Chronology of Honda's V4 Magna Series
1982: The V45 (750cc) debuts! (1st Generation)
1982 Magna V45 (750cc)
Honda releases the 45 degree V4 motor technology from the NR500 race bike to the public in the form of the Magna and Sabre!
The first V4 engine configuration in a production motorcycle since the Matchless Silver Hawk.
Motor claimed to be one of the strongest, most technically advanced production 750's ever built.
5-speed tranny with overdrive, hydraulic clutch, shaft drive and TRAC (Torque Reactive Anti-dive Control) forks.
The first V4 engine configuration in a production motorcycle since the Matchless Silver Hawk.
Motor claimed to be one of the strongest, most technically advanced production 750's ever built.
5-speed tranny with overdrive, hydraulic clutch, shaft drive and TRAC (Torque Reactive Anti-dive Control) forks.
1983: The massive V65 (1100cc) arrives!
1983 Magna V65 (1100cc)
CYCLE Magazine finds the V65 to be the most powerful production motorcycle they ever tested!
Road tests at the Orange County International Raceway (01/05/83) reveal a quarter mile time of 10.838 seconds, making the V65 the world's FASTEST production motorcycle!
V45 gets a rebuild of the air filter and changes to the carbs, resulting in a power increase from 82 to 86 hp. Also receives new paint options and a price increase.
Road tests at the Orange County International Raceway (01/05/83) reveal a quarter mile time of 10.838 seconds, making the V65 the world's FASTEST production motorcycle!
V45 gets a rebuild of the air filter and changes to the carbs, resulting in a power increase from 82 to 86 hp. Also receives new paint options and a price increase.
1984: De-stroking due to import tariffs
1984 Magna V30 (500cc)
American V45 models de-stroked 3.2 millimeters (down to 698cc) to come in under American import tariffs. V65 exempt from tariffs, as it is produced in Honda's Marysville, Ohio, plant.
V45 receives new seat and chrome-plated Com-Cast wheels.
V65 receives new tubular pull back handlebar for a more cruiser look and also gets chrome-plated Com-Cast wheels.
V65 produces 5 more horsepower through modifications to exhaust, cams and intake.
V30 (500cc) introduced in Magna and Interceptor versions. Chain-driven only. 1/4 mile=12.79 @103.03 mph, 64hp, top speed 140mph.
V45 receives new seat and chrome-plated Com-Cast wheels.
V65 receives new tubular pull back handlebar for a more cruiser look and also gets chrome-plated Com-Cast wheels.
V65 produces 5 more horsepower through modifications to exhaust, cams and intake.
V30 (500cc) introduced in Magna and Interceptor versions. Chain-driven only. 1/4 mile=12.79 @103.03 mph, 64hp, top speed 140mph.
1985: Magna's run wild!
1985 Magna V45 (750cc)
V45 frame redesigned to lower seat height, resulting in loss of auxiliary fuel tank. Also new handlebar bend.
V45 swing arm lengthened 1 inch to help fight chassis-jacking inherent to shaft-drive motorcycles. Rear drum brake increased 20mm.
V65 receives wider-bend handlebar, push-to-cancel/automatic turn signals.
V65 speedometer changed from increments of 10 to 5 (55mph speed limit), receives adjustable clutch and brake levers.
Rumors of a new bike from Yamaha designed to fight the Magna, called the "V-Max".
V45 swing arm lengthened 1 inch to help fight chassis-jacking inherent to shaft-drive motorcycles. Rear drum brake increased 20mm.
V65 receives wider-bend handlebar, push-to-cancel/automatic turn signals.
V65 speedometer changed from increments of 10 to 5 (55mph speed limit), receives adjustable clutch and brake levers.
Rumors of a new bike from Yamaha designed to fight the Magna, called the "V-Max".
1986: Last stand for the line... for now!
1986 Magna V65 (1100cc)
Competition between different Honda models for the same market share lead to the discontinuation of the V65 and V30. Dramatic overhaul of the V45 in the works ... for next year!
1987: Honda shocks the industry! (2nd Generation)
1987 'Super' Magna
Honda trailblazer Mr. Iwakura, famed designer of the1982 CBX Six and the1983 CX650 Custom, introduces the radically designed 1987 Magna.
Completely redesigned V45 Magna available. Features include radical upswept pipes, louvered side panels, solid disc rear wheel, dramatic rake (5 more degrees to 35, with 6 in. trail!), two-piece seat and dual tail lights.
Reshaped valve ports, larger 27mm intake valves, new cams for better midrange power, compression dropped from 10.5:1 to 10.2:1.
V45 receives ignition system with on-board computer from previous years VFR750. Looses center stand and TRAC system, swing arm elongated another 1.2 inches creating an incredible 66 inch wheelbase!
V45 receives 19 inch front tire and 15 inch rear
Dramatic and, to some, bizarre appearance of the new Magna leads to it becoming known as the "Super" Magna.
Available in red and blue.
Completely redesigned V45 Magna available. Features include radical upswept pipes, louvered side panels, solid disc rear wheel, dramatic rake (5 more degrees to 35, with 6 in. trail!), two-piece seat and dual tail lights.
Reshaped valve ports, larger 27mm intake valves, new cams for better midrange power, compression dropped from 10.5:1 to 10.2:1.
V45 receives ignition system with on-board computer from previous years VFR750. Looses center stand and TRAC system, swing arm elongated another 1.2 inches creating an incredible 66 inch wheelbase!
V45 receives 19 inch front tire and 15 inch rear
Dramatic and, to some, bizarre appearance of the new Magna leads to it becoming known as the "Super" Magna.
Available in red and blue.
1988: The Super continues...
1988 'Super' Magna 750cc
Tariffs rescinded, displacement returns to 750cc!
Side logos on tank and faux airbox changed, bottom skirt color matched to bike.
Available in red and black
Sagging sales, possibly due to ground-breaking design, cause this year to be the last of the Magnas.
Side logos on tank and faux airbox changed, bottom skirt color matched to bike.
Available in red and black
Sagging sales, possibly due to ground-breaking design, cause this year to be the last of the Magnas.
1989 to 1992: The Magna-less years
Early Design of 'Super' Magna by Mr. Iwakura
Increasing popularity of left-over and used 1987 and 1988 Magna's get Honda's attention - (Well of course! There was money to be made and ony the used motorcycle dealers were making it!) - so design on a new Magna begins ...
1993 - 2004: The Magna returns! (3rd Generation)
3rd Generation Magna (750cc V45)
- Summer of 1993 sees a totally re-designed Honda Magna VF750C is introduced as an "early release" model for 1994!
Bike receives modified version of the VFR750F power plant.
Cost-fighting chain drive used in lieu of shaft.
Receives 5 speed tranny and 360 degree crank, cable operated clutch and chain-driven cams.
Single brake caliper up front, traditional drum brake.
The four cylinder Magna struggles to find a place in a world looking for V-Twin powered cruisers.
Sagging sales once again cause Honda to discontinue the line in 2004.
Will there be a 4th Generation Magna? We can only hope ... and time will tell.
