The 85 Sabre, Magna and Interceptor Hondas with the V4 engine were known to have camshaft problems. The cam lobe were not hardened properly and suffered cam wear issues. If this bike has the Honda updated cams in it, its a typical reliable Honda engine. But it is also a complicated bike to work on, and if you do the work yourself its just time consuming. If you need work done that you can't do yourself, better find yourself a very good independent shop. Most Honda dealers won't even touch a vintage complicated bike over ten years old. These days labor rates at cycle shops are in the $125/hour. If that bike requires carb work, it can take an hour just to get the carbs out and ready for service. A complete carb cleaning/tuning could cost you nearly $500. Regardless of low miles, a near perfect 1985 Magna is at most a $1500 motorcycle, I wouldn't offer a dime more.

Don't get me wrong, I always thought the Honda V4 engines were fascinating. I've been involved in cycles since the early 70s, and I recall when the Honda V4s came out, like WOW! But just be ready for what you may be getting into. Also, a bike with low miles for its age is not always the best. Average yearly miles nationwide is about 2,500, so a bike 37 years old if ridden normally would have something well over 50,000 miles. If a bike sits for many years and is not regularly ridden and maintained the internal rubber parts dry out, fuel pumps get gummed up and rusty. Hondas require specific coolant to make sure the water pump seals don't fail, so the bike should be checked for the cooling system. Don't be too certain that buying it and parting it out is a money gain. There just is very little market for the mid 80's V4 Hondas other than the very desireable 500 Interceptor, maybe the 750 Interceptor (not the 700).

I have always done all my own work on my bikes. If I buy a bike I fully expect to get deep into it to make sure everything is right, and I'll buy a non-runner with the intent to make it run again. I bought a 64 Honda 305 Superhawk about eight years ago, engine rusted stuck, but near complete, for $250. It’s a project in waiting for my shop, cylinders soaked in 50/50 Acetone/ATF. Along with the 72 CB350F (had one in hig schol back in 74) that I bought, running, near complete, with title for $300. My rough guide price wise is $1 per CC.

The 85 Sabre, Magna and Interceptor Hondas with the V4 engine were known to have camshaft problems. The cam lobe were not hardened properly and suffered cam wear issues. If this bike has the Honda updated cams in it, its a typical reliable Honda engine. But it is also a complicated bike to work on, and if you do the work yourself its just time consuming. If you need work done that you can't do yourself, better find yourself a very good independent shop. Most Honda dealers won't even touch a vintage complicated bike over ten years old. These days labor rates at cycle shops are in the $125/hour. If that bike requires carb work, it can take an hour just to get the carbs out and ready for service. A complete carb cleaning/tuning could cost you nearly $500. Regardless of low miles, a near perfect 1985 Magna is at most a $1500 motorcycle, I wouldn't offer a dime more.

Don't get me wrong, I always thought the Honda V4 engines were fascinating. I've been involved in cycles since the early 70s, and I recall when the Honda V4s came out, like WOW! But just be ready for what you may be getting into. Also, a bike with low miles for its age is not always the best. Average yearly miles nationwide is about 2,500, so a bike 37 years old if ridden normally would have something well over 50,000 miles. If a bike sits for many years and is not regularly ridden and maintained the internal rubber parts dry out, fuel pumps get gummed up and rusty. Hondas require specific coolant to make sure the water pump seals don't fail, so the bike should be checked for the cooling system. Don't be too certain that buying it and parting it out is a money gain. There just is very little market for the mid 80's V4 Hondas other than the very desireable 500 Interceptor, maybe the 750 Interceptor (not the 700).

I have always done all my own work on my bikes. If I buy a bike I fully expect to get deep into it to make sure everything is right, and I'll buy a non-runner with the intent to make it run again. I bought a 64 Honda 305 Superhawk about eight years ago, engine rusted stuck, but near complete, for $250. Its a project in waiting for my shop, cylinders soaked in 50/50 Acetone/ATF. Along with the 72 CB350F (had one in hig schol back in 74) that I bought, running, near complete, with title for $300. My rough guide price wise is $1 per CC.

My other 305 Scrambler I bought a few years ago out of Arizona for $500 bucks. Note the typical vinyl (car interior) rot from the Southwest I have since taken it apart and done some pieces, parts paint work but got a surprise when I went looking for some manuals and info from a guy that calls himself "Mr Vintage Honda" out on the west coast. He asked me what color it was and I of course said silver tank and silver side panels, along with front and rear CHROME fenders. To which he said the only Scramblers that had CHROME fenders were the candy color bikes. So I grabbed one of the side panels and sure enough under the red primer oxide was CANDY ORANGE paint They did the final run of 305 Scramblers in late '67 in candy orange and candy blue that I know of. One of my best friends Frankie bought the local dealers last one in candy orange. I think I still have a photo of it back in the day. Really sharp looking.

There's a few nice 3-wheeler Harleys and Honda Gold Wings, just saying

The buddies scrambler I mentioned was candy blue and I thought it was kustom painted?! It had chrome fenders too!

i guess this thread was for nothing.