Magna Maintenance, Modifications, Accessories 

Note: This was taken from my own Amigo page and in still a work in progress.

Accessories -- Non-bike or novelty

• Leather Clothing
  Note on Leather Jackets:  Beware of the "Italian Stone" or the "Roman Rock" designs. These jackets are not Italian but are made in China from leather scraps that are stitched together to make each piece. You will find site after site listing these as the latest style. Additionally they happen to be the cheapest jackets out, usually priced between $25 and $50. These are usually just a fashion type jacket offering little to no protection at all. Why? The stitching between each of the leather pieces will be the first areas to fail.

  • It was $86.00 + pennies for the leather jacket (Heavy with mandarin collar and zip out liner), the chaps (heavy and lined), the gauntlet gloves (heavy with a rain cover in the zipper pocketed gauntlet). Her Name is Neva. Her phone is 940+321-3557    E-mail is  sudderth@flash.netvShe lives in Lake Dallas and has different locations in the Dallas, mostly at flea markets but will sell from home. This is not top quality but for the price is far ahead of anything else I have seen.

  • E-bay seller Talexx has had good quality, good priced motorcycle accessories (for bike and person) that MOOT members have been happy with.

  • BikeLeather.com has all sorts of accessories.

  • Leather stuff in Texas (Traders Village):  http://www.shoppingtexasstyle.com/houstonsmostwanted.htm

General Maintenance

• Battery:  The Magna battery is standard and easy to find.  For harder to find batteries (like the Shadow step-shaped battery), see BatteryWeb.

• Brake Reservoir.  Replace the sight glass if it breaks.  Otto Frei Inc  Domed Mineral Glass 16.7 mm ZDMG-167 $3.50 ea 

• Carburator:  

  • Good carb adjusting tool (think 90° screwdriver with dial action): http://shop.store.yahoo.com/azmotorsports/jdfbj.html

  • Balance the carb fuel/air flow with Morgan CarbTune II  (Sorry, no link yet.  Have to search)

• Clutch:

  • Kevalar Clutch install http://pub136.ezboard.com/fmagnaridersmotor.showMessage?topicID=112.topic

• Coolent:  I use Dex-Cool in my motorcycle, and then saw that 7 states (including Texas) now have Lawyers setting up a class action lawsuit.  I'm going to stay with it, but wanted to give others a heads up so you can make your own informed decision.  I saw this report  ( http://www.nbc4.tv/team4reports/2369813/detail.html )with the helpful suggestion you replace Dex-Cool every year.  So much for 5 year warrantee.  They did keep it in perspective--in the last 8 years, GM (and I think Ford now uses it too) have put out tens of millions of cars, and so far a very small percent are having a problem.  From what I glanced at, it's the cars they did first--or the ones most out of maintenance schedule--that were experiencing problems.  GM says the problems is when people let anti-freeze tanks run low, extremely concentrated and overheated dex-cool congeals.  If ordinary anti-freeze overheats, it boils off and leaves maybe a little slime behind as your car blows up and you say, "Lack of water, my fault.".  When Dex-Cool overheats, it boils off the water leaving solids behind, and the that sludge clogs the water pump.  You see the sludge and say "Dex-Cool's fault."   So if you check your reservoir tank every now and then, you should be fine.  And wait no more than three years, not five.  Or you can also keep with glycol, and test it to see if it's breaking down.  Either way--common sense required. I am truly surprised at the number of my friends who have no clue except for "Change oil, put in gas."  Then they'll say they take outstanding care of their vehicle...because they do that, and wash it, too.  I really think the name should be changed from "Anti-Freeze" to "Protectant." 

• Dyno from Home:  HomeDyno

• Oil and filters  

  • Auto Oil filters that fit the Magna, (short list, mostly for the Magna)

  • An incredibly complete and detailed Alternate Oil Filter cross reference.

  • Auto Oil without friction modifiers you can use.

  • Motorcycle Oil related articles from motorcycling magazines and other spots.

• Transmimssions on Motorcycles explained:  Motorcycle Transmissions explained: http://www.f6rider.com/VRCC/tech/trans101.htm

Modifications—Performance Based.  Any mods are "at your own risk."  Many void your warrantee, others may not perform as claimed.  The best proof if you want your money back is a before-and-after dyno.  Also see the sales links on the main Magna page.  Spots like Dave Dodge sell many performance upgrades and not all are listed.  I do have a life, you know.

• Air Intake:

  • K&N option.  K&N now makes an air filter for the 3rd Gen Magnas (1992-2003)  You should re-jet  your carbs to accommodate the increase in air.

• Camshaft -- Cam page: http://shell.rmi.net/~kcourter/Moto/VFRCAM.JPG

• Engines Upgrades

  • Rejet your carbs.  Both Dave Dodge Racing and Cobra sell jet/shim kits and instructions.  

• Exhaust System

• Ignition system:  It's all about burning as much fuel as possible as fast as possible.  See FAQ on how it helps.

• Shocks / Suspension:

  • Progressive Springs:  Front and Rear install instructions.  http://www.magnaluver.freehomepage.com/ProgressiveInstallation.htm

  • Good prices on progressive at: Global Motorsports Closed Sun-Mon.  globalms@flex.net or Main Line - 281-893-3600

Modifications—Add-On and Misc and General Accessories
Also see the sales links on the main Magna page.  Many bike sites sell dozens of things--like 20 different bags and 40 different gloves--and not all are listed below.

• Braking System:  

  • I have not seen a write-up, but I've seen it posted here and there that the Magna front braking system can be replaced with the VFR750 dual disk braking system.

  • Fading:  There's a little brake fade on the Magna.  One of the ways to reduce or eliminate (depending on who you talk to) this is to replace the rubber lines with a braided steel line.  This will eliminate any flexing or internal stretching of the hose;  all of the power in your "squeeze" will b transferred to the caliper.  
    - Motion Pro:  http://www.motionpro.com/Docs/sst_apps.html
    - JC Whitney part # for 01ZX1901X Goodridge Deluxe front brake line kit $51.98

  • Some related discussions on the Delphi Magna forums.
    http://forums.delphiforums.com/MagnaRider/messages?msg=7849  (Also hits brake pad upgrades)
    http://forums.delphiforums.com/MagnaRider/messages?msg=8222
    http://forums.delphiforums.com/MagnaRider/messages?msg=7192

• Cables:

  • Motion Pro makes the following cables for the VFR750 engine:  62-0301, 62-0302, 62-0303 and 62-0304--The zero has been replace by a six which represents the Armor Coat line.  They are sold at many spots, including http://www.globalcycles.com

  • 62-0301 = Speedometer for about $21

  • 62-0302 = didn't look up.

  • 62-0303 = Throttle Push for about $21

  • 62-0304 = Clutch for about $27

• Chain Oiler -- ScottOiler.  There are other automatic chain oilers out there, but this one is the most popular.  See my ScottOiler install and information page.

• Emergency Gear.  

• Forward Controls:  http://www.BikerCom.com  It made the very poor riding position into a very stretched out and comfortable experience.  Made from stainless, billett aluminum and chromed steel, they are fairly simple to install.  They do not mount to the stock factory position, but are moved forward and out drastically.  The controls are made by Mapam in Italy, cost for them came to about $260, including UPS red shipping from overseas.  

• Lights, Light Bars / Accessories

  • Modulating headlights and taillights.  For motorcycles like the Magna with the short headlight casing (about 5-1/4 inchs), the standard in-line headlight modulators don't fit.  These are the one-piece types that plug on the light bulb, then the electrical prong plugs into the modulator

  • Light Bars:  The Sportster light bar will fit (with tiny amount of persuasion) under the Honda Magna headlight.  This gives you a spot to mount things like bullet lights.  (Thanks to Greg Cothern).   National Cycle makes a light bar that fits with their National Windshield.

  • Modlating Lights (Head and tail)

    • Do-it-yourself Hyperlights.  Blinking tail lights.  Cheap, and any way you want to make them.

    • Head and tail lights -- http://www.comagination.com/modHonda.htm

    • Accessory Interntaional 

    • http://www.valueaccessories.net/Signal%20Dynamics/Lighting%20Control.htm

    • http://www.kriss.com/balert.htm

    • http://www.kriss.com/starburst.htm

  • Headlight only:  Modulator that does NOT involve cutting wires. Modulates high beam instead of switching between high and low. http://www.comagination.com/modulator.htm

  • TailLight modulators

    • Many models, such as Kisan Tailblazer, Flash Alert, Kriss (above), etc.

    • Kisan:  How to set it to flash brighter.
      The running light brightness is electronically adjustable per KISAN instructions that came with it. There are two levels.
      Here's how to adjust it: 1. With the ignition off, squeeze the front brake and keep it applied. 2. Turn the key on and off three times in quick succession. 3. The KISAN brake light will stutter flash quickly to let you know it received the instructions to adjust the running light brightness. Repeat the instructions to switch it back to the original brightness.

  • Turn Signals to incorporate running lights conversion.  You can order them by phone 510-651-0800 and ask for part # EC-01315 or order on the web.

  • Headlight Extras (use an internet search for cheaper deals than from the dealer)  

    • Kuryakyn makes light bars, p-tube fitting bullet lights and larger halogen lights.

    • Motolight Halogen Riding Lights

    • Custom Dynamics makes a variety of specialty lights, mostly LED and some Neon.

• Luggage Space:  

  • There are sissy bar bags and luggage bags available everywhere.  There's also an aftermarket tail trunk.  Google Search on the brand Emgo

  • LeatherLykes are hard-back bags that look leatherish...hence the name.  Requires a key to open.  Easily removed when opened.

  • Passenger seat bag that gives you a backrest.  http://www.lazyrider.com

  • FatMax offers offer hard bags for the 93-04 Magna, with a 10% discount for MOOT members.

• Paint.  Finding that hard to find color.  Fabric paint, anodized-aluminum looking paint, DupliColor  has a full line of specialty paint and coatings.

• Saddlebag Brackets:  Turn your regular saddle bags into an easy to put on/take off set of locking saddle bags.  Makes regular saddle bags more like LeatherLykes.  http://www.chilhowee.net/brackets/honda-ghost-brackets-ADJ104-HMV101.htm

• Seats and Backrests

  • Corbin Seats

  • Mustang Seats

  • Drivers backrests you can put on any seat:  http://www.protac.net/ 

  • Another driver's backrest:  Utopia Backrest for newer Magna, 750 Magna ('94 and newer), http://www.utpr.com/750magna.html

• Sidecars:  Texas Sidecars.  Different models of sidecars with specific and universal mounts.

• Sidecovers:  First, they have loops in them.  Get a fishing leader line from Wal-Mart for less than a dollar.  Use this leader line to tie your $87 side cover to the bike.  If you don't put it on tight, it will blow off but not hit the ground.
  - Robber Grommets: The part number for recent model Magnas is 50354-428-000. Prices:
    Dealer List: $2.29 plus tax.           Power Sports Pro: 1.92 each. Shipping $8
    Service Honda: 1.59 each Shipping $8        RonAyers.com: $1.50 each, shipping $7 on any order up to $100.
    Summary: For 8 or less just go to a dealer. Otherwise, get a few people together and buy them cheaper.

• Trailer Hitch:  For the Magna. http://www.3aweb.com/hitch/hdoc2.htm