My 2nd motorcycle purchase was a 1985 Magna v30. The Magna is a custom-style bike built around a powerful 500cc watercooled V-4 engine. Variations of this motor were also used in the Interceptor, and the larger sizes of 45 ci. (750 cc) and 65c.i. (1100 cc) were also used in the Sabre.

 I purchased my Magna in 1992 from Ontario Cycle Salvage. With only 8000 km on the clock, it wsa priced low at only $1500. The downside was the appearance... The previous owner had painted "Speed King" on the sidecovers, and a hideous Ghoul/Skeleton image adorned the top of the tank. I quickly ran to Canadian Tire and bought 4 cans of British Racing Green, stripped it down and repainted it as soon as possible.

In retrospect, the Magna was not a great choice to follow up on my 77  RD400. It has a cruiser-style seating position, and the bike is not well suited to carving corners. Only a year later, I saw a 1984 GS 750E at Ontario Cycle Salvage, and made a deal with my dad to flip the Magna for his 85 CB-550F Nighthawk, which would be easier to sell with its stock paint. When he got the Magna he decided it would look better in "Candy Apple Blue" (which is the the colour in the pictures) and he transplanted the windscreen and trunk box. Dad has been happy with the magna ever since, and I had a great time with the big GS.

The Magna does make a great city commuter bike. It's easy to flick through traffic, it has a low seat height, and has ample torque to handle two full-grown adults. It's also very fast, with a top speed well over 100 mph. The motor has a great sound, sorta like a small V-8, with only a little bit of sewing machinery mixed in.

Dad's still riding the Magna regularly. Click on an icon below for a bigger pic.

  Magna images from May 2nd, 1999.

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