Hello all. Although I have been perusing this forum for several months I finally decided to become an active participant.
I am now the proud owner of a 1995 Pearl Yellow Honda Magna. I purchased it about 6 weeks ago and absolutely love it. I have owned several dirt bikes, but this is my first bike without knobby tires. I bought it with 7,000 miles and have added just about 200 more since then.
The bikes primary purpose is as a commuter around town. Living in a small town (Sweetwater, TX) means most jaunts take me only a 1-2 miles, and my longest to date is a 9 mile "trip" to a neighboring town.
When I bought the bike it was basically stock except for the addition of some Vance & Hines Straight Pipes. However, it had been dropped, and while everything else was replaced (the reason for the new pipes) there are two small dents on the tank. I plan to have it fixed and painted the first week of June.
Since the acquisition I have added a few small things: Kuryakyn grips with throttle boss and the handlebar helmet lock, new Metzler tires (including the 170/80 on the rear), and a couple of helmets (I have a 3 year old and a pregnant wife I can't bail on). Also, in the mail is a Corbin gunfighter seat and a set of Mapam forward controls. About the only thing else I want to add is a better (read: more stylish) headlight.
I plan to post pictures of it but first I want to get the tank fixed first . . . which leads me to my second post. But I guess you'll have to read it to find out.
At any rate, thanks for all y'alls previous posts which helped solidify my decision to get a Magna. Hope to hear from you. Doug
Welcome Doug,
I haven't been a member that long myself, but you will find the help and friends you discover here to be "priceless" (for all else of course there's Mastercard)hehehe
Greg is an authority on the VTX1800 headlight swap. Search through past forums for a parts list he provided. It'll save you time and money
I'm foaming at the mouth for one for my 88 but other expenses keep rearing their ugly heads.
p.s. I was raised in Odessa. Watch out for those West Texas crosswinds.
Again Welcome.
Doug,
I have done the VTX headlight mod. You can get the complete partslist from the tips and tricks section on the MOOT website. You can read about the results of my mod here:
http://www.magnaownersoftexas.org/forum/viewtopic.php?t=475
I bought mine used for $125. Joseba pulled his off a bike at a wrecking yard for $80. Getting the parts new will cost you about $280. I didn't like how my throttle cables and speedometer cable rubbed on the headlight housing (as you'll see in the thread), but I came up with a simple bracket extender to eliminate that. I'll soon be updating that thread with photos and my pattern.
Hey Jesse,
I knew someone else made the swap, but was too lazy to hunt for who it was. I have dogged Ebay religiously trying to find a used one with no luck. I saw a VTX1300 at a dealer and they looked the same, are they?
I need to find a bike salvage yard in the Houston area. New Honda parts are expensive and not always available.
Bill, I don't know if the 1300 and the 1800 lights are the same. You would think they are. I bought mine by posting something in the "wanted" section on a VTX board. I was careful not make any "My bike is faster than your overbloated V-twin" remarks. :)
Anyway I got mine pretty quick and then posted for another one because Chris Larue wanted one. But I haven't had any luck. You might want to email Joseba (Bam Bam). He can tell you about the wrecking yard where he got his.
I would go the used route because I like the look of the VTX light a great deal but not enough to pay $280 for it. :)
The prices new from www.partsfish.com and such seem to go up every so often. When I put one on my Super it only cost me $220, but now it is up to about $285. Guess demand has gone up LoL.
A lot of Super owners have snatched up the available ones, and I know of many 3rd gen owners that also installed.
However that is still quite a bit cheaper and easier than a harley type aftermarket setup.
Good luck.