Abandoned 1983 Honda Magna Restoration, Can we get it to run?

[@cliff8675]

Thirty-six years ago my dad brought home a three boxes of parts, a frame, and an engine. Several months later (after tearing the engine completely down and rebuilding it), a '79 Honda CBX came back to life. I miss that bike.

[@steveharleyfan]

Six cylinder CBX. beautiful bike.

[@Dont_Be_Niggardly]

Leno has an original, mint condition one he claims was his daily rider for years.

[@e.l.9589]

Here I thought you would have missed your dad, that makes you a motorcyclist. 😂🏍🔥✌

[@cliff8675]

@@e.l.9589 At the time of that comment he was still alive ... and if I still had the bike, I would have the one of the few things we worked together on.

[@e.l.9589]

@@cliff8675 Sorry about your loss. Maybe building a bike in his honor.

[@dixieloucarter3302]

I recently got my deceased father's 74 Kawasaki F7 started for the first time in 38 years.

[@badbiker666]

Impressive! I parked my Harley in 2013 and took a road job. I quit in 2018 and started trying to get it running again in late 2019. I got it started but not roadworthy after just a couple of days effort. However, it took until a week ago to get it roadworthy. I thought I had done well until I saw your comment. 38 years ... wow! Got to hand it to you my friend. That's dedication.

[@gphilipc2031]

Great Legacy.

[@smokeydbob]

That's awesome! I hope my Dad leaves me his bikes when he passes not that I want him to pass anytime soon! It would def be cool to be able to have something to take a cruze on and think of some great memories though.

[@paulthompson8613]

Awesome job and never sell it

[@mustbefamousjr4888]

My future father In-law received his dads 1979 harley fat Bob. And we got it running after 29 years. The bike is in decent condition but it needs a lot of work to be road worthy. Wish me luck haha I need it

[@germanium1872]

That's a Honda for you. That's why Honda is one of the best selling brands.

[@TroyC68]

I see no difference in any of the big Japanese brands... Suzuki, Kawi, and Yammi are all equally great bikes to work on... My 1983 Honda Shadow is just like the bike in this video, but for it to ride again will take more than a day with 2 people working on it... My Suzuki that sat for over 10 years before I bought it, I pulled the carbs, did the work myself, had it running mint in an afternoon and have put 20,000 kms on it in the last 6 months.... People who buy Honda's over the rest because of durability, really hasn't delved into the other Japanese models... Honda had the best marketing gimmick of the big 4 when entering the North American market pushing merch and selling the brand, not just the bikes...That is why Honda outsells the other brands here.

[@FBPrepping]

@@TroyC68 There is a very meaningful difference. Used to have a Yamaha, and nothing compares to my 1994 Shadow. Had an old GSX 250 from the early 80s that never could put together. Most of 80s and 90s simple cruisers bikes shouldn´t give you too much trouble to start after being inactive for some time.

[@jonharris3906]

Yet it was these motors that are cams iirc prompting Honda to specify a special oil additive.

[@TroyC68]

@@FBPrepping never could put what? You are comparing a GSX 250 to a Shadow, yes the shadow is more reliable... Are you saying a 1994 Suzuki Intruder equal to your 94 Shadow is a less reliable bike? Or that a Yamaha Virago is less reliable? Or that a Kawi Vulcan was less reliable in 94? Because you are delusional if you think so...

[@davidb1089]

@@TroyC68 I wouldnt say yamaha though. Atleast not the new ones. 17 hours on a fresh bike. Cracked piston blew cdi box garbage.

[@bobbiemcalister5693]

Absolutely love the "get it to run first" advice. Working on my Vmax now and it's schooling me on troubleshooting

[@dwaynemurphy814]

Craig's cool, more power to him. Not many old school mechanics left.

[@chickenamburgsrc]

My first magna was an 83 v45 750 I rode that bike one whole summer then I sold it to buy a 84 v65 and the bike was a basket case so I lost out, 15 years later I find an 83 v65 magna sitting in a shed for 7 years with 29k miles. Good shape. I am now restoring it thank you for sharing!!

[@flingmonkey5494]

That looks like a 1983 V65 Magna. At the time of it's release it was in the Guinness book of records as the world's fastest production land vehicle, design top-end of 170 mph, though they start getting a bit too squirrely at about 145 mph. For a 600lbs feet-forward cruiser-style motorcycle, it was astoundingly capable of a 3rd-gear throttle-only wheelie, with the front end coming up about a foot. It would whip a 600cc CBR sport bike in a drag race hands down. 1983 was the hottest year, it is rumored that Honda de-tuned them in subsequent years because they were killing their riders. They were recorded as doing the quarter mile in just over 10 seconds. Warp drive was a standard feature, even in sixth gear you could crank the throttle and it would straighten your arms for you. No Harley, built or modified, could touch that bike for speed, power, acceleration, reliability, or cost. Harley Davidson killed them by getting Congress to impose a huge tariff on any Japanese motorcycle over 750cc, that is the only reason Harley survived. The V65 Magna was referred to as "The Animal", the V45 was "The Beast", and the V30 was "The Varmit". My Magna has a propensity to get me up over 100 mph before I realized what was happening. I had a friend who rode one, and he said he would never ride a motorcycle that didn't talk to him, but the Magna tended to dominate the conversation. My experience was that not only was this true, but the Magna was full of bad ideas. I loved that bike.

[@EdElliott57]

My first bike. I now have a 2022 Triumph Rocket 3 which reminds me a lot of the V65.

[@noelwarner1235]

That's not a V65 that's a V45. The V65 had slash cut Mufflers ,a rear disc brake and did not have the piggyback shocks from the factory. At first glance the shocks are the giveaway that is a V45.

[@johnmcaleese8459]

I loved those '83 V45 and V65 magna's. Beautiful bikes. Had a V45. Great bik6

[@randythayer8440]

Until the Yamaha V-Max crushed it!

[@ColPay1]

6 years ago I bought my first bike for $200, a 1993 Suzuki DR650. The owner grenaded the engine because the timing chain broke and half the engine was in a milk crate and the other in a cardboard box in pieces. Bought a used manual off EBay and found a machinist who was setup to work on motorcycles. In about 3 months and a little bit of help from a buddy I had that thing back on the road and ripping up the trails so it can be done. Over the course of about 3 years I had gone from the front axle to the rear essentially rebuilding the entire bike. I feel this was a true success story since that bike was destined for the land fill and now it lives on and is still being ridden to this day. I bet I was in to that money wise about $1400 and sold it for $1800 after owning it for about 5 years. Labor hours are too many to count but I totally enjoyed the experience and what I learned and the self confidence I gained are invaluable.

[@hammer5475]

That is very cool! My Dad passed away two years ago and I had a bunch of bikes I stored at the farm. I’m in the process of restoring them all, only one hasn’t been started so they all run. They hadn’t been started in over 30 years.

[@kamahaokip8723]

Give me one

[@v1i0k3o7]

I looked at this decathlon from start to finish . I had a Magna v65. I was so happy to be able to follow the whole trial by error procedure. I likes the comment when you guys were in deep shit. Lets go and pull a wheelie. Great laugh. Your friend was not laughing. You forgot to add two mechanics at 40 bucks an hour. for 2 days + $80 bullshit. I hope your wife is still talking to you. Thanks for everything. My eyes are set on the Yami Raider. or the T120 bonnie. Then I saw the new susuki. I love bikes. Lets roll. You guys have a great spirit. God is with you. So inspirational. The cosmic energy from the archives of the Angel of bikes.

[@Blogengezer]

While in elementary school, bought an old 'Doodle Bug' scooter with mowing money, got it running and sold for profit. During H.S., riding the rural rt bus, noted an old Indian branded [Royal Enfield] for sale near a farm. Year later, found owner had torn it completely apart and then carelessly covered it all in hay loft, during fall harvest. After next summer had consumed all the hay, the parts slowly came to surface among the bales. I bought the bike, using shed painting money and swept the barn loft with a broom, searching for scattered parts, piled the parts, screws, bolts, nuts, gaskets, pistons, bearings, gears, in a box. Took me all winter to reassemble the pieces, working in basement, looking at pictures and ordering parts from catalog. Discovered it was a 500 twin. After it ran strong, put air in tires. Sold for profit and bought a later model, used Triumph 650 Thunderbird.. :) Dozens of bikes later and countless thousands of miles on dirt, deserts, mountains, hwys and competition tracks over 70 years, the fire in the soul is still burning.. lol

[@FBPrepping]

You sir, deserve my deepest respect. Best regards. :)

[@auhsojrekab8025]

I was 20 when i got my first bike and it was a magna exactly like this bought it at an auction for $400 with 1,450 miles on it and taught myself how to work on it. And finally rode the wheels off of it 75k miles and 10 years later i had to let her go. Most reliable vehicle i have ever owned. This is the bike that got me in to motorcycle mechanics.

[@antro_oner]

I think Craig fits the shop dynamic perfectly. Nice work boys!

[@fatboyfollies4188]

I LOVE MAGNAS. Thanks for doing this and keeping this beauty on the road. My 96 Magna thanks you for fixing up her older Sister.

[@Rose__L]

Craig looks so zen fixing bikes..... and his wife brings food as he's working on a bike awwww💜 please adopt me.

[@kevinh9385]

I recently got my first bike, a 2009 Kawasaki KLR650 for $800. The owner said that he stopped riding it in 2016 and when he he wanted to try and sell it, the bike wouldn't start. So I got it pretty cheap. All I had to do was change the oil, clean the carburetor and replace the battery. It cost me around $108 and have put about 2800 miles on it with no issues. Everything that was done in this video can be taught from KZbin videos.

[@mws3779]

Always remember when your bike has carburetors, drain the carburetors before you store it.

[@eaglemachineworks1490]

M W S, Better to run fuel stabilizer through the system and fill the tank all the way, otherwise moisture will condense and cause oxidation damage.

[@Spcbrindley]

Combination- I fill up with sta-bil, run it through the carbs, then run the carbs dry. Works fine. I haven't started my Virago in a month and a half and it fired right up.

[@alainbrisebois8334]

@@eaglemachineworks1490 That's the way to go. Never had problems at Spring time in 34 years of storing my motorcycles.

[@Kjamilex]

@@eaglemachineworks1490 Well it's my first winter with a motorcycle, in November I put the stabilizer in the tank, let it run for a few minutes, and turned it off. It hasn't been fired since then, so it's about 4 months now. Hope the stabilizer really made its job, we'll see in several weeks when the weather in central Europe finally stops flipping out... hopefully.

[@rmromanko]

"Store" a bike? Nah...I just ride it.

[@glenns7139]

Bought a 1995 honda vf750c magna for 800gbp. 2 owners 8k miles. Not ran for 10 years. Proper dry stored. New battery and fluids. Started up after 5 seconds!!!. Did a full service now sweet as a very sweet thing. Love the channel.

[@badsplinter]

Yeah...that wife text message "You alive?" always comes when I am at my buddies shop for a real quick fix...hahahah

[@GratefulEd907]

With my wife that means it’s time to get home. I was thinking Sean’s gonna be in trouble when I saw that

[@ttbini]

Just started riding on an 86 v65 magna and loving it, all inspired by your videos, even fixed the starter clutch today and changed out all fluids maybe I actually learned something...

[@churchonabike8578]

I had a lot of problems to overcome on the HD I owned back in the late 70's to the early 80's. I ultimately overcame the problems by selling the stupid bike. Haha. It's good to have friends like Craig.

[@bobberguy1]

EVERYBODY had a lot of problems to overcome the H-D's in the 70s-80s. If you had a Harley, you had a problem. I had several problems.

[@churchonabike8578]

@@bobberguy1 I spent more time working on that stupid bike, having it in the shop, pushing it, and having to hitchhike to the nearest payphone to have someone come and pick it up with a truck, remember those days when nobody had cellphones like they do today? That bike was such a great cause of frustration, embarrassment, and expense, that I have not been able to bring myself to buy another one. I've been riding Hondas and Kawis ever since I sold that crappy Hardly Runningson and have never regretted it or looked back. Honda and Kawasaki make much better bikes, for a much better price, are less to insure, and less likely to be stolen...nope, not likely to buy another HD. But, to be clear, I don't care what other people ride, as long as it makes them happy, etc and I don't have to pay for it...

[@chaspas17]

I bought a 1981 Goldwing 1100 that I brought back to life back in 2011 still runs today. Great bike. After getting it running carb rebuild rear master cylinder replaced I discovered the frame was bad. Did a quick fix welded a gusset to the frame to finish the season and find a doner frame. During that process I decided to go over everything it all came apart, breaks, shocks rebuilt and or cleaned reassembled. Maybe not very cheap but in the long run paid off. Some things were reassembled and later rebuilt because of cost example were the shocks. Runs and rides great for a tenth of the cost of new. Just bought a '99 1500SE new winter project lol. Of course I have to go over the old 1100 to get ready to sell not letting it go until I am sure it is ready for a road trip. Love the old bikes

[@markfrizzell3869]

Great video! This was really cool to see. I just spent a yr working on the same bike (an 84) that I bought off CL after it had been sitting in a barn for 10 yrs - and doing literally all of the same things right down to the dried up fluid in the clutch master cylinder and taking out the pain in the ass carbs 3 times, lol. I also had to rebuild the front brakes, remove and clean the reserve gas tank and change out the fork seals. But this thing is a freakin’ beast now - I LOVE this bike.

[@UnderseaCaveman]

My 1984 V65 Magna has close to 90k miles on it......runs like a champ (yes, I did some work to it.....wheel bearings, seal kits, front head gasket, fork seals, etc.). Great Video

[@colerudolph9833]

My uncle just passed away in a motorcycle accident a little over a month ago, and he had an 80's honda much like that. That bike was sitting in the garage when he passed because him and his friends couldn't figure out what was wrong with it, and he had just won a Harley road king in a raffle about a week before he passed. Maybe one day I can try to get it back on the road, I'd be honored to finish it in his memory. RIP Kenny, one day we'll ride together

[@jacksullivan9494]

I moved from NJ to TX two years ago, and threw my 1985 Yamaha Virago 700 on the truck. It hadn't run in 15 years. I finally put the time in, had the carbs out 4 times, but it now runs and looks showroom new. I couldn't be happier. Well, I could be, if my wife were still here to share it with me. We got married on it, she passed 5 years ago. Excelsior!

[@1SnarfyDude]

I had my first street bike (a CB550f) sitting in a barn since 1983 after it had a head gasket go. I went to the dealer to buy the gasket and ended up buying a CB750f and parking the little one...I never got around to fixing it or selling it. I just gave it to a buddy to fix with his son. It's going to be the boy's first bike too. He had it running the first day, now they're doing a full restore.

[@mitko_wtf]

That's nice of you man! Hope you're enjoying your new bike

[@danw1955]

I did a full restoration on a '72 CB350F a few years ago, and just sold it last year when I started having chronic heart issues.😟 I sure miss that little rice rocket... it was one of the first street bikes I had back in the early 70's, so it was a real deja vu moment when I first got it on the road!😮😉👍

[@1SnarfyDude]

@@danw1955, a friend of mine had one of those when I had my 550. We rode those things everywhere. They were great bikes. I really miss those days.

[@brokeboycustom7655]

I inherited my dads v45. It’s been sitting in my brothers yard for over 25 years. It only has 6k on the odometer. I’m gonna pick it up and hopefully restore it to its former glory

[@maynard-1776]

wow 12 hours of labor for $77... give me that guy's number LOL

[@TroyC68]

That was parts, he never stated what he was paying for the labor... Unless he did the work for the video and exposure to gain customers, he would be getting paid... But 2 guys, working basically 2 days worth of hours on a bike? Labor on that here would be almost 2400$...

[@Chocolate_dragon]

Him and Craig are buddies. He has given him a bunch of stuff. I'm sure they are even. He didnt do anything joe blow on the street couldn't do himself.

[@hollowell427]

Love it..my son started racing mx bikes back in 04 had to learn to fix them myself. He was 7 years old. When we quit he was 15. He got me back into bikes when he was 18. We went in halves on a 1982 KZ750. It needed carb work on it and some tlc. A month later he went and bought a 2015 Harley Street Bob. We got out on the road riding and he thought he was gonna blow the kz away. Lol. It didnt happen that old bike put the hurt on a brand new 103ci stock harley. So he goes back out on the river boat for 75 days spends 1000 bucks on his bike. Stage 1. Still cant out run the old kz750. Well i bought him out on the kz now shes really fast. Webb cams, ape valve springs, stainless 4 into 1, better carbs mikuni Bs34's off a gpz750. Oil cooler off a gpz. Shes quick now, my son tried to best me again went and bought a 82 kz1100 all stock. Still wont outrun the old 750 wink wink... Wiseco makes a great 810 big bore kit. And Cavanaugh God rest his soul did a awesome job of porting polishing and flow bench ing the head. Need to do some vids on my KZbin channel on my bikes. The ones on there now are of my son. All the bikes on there were rebuilt completely and tuned by me alone.

[@jammasterjay]

“Budget of $100” “We just put a new battery in” Budget blown

[@stephenbrown571]

jammasterjay just bought one for my heritage softtail was $120.

[@rowboats2746]

That and also Ig some people dont count time as money. If a business does something for an hr it has cost around 100 dollars. They were on the job for 8 hr

[@brettkelly4575]

My Harley battery is $190 lasted six month replaced it under warranty but wtf Duracell

[@like2gab]

@@brettkelly4575 )

[@DCGKodi]

I bought a battery with 180CCA for $45 it's a do-it yourself acid battery

[@theworksho3947]

Bought a 1982 Honda CM450C from a guy in Carlisle last year. 13k miles on it, he stored it in 1997, took it out last year, put a new battery in it and it started right up. I rode it home to my house near Philly with no issues. Since then, the fork seals have gone, and the head gasket is seeping from one side. I put a new chain on, new tires (the front was original and rear was at least 30 years old), new sprockets, new brake shoes, and fortunately the brake fluid didn't look like that so I just flushed it. However, a bike that sat for 20 years (even in a climate controlled garage) will always be a project until I tear apart and reseal the entire motor, which I just don't have a place to do, so I'm selling it for something new. Rode a CB500X last weekend and really liked it...

[@baham9217]

Riveting! I couldn't turn away! Seriously good advice on "If it ain't broke, don't fix it." That goes for everything we do everyday. Don't get stuck in the fine details so often. I hope there will be a follow up video showing your bike running; wheelies popping, and burnouts burning! I know you don't need my praise, but well done. I thoroughly enjoyed this episode. Have a Happy Thanksgiving, Sean 🦃

[@BikesandBeards]

Thank you sir

[@grahamwilliams7578]

First bike was an 85 Honda V45 Sabre 700. Very rarely started, and I smoked the starter solenoid just like the previous owner. Replaced it, de rusted the gas tank with vinegar, but forgot to remove the petcock which literally was disintegrated by the vinegar. Replaced that, then had the stator replaced by a shop, who also found a short in the kill switch which was why it rarely started. Fixed that, took it down I95 to work, and when I got to there, the side covers were gone just like you said. After that it developed a vacuum leak, and I sold it at the advice of the shop because of parts availability. Coolest looking bike ever though.

[@owendavies4418]

I own a small garage in England. And I get “non runners” all the time. 9/10 it’s a simple fuse or dead battery. Sometimes barrel and piston. I find it really relaxing to work on bikes. I also enjoy the problem solving of why a bikes doesn’t run. And the reward to hear it purr when it does run.

[@soulgivesoul07]

I feel the exact same way, my girlfriend doesn’t quite understand it… bringing a bike back to life is a good feeling

[@georgiabrigand6793]

"Get the bike running first" is good advice. I've often got bogged down in my rebuilding projects because I was trying to fix too many issues at once. Sean is right. Get it running first, then work on fixing all the other problems.

[@mackdiesel6437]

Sweet, love them old school bikes.

[@uofa85]

I've restored about a dozen V4s over the years and most had the same problems. Most of the time the engine will fire right up after the carbs are cleaned. Problem is most shops won't touch anything that old. The thing about restoring old bikes you can't count the labor involved because you'll never sell it for just the time involved in the project. Just the carb cleaning is worth more than I pay for the bikes. Once back on the road they are great bikes. Good going fellas.

[@youngFlashh]

he's saying all these simple things that people can get, but no one has a Craig.. at least not for free.

[@SixWheelsDown]

they're doing simple maintenance to an 80's UJM. any idiot with a shop manual and a tool box can do what they're doing. Sean is lazy (he admits it. he says he rebuilt carbs one time and never wants to do it again) and spends money to have it repaired.

[@Laugh1ngboy]

@@SixWheelsDown I was gonna say the carbs are basically the same as they are on a lawn mower. Clear the jet if you let it sit, replace the gaskets every few winters and you shouldn't even have any issues with them.

[@michaelb.42112]

The Bearded Mechanic and the Honda Magna are the real heros.

[@ivanwalton6594]

I bought a bike for £300 that hadn’t run in over 3 years needed a service and a mot £500 later the bike runs like new and it’s brilliant little Yamaha sr125

[@yatsen2000]

I use to work on bike all the time got cancer and after the operations and treatments. 12 yrs ago they gave me 4 months to live. So I can no longer do anything that takes fine motor skills and my right side doesn't work the greatest. I can do some stuff but not enough to do this as a full time anymore in fact I have a project I have not been able to finish because I can not do what's needed and am on a fixed budget so I cant rebuild the carbs. So yep I have been there and you guys are great never give up. I didn't and am I am still here. Ill find a way to get those carbs rebuilt cause I don't give up ether. Keep up the great content love your channel.

[@arfreeman11]

When are we getting another installment of this?

[@chrisnoel1646]

Shout out to Mr Kerr from the Hoosier state. I’ve inherited a Shadow 750 that has meant a lot to my family. I look forward to getting my endorsement and using it. Your videos have been a great support to me, having not ridden in decades.

[@090djc]

Craig seemed like an A+ mechanic. $77 parts; $770 labor, and worth it.

[@BikesandBeards]

One million dollars in labor

[@drumking241]

My mother just gave me my father's 83 v65, heartbreaking that he is battling dementia so can no longer longer ride, Its been sitting since 92 cause life got in the way, its inside for all but about 2 of those years, I have great memories of him picking me up from elementary school on it, I plan to restore it. I have some health issues to check out but if all goes well will have to learn to ride first, then graduate up to a bigger one should take a couple years and bikes I'm planning to take me time learning to do is safe and when I'm good the mag wile be ready to ride occasionally. Will be following your channel on these, stay safe.

[@GoodOlBoy1976]

SOB I would do just about anything to get a bike like that running or not. You my friend are very lucky to get that bike.

[@doublenickel1000]

There's one on Craigslist (Akron) in good shape for $1350. Been up for a while, would probably take less.

[@kevinfox500]

My first road bike was a 1976 CB550, that hadn't run in 5 years. Picked it up for around $300 with a box of extra parts, loaded it in the truck, and took it home. Got up the next morning, and went to pick up a new battery, then got that set up and charging. Then pulled the points cover, cleaned and gapped them. I lucked out due to the last owner storing it right, and draining the fuel, but got new line and a new filter anyway, as cheap insurance. Oil and filter changed as well, for the same reason. Dad and I went out to the garage the next morning, and he double checked what I had done, told me it looked good to go, and that there's only one way to find out for sure. So I turned it on, turned the petcock to run, and hit the starter button. Fired right up first try. Wound up riding it in the side field that afternoon, making sure everything worked right, and found no issues. Called Monday to Wednesday t to their insurance, and they had it plated Tuesday by the time I got back from school. I had already taken my road test on Mom's XlS650, so I took my own bike out that night, one I got running again.on my own. No feeling like that, and I still enjoy it every time I get another one going again, that someone else gave up on.

[@brianjacobsen5762]

That was the first bike you road. I was 13 tough guy from my jr high he was in high school when this happened. Ran out of gas in front of my house. On a 69 500 triple piped. The girl who lived across the street was in high school too .wrecked her car that was sitting in the driveway had full tank. I filled his tank. Said thanks. Said you want to ride it. Hell yes. I was hooked. Owned 6 over the years.

[@GINGERale420]

I have a 1982 magna v45 that was sitting for a while, i got it to run and finally rode it home after having it for 4 days, the guy parked it because it wasnt getting spark and no one could figure it out, after taking the kill switch off and touching the wires together it cranked to life, i love these old bikes, put this one back on the road she deserves it

[@tomreyes4908]

I'll second that.. mine is 83 Sabre V-45... LOVE IT!

[@MyBallsUrJaws]

"we are gonna get it right the first time." Cut to you guys laughing, great edit. 😂

[@RolandMillington]

I always love it when the motorcycle is turning over and begins running and the closed caption section says, "Music." Because it is.

[@TaterRogers]

My dad had this bike when I was little. I always wanted one like it. It had a great exhaust note that was very unique.

[@bayoubiker71]

I recently bought an 86 vf700 Magna that had been sitting for 7 years for $400 . took me 2 weeks to get everything sorted back out and now runs like a champ. Very satisfying to get one back on the road. I'd pull the slave cylinder and check it . bet it looks just like the master did .

[@worpd_gamer270]

Heck yes my brother - I've had my bike up for almost an entire riding season a couple years ago :( It wasn't just because of repairs though. I rebuilt the forks, rebuilt front and back brake calipers... and since everything was off, went ahead and built some custom aux fog lights that I can switch from amber to bright white. Reason I did this during riding season is my toe was broken anyways and it was hard to ride (also added a toe-heel shifter) my VTX1300C.

[@TomsTinkeringandAdventures]

Honda’s from the 80’s are probably the most reliable bikes out there. I have saved dozens of them in the same condition.

[@TimHayton]

Have a 750 sabre with the same engine same age. Had to replace the carbs with recon item in the end. Good riding around on a 'classic' bike. Shocks next on the hit list.

[@bradyduncan7523]

Dude that man is a beast. Craig staying late missing home time to help. Don't lose that friendship. I wish we had that kind of tech in my area, Birmingham Alabama

[@a.j.sgarage9637]

80's were wierd. A time with hydraulic clutches, dual disc fronts and a drum rear

[@gkiferlt1]

Oh yeah, that's a similiar feeling for me, lol. I bought a 94 GSX750F knowing zero about bikes, been a car guy my whole life and had never touched a carb. having the carbs on and off a dozen times and a couple months later I have a good running bike, a motorcycle endorsement and a couple thousand miles put on it. Lots of inspiration from this channel!

[@DuggleBogey]

"Don't fix anything else until the bike is running." He says after fixing the brakes and draining the blinker fluid.

[@MrGixxer1300r]

This coming from a guy who probably shouldn't be working on a powerwheels

[@RossMalagarie]

Yeah should have said, "Only fix what it takes to run, AND the brakes, and lights." Because brakes and light are kinda important for stopping and seeing.

[@misplacedcaper9662]

Technically, they did get the bike to fire first...

[@joshuacormier9294]

Bring the magna back to life!!! Love it! My 84' magna is wonderful! I love that you found your old bike and are bringing back to life! Woop woop!

[@jazbuh1794]

I see you get the “You alive?” Text too... LoL

[@daveco1270]

Honda's are super-reliable. They wanna run. I have a 1975 CB750 that I love. It had been sitting for nearly 30 years when the previous owner bought it and got it running again...then sold it to me.

[@EasyRiderGreg]

That's absolutely right, " don't fix anything until you've got the bike running". It does no good if you can't get it running.

[@dburges5]

Awesome wrenching video, all i have to say is MORE CRAIG,MORE CRAIG, MORE CRAIG!!! The intermediate couch editorial A+. Just picked up an old BMW RT for $800 & have it all torn down ready to rock it back to life. I did add really cool sticker so far.

[@cyclesportservices3323]

Thing definitely needs a carb clean for sure , I’m sure Craig’s knew that , easy fix, I do these all the time , good video though

[@loco0351]

I actually own a Honda Saber from 1982. When I got it both the brake and clutch cylinder were all dried up and clogged. But she run when I bought it. I was sitting in a garage for many years and had very little miles. Congratulations on getting that old Magna back on the road.

[@nickmduran7310]

carbs in magnas are a pain in the a$$ to remove and put back together👍

[@molallamerica896]

Just bought an 83 Magna that doesn’t run. Thank you for the inspiration and tips. Time to get this thing running.

[@xMRN1C31]

Any updates on this bike? Really would love to see where it’s at a year later! 👊🏼

[@JSchultzJ]

I heard it's sitting in a garage somewhere and probably will be for at least another twelve years.

[@johnnycashbenham1192]

Just bought an old 86 Honda shadow 500 that wasn't running for really cheap, cleaned out the carbs, put in new plugs and put fresh gas in now it's running well!

[@pocketPliers]

Those carbs are an absolute nightmare to take off and put on. Seriously, you cannot express how awful they are.

[@aeroman5239]

I owned a '84 V65 Sabre and fixed a few 1st & 2nd gen V45 Magnas and Interceptors. Removing the carbs is typically not the issue, but installing them back in the "V" is the challenge. The secret I found is to loosen the clamps completely, pull the intake manifolds (tubes) almost completely off the cylinder heads so that they are cocked upwards (if that makes sense), and then drop the carbs down so they partially engage the intake manifolds. Continue to push at each cylinder until the spigot of the carbs engages the internal lip of each intake manifold. Also using some WD40 on the manifolds helps assembly, too.

[@chrisludwig9783]

@@aeroman5239 Yes

[@FitnessFlux]

I’ve done these carbs four times - they can be a nightmare for sure. Secret to getting them back in: ratchet strap carb rack to suspension bolt in back, pushing carbs into cylinders 2&4, them press down into 1&3 manually while strap is tight. I’ve got it down to about 30 minutes to install this way.

[@kristopherbell7158]

First time on my 97 interceptor took hours! Hardest part of putting te bike back together.

[@BONE-SolR]

You ain't lying they are a pain in the rear to take off and put on.

[@jackthomson1649]

ah, the good old days, my fav vid from you guys much love! Bring the two together again plssss

[@theone2be33]

Shawn kept saying, "We did this, we did that, we fixed....we fixed." Craig did ninety percent of the work. And time is money so you owe him about $1500. Not a $10 pizza.

[@BikesandBeards]

Haha I helped

[@cericj99]

I've had friends help me out for a couple of beers and a couple of slices of pizza and I've done the same... sometimes it's just the goal

[@don50oh90]

@@BikesandBeards even your labor is worth more than 77$....great channel

[@Ninja_S1000RR-R]

More like 99.9%

[@NuChad2011]

Y'all need to start a show like Garage Squad for motorcycles... it would be awesome seeing old bikes coming back to life!

[@lenhawkins3803]

I love finds like this. Great entertaining video. Two thoughts though....Lucky you didn't have to take it to your local Honda dealer. The twelve hours you spent doing what you did would have cost you $1200 - $1500 at current shop rates. Also, doesn't "unclearing" the clutch line mean you actually clogged it with the welding wire? LOL

[@jasonclark1223]

these are the best kind of bikes. One of my fondest bikes ever, I was at a guys house doing some work and saw in his garage an old goldwing. It was buried under a bunch of stuff so I knew it hadn't been touched in a long time. As I was leaving, I asked him about it and he said it hadn't run in 8 years. At the time I had been collecting and refurbishing yamaha xs1100, fastest production bike 1979!!. So I thought I could use a goldwing. He said I don't have any use for it, it you can get it to run you can drive it outta here. I came back the next day, 2 cans of carb cleaner and 3 running cylinders (1981, wing interstate, 4 cylinders) later I drove it home. When I got it home I had to clean out the gas tank, fuel line, and rebuild and sync the carbs, but I drove that bike a long time. I when I parted with it, still running but needed some tlc and with the money i got from it bought a new valkerie interstate. thats when they first came out. loved that bike too.

[@lauriemcdougall8415]

got a 1979 Honda CB400TII that I want to get on the road. To my surprise with a new battery the motor actually runs! guess you can't kill a honda LOL. Getting the title though that's another problem. There's an easy way to go through the process, but the Provincial insurance agency ICBC (Insurance Corporation of British Columbia, B.C. Canada) is waaaaay backed up, so it looks like it'll be late January before I have the title. Been two months now! so sadly it'll be another eight weeks. On the up side, it only cost me seven bucks for the title search! LOL I even know who originally owned it but I can't find him. I'm reluctant to put parts into it just in case it was stolen 40 years back and the original owner want's it back. I might have to buy a kawasaki vulcan S in the mean time :D

[@ElationProductions]

Nice! I used to have the exact same bike myself. What color is yours? Mine was black. Got it for free from my uncle because he thought his son had wrecked the transmission driving off road with it. Just the shifting detent wheel had come loose and rotated half a click. Instead of 5 gears and a neutral between 1 and 2, it had 5 false neutrals and one gear. Took me a while to figure it out, but an easy fix otherwise. Wish I would have kept that bike. Anyhow, good luck getting a title for yours!

[@soul-mates-xk9er]

Just got my first bike back! 1984 Honda v30. So great coming across this video! Thanks! Hoping my restore goes well like yours

[@vsimileac]

800$ labor bill + 77$ parts + tax = around 1000$ bill. Sorry, but it’s true

[@timluther5171]

Here in Canada pretty much double that. Our big dealership in Guelph Ontario I believe said they're $140.00 - $150.00 an hour for labor. My motorcycle mechanic is and independent and charges around $85.00 an hour, so it's obviously a lot cheaper for labor in the States.

[@tophookhighroll1149]

Vsimileac every title for every video these guys put out is click bait haha guess I can’t hate because I still watch every once in a while haha

[@robivlahov]

@@timluther5171 85 per hour to work on a bike? I'm frikin moving to Canada , holy shit ... Here it's 40 per hour at the dealership...

[@timluther5171]

@@robivlahov that's what the going rate seems to be here in Canada. Don't forget our money's only 3/4 of what American is, but that's still quite a difference.

[@vsimileac]

Tim Luther I’m from Canada. My dealership charges less then 100$ in CAD so it’s around 75$ US. The title for video is definitely a click bait. I was watching many of his videos and now I’m definitely disappointed because of his dishonest “marketing” strategy

[@louisvilaros9066]

I like seeing u guys bring bikes back for the dead God bless

[@MatthewWilliamsCFDEV]

Magna Carbs... only when you want to lose friends, do you ask them to help get them off ;).

[@IR_Chaz]

The Sabres are just as bad, trust me.

[@Gofindilya]

Truer words have never been spoken. Getting them back on is even worse.

[@danw1955]

Makes me appreciate inline 4's all that much more! Even my old Yamaha 920 Virago was no picnic to get the carbs off and on.😜

[@MarmiteTheDog]

@@IR_Chaz Don't I know it... :(

[@tomreyes4908]

True, you got to be very detailed oriented when working on these V-4's and take your time and get every passage clean. Once it's running, they are a joy to ride.

[@motomuto3313]

I got an 83 Honda Magna back in July. The engine ran 2 years ago before sitting in a garage for 2 years. Before the bike was put away the fuel was drained as was the coolant. That didn't stop the mice from chewing up the wiring, or the last owner attempt to convert it to a bobber. I replaced the old wiring harness, clutch and brake master cylinders with levers, the speedometer tach, idiot lights, headlight, and turn signals.

[@WellRoundedMBS]

I have 2004 tw200 in my garage I bought new had a stroke and I keep tell myself and others I am go to getting running again

[@urnzwayzmoove]

Just refurbished a 1987 Goldwing that had been sitting under a carport for 15+ years. Very satisfying first ride!!!

[@stuartwatters3532]

How much did Craig's time cost tho, been there all day.

[@roadiemort3589]

$800 labor bill lol.

[@WawakGuitar]

A labor of love doesn't cost anything.

[@deedler5687]

Not much. Only an arm and leg. He has a spare set.

[@ice24790]

I got a free 2002 Suzuki Katana 750 that had been sitting in a friends back yard for 14 years. I've never taken a bike like this apart, but after pulling the carbs 3 seperate times, new plugs, chain, tires, and de-rusting the tank she fired right up. As frustrating as it was, it was such a fun project. Maybe cost me about $400 in all the parts and upgrades to bring it back to roadworthy condition.

[@Firestorm637]

30 year old rubber pieces, replace with new especially brakes

[@patmcgaha8120]

Enjoyed this segment. Craig makes for a good teammate.

[@Nobamaable]

Did you change the oil before you ran it...I'd do that before firing it up ; \

[@loganknutson1779]

Love it! I had an 84 and 85 V65 I spent less than 300 on. My brother has a V65; his first bike. Between him and I, our favorite bike. Fast and full of torque. Great bike. Good job guys. Love the channel.

[@auhsojrekab8025]

Notorious for killing the second gear shift fork bending still my favorite bike ive ever owned

[@Stang1960]

The First Road Bike I Owned!!! I Loved That bike with all my heart, many miles and smiles!!! :)

[@magaisacult2023]

I had one like that, I slapped a Jesus freak post-it note on it and it ran perfect.

[@roynelson7613]

Motorcycle mechanics are the best man and that was pretty funny how you lost his flashlight in his pocket that was pretty funny man using that welder wire was genius man.. hey man you're right A lot of people wouldn't put the time in but that's where you do what you got to do👍👍👍👊👊

[@lennycruz4558]

I do not know why is this my comment but "NOTHING IS IMPOSSIBLE WITH GOD" ♥️🍟🍔

[@RetroSpectiveMoto]

I have a 1978 Triumph Bonneville 750 that sat in a garage for 40 years, Im so close to getting it running but Im learning about it as much as I can, little by little :)

[@billdumanch6237]

After being fixed 5 times in 4 years by oncologists, that bike project seems like old times...

[@jt6488]

I'm restoring the exact same bike 1982 Honda magna v45 750 I'm waiting on a fuel pump to get it to run. Then Its on to bleeding brakes n clutch just like yours. This bike used to be my fathers but he sold it when I was a kid after 25 years it being gone and 15 of that sitting unloved i found it and I bought it back. Also have another 1982 magna but has the common 2nd gear issue but it also will be fixed. I love these bikes and it is so nice to see another magna back on the road!