Honda VF750C Magna (1994-2003) Maintenance Schedule and Service Intervals

This is the maintenance schedule and associated service intervals for the Honda VF750C Magna, also known simply as the Honda Magna.

The Honda Magna is a rare motorcycle in that it’s a cruiser motorcycle with a sporty, high-revving, short-stroke V4 engine, borrowed from the VFR750 of the time. It has four carburettors, four valves per cylinder and double overhead camshafts, letting it rev easily to 10000 rpm.

But with its mild 10.8:1 compression ratio and torque-optimized bore/stroke configuration, the VF750’s abundant low-end thrust is always ready. The VF750 Magna is a power cruiser with (somewhat) superbike credentials — the kind of bike switchers like to ride.

There was an earlier version of the Honda Magna with quite different styling, made between 1982 and 1988.

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Honda VF750C Magna Maintenance Schedule

Below is the maintenance schedule for the Honda VF750C Magna.

Maintenance Procedures:

• I: inspect and clean, adjust, lubricate, or replace, if necessary
• C: clean
• A: adjust
• L: lubricate
• R: replace

Notes:

• At higher odometer levels, continue the service in the pattern established here.
• Honda recommends you take your Magna to a dealer to service the wheels and steering, and anything else that may affect riding safety.

x 1000 mi	4	8	12	16	20	24
x 1000 km	6	12	18	24	30	36
months	6	12	18	24	30	36	Every
Fuel Line		I		I		I
Throttle Operation		I		I		I
Carburetor Choke		I		I		I
Air Cleaner			R			R	Replace more often if riding in rain / dusty areas
Spark Plug		I		R		I
Valve Clearance				I
Engine Oil		R		R		R
Engine Oil Filter		R		R		R
Carburetor Synchronization		I		I		I
Enigne Idle Speed	I	I	I	I	I	I
Radiator Coolant		I		I		R	Replace every 2 years
Cooling System		I		I		I
Drive Chain Slider		I		I		I	Replace every 2 years
Brake Fluid	I	I	R	I	I	R
Brake Shoe/Pad Wear	I	I	I	I	I	I
Brake System		I		I		I
Brake Light Switch		I		I		I
Headlight Aim		I		I		I
Clutch System	I	I	I	I	I	I
Side Stand		I		I		I
Suspension		I		I		I
Nuts, Bolts, Fasteners		I		I		I
Wheels/Tires		I		I		I
Steering Head Bearings		I		I		I

Tire size and tire pressure for the Honda VF750C Magna

The Honda VF750C Magna has the following and tire sizes standard, plus the following recommended tyre pressures.

Tyre	Size	Tire pressure (cold)
Front	120/80 – 17 61V	36 psi (250 kPa)
Rear	150/80 – 15 M/C 70V	36 psi (250 kPa) With passenger: 42 psi (290 kPa)

Maintaining Your Chain on the Honda VF750C Magna

It’s important to maintain your chain on the VF750C Magna, as on any chain-driven motorcycle. Use a good-quality chain lubricant like Motul chain paste, or a Motul chain care kit which comes with a couple of handy tools to maintain the chain.

Honda recommends you follow the following chain maintenance schedule:

Chain maintenance item	Every
Check drive chain lubrication condition, lubricating if necessary	600 mi / 1000 km
Check drive chain slack, adjusting if necessary	600 mi / 1000 km

Notes:

• Do these items (checking/adjusting slack, and checking/applying lubrication) more often if you ride your Magna in dusty or rainy conditions.
• Always lubricate the chain after washing the motorcycle.

About the Honda VF750C Magna

The Honda VF750C Magna is a cruiser powered by the V4 engine found in the VFR750. It’s a spicy combination — revvy power and a relaxed riding position. Yow! They’re rare as hen’s teeth, so if you have one in good condition, keep it that way.

Honda originally had a similar Magna in the 80s, but relaunched it in 1994. Honda wanted to capture the market for powerful cruisers without jumping immediately to huge capacity beasts (which they eventually did). So they took the motor from the VFR750 sport bike and slotted it into a cruiser chassis — an all-new frame.

Along the way, Honda also made the VF750C Magna a lot prettier by adding chrome, extra fins, and a chromed exhaust.

Being a cruiser, Honda kept the Magna’s seat very low, just 28 inches high, making it a much more accessible bike for new riders.

But also being a cruiser, Honda kept the ride gear very simple, with 41mm forks (with air assistance and adjustable anti-dive), dual shocks (preload adjustable), a single disc up front, and a drum brake at the rear. So this isn’t a sport bike!

Honda didn’t keep the engine from the VFR750 intact. They made a few internal changes, including using a heavier crankshaft, a 5-speed transmission, and chain-driven cams (a change which would later make it to the VFR800). Honda also used smaller 32mm carburetors. Their goal was stronger mid-range pull without sacrificing too much top-end.

So the little cruiser makes 87 hp / 65 kW at 9000 rpm, or 70 Nm / 51 lb-ft at 7250 rpm. Very respectable for a cruiser. Some claim to be able to get a 0-60 mph of 4 seconds on it, similar to the (also underrated) Kawasaki Vulcan S with its middleweight parallel twin.

Honda didn’t make any changes to the Magna during its lifetime other than making some custom models with different aesthetics. They eventually retired the Magna in 2004.

Honda did make some V4 cruisers later, though. See the Honda CTX1300 if you’re interested.

These days, the V4-powered Honda VF750C Magna is a collectible classic. One of the really unique features of the Honda Magna is the V4 engine with a 360 degree camshaft that produces a very unique sound.

Maintaining the Honda VF750C Magna is not too hard. The service intervals are every 8000 miles (12000 km) at which point you have to change the oil and filter, and inspect the plug. Honda recommends checking the valve clearances every 16000 miles (24000 km), which means servicing two cylinder heads — that’s where things might get a bit trickier.

Manual for the Honda VF750C Magna

The above maintenance schedule comes directly from the user’s manual for the Honda VF750C Magna.

You can download Honda manuals from Honda’s website directly.