Newbie with question

[Myke]

I'm new to this site, but not to motorcycles. I was born in raised in Colorado Springs, CO, and I hope in spite of that obvious handicap, the riders from The Great State of Texas will accept me anyway. I recently sold my Suzuki Intruder 800 to buy an RV the whole family could enjoy, but with the price of gas we don't use it as much as I planned, so I bought a new to me 85 Honda Magna VF700. The gas tank appears to be quite larger than that of my Intruder, but the gas light was on when I picked it up Friday, so I went straight to a gas station. I was only able to put a little over 2 gallons in? Does anyone know the capacity of the 700 gas tanks? Is it possible my fuel light comes on at half full, or half empty depending on your optimistic or pessimistic tendencies? Just by the difference in size between the 2 bikes, Intruders have a 3.4 gallon capacity, I expected the Magna tank to be 4 gallons. Also the mileage is higher, 77,000, than either of my Intruders. I don't know anything on previous owners maintenance schedule or riding habits, so what should I be looking for as far as engine wear, how many miles are the Magna's capable of before I should plan on a rebuild, or newer bike? Also, I want slightly louder pipes than stock. I don't want to be heard from 2 miles away, but just a little more rumble. Any advice on pipes? One more thing, I've noticed my gas is on or off, no reserve? Is that standard on Magna's?
Thanks
Myke

[TLRam1]

Go here.

I think there is a Owners Manual and Service Manual download available.

http://thepit.shacknet.nu/honda/

I am not familiar with that bike so unable to offer other information. 

[Jerry G Turner]

I beleive tne gas tanks holds 3.6 0r 3.8 gallons cann't remember for sure there is no reserve thats why you have the light it's suppost to come on when you have about 6tenths of a gallon left. If its been taken care of should last well into the 100,000 range. enjoy your new bike and stop in here often

[trapper]

I can tell you that the 1st generation Magnas have a fuel capacity of 3.7 gallons.  The earlier year production bikes upto '84 do have a separate lower tank acting as a "reserve".  THere is no actual reserve setting on the fuel petcock, rather a sensor in the lower tank lights the FUEL light whenever the fuel level in the lower tank reaches about 0.9. gallons.  1985 & 86  models do not have the lower tank.  The "reserve" is included the one and only tank.  That is why it is so much wider than the earlier models.  Fuel capacity remains the same, and the fuel level sensor is tied to the level in the tank.

[Myke]

Thanks for the help. If any of you ever get up this way, look me up.
Myke

[trapper]

Thanks for the help. If any of you ever get up this way, look me up.
Myke

Thanks Myke.  May take you up on that offer as my Dad lives in Grand Junction, and I need to get up ther and see him.  Always thought it would be fun to ride over the Rockies

[Myke]

Trapper, let me know when you decide to head this way. I'll go over the mountains with you. If you aren't in a hurry, taking US 50 from Pueblo to Salida is a nice ride along the Arkansas River. From there you can head north through Buena Vista and up over Independence Pass, bring a change of drawers, it's a clenched cheek ride. Or you can head over Monarch Pass into Gunnison and then north towards Grand Junction, Monarch isn't as pretty as Independence, but parts of Independence are pretty scary.
Myke

[TLRam1]

I group of us stayed in Buena Vista last August and went up Independence Pass. I few of us are not into heights, me being one.

Wow, that was a scary ride for me. As I came around a sharp RH turn on the drop-off edge side a car was dead center backing down the mountain. My hands are sweating as I rethink this. Did the guy see me and what was I going to do, no way was I going to pass on the right between the edge and the car, and this guy was swerving back and forth as he was backing down. One of the gus in my group was on his Goldwing with wife on the back and passed on the right closes to the edge, I decided to take the inside so if he swerves at least I will be close to the wall. Once I passed him I looked back and he did just that to turn around, don't know how he turned it around as I hit another turn.

At the top the view was nice, hiked up a was to obtain a photo of snow in August and my snowball I made. When it was time to leave one other guy mentioned the difficulty of heading back down, he might have to walk it. Well, I was serious, I didn't know how I was going to get down. I was looking for someone else to ride the bike down and I'll walk or leave me here I'm not going.

I gave it a shot and rode in the wrong lane next to the wall on the way down, my passenger looked at the wall on the way down also. When a car came I would slow and ride the center line On the Line pass the car and back to the wall like a magnet. We did Colorado Pass first out of Buena Vista, that one wasn't as bad from what I remember.

Most probably are okay with this but for 3 of us there would be no more mountains like this. How is Pikes Peak compared to these?   

[Greg Cothern]

I hope to ride Colorado in a couple years.... 

[Myke]

TLRam, Pikes Peak isn't bad, but you have to pay. Last time I went,about 5 years ago, it was $35 a vehicle, might be cheaper for motorcycles, I'll check it. Lot's of switchbacks. Last 7 miles or so is gravel. Ute Pass, the road from Colorado Springs to Woodland Park a good ride and free. From there you can head up through deckers and eventually to Denver, I've never been that way, you can go up to Cripple Creek, Victor and a few others on the Gold Belt Tour, or Ride through Phantom Canyon, real nice ride. Or you can head up to Florissant and go through the Nation Fossil Beds. Lot's of good riding with incredible scenery here.
Myke

[lragan]

The trip from Boulder to Estes Park, over Trail Ridge to Grand Lake would be a nice ride.  Up the Big Thompson river, then a great view from Trail Ridge.  Maybe too many cages.  No gravel.

[trapper]

Trapper, let me know when you decide to head this way. I'll go over the mountains with you. If you aren't in a hurry, taking US 50 from Pueblo to Salida is a nice ride along the Arkansas River. From there you can head north through Buena Vista and up over Independence Pass, bring a change of drawers, it's a clenched cheek ride. Or you can head over Monarch Pass into Gunnison and then north towards Grand Junction, Monarch isn't as pretty as Independence, but parts of Independence are pretty scary.
Myke

Been over Monarch pass many, many, many times as my great-grandparents lived in Colorado Springs and my granparents lived in Montrose where my father grew up.  Very familure with Hwy 50, Blue Mesa, Black Canyon, etc.  Other favorite places include Ouray, Durango and Molas Lake along the "Million Dollar Highway".  Will make that ride with you Greg, and we'll pick up Myke along the way.....

[Myke]

That sounds like a plan to me. I have yet to ride the million dollar highway. I've wanted to for quite some time. I,m going campingthe 20th through 22 but I'm free the weekend after that.






I guess you guys might need a little more time. Let me know, I can take a day or 2 off.
Myke

[Curtis_Valk]

I'll make that Colorado trip with ya'll too!  I love it up there.  I'll also show ya how to scrape pegs on Hwy 550 with a 500 foot drop and no guard rail! LOL  Hey, there's lots more pavement available when you're on a motorcycle vs. a car.

I didn't think Independence Pass was all that bad, and Monarch Pass was just cold (I was in a t-shirt) ..............now coming out of Lake City over Slumgullion Pass in the rain while towing a trailer behind my bike demanded my attention stay on the road, but still no pucker moments.  It had quit raining by the time I got to Wolf Creek pass and I was glad because I wasn't looking forward to sharing a rainy pass with a bunch of big rigs.

Curtis

[Charles S Otwell]

To be apprehensive about such things  would require a rational mind set, and let's just say with Curtis that the jury is still out on that one !!