Motorcycle Repair: V65 Magna Tune up, v65 magna, metric wrenches

Question
I just bought a '84 V65 Magna which is in great shape  and would like to tune it up but really know little about bike maintenance other than changing the oil and plugs.  I am looking for some help in understanding what parts, tools I might need and how to go about setting up the timing etc.  Can you possibly help  me out?     Thank you

Answer
Brad, go to this webpage: http://www.sunley.ca/moto.html and then scroll through the various links to get a bigger picture of what is in store for you.

http://www.sabmag.org/maintenance.htm is also helpful.

You will need a good set of metric wrenches, sockets, allen wrenches (I think), along with screwdrivers, and normal mechanic's tools.

The ignition timing is electronic, so unless the spark units go south, there is nothing to do there. See the spark unit repair link on the Sabmag site. Most running problems are due to old gas in the carburetors along with the various diaphragms that they possess, plus vaccuum lines that go here and there.

These are quite complex machines and parts may be hard to find, after 24 years. If yours has had good maintenance (plenty of oil changes) and been looked after generally, then you can expect good service from it. Neglected and abused ones, will cause you lots of headaches. DO buy a good shop manual ASAP.

Bill Silver