I was looking at buying a 3rd generation Magna that is being advertised on Craigslist. The bike is reported to not have a chain and and also a known bad tensioner. If I purchased the chain and tensioner to take over to the bike, would it be a difficult task to install it so I can test ride the bike, and then take them back off when I'm done? The price of the bike is good, but without being able to test ride it I don't know if I'd be able to adequately ascertain how good of shape the bike is in.
Does he mean the cam chain tensioner or drive chain tensioner which we know does not have one LOL those are both easy fixes.
Quote from: roboto65 on July 25, 2012, 11:00:24 AM
Does he mean the cam chain tensioner or drive chain tensioner which we know does not have one LOL those are both easy fixes.
I'm not sure which tensioner. I'll ask him.
Quote from: roboto65 on July 25, 2012, 11:00:24 AM
Does he mean the cam chain tensioner or drive chain tensioner which we know does not have one LOL those are both easy fixes.
He said it was the "chain tensioner" and that he estimated it would be $35-$45 to replace the bad part. So the bike doesn't have a chain tensioner?
The only drive chain tensioner is the nuts you adjust at the end of the swing ARM...
I lost one and had to replace it.. if that part is missing, I can send you a replacement...
+1 to Hootman's comment, there is threaded rod with nut/locknut combo for drive chain tensioning.
If the bike has a stock toolkit, you can use those to adjust chain tension, as well as get the front drive sprocket cover off (uses allen key).
The trick is usually disengaging the clutch cable... for which I use a really long flathead screwdriver to wedge it off.
Probably a more correct method is to take the tension out of the clutch cable, *then* remove it. :???:
All said and done, it's really quite easy.
The thing I wonder about... if it is a 'bad tensioner', does the owner mean the tension block and nuts are gone? Or the threaded rod is damaged (which can be easily done)? But I don't recall offhand if axle removal is required to insert said block... which would require supporting the rear end of the bike.
Hop Along
Quote from: hop along on July 25, 2012, 03:35:45 PM
+1 to Hootman's comment, there is threaded rod with nut/locknut combo for drive chain tensioning.
If the bike has a stock toolkit, you can use those to adjust chain tension, as well as get the front drive sprocket cover off (uses allen key).
The trick is usually disengaging the clutch cable... for which I use a really long flathead screwdriver to wedge it off.
Probably a more correct method is to take the tension out of the clutch cable, *then* remove it. :???:
All said and done, it's really quite easy.
The thing I wonder about... if it is a 'bad tensioner', does the owner mean the tension block and nuts are gone? Or the threaded rod is damaged (which can be easily done)? But I don't recall offhand if axle removal is required to insert said block... which would require supporting the rear end of the bike.
Hop Along
I lost mine because I digit to lock the nuts.. so no, you don't have to remove the axel to install..
This is the Cam Chain tensioner albeit taken apart LOL
(http://i181.photobucket.com/albums/x35/roboto65/7.jpg)
If you look at the end of the swingarm you will see the drive chain tensioner.
(http://i181.photobucket.com/albums/x35/roboto65/IMAG0056-1.jpg)
Now if the nuts fall off the tensioner you will lose the back plate but not the tensioner but unless the plate is there you cannot tighten it up. :(
Do you guys think it would be possible to determine that a Magna is healthy without riding it?
Yeah how many miles if the price is right honestly they are pretty bullet proof so unless the PO just ran the oil dry it should be fine not much that cannot be fixed beside bent parts the engine would be the least of my worrys.
Quote from: roboto65 on July 25, 2012, 08:50:31 PM
Yeah how many miles if the price is right honestly they are pretty bullet proof so unless the PO just ran the oil dry it should be fine not much that cannot be fixed beside bent parts the engine would be the least of my worrys.
Mileage is about 27k+
How long did he run it with a broken tensioner?
You can run them for a while with it broke, but just wondering
Quote from: hootmon on July 25, 2012, 09:26:37 PM
How long did he run it with a broken tensioner?
You can run them for a while with it broke, but just wondering
I haven't actually gone to see the bike yet. It's about 52 miles away from me, so I wanted to get my ducks-in-a-row before I even thought about headeding out.
What year and how much?
Quote from: TLRam1 on July 25, 2012, 10:23:23 PM
What year and how much?
$2000 for a '98
No chain, no title.
Quote from: Gloveberg on July 26, 2012, 12:01:24 AM
Quote from: snoopy on July 25, 2012, 10:33:31 PM
no title.
Run far away......
That was my thoughts. I kept asking the seller for the VIN so I could have it checked by the police, but the seller didn't want to provide it. I must have asked in 4 different emails. I think I *will* just back away from this one.
RUN FOREST RUN :lol: :lol: :lol:
On that note heres one down here
http://houston.craigslist.org/mcy/3158087130.html
Quote from: snoopy on July 26, 2012, 12:20:16 AM
That was my thoughts. I kept asking the seller for the VIN so I could have it checked by the police, but the seller didn't want to provide it. I must have asked in 4 different emails. I think I *will* just back away from this one.
Chances are it's not stolen but rather he wants to pass this headache onto someone else with no questions asked.
What kind of bike are you looking for? 2nd Gen? 3rd Gen?
Did you see this one?
http://sanmarcos.craigslist.org/mcy/3162160917.html
Heres one in San Marcos salvage title great price.
http://sanmarcos.craigslist.org/mcy/3162160917.html
:lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: How about that LOL
San Marcos is the county seat of Hays County, where I live. About 30 minute ride from my home. I also have a trailer set up to haul these exact bikes. If you want it, shoot me the money, and I will retrieve it for you. I would look to buy it myself, but two is enough!!
If I had the money, it would be in my garage right now! 8)
Quote from: Gloveberg on July 26, 2012, 06:08:47 PM
What kind of bike are you looking for? 2nd Gen? 3rd Gen?
I think I'm addicted, because I want one or two more 3rd Gens and a V65. That would be a start, but I could easily see me collecting V4s like a crazy cat lady collects cats.
Quote from: lragan on July 26, 2012, 09:05:46 PM
San Marcos is the county seat of Hays County, where I live. About 30 minute ride from my home. I also have a trailer set up to haul these exact bikes. If you want it, shoot me the money, and I will retrieve it for you. I would look to buy it myself, but two is enough!!
Thank you, but I'm saving money right now to move. Even though I want new motorcycles I really can't afford them yet. Soon.
Hey, that would be great though, if your trailer held two. I could ride down, check out, buy the bike, and we could ride back towing the bikes.
Oh, by "retrieve it for you", did you mean put it in your garage, snuggled up with your others? ;-)
Quote from: snoopy on July 26, 2012, 11:05:14 PM
Oh, by "retrieve it for you", did you mean put it in your garage, snuggled up with your others? ;-)
:lol: :lol: :lol:
Only if it were mine, and so I could invest the time and money to bring it up to good condition.
The trailer is my "garage" for bikes, and it only holds two. My cages sit in a carport. You can see what I value... :smile:
Quote from: lragan on July 27, 2012, 09:23:35 AM
The trailer is my "garage" for bikes, and it only holds two. My cages sit in a carport. You can see what I value... :smile:
That sounds kinda dangerous, to have your bikes in a mobile box. Sounds rife for theft, or possibly an insurance claim.... ;-)
Actually, they are more secure in the trailer than open in a carport. I use a very rugged hitch lock. And, the whole place is secured with electric gates, and ample firearms... :cool:
Quote from: lragan on July 27, 2012, 02:32:40 PM
And, the whole place is secured with [...] ample firearms ... :cool:
Heck yea!
You should keep looking, I think you can get a much better bike with a title for the same price. Maybe even lower miles also.