Total Motorcycle Community Forums

Im looking to get a Standard form bike for my first own motorcycle. I have ridden dirtbikes for many years, currently ride my dads V-star 1100 (not much though), and have passed the MSF course. I found a 1982 Honda v45 Sabre, but the guy thinks it has a bad starter motor. The bike looks good otherwise. Is there someway I can do a test for bent forks and other critical things before i get it. He wants 500 for it. I check around and I couldnt find a starter motor for it, but i found rebuld parts and they seem to sell them for the 1988 models, which i think are the same.

Your thoughts? Should i pass?

check http://www.oldbikebarn.com

My first bike was very similar, an 84 magna V45. My starter also went out on it. The dealer could not help me at all, so I took it to a place that rebuilds starters and alternators. They charged me $85 and the thing works like a champ. I would suggest having it rebuilt, thats the cheapest route that I found.

unless you like working on motorcycles i would pass.i have a 1982 v45 sabre.i have had very few problems with it because i try to fix things before they become a disaster.it is well known that the early 80's v4 hondas had camshaft problems because of not enough oil gets to them.the bandaid fix is an oil mod kit that costs $250.00.if it has been sitting long the carburetors will have to be cleaned and gasket sets bought.charging system wires are known to burn up.prolink shock on rear is prohibitively expensive.the engines are complicated and hard to work on.if you like working on them more hours than you ride them get it.if you dont keep shopping.

Well he already sold it. Posted it at 3:15 yesterday and it was gone at 7. Well now some guy is selling his 1990 VX800. Looks mighty interesting to me. Here is the link. What do you guys think its worth 900? http://seattle.craigslist.org/mcy/80108537.html

walk away from that one too.it would cost a fortune to get that pile of junk roadworthy.used parts are scarce they didnt make a bunch of them.

For what it's worth, I'm having great luck with everything on my 1979 Kz650sr. This bike has been around in alot of different forms, engine-wise for many years. Kawasaki seems to care about the parts, since the drivetrain has evolved through the various models. So far so good finding parts, in my experience. Of course I researched this before I bought it, and you can do the same for any prospective bike you find.

Hmm yea I looked for parts and stuff, and I dont think its worth it. What about this lovely number?

http://seattle.craigslist.org/mcy/79647062.html

I am only 5' 7" and have a 30" inseam, would i be flat footed on a Magna?

That 94 looks like a good deal to me. It looks like its in real good shape for the age. Plus, I really dig that exhaust.

Ok might take this up. I didnt even stop to think though, is a Magna to big for a first bike? Like i said its my first own bike, but ive ridden many off-road and my Dads v-star. I would say about 6 years experience on dirt and only 10 times on v-star.