Tombs 87 Honda Super Magna

[Tombstones81]

I was in talks with a guy to trade my gs for his 01 FZ1, it apparently needed a little cosmetic work, but ran fine. Then? nothing. just disappears from the earth like "poof"


so now I just look at your post and hope for the future. that shaZam! always happens to me.

as for LEDs, its usually easier just to buy them in little segments, but, live and learn i suppose! 

nah on the LEDs.
the 2 blue LED strips per package cost me $20 a pop (used 4 on the GS)
which are like I think only a yard long.

the 5 meter strip cost me only $31 shipped.

I just got unlucky and bought a bad strip.
As my friend got the same thing but from somewhere else and his have worked flawlessly.

and it would of been fine if we found the clips for them before all the hell and we could have avoided soldering all together.

Next time I'll just get the 5 meter strip from the ebay seller he did and use connectors instead.

If I bought individual strips for every spot I want covered on the SM..... Over $100 for the lights alone!
vs
$40 for the kit and connectors.


as far as the trade goes.
Honestly, I just got DAMM Lucky!!!!

If the guy was honest with what he told me.
(new rider and the bike was too much for him)
then he just didnt know what he had.

actually, either way, he didnt know what he had!


With a little more cleanup.
I know for sure I can get $3000 to $3500.

Invest $800 in a set of brand new pipes after that, around $4000.

thats IF I had/have the patience for the right buyer.

If I choose to, it would require alot of patience because these bikes are rare and someone who doesnt know of them would only go by the listed book value.
which is an utter joke! haha
$2000ish for a runner needing a GOOD cleaning etc etc
Up to $5000 for a Mint one with low miles.

[MaxP]

That is some darn nice work you have done on that bike. You've taken an ugly ducking and made it a beautiful swan. 

[Tombstones81]

Thanks!
But not Quite yet.

I havnt really taken the time to do much.
Other then polish up the side covers and fork tubes.
(which actually still need to be fully removed and Completely done)

and cleaned it up a lil bit (washed & waxed)

Also found a stock rear seat for it at the local salvage yard for only $75 (can ebay it for $150+ if I wanted to)
They didnt even know they had it, was in the very bottom of the giant box they had.
Was the last one the guy grabbed out of the box & I almost fell over.

Well.
Today I stopped for a few things.
Fluids to change the oil.
Waterproof cigg lighter adapter (whatever the heck the technical term is)
and some Chrome outline (whatever its called that people put around their car door trim)
sorry, its been a LONGGGG day and my brains on fumes!

Should look pretty nice with chrome outline around at least the front fender and tank.

and it will look ALOT better once I strip... UGHHHH!!! forgot the aircraft stripper!!!!!
Once I strip, sand, & polish the rear and front rims and then mount new tires.

and do the same to the head covers.

then clean up the misc minor little surface rust spots like around the front peg brackets etc etc...

(edit)
here is basically how nice I want mine to get.

http://www.supermagna.com/owners_pics/mark_opperman.htm

Lower fairings I dont have any probably wont ever as they are EXPENSIVE for such small pieces!
Not going with that typical headlight that everyone else goes with (Wayyyyyyy too big looking for the style of the bike)
cant really tell in those pics

but pretty much all that to a T except those above.

As far as cleaned up is concerned, the plate relocation, and the clear blinker covers.

Front rim is where I will be painting mine black (those are rough areas that cannot be smoothed out)
Polishing up the rest.

[Tombstones81]

Update!!! 

Started buffing up the rims yesterday in preparation for new tires.
Chrome brake drum arrived today.
Tires mounted last night as I ran out of polishing time.

still in the middle of it, so heres the pics so far.

rear rim came off with ease & extra one went on instead of leaving it on a jack.


rear rim as it was


sanding


more sanding


even more sanding lol


buffed


polished


left side of the rear at the start (middle is just a thin aluminum cover & cannot be shined to a mirror)


sanded


buffed and polished


2nd going over with the buffer and polished (right side rear rim)


new (used) chrome brake drum buffed, polished, and set on the rim.


front rotor ready for paint


3 out of 5 spokes sanded along the ridges and buffed (started out merely testing to see how it would turn out)
MUCH better then expected!


all spokes buffed


left ones sanded and buffed (right side lightly sanded)


all buffed


overview



Just the pics for now.
gotta go out and get back to work and hopefully finish it up tonight

[codajastal]

 

[Tombstones81]

and DONE for the day!
UGH much more then expected.

didnt finish.

Updated above photo descriptions tho.

Had the new tires mounted last night.

Day consisted of....

Running around for a new bolt, shaft oil, & fresh buffing pads.

Buffing rear right side rim a 2nd time with better results.
Buffing and polishing the chrome brake drum when it arrived.
Painted the middle of the front rotor black (still drying & tape covered, pic tomorrow)
Drained the drive shaft oil (cant refill until rims are on to level the bike out to measure the oil level)
Sanded down the front rim, buffed, & polished. (2nd buff job tomorrow)
Then painted the rough (unable to get smooth) areas of the front rim black.
Only got half of it done and need to let it dry now.

Front rim buffed.


front rim polished (looks better in person but hopefully even better after a 2nd buff job)


and the right side (rough areas) painted black.
Paint is still wet.


Hopefully im all finished tomorrow

[MaxP]

This looks good already and will look great when you're done. 

[Tombstones81]

Tnx

and I was so surprised the spokes came out shiny because one SM member said if I wanted to get them to a mirror shine.
that I would have to grind them down as there as ridges going side to side all the down the now shined up part.
I actually think if I had more time, I could get them to a mirror shine.
but F that as the next 3 days (from today on) are going to be allll sun and 45!
NEEEEEED TOOOOO RIDEEEEEE!!!!!

Well, got even more work to do today last night.
Checked my email, got the tracking for my progressive springs.
Will be here today as they shipped from a local town close by.

Now I gotta go buy some more 15w fork oil (only 15% left in the one I used on my GS)
Take the forks off and leave them drain while I rebuff and then paint the other side of the front rim and let it dry.
Install the springs and new oil after putting the forks back on.
Get the front rim on.
then the rear after lubing up the gears.
Fill the drive shaft with fresh oil finally.

and I think be good t go 

[Higgins13]

nice helmet

[Tombstones81]

nice helmet

Hahahaha thanks, I think.

Well, just waiting on the other side of the front rim to finish drying enough to mount it on.
and the forks to fully drain,w hich they probably already are now.

right side I painted last night. (dried)


left side just got done being painted.


forks draining along with the old and new springs there.


and a few as shes sitting now pics.






kk time to go finish the forks up and reinstall them.
front rim should be dry enough by then.
its dry enough now but still Slightly smudges if touched, but the paint doesnt come off on my finger.
So I simply put a fan on it until im ready to toss it on.

[Tombstones81]

Done for the day (few hrs ago)

she is done but not Finished....
everything back on and in working order and seems great.

Except the front brakes are grinding now.
Going to just lube the caliper and bleed the lines tomorrow.
should be good then.

Heres the 3 only pics I have taken so far.

Bikes still dirty from putting things back on with Filthy hands.
Will clean it all up and take more pics tomorrow if I fix that brake grinding and get ready to ride.

[MaxP]

What's going on with the seat? Can't quite tell, looks like fabric coming apart in the middle or?

[Tombstones81]

What's going on with the seat? Can't quite tell, looks like fabric coming apart in the middle or?

Indeed.
Im 6ft2 & 250 pnds (for now)
so im not a small guy and I also sit as far back as I can as its comfortable for me on this bike.

So the seam has been stretching there.
Pretty moronic place to put a seam as well!!!
Yeah right where alot of body weight is being planted if the rider isnt sitting far forward.

actually.....  thanks for makin me think about that.

friend just got a bike hes workin on and needs to redo his seat.
asked me for fabric because I still have a TONNNNN left from redoing my old GS's.

Think I might just redo mine when I help him redo his, if the seams are merely for leather cosmetic design and if its just one big thing of foam underneath.

[steezin_and_wheezin]

Looking great tomb! The paint on the front wheel fits really well on bike

[Tombstones81]

Looking great tomb! The paint on the front wheel fits really well on bike

thanks!
Yeah its actually Very common to paint those areas black on these bikes.

Well, no pics yet.
Caliper is pretty much shot.
Grabbed an alternative from the salvage yard which is soaking in scalding hot water atm.
gonna clean and lube it all up.
hopefully it doesnt give me problems.

also bought a stock caliper for only $30 off ebay and $30 for a rebuild kit that I should have gotten awhile ago lol.

So the stock one will be fully cleaned and rebuild when it gets ehre.

kk back to workin

(edit)
pretty much screwed til the other caliper comes in a week+
one fromt he salvage yard didnt pan out ><

[Tombstones81]

No bike work related updates.
Even if all the parts were here, im too sick to do jack squat..... ><

Caliper rebuild kit arrives.
Still waiting on the black caliper I bought off ebay and rebuild that vs my grey one.

Also got a few more goodies otw     
headlight from the salvage yard I took the caliper back to for store credit (they can order new)
http://wanaryd.com/drag-specialties-diamond-style-bottom-mount-53-4-headlight-assemblies-head-lt.5-3-4clr-w-visr-20-0444.html
and the bracket to install it.

New (used) rear shocks.
Only like 3 or 4 known direct or almost direct shock swaps for the SM. (other then brand new)
These were the only ones that added height to the rear and better handling in the twisties.
all the others lowered the rear end and were $100+ used.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/330845873106?ssPageName=STRK:MEWNX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1497.l2649

Hopefully the salvage yard can order me these handlebars as I have $50 left in store credit.
http://www.meancycles.com/store/parts/view.cfm?partID=219013

Rear seat refab didnt go so well to say the least....
passenger seat came out fine.
Riders seat tho, was modified by one of the PO's.
Had an added top layer of softer foam added to it.
So the spray adhesive I used the other 2 times that worked Great.... ruined it.
Last bit of fabric I had and the glue made it INSTANTLY adhere to the foam.
vs stock foam, I got like 10 minutes to work with it.

So I took it to an upholstery place.
$125 to do another covering and repair or replace the top layer of foam.
Went with a VERYYY nice looking and feeling Red leather to match the bike.
If its gonna be too much red, I dont care as the seat is going to look friggin BAS@$$!!!!

Lets see..... UGH stupid sick brain! WORK!!!!

SHOULD be getting a nice chunk of change today (weds) or tomorrow.
going to use that and buy the last brand new slash cut exhaust the seller and fellow SM rider has left.
(another BAD@$$ looking item!)

and last but Most of all!!!
http://www.ebay.com/itm/1987-1988-Honda-VF700C-VF750C-Super-Magna-lower-fairing-v-way-v-dam-/181047701727?pt=Motorcycles_Parts_Accessories&hash=item2a2748b0df&vxp=mtr

http://www.ebay.com/itm/1987-1988-Honda-VF700C-VF-750C-Super-Magna-miscellaneous-plastic-parts-covers-/181047702988?pt=Motorcycles_Parts_Accessories&hash=item2a2748b5cc&vxp=mtr

$32 shipped for each auction!
Was DAMMMMMMMMM lucky to come across that!!!!
when I search for SM stuff, instead of being specific.
I just search every 1 or 2 days and click to show the newly listed items first. (which usually arent many)
which is why I got so lucky and nabbed these before anyone else, as they must have JUST been put on recently.

why was I so lucky?
look at these 2 listings prices....
the single front cowl piece... that price is like the BARE minimum I usually see.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/87-Honda-VF700-VF-700-C-Super-Magna-lower-bottom-fairing-cowl-/260912681819?pt=Motorcycles_Parts_Accessories&hash=item3cbf9b935b&vxp=mtr

and $300 for a set in good condition..... oye!
http://www.ebay.com/itm/1987-1988-87-88-VF700-VF750-HONDA-SUPER-MAGNA-UNDER-LOWER-COWL-FAIRING-COMPLETE-/261133931186?pt=Motorcycles_Parts_Accessories&hash=item3ccccb92b2&vxp=mtr

yes those prices are common.

Just going to have a look over the front piece and see if it needs attention.
then just paint them black with the usual 2K clear that I just ordered a can of after the auction.

Then decide if I wanna go Red or Black professionally done when I have the bike repainted (staying with red overall)


the lower fairings dont look like much, but they do add alot more look to the bike then ya think. (pic below)

[MaxP]

That seats makes it. Good choice to go with a pro instead of struggling with it yourself. 

[Tombstones81]

That seats makes it. Good choice to go with a pro instead of struggling with it yourself. 

nah thats not how my seat is going to look.
mine is just going to be covered in one giant piece of red leather.

that pic was to show an example of the lower fairings I nabbed.

[Tombstones81]

Pardon.... but
HELL YEAHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

$890!
BRAND SPANKIN NEW PIPES just paid for!!! (rare to even SM riders!)

There was only ONE thing I wanted to do to this bike more then anything, and that was a set of brand new pipes!
(my welded up stock ones work for now but the metal under the bike is GARBAGE as far as handling up to the elements!)
which is a known SM issue.

Also ordered a plate relocator (left side of rear wheel)

heres the pipes that are coming!!!!
friggin S T O K E D D D D D D D!!!!
and where my plate will be located as well

(from his ebay listing)

[Tombstones81]

and even more goodies otw! hahaha

Santa Tombs is spoiling the bike! 

Stopped up the salvage yard even tho I knew the headlight wasnt in yet.
Had $50 left in store credit and wanted to see if they can order me the handlebars I want that I have bookmarked online.
nope....

So, I ordered a set of chrome handlebar switch housings.
Also needed to pick up header pipe gaskets for when the new exhaust comes.

Got home and ordered the handlebars 
http://www.meancycles.com/store/parts/view.cfm?partID=219013

and that is I T !!!!

Other then a new paint job and a rear seat backrest with luggage rack if im going to travel in the summer. (both not Needed and not anytime soon)
Then all the Needed and Wanted swaps/upgrades are Done!

Going to be taking the bike up to a friends garage so I can have an extra hand doing the work, and so im not out in the cold getting sick again!
(feelin Much better today!)

First steps.
Clean the new brake caliper I got the other day. (looks GREAT, just normal road wear & dust on it)
If it doesnt need the new washers and such from the rebuild kit, going to just keep that on the side.
Brake pads are still 50%++ too on them.

Once that issue is all taken care of.
Clean it all up just so I can take a complete Before pic (before all the part installations)

Ride it to friends.

Then begins the work!
(in order needed to be done)
Drain the coolant & remove the radiator (its in the way & one maintenance I forgot about til yesterday) (and fill it with Engine Ice when all done)
Remove everything to get to the valve covers & carbs.
Remove carbs.
Remove valve covers.
Check and correct the valve clearance.
Remove old exhaust.

and then while waiting on the new exhaust to arrive (yes I plan to get prior work done before they even get here)
Polish up the valve covers like I've done to the side covers and rims.
Metal Carb caps need to be sanded down and painted (too pitted with rust spots to shine up)
Minor carb cleaning (they are acting GREAT and were just Fully rebuilt professionally early last year)

Then toss it all together to the point where I can freely sync the carbs when the new exhaust is installed.
(wait on exhaust)
Install new exhaust.
Sync the carbs.

Then I do the rest of whats needed to be installed.

Who knows, the sooner I get the bike up there, the more work I can get done before having to install the new exhaust and sync the carbs.

But those are the main steps I need to take

Lots of work headed my way

Hopefully will remember to take lots of pics, before, during, and after.