch.
I will take pictures but the modification will not be a rush job. I figure it will take two or three weeks from start to finish so I may not start it until the winter months.
Tank with vent problem. I wonder could you seal the vent tube and like the valk cap drilling a hole in the Magna gas cap for the venting?
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=110127288086&fromMakeTrack=true&ssPageName=VIP:watchlink:middle:us
I am thanking about not using the magna vent tube but drilling a hole in the Valk cap. That will give me a little more capacity. But what could be the disadvantage of doing this direction?
How would I get in touch with Robert Gray about doing the cap mod?
When I bought my Magna, it came with a dent in the tank that looked like a shovel fell on it (long slash from bottom left, about 6" diagonal.) I took it to a motorcycle paint shop, and he redid the whole tank for $125 - black, including clear. He even masked and around decals so I didn't have to buy new ones. The paint was blended in so you can't tell. Did a beautiful job, I almost cried when I saw it.
I considered buying a new tank, replacing with a nice one off eBay, etc., but was glad I finally went to a paint shop. It wasn't as expensive as I thought it'd be.
Well, I finally have the tank issue resolved, and a special thanks goes to all of you guys who helped out. I ended up exchanging tanks with Robert (Luke 22) and now I have a yellow tank that looks brand new. In return he got my dented Magna tank and the Valk tank I had bought months ago to do the conversion.
I really think that is the best for both of us. Granted, I am trading two tanks for one, but any other scenario would have required painting/fixing a Magna tank as well as selling/shipping my Valk tank. All of that would have taken weeks and more upfront cost. Now I have a nice tank I've always wanted, and that ginormous tank box is out of my basement.
So to Robert . . . thanks. It was a pleasure to meet you and do the swap. I know you are excited about the conversion, but I do not envy the next few weeks. In the long run, you will be able to go on a long run (without multiple gas stops). I hope the conversion goes as planned.
Thanks again to all of you . . . now if I can get my bike running again :?