Thoughts and Opinions on 1985 Honda VF500C Magna V30?

2wzilla

2wzilla

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Ok, so I'm in a process of looking for a new bike, my old 2013 CBR250RA died this March as I was taken out by a cager who failed to Yield right of way at a intersection and proceed truth the intersection on her "Red" my "Green", the bike was under financing so the big fat portion of the cheque went back to Honda Canada... As of now I manage to save up $2000, not much but I find few bikes selling for that price, some seem to be way too good of a deal like 2000 CBR600RR or 2002 R1 going for meer $2000.

If I had the money I would go for a 13-15 SFV650A Gladius but I don't have the $8000 to get one, so I'm stuck looking at $2000. Anyways outside of running into CBR125's with $1000 - $3000 price tag or Ninja 250R's with as equally crazy price tag on Kijiji or Auto Traders, and then during my search I came across the VF500C. The bike looks clean, like super uber clean, and it's only $2000 with 24,xxx KM on the clock.

The problem is how reliable would such bike be and would I have problems finding the parts as it is a 1985 model, so it's older then I am 1992 child. But the upside I can get a nifty slick insurance on this thing from everyone as it's a cruiser and is only 500cc cruiser.

So thoughts and opinions on this bike? And if you owned one how reliable of a buy would this be?

Also do you guy's have any suggestions for which bike I can find that's easy and fun to ride without breaking the bank? Naked or Cruiser style. Also should mention I never ridden a cruiser so the leg controls may be bit odd for me that is why I would much rather have a naked bike, but again I got a very small budget at the moment.
 
Leg position on the old cruisers isn't usually as extreme/stretched out as newer ones, so might not be much of a transition. I ran a V45 Sabre for 70k kms back then. Other than a transmission problem early on, it ran fine till I sold it. The V4 config may be a bit more complex to work on though. If it's in good shape and running well, you should be fine. No idea of parts availability, but Honda parts aren't usually really hard to get, but might have to wait for some to come from Japan.
 
Riceburner said:
Leg position on the old cruisers isn't usually as extreme/stretched out as newer ones, so might not be much of a transition. I ran a V45 Sabre for 70k kms back then. Other than a transmission problem early on, it ran fine till I sold it. The V4 config may be a bit more complex to work on though. If it's in good shape and running well, you should be fine. No idea of parts availability, but Honda parts aren't usually really hard to get, but might have to wait for some to come from Japan.
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That is something I noticed, older cruisers remind me of current Naked bikes, with slightly less back peg position. I'm gonna prob drag Frekeguy along and see what he has to say about the bike and see if he can help me drag it back home. Outside of that if this bikes survives 2 years I will be bloody happy, as for the parts thats a concern of mine. I had no problems getting stuff for my 13 CBR250R, but that's only because it's a pretty new bike this on the other hand is 31 year old bike, that's whole 8 years older then me lol. But I hope that being an 1985 it may be MADE IN JAPAN as my 250R was MADE IN TAIWAN.
 
Parts are out there. That V4 went into several bikes so it is not like it is only the Magna that had a V4 then (there was a Sabre and Interceptor as well). There is a decent aftermarket out there for stuff and I have been able to find repro, NOS, and used parts for my 1981 CB 750 fairly easily. If you decide to go this route have Freaky or another competent mechanic check the bike our thoroughly and give it a good once over and tune up. Have the valve clearances checked etc. A lot of old bikes have deferred maintenance and that was a big thing for my first season with my old bike was figuring out what was amiss and making it right.
 
As the owner of an 1984 VT500C, I can say parts exist. Any generic bike parts (cables,filters,etc) will fit, anything really specific just look for someone parting one out. What Zoodles said in the last sentence is right. I've spent most of this week rerouting cables after noticing several were amiss over the weekend. Also the bike had very little antifreeze and brake fluid when I bought it. If you're the type that's afraid of doing maintenance yourself, a 1980's bike is not for you.
 
being an old guy i am famaliar with hondas V30 - V45 - V65 . They had a problem with these motors. the top ends don't get enough oil and cams get damaged. there was a recall and fix, but the problem persisted. heads up.
 
2wzilla said:
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Sorry, can't speak to the reliability of a mid-80s V4 Honda (though I suspect it's fine) but, jeez, that is a fine-looking motorcycle. Looks like it just came out of the shipping crate.
 
That Magna looks really clean and sweet, but it's still a 30yo bike. As others have mentioned, unless you're keen on wrenching, I would spend a little more on something newer (or a lot less on something older/rougher.) FLSTC's link above seems like a great deal for a bike that's 22 years younger.

IMO any non-collectible from 1985 is sub-$1000 material.
 
boyoboy said:
being an old guy i am famaliar with hondas V30 - V45 - V65 . They had a problem with these motors. the top ends don't get enough oil and cams get damaged. there was a recall and fix, but the problem persisted. heads up.
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The 500s had nowhere near the issues that the 750s did - as with any 30+ year old machine go on general condition.
If it looks/sounds like a rat it isn't worth buying.
 
smc said:
As the owner of an 1984 VT500C, I can say parts exist. Any generic bike parts (cables,filters,etc) will fit, anything really specific just look for someone parting one out... Also the bike had very little antifreeze and brake fluid when I bought it. If you're the type that's afraid of doing maintenance yourself, a 1980's bike is not for you.
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Ditto for an '84. Parts do exist. Check on eBay for your bike. Bikes in the mid-'80s were over-engineered, and they can be quite reliable, but you'll need to do maintenance. If you don't like or cannot do maintenance buy a newer bike.

Insurance can be quite cheap on a mid-80s 500cc, like sub $300/yr for old geezers.
 
The 80's V4 Hondas do have cam related reliability issues, and as others have said if you're not comfortable wrenching, don't get an older bike.

You should also keep in mind that some insurance companies won't insure a bike that is 30 or more years old. They may continue to insure one if you've been a customer for a long time I suppose.

If I was in your position I would try to up my budget to $3k and look for something a little newer.
 
FLSTC said:
Looks nice and shiney in the photo. Shaft drive IIRC, less maintenance for you. That is a really nice do it all bike. Good at commuting, throw a windshield on for long trips. Good deal for $2k as long as it checks out ok.

FWIW, here's Kawi 500 that's $1k more, but 12 years younger: http://www.kijiji.ca/v-street-cruis...ondition-beautiful-rider-certified/1156652658

<Edit: whoops - missed a decade, 22 years younger>
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+1 scrape together another $500 and maybe you could get this 07 for $2500. be patient and look for the right buy. season is early.
 
MacDoc said:
Here you go ...enjoy

$_27.JPG


http://www.kijiji.ca/v-motorcycle-o...50/1170054179?enableSearchNavigationFlag=true

ride it around the world

even nicer ...offer him $2500

http://www.kijiji.ca/v-street-cruis...50/1169413447?enableSearchNavigationFlag=true
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This. Ride a real bike not some fruity oxymoronic factory "custom". Just my opinion, you understand.

ps, the 2008 "might" have an oil burning issue. I like the older one with all the farklings done especially the doohickey(no joke)

Again, just because you can find parts for your really old bike doesn't mean you going to get it all sorted before the riding season is over. The KLR series is a long production run. Parts are available instantly.

But damn they're ugly, wouldn't be caught dead on one.

But it'll get you down the road which is the main thing.

Unless getting laid is the main thing.
 
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inreb said:
This. Ride a real bike not some fruity oxymoronic factory "custom". Just my opinion, you understand.

ps, the 2008 "might" have an oil burning issue. I like the older one with all the farklings done especially the doohickey(no joke)

Again, just because you can find parts for your really old bike doesn't mean you going to get it all sorted before the riding season is over. The KLR series is a long production run. Parts are available instantly.

But damn they're ugly, wouldn't be caught dead on one.

But it'll get you down the road which is the main thing.

Unless getting laid is the main thing.
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haha this was an epic read with the "getting laid" part being the cherry on top. Got nothing against KLR's just not my cup of tea. If the darn 400SM wasn't that expensive I would get it.
 
boyoboy said:
being an old guy i am famaliar with hondas V30 - V45 - V65 . They had a problem with these motors. the top ends don't get enough oil and cams get damaged. there was a recall and fix, but the problem persisted. heads up.
Click to expand...

The v4 500s did not share the cam oiling problems of the bigger motors, though they are fairly complicated for what they are.
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