1984 Honda V65 problems
The Honda Magna is a cruiser motorcycle made from 1982 to 1988 and 1994 to 2003 and was the second Honda to use their new V4 engine shared with the VF750S Sabre and a few years later a related engine was fitted to the VF750F 'Interceptor', the later models used a retuned engine from the VFR750F with fins added to the outside of the engine. The engine technology and layout was a descendant of Honda's racing V4 machines, such as the NS750 and NR750. The introduction of this engine on the Magna and the Sabre in 1982, was a milestone in the evolution of motorcycles that would culminate in 1983 with the introduction of the Interceptor V4. The V45's performance is comparable to that of Valkyries and Honda's 1800 cc V-twin cruisers. However, its mix of performance, reliability, and refinement was overshadowed by the more powerful 1,098 cc "V65" Magna in 1983.
Though criticized for its long-distance comfort and lauded mainly for its raw acceleration, the Magna was the bike of choice for Doris Maron, a Canadian grandmother and accountant-turned-traveler who toured the world solo by motorcycle. She made the trek without the benefit of the support crew that usually accompanies riders in adventures depicted in such films as Long Way Round.
The Honda Magna of years 1982–1988 incorporated a number of unique features into a cruiser market dominated by V-twin engines. The V4 engine configuration provided a balance between torque for good acceleration and high horsepower. The 90-degree layout produced less primary vibration, and the four cylinders provided a much smoother delivery of power than a V-twin. Good engine balance, plus short stroke and large piston diameter allowed for a high redline and potential top speed.
Besides the engine configuration, the bike had water-cooling, a six-speed transmission for good economy at highway speed, and common on other middleweight bikes for Honda in the early 1980s, shaft drive. While the shaft drive is very convenient with virtually no maintenance required (and no oil getting slung around), it also robbed some power from where it was more evidently lacking on in town or lower speed riding. It also had features like twin horns, hydraulic clutch, and an engine temperature gauge. A coil sprung, oil bath, air preload front fork with anti-dive valving was an improvement, although the Magna did not benefit from the linkage based single shock that was on the Sabre and Interceptor.
The V-65 Magna and other large-displacement Hondas were assembled in the Marysville Motorcycle Plant in Ohio for US delivery and in Japan for other markets. In 2008, Honda announced plans to close the plant, their oldest in North America, in 2009, which had been still making Gold Wings and VTX cruisers.
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Common 1984 Honda V65 problems
The 1984 Honda V65 Magna is a popular motorcycle known for its powerful V6 engine and smooth ride. However, like any vehicle, it can experience certain problems over time. Here are some common issues reported by owners of this model:
- Timing problems: Some owners have reported issues with the timing on their 1984 Honda V65 Magna. This can manifest as difficulty starting the bike, backfiring, or poor performance. In some cases, the timing may not be adjustable on these bikes, so other solutions may be necessary. A timing light can be used to check the timing and ensure it is correct.
- Clutch issues: The clutch on the 1984 Honda V65 Magna can also cause problems. Some owners have reported issues with the clutch not fully disengaging, which can cause difficulty shifting and potentially lead to the bike popping out of gear. A full rebuild of the master and slave cylinders, as well as flushing out the line, is recommended to address these issues. Additionally, switching to a stainless steel braided clutch line can eliminate the mechanism on the current clutch line, which can help prevent future problems.
- Shifting issues: The early Magna models are notorious for building up gunk in the slave cylinder, which can cause shifting issues. A full rebuild of the master and slave cylinders, as well as replacing the push rod seals, is recommended to address these issues. It's also important to ensure that the clutch lever and actuation are working properly.
- Noise when starting: Some owners have reported a rattling noise when starting their 1984 Honda V65 Magna, particularly when the choke is on and the idle comes down. This noise is often related to the clutch and can be caused by a variety of issues, including worn-out clutch plates or a damaged clutch basket. It's important to diagnose the root cause of the noise before attempting to fix it, as purchasing a new clutch can be expensive.
- Cam wear: Some owners have reported issues with cam wear on their 1984 Honda V65 Magna. The cams are known to be the weakest point in the engine and can wear out quickly, particularly if the bike is not maintained properly. Regular maintenance, including regular oil changes and valve adjustments, can help prevent cam wear and extend the life of the engine.
In general, regular maintenance and careful diagnosis of any issues that arise can help ensure that the 1984 Honda V65 Magna remains a reliable and enjoyable motorcycle to ride.
What is the top speed of the V65?
The V65 lay somewhere between these two in performance, posting a quarter mile time of 11.29 s at 119.2 mph (191.8 km/h). The 1983 V65 Magna was tested at a top speed of 224 km/h (139 mph).
What engine was in the 1984 Honda Magna V65?
The V65's majorly oversquare engine, with a 79.5mm bore and 55.3mm stroke, would cheerfully rev to 10 grand, with maximum rear-wheel power of 105 horses coming on at 9,500, redline at 10,000.
How much horsepower does a 1984 Magna V65 have?
The 1100cc engine didn't have the same bad rep, though—it was one of the most powerful motors of the 1980s, with a claimed 116 horsepower. In a straight line, the Magna V65 was basically as fast as any superbike on the market for several years.
How much horsepower does a Honda Sabre V65 have?
Pumping out a walloping 121 horsepower, the mighty Sabre could launch from a standstill to 50 miles per hour in just 2.31 seconds!
1984 Honda V65 car problems categorized by type of issue
After analyzing all complaints sent to the NHTSA and researching popular Honda V65 problems, we found that the most common problems with these 2023 model year vehicles are:
- Fuel system problems
- Gasoline problems
The graph below shows statistics for all 1984 Honda V65 vehicle components and the number of complaints received.
1984 Honda V65 complaints
The NHTSA has received 1 complaints about various vehicle components related to the 1984 Honda V65.
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 1996-05-14
- Fire: 1
- Components: FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
- Summary: MOTORCYCLE FIRE.
Additional sources
More sources of information about 1984 Honda V65 problems:
Common problems/ quirks & solutions - V4MuscleBike.com
1984 Honda V65 Magna - Project- 99.9999% done. Last edited by Gixxerkid3; 10-14-2018 at 10:42 AM. Reason: clarification. Gixxerkid3 is ...
1984 Honda V65 magna 1100CC - Honda-Tech - Honda Forum ...
Aug 4, 2004 ... it might be a common issue and the mechanic will know what it is just by sound. ... Honda. My Dad ... magna, mods, problems, side, sound, v64, v65.
1983 V65 Magna problems - V4MuscleBike.com
Common problems are the 3 yellow wires form the stator to the rectifier can melt the connector. The main fuse can fall apart after 30 + years.
80's Honda V4's: How Common Were Valve and Cam Issues ...
Jul 20, 2015 ... 3) None that I can think of. A friend owned an '82 750 Magna and never had any problems. I have owned 2 V65 Sabres over the years and never any ...
Honda Magna V65 cam problem - V4MuscleBike.com
Okay I am looking at buying a project bike to restore. The seller says it has had the cams resurfaced so I am assuming this is related to the ...
Other years of Honda V65
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