About(Sidecar) Bob Kingsmill Expertise I HAVE NO EXPERIENCE WITH HARELYS.
ATVs ARE NOT MOTORCYCLES. DO NOT ASK ME ABOUT THEM.
DON'T ASK UNLESS YOU HAVE LOOKED IN THE SHOP MANUAL FIRST - IT ONLY ROBS SOMEONE WITH A REAL QUESTION OF THE OPPORTUNITY.
You can ask me electrical questions about 1975-85 HONDAS.
You can ask me about driving sidecars in the winter, or sidecars in general.
You can ask me general motorcycle repair questions, but my main experience is with Honda CX500, GL500, CX650, GL650, GL1000 and GL1100 models. I also know a bit about the Suzuki GS400 and 1980s Dneprs, but I haven't touched either in years. If you ask about a model I am not familiar with I will do my best to find your answer.
Experience I have been operating and maintaining Honda motorcycles since 1991 and other types since 1985.
I have access to several online usergroups that specialize in keeping these types of bikes roadworthy and am considered an expert in some areas, particularly electrical/wiring matters.
I have been using sidecars for everyday winter transportation in Southern Ontario since 1987 except for 2 winters on a trike. I have learned how to make this a relatively comfortable activity and how to prepare the machine so that it survives the road salt.
Organizations Naked Gold Wings;
Honda Transverse Twins of America
Education/Credentials Electronics & acoustics technician.
Correspondence courses in motorcycle repair & small engines.
Question I have a 1984 Honda Magna VF700C. Does this bike have a speed limiter or rpm limited? If so how do I change it? It looks to me like the fuel is fed through the reserve tank, or is there a switch just for the reserve tank somewhere.
Answer I have no personal experience with Magnas, but I found the following information on the internet:
Some Magnas have rev limiters. You can tell if yours does by looking at the electronic ignition units - if they are the same size there is no limiter, but if one unit is larger it contains the limiter. The limiter cuts out one pair of cylinders (presumably the pair controlled by the larger ignitor) wt 10,900 RPM.
Since the limiter's cutout is higher than the engine's redline, I wonder why someone would want to disable it. I'm not sure, but I think that replacing the limited ignitor with another non-limited one will work.
From what I can find, the Magna's petcock has only ON and OFF, but no reserve position. The fuel flows by gravity from the main tank to the sub tank (the fiche does NOT call it a reserve tank - I think it's just a way to carry more fuel without making the main tank look bigger) and is then pumped back up to the carbs.
