1987 Honda Magna: Good deal or avoid?

[Ski_rush]

Hello everyone, I am looking for a mid size bike and I came across a 1987 super magna for sale. Just wondering what your thoughts are on whether this is a decent deal or one to avoid.

The good: asking only $1100; it's in good shape mechanically (overall),

The bad: it has 53,000 miles, seller said carbs need to be cleaned, choke is broken (he said he's never really needed it), needs a new rear tire.

I guess I'm most concerned​ with the miles. Is it just too many miles to make it worth buying? The bike is inexpensive, but is it too old or have too many miles? I don't mind doing some work on it by myself, but has it passed it's half-life?

What are your thoughts on the issue with the carb and choke?

Please advise...

[Darkrider]

I would be more concerned with the condition of the cams. The Super Magna still had the chain driven cams from the original VF series bikes. The Chain driven ones had issues with soft cams wearing out prematurely. So it would be advised to look into a top end oiling kit as well.

[Huck369]

I bought an 1987 Magna new, and rode it for 20 years, they are a great bike.....that being said, carbs on a V-4 are difficult to get right, and have a few plastic fuel line connection s between the carbs that tend to deteriorate and break.....so I'd be a bit Leary of it......but I miss my Super Magna all the time......

[Megadan]

Originally Posted by Darkrider

I would be more concerned with the condition of the cams. The Super Magna still had the chain driven cams from the original VF series bikes. The Chain driven ones had issues with soft cams wearing out prematurely. So it would be advised to look into a top end oiling kit as well.

Soft cam issues were resolved in mid 84. 85+ had improved oiling from the factory. I had an 85 Sabre V65 for a long time. The 87+ series motors also had line bored cams for improved oiling as well as reworked oil passages, and by that point the issue was more or less moot.

To the OP. 53,000 miles is nothing, as long as the bike was maintained. Don't let the numbers mean much to you. I have had multiple bikes with way more miles than that. Just keep in mind that it is an old bike, and old bikes have old bike problems. Old wiring can be a potential headache. As mentioned, plastic and rubber parts can be a concern. Any time I get an old bike, those are the first things I check/replace. Luckily, most of those parts are usually inexpensive. Too many people get hung up on miles with bikes, and I have gotten some of my best bikes for super cheap because of it.

As mentioned, the carbs can be a little tricky. Don't let that scare you though. On the VF motors, the front carb pair is setup differently than the rear pair due to the angle that the V4 is mounted. The emulsion tubes are different between the front and rear, as well as the float height settings, all due to the angle that they sit at. If you have to work on them, keep the front and rear pairs and parts separated, and do their setups the same way. This will greatly reduce the chances of you goofing up. Personal experience talking here lol.

I love old Honda bikes, The Gl1000 goldwing being my absolute favorite (why I own one). If they are decently taken care of, they will run forever. Again, like any old bike, expect to work on it. That's just the nature of age. FWIW, there is a 75 GL1000 out there with 1 million Km on it, still runs lol. Admittedly, the original GL1000 engines were WAY overbuilt, but the VF motors, aside from the early cam and head oiling issues, are pretty solid as well.