April 2013 Bike of the Month

FromMaine · April 01, 2013, 10:51:42 PM

I saw this months winner when it was posted a few years back. I thought to myself then that this was a very nice example of a V45 Magna. Now those of you that know me know I'm not into Magna's or cruisers in general, and you have more fingers, than I have washed all of my V4's combined since 2006, but that does not mean I don't appreciate someone elses hard work.

So without further adieu, Congratulations Ben (BenNCSU) your 83 V45 Magna is April 2013's Bike of the Month.

A link to Bens post in the Gallery Section.

http://v4hondabbs.com/index.php?topic=52557.0

I'm away right now on vacation with my wife and daughter but will send you your trophy when I get back to Maine.

Stretch · April 02, 2013, 07:43:09 AM

:thumb

John Hilmer · April 02, 2013, 08:17:25 AM

Ben,

Congratulations on the bike and the recognition of your accomplishment.

John

klopperg · April 02, 2013, 09:46:06 AM

Congrats Ben, well done tenof10
Good choice Michael. :thumb

BenNCSU · April 02, 2013, 10:44:31 AM

Thanks Michael and all! I really appreciate the compliments and recognition. When I bought the V45 it was a complete, non-running bike. I'd never rebuilt a bike, let alone a carburetor, before that. I had gone back to college at the time to get a degree in civil engineering, and the V45 was my distraction and stress reliever. I learned a LOT fixing up this bike and met a lot of great people along the way as well.

This comes at an odd time as I actually posted the V45 for sale last weekend. Now I'm second guessing that decision. Some of you know that I also have a V65 Magna that turned into quite an ordeal to restore. I finished it about a year ago and barely rode the V45 in 2012, which is why I thought it was time to part ways with it. I've been back and forth on this before, but never actually put an ad up.

I guess I've got a decision to make- sell it or keep it - and if I'm going to keep it what do I do with it? Right now I'm thinking about keeping it, tearing it down, and doing a really thorough restoration. That said, I listed it kind of high with the hopes that someone who appreciated these old V4s and the work that has gone into this one would buy it and I'd have a hard time turning down my asking price. Decisions, decisions...

Thanks again everyone! :beer:

msleboda · April 02, 2013, 11:00:47 AM

Beautiful job Ben! :thumb

DON'T SELL IT!!!! I had an 83 v45 ( one owner, low mileage, great original condition), and when I got my 83 v65 magna I wasn't riding the V45 much so I sold it. I still miss it and regret selling it.

Malm · April 02, 2013, 01:06:15 PM

Beautiful V45.

Miecul · April 02, 2013, 01:20:32 PM

Nice job Ben! tenof10

NormanB · April 02, 2013, 01:24:03 PM

Way to go!!

TarHeelV4Rider · April 02, 2013, 01:48:31 PM

That's a purdy V45 for sure! Congrats, Ben! :beer:

rrwarrenvanman · April 02, 2013, 05:03:16 PM

Quote from: BenNCSU on April 02, 2013, 10:44:31 AM
Thanks Michael and all! I really appreciate the compliments and recognition. When I bought the V45 it was a complete, non-running bike. I'd never rebuilt a bike, let alone a carburetor, before that. I had gone back to college at the time to get a degree in civil engineering, and the V45 was my distraction and stress reliever. I learned a LOT fixing up this bike and met a lot of great people along the way as well.

This comes at an odd time as I actually posted the V45 for sale last weekend. Now I'm second guessing that decision. Some of you know that I also have a V65 Magna that turned into quite an ordeal to restore. I finished it about a year ago and barely rode the V45 in 2012, which is why I thought it was time to part ways with it. I've been back and forth on this before, but never actually put an ad up.

I guess I've got a decision to make- sell it or keep it - and if I'm going to keep it what do I do with it? Right now I'm thinking about keeping it, tearing it down, and doing a really thorough restoration. That said, I listed it kind of high with the hopes that someone who appreciated these old V4s and the work that has gone into this one would buy it and I'd have a hard time turning down my asking price. Decisions, decisions...

Thanks again everyone! :beer:

Sell it, buy a 2nd V65. You will never miss the V45.

EV · April 02, 2013, 06:07:11 PM

:thumb once you can get a v45 to look and run good, getting a v65 to run great is easy :beer:

OregonMike · April 03, 2013, 10:01:17 AM

Looks great Ben! :beer:

Six7390GT · April 05, 2013, 12:09:07 PM

Congratulations! Beautiful work. :beer:

powerwolve · April 08, 2013, 10:55:08 AM

Congrats Ben! Makes me want to drive down the road and swap bikes with you to see what one that is tuned correctly rides like

John Hilmer · April 10, 2013, 06:10:40 PM

Ben & All,

I'm a bit surprised at the lack of expressed appreciation for what Ben did to restore this machine.

Ben did a very fine bit of work on this bike.

I realize that I am one that is most impressed with restorations to save these machines, and perhaps some aren't so inclined.

Regardless of the perspective, Ben has added to the pool of knowledge by his experience and for that alone this thread should be showing more replies than it currently has in my opinion.

For my part, I"ll add that I for one appreciated his build thread and all that Ben did to bring this one back.

John

CruisingRam · April 11, 2013, 11:42:57 AM

Nice work, very clean, very nice looking bike!

John Hilmer · April 12, 2013, 06:52:10 PM

Quote from: powerwolve on April 08, 2013, 10:55:08 AM
Congrats Ben! Makes me want to drive down the road and swap bikes with you to see what one that is tuned correctly rides like

This seems so obvious to me that you two should hook up and compare.

Of all of the V-4's and the VTR 250's that I have had I have never seen, ridden or heard another. How can we know if things are really correct if we do not have a comparison?

Back when I had the '85 VF 700 S I rode with Tom Da Quista on his cherry '83 VF 1100 C. He commented that my Sabre didn't "Sound" right. I had no clue what it should sound like. I'd never heard one run.

Try to get together if you can.

John

chazglenn3 · April 12, 2013, 06:58:08 PM

Beautiful Bike! :thumb

John Hilmer · April 30, 2013, 06:37:02 PM

Ben & All,

On the eve of your month ending I will say that you did a fine bit of work.

You should be proud of what you PRODUCED.

Enjoying it at this point is the earned gift, though it adds to the soiling and the cleaning up after the rides.

As has been said many times before, we never seem to be satisfied and the continuing efforts to be as we want seems an ever and forever work of care.

I for one appreciate what you have accomplished.

Tomorrow, if Mike has a connection, we may get to see the next award.

As I bid your time as the honored machine farewell, I look forward to the next selection.

Michael, we are waiting, or at least I am.

John

BenNCSU · May 03, 2013, 06:50:34 AM

Just had to post a quick update. I sold the V45 on 5/1. Thought it was ironic I listed it on 3/31, had it for all of April, then sold it the first day of May. I got a few good rides in before I sold it, and felt good about the guy who bought it. I told him about this forum so hopefully he joins and keeps the bike in the family, so to speak.

Thanks again to everyone for the compliments. :beer: