how do you adjust rear springs on a 1983 V45 honda Magna?

[paulhorse]

Hi To All;

Just bought a 1983 V45 honda Magna and I love it (especially as it only cost me $500 and runs like a charm)! Been riding dual purpose bikes (XR650, DR650, DRZ400, DR350) all my life and wow how nice it is to have more than one cylinder and a seat that isn't made of plywood!

I would like to know how I can adjust the rear springs? I know they have a 5-way preload adjustment, but I have no manual and the directions that I can see were once on the springs are no longer legible. I want to make the rear of the bike as low as possible (I guess this means soft springs?) to give it more of a chopper look?

Also is there a way to cut the springs? remove the spring from the shock, cut down and re-install?

Any help appreciated - also has anyone with this bike ever experienced a high pitched whine from the speedo (going to pull it apart and lube this week).

Paul

[seruzawa]

The stock springs are already so soft that if you tried cutting them you would bottom the shock. Best to leave it alone. The bike isn't a chopper and is made to rev not lug at low rpms. You might be able to find shorter shocks somewhere. Not likely as old as the bike is.

Best to save the money for the inevitable transmission repair.

[The_AirHawk]

Originally Posted by seruzawa

Best to save the money for the inevitable transmission repair.

Or Electrical Gremlins that are waiting just around the corner.....

I'm beginning to think that the '80s Magnas were quite-possibly the BIGGEST POS's that Honda ever made - if you go by the number of requests for "help" we've had over the last 2 years; they seem to be more "Harley Unreliable" than any Harley-Davidson ever was!