Your NIGHTHAWK
This is my 1992 Nighthawk 750. I picked it up for a few hundred bucks along with a low-mileage crashed 2000 parts bike. The '92 didn't run but turned over, so I proceeded to pull the carbs. 7 hours later and with a mostly disassembled rear end I got them off. Man I don't like this air box! I'll buy some pods.
Cleaned carbs and found interesting adjustable needles. Brand new Keihin 118 main jet and 40 primary. This thing takes of like a rocket ship and louder than any other bike in my area. Lots of heavy gauge steel wool fixed that, but I would not recommend anything past 6k RPM. Drove myself nuts for about a month playing with these carbs. No mater what, there's a brick wall at 6 grand. Finally one day a guy told me to just put the author(sic) back in and after a long struggle it went in.
I buttoned it all back up and the first thing I noticed is that it felt completely different. I got out on the street and it was very docile at first, but then it eclipsed that 6k RPM wall and wow it almost got away from me. 😎
I've recovered the seat cleaned it up and put almost 5k on it in the first 9 months. I had to change out the ignition box from the parts bike, change oil, plugs, clean tank and put on new tires. I love it! It's gonna get some live from me I have ambitions of a cbr 600 wheel and lower forktube to convert to dual disc and figured out a way to run the rear CBR rim and mout a caliper so I will basically be building to Euro specs. Over the winter I plan on putting the 800 mile 2000 engine on and building a new wiring harness. Tried to use LED blinkers but I gave up.
Brandon Bowen
Location unknown
Added January 21, 2019
Hi Paul,
I am a fan of your website from Italy. I bought my Honda CB 450 Nighthawk (1985 model) two years ago. It was very well kept and maintained, with about 40 thousand kilometers. The bike had been kept in a garage for a long time when I bought it, so I had to put it back in shape before driving it on the road, and I have to say your website and forums helped me a great deal. After about 10 thousand kilometers on the road I have to say I love this bike, it suits my chill driving style, it's got a very comfortable seat and seating position and it's not too heavy in the turns, so you can even drive in a more sporty way if you want. I do not use my bike to commute, but I feel very lucky because I live in a place (the Italian alps) where beautiful twisty roads are plentiful (Stelvio pass, for example). Hence the bike is a perfect adventure machine on the weekends. Thanks to this bike I discovered so many places I did not know, and this made me start thinking about a long bike trip to visit central Europe, so I need to prepare the trusty NH for travel! Thanks again for the great community hub you provide, and good riding to everybody!
Luca from Italy
Added January 21, 2019
Hi Paul,
I love your site and forums! After getting into riding last year I found my 1982 cb750SC Nighthawk. I was browsing for an upgrade from my 1979 Honda CM400a. I saw the NH and went to take a look. Then I went a 2nd time. The owner let me take her up and down the street. 3rd time I bought it! I did not like the seat it had so i found an original. It came with 4 into 1 exhaust. I plasti-dipped the side covers. Upgraded headlight and rear lights to LED. She is running great. 44,700 km.
Roger V
Hamilton, Canada
Added June 16, 2018
I live in San Francisco and have been riding since about 18 years old, 63 now. Used to have a Yamaha Vision and in my frequent trips to mechanic to fix the stator, I saw a Nighthawk S and thought it would be a good choice with similar engine size and shaft drive. Probably bought first one in late 80s where I fashioned a large windscreen with Plexi over a clay form to fit the bikini fairing. Later while looking for a replacement Nighthawk model, I found one with a Pichler fairing and while not super pretty, it was very functional. Added a windscreen lip to further divert the wind. Found another Pichler EXS while searching for Nighthawks on Craigslist classifieds. The original Pichler was previously repaired and between my own droppings and drivers knocking it over I made a serious search with some insurance money for a proper repair but finding someone who could repair and paint ABS plastic took a while. Now I have 2 repaired and painted EXS fairing sets.
Mostly use as a commuter, but I have taken it out on occasion for some Northern California twistie road trips and weekend rides. Can't fully remember, but think I've had about 5 Nighthawk-S's, all red/black and mostly 86's as I
prefer the color scheme; some have had to be retired prematurely due to shifting problems but have found a mechanic who can actually repair it now without removing the engine to make it cost effective.
Danny
San Francisco, CA
Added May 17, 2018
Hi Paul, spent a couple of months trying to figure out what used bike to get for my return to riding after a 25+ year hiatus. Watching all manner of YouTube videos I came across drienkm's video titled "What a ride it's been" and absolutely fell in love with his Nighthawk and the trip he did out West. So I searched for a while and a kid here in town had an '85 650, virtually identical to Daniel's, up for sale on Craigslist at a price that I was willing to pay. After weeks of trying to buy the bike from him, I came to the conclusion that Mom and Dad wanted him to sell it, so he was going through the motions but had absolutely no intention of actually getting rid of it.
So my search resumed, and I came across a bike for sale locally that was in need of some serious TLC. A well-enjoyed 1992 750 in various shades and textures of black. She had been low-sided at least once on each side and need many bits and pieces replaced but seemed pretty mechanically sound. This was in January. I figured that I had time to get some work done before riding season arrived so I pulled the trigger.
I spent a little over 5 months getting her road worthy. Brake levers, indicators, cables, bearings, tires, sprockets, chain, paint, paint and more paint. Fortunately, she was pretty mechanically sound other than what seemed like an eternity of tearing the carbs apart and putting them back together until she ran smoothly. I've been riding her for about a month now and she is just about exactly what I was looking for: Plenty of power with gradual delivery and low risk of accidental looping, handles reasonably well and feels like she weighs a lot less than the nearly 500 lb listed dry weight. She still needs some bits and pieces (clutch cover, left side cover, triple-tree mount, and bars) but she's running and rides great and doesn't look too shabby (especially for a rattle-can paint job). This winter she'll get the full treatment.
I've chronicled (though perhaps not in as much detail as I would have liked) the process here.
Thanks for creating this site! Reading about the love that owners have for these bikes really helped convince me to get her!
Cheers,
Chris
Okemos, Michigan
Added August 1, 2017
Hello Paul,
I've very much enjoyed perusing your Nighthawk Pages, and have been looking forward to someday submitting something for the awesome Your Nighthawk section, so here it goes...
My parent's helped some family friends build a home when I was in second or third grade, who were kind enough to let me ride their (mixed gasoline fueled) mini-bike around, all over their neighboring fields, (right after the corn had been harvested). I was so excited, that I didn't say a peep when I'd burned my leg on the motor, after jumping everything in sight, and just kept on rolling. Despite my best efforts, I simply couldn't convince my folks to ever score us a mini-bike of our own, but I never forgot that feeling. In fact, my Dad did buy me a mesh Kawasaki shirt I'm told I wore every day until it simply fell off of me, Haha.
Fast forwarding, after I graduated high school, I was abroad with YWAM and Mercy Ships in a few spots, including Guinea, Africa, where our team rented a sweet Honda 90 motorcycle, which was the first time I'd had a chance to re-learn this lost art, and I was re-hooked.
Shortly thereafter, I began my first career and quickly seized the opportunity to (finally) buy my first motorcycle, a used Yamaha Seca II XJ600 sports bike, in black, which I absolutely loved. Fast forwarding a bit further, while abroad in that same career (and now married and then) living in New Zealand, I owned a beautiful, used Honda GL145 motorbike, in blue, which had a manual kick start, which I grew quite fond of. In hindsight, I wish I'd looked into shipping her back home when my one year Work Visa/Work Permit was up, but I did not. Did a road trip of much of The South Island on her, before moving back stateside though, and made some great memories throughout my stay.
We started having some pretty amazing kids, blinked, and realized that over a decade had inadvertently passed since I'd last owned a bike of my own, (and renting them on vacations simply didn't seem to suffice). That's when my wife and I realized it was time for me to get back in the saddle again.
After much research, including, but not limited to that of Paul's Honda Nighthawk Pages, I came to the conclusion that I wanted a classic, reliable, low maintenance, Honda Nighthawk, preferably in black, if possible.
I soon found what would become my new-to-me, used, 1992 Honda CB750 Nighthawk, in black, on Craigslist, in New York. I test drove her, and much to my surprise, everything came right back to me, as if I'd never stopped riding. After trailering her back home to Pennsylvania, I got her PA Inspected and serviced. (Admittedly, that set me back a little more than anticipated, but she's been a blast and I always like the peace of mind that everything's as it should be).
Just to be safe, (though I'd taken PA's Motorcycle Safety Course, some 15 or so years ago), I quickly signed up for and completed PA's Return to Rider (Intermediate) and PA's Advanced Rider's Course, which were pretty fun (plus these typically earn you around a 5% discount on your Motorcycle insurance premiums, anyways).
I've attached two of my favorite photographs of her so far. The first (above) is me at the Reading Pagoda, in Berks County, PA, USA, with the stock/'naked' look, aside from the black nylon (Kawasaki) saddle bags I first rocked on her. (I still love the OEM look, but prefer the smoother rides gained by adding a good front fairing, and temporarily dabbled with the National F-18 Fairing, though it's not pictured here).
The second photograph is me on her, alongside a semi-local service station, for a sweet, patriotic USA pic I simply couldn't resist taking, just before Independence Day (2017).
This shows some of the many of the amazing upgrades (and replacements) I've managed to outfit her with, since I began this journey (around May of 2016), which include but are not limited to: Targa Tsunami (front fairing), Targa Air Dam (a.k.a. "chin scoop"), Givi N140 Wingrack II with Y127 Universal Fit Kit and Givi E-21 Monokey hard side cases, 3M Knee Grips, Waterproof aseismatic GPS mount, waterproof magnetic smartphone tank bag, waterproof USB/'cigarette' outlets, battery tender port, convex round blind spot mirrors, deer warnings, centerstand, OEM tool kit & owner's manual, kickstand plate enlarger, Honda & Clymer service manuals, etc.
Givi top case to follow...quite possibly the Givi E460N, with AdMore lights, backrest and luggage rack? Only time will tell. (Meanwhile, someone on Facebook Marketplace gave me a nice, used Givi Monolock E30 Tour top case with backrest and AdMore lights, which I just need the Givi Z340 Monolock Wingrack plate for).
While was challenging finding some of the "unobtainium" Targa and Givi add-ons, but it's all a part of the adventure...with parts originating from Arkansas, Oklahoma, Hong Kong, etc.
Now my wife's hoping we may someday add a Honda CB250 Nighthawk in Tahitian Blue to our stable, for her to ride, which I think is absolutely awesome!
So good to be riding again, via this trusty Honda Nighthawk. I'm told the original owner drover her cross-country, three times, which is both incredible and inspiring, if so. Thanks so much for maintaining this wonderful website and all the best.
Enjoy the Ride,
Nate
Eastern PA, USA
Added July 24, 2017
Hey Paul,
I’m Ken Golden, 50 yrs. old living in the Catskill mountains of upstate New York. I have been a motorcycle rider since childhood. Suffered a spinal injury in 93’ and gave up motorcycling for quads. I had purchased the 83’ CB550SC back in 95’ for a couple hundred dollars. I got it running after an ignition problem and put it away in my storage shed for twenty years. A couple years ago one of my buddy's daughters bought her first sportbike and he decided to get himself a bike as well. I decided to pull the old Nighthawk out of the shed and into the garage. It has taken me almost two years of working on it, on and off, here and there but it’s finally back on the road where it belongs. Who says you can't paint with a spray can? What a blast! The bike still runs great! It’s likely the only Nighthawk with training wheels!
Peace,
Ken Golden
New York
Added July 24, 2017
'83 model CB450SC NightHawk.
My sister's first bike. She got it after it had suffered a crash. Tank dented, steering handles bent, headlight supports cracked, scratches all over. An old geezer tried his bike after a long hibernation. Well, he had lost some control himself after too many years. After some cosmetic repairs and two years driving she had some troubles with starting, as well as the lighting. Had a "handyman" look at it, but he couldn't find the mishap but tried something with extra cabling without any good result. So turned to me. Starting motor turned out to be just fine, as well as the lighting. What happened? Someone greased the starter button with all purpose grease! Cleaned it, got rid of the spaghetti-like extra electrics et presto: A fine machine with some scars. In the meantime, she bought a Yamaha Maxim XJ700 Canadian version. For her shortage of leg-length that was another issue now solved.
So I purchased a 2nd hand gas tank, spray painted the bike metallic grey. Original it was Candy Empire Blue with light blue and grey pinstripes. Hey, that's weird!: '83 was Black or Red! Also a plastic type front fender. Something must have happened! Probably just before importing from USA to Holland (that was done to avoid "being new" tax issues, the bikes were shipped to USA, rode for some few thousand miles so they could be imported at lower tax rates. We call it "grey import"). Well, to make a long story short: Customised it with LED blinkers/passing lights, a cockpit fairing and got some nice NH stickers somewhere from Australia. As these bikes were never sold new in Holland but imported from US of A, it has a "miles per hour" speedometer. Almost 60.000 miles on it and still purring like a kitten! A new "Sadddleman" cover, some extra seat-padding for I am 1.80m and "M type" steering handles and it's a fine bike for me now. I've done 20.000 miles in 3 years time. 130km/u (85MpH)? No sweat! Even better than 100km/u (65MpH). There are some hundreds bike still roaming the lowlands, so Yes, It is an icon you might talk about!
Jan V.
Holland
Added July 24, 2017
In 1995 I moved from California to New York due to work. My first child was almost 5 and the second was on the way, so I put riding on hold and put my 650 in storage. In 2001 I bought the NH 750 instead of restarting my 650. And most recently I have been cruising on my VT1300. Then, in November I got the opportunity of a lifetime ... retire about 5 years early! So I made restoring my 650 my winter project. My first decent size bike and I love it. I think it's one of the best bikes Honda made.
Thanks for the encouragement. You don't know it, but your site spurred me forward.
All the best.
Dave
Huntington, NY
Added July 24, 2017
I was digging through some old emails and I found this one from last year. I meant to send you information about my dad's and my 1983 Honda CB550SC Nighthawk until now. Attached are photos of the bike.
Sadly, my Father suddenly passed away in April of 2010. He was the original owner of this bike when he bought it on an April Day in 1984 - he was 25 years old and just starting out his career as an engineer in Lorain, OH. The bike was ridden for roughly 1,995 miles before my dad decided to store the bike in our Strongsville, OH garage and start a family. His family was his pride and joy so he made the choice to put the bike away. However, In 2012 when I was in college studying engineering and having a fascination for cars and motorcycles - he finally gave me the keys. Boy oh boy did the bike need a lot of work - new battery, new spark plugs, new oil, new gas, new fuel petcock, new carburetor jets and O-rings - the list went on and on. Every step of the way my father helped me to restore the bike to its 1983 model year glory. We finally got the
bike running on a warm February day in 2013. I was so excited! The bike was not licensed but I had experience on my dad's 1981 Honda CB125S so I decided to take it around the block. The shaft drive felt incredible, and the hydraulic clutch was so smooth compared to the cable clutch on the 125. My dad would go on to let me license it and followed me as I rode it down I-71 South to use it at The Ohio State University.I am so lucky that my dad and I bonded over this wonderful motorcycle. I plan to keep it for years to come, showing my children and grandchildren and keep it as a wonderful memory.
Alexander Ivanov
Added July 24, 2017
Paul - I just wanted to say how much I enjoyed your website! I just read your story and learned about your ties to South Dakota. I grew up in Aberdeen and learned to ride on a 1980 Honda XL185S. Then I had a Kawaski KDX 175. At least until the motor blew up.
Fast forward 30 years I now live in Elk Point, SD and just purchased a 1982 Nighthawk 450 with only 10k miles! It looked a little rough but after many hours with some polishing compound I have it looking pretty good! It is in great shape for it's age and will serve to teach my boys how to ride!
Steve Nelson
Elk Point, South Dakota
Added November 9, 2016
I have a US 1983 650 Nighthawk, and am currently employing the services of a seasoned engineer to make it a viable daily joy to ride.
Accessing bits has been tough-getting most from the US, since this is a US model , with quite a lot of differences from UK Nighthawks. Been very impressed with Stateside dealers! Lots to do but getting there.
Dave Hunt
Kent, England
Added Oct 24, 2016
Here's my new bike. 1984 Nighthawk 750S. I have loved these since I was 14 when they first came out. Still a great bike with lots of power. And being Canadian we get the added bonus of 50cc!!!
32 years on the road and going for lots more.
Mike McDermott
Added Oct 24, 2016
My bike is a 2000 Nighthawk 750. After a recent accident I switched out the stock exhaust to Mac performance pipes and added bar end mirrors as well as a lower bar. She is my daily commute and the first bike I have ever owned. Looking forward to many more miles and memories.
Raymond Gant
Los Angles, CA
Added Oct 24, 2016
I bought this bike a little over a year ago from Craigslist—my very first street bike. New plugs, new upholstered seat, new clutch, new drive sprocket and chain, cleaned carbs (which still have issues). Pulled it apart for all plastics and fuel tank, and wheels for body work and paint. The chrome is in fair condition considering its age. I'm proud of it and ride it often.
Timothy Gibson
Griffin GA
Added October 24, 2016
This Nighthawk 550 was sitting in a barn for years and I managed to get it on the road again. It took some time but man was it fun and I love riding it. Thanks Paul!
John Case
Bothel, Washington
Added July 13, 2016
Hi Paul and Nighthawk riders,
I bought a 1985 Honda Nighthawk 450 (CB450SC) this spring. I bought it for just over a $1000 put a few hundred into it. It needed a few minor repairs which I did in my garage. The clear coat was chipping and my preference wasn't for red. I repainted the rear farings, tank and painted the emblems, put lower handlebars on the bike and had the seat redone. For only putting a few hundred extra into the bike, I'm really happy with how it turned out.
If I could have found a 650, I would have taken it. However, I don't regret buying the 450. The 6th gear makes Highway riding doable, but this bike's greatest strength is city riding. It's easy to ride and is really nimble. I'm expecting to have a few good seasons on this bike.
Sean
Calgary Alberta, Canada
Added July 9, 2016
Hi Paul,
I already have a 700S up on your site, but stupidly I sold it. Big mistake! Best bike I've ever had, however, after 2 years of searching, I found another one in Ireland. This one needed a good bit of work, like brakes, fork seals, starter motor rebuild, rocker cover gasket etc. I've had it 6 months now and I'm nearly finished restoring it. It's only got 28k on it and still has its "customs cleared" stickers from Jersey port having been imported into Ireland in 2005. The engine is running beautifully and as there is only 5 or 6 of these bikes in all of Ireland I get stopped everywhere I go. I've been in touch with most of the other 700S owners in the country and plan on getting us all together for a run and a photo shot this summer. This bike was, in my opinion, one of the best Honda built. What other bike has a fuel and gear indicator, hydraulic valves,
shaft drive, 6 speed gear box, I could go on??!!! It looks fantastic, is easy to service, drives beautifully, sounds wonderful and just puts a huge grin on my face every time I take it for a spin. I will be keeping this one, never letting it go!!. My only issue is that parts are hard to find in Ireland. Some bits swap over (the starter motor in mine was from a 96 NH I found in a bike breakers). There is a guy in the States on Facebook, "Joes Nighthawk page" I think it's called and last count he has 34 of this exact bike!! Good to know there is someone as passionate about this model as I am.Thanks again Paul for a wonderful dedication to this outstanding bike. Your site is a pleasure to be part of.All the best and keep up the good work!!!
Marc,
Dublin, Ireland
Added January 26, 2016
Hey Paul,
I'm glad you ran into me on YouTube! I spent many hours pouring through these very pages in early 2010 before deciding to get a Nighthawk 650 as my first bike.
I found this '85 in really good shape for $1k. This bike was my daily ride for 2.5 years. In that time I put 50,000 more miles on the clock - I rode it to work, to class, to visit, to run errands, to clear my head, and to seek adventure. I learned so much from this bike! I trusted this bike and it never let me down... except when it did, so I got good at bump starting it - oh, silly stator! :)
I did basic age related work, like pouring the water out of the clutch slave cylinder, fixing the turn signal stalks, re-covering the seat, cleaning out the petcock filters, etc. The carbs were pretty clean inside so I left them alone for the most part (riding is the best carb therapy :) I also mounted lower bars than stock.
The bike had a small Slipstreamer windscreen when I got it, which I liked using on long trips. Eventually I made my own fiberglass headlight fairing which was designed around the OEM Suzuki Bandit windscreen. The fairing was hinged near the upper edge of the headlight and the angle could be adjusted on the road using a large hand knob hidden above the gauges. The serrated addition to the top of the windscreen was a later version of something I came up with while using the Slipstreamer screen. It cut way down on wind noise and buffeting. The custom windshield didn't end up needing it as much as the Slipstreamer. It won't work for everyone, but it's easy to make and worth a try.
I also built a small luggage rack using carbon fiber arrowshafts, carbon fiber tow, and CA glue. The previous owner had put two 3/8" holes through the top of the rear grab-rail. I mounted the rack using these
holes and two aluminum struts that tied discretely into the rear aluminum trim. I can't recommend doing this, because after a few thousand miles with a loaded pack, cracks began forming in the steel sub-frame cross-member that the grab-rail mounts to. I do think if welded reinforcements were added in that area, the rack could have carried it's 12 lb load until the end of time.
In the bitter end, this bike was killed by a VW Jetta who got excited and jumped in front of me :/ The forks and frame were bent and it was totaled, but I bought it back from salvage and parted out a lot of it, making more than the $1k I originally paid plus the salvage fee! I still have the engine, carbs, swingarm, and wheels among other parts... Maybe it will be reincarnated eventually...*stares blankly into the distance... wheels turning*
Thanks Paul for creating this wonderful resource, and hosting a community for Nighthawk riders!
Cheers!
Daniel (drienkm on YouTube)
Added December 23, 2015
I learned to ride in 2005 after browsing motorcycles online for several years. The bike I wanted was a Nighthawk 750, but since they stopped making them in 2003, they were hard to find and harder to finance, so I settled on a Honda Shadow Aero. It had a beautiful two tone paint job of blue and black. With its low center of gravity and wide handlebars, it was a perfect first motorcycle. I customized it with lots of chrome and large Leatherlyke saddlebags. In spite of its 750 cc engine, I never really outgrew it or desired higher displacement. It did everything I needed it to do, but it wasn't my dream bike.
In 2009, I mentioned to a salesman at a local Honda dealership that I was still interested in a Nighthawk 750, and about a week later, he called me to tell me he had one in the showroom. It was a 2003 model in pretty good shape, but it had signs of having been in an accident. One of the
risers was slightly bent so the handlebars weren't perfectly straight, and the rubber was worn off the sides of the foot pegs, but it passed my inspection and test ride. It only had about 6,000 miles on the odometer, so it had obviously sat for a while. Since I was done paying off the Shadow, and knowing the dealership wasn't doing much business due to the recession, I made what I thought was a ridiculously low offer and they accepted it!
I decided that since the Shadow had a fuel tank the size of a thimble, I would use it for commuting and customize the Nighthawk for touring. I ordered a Plexifairing from National Cycle and, hearing about how uncomfortable the stock seat was, I ordered a Corbin seat. I'm not really sure which seat is more comfortable though. The stock seat is softer than the Corbin seat, but the Corbin seat sits a little higher. Anyway, while on a long trip, my hands were really uncomfortable with he stock hand grips, so I upgraded to Kuryaken isogrips. The guy who sold them to me assured me they would fit, but when I got to my destination and installed them, I discovered he was wrong. I've been living with them anyway because they are comfortable, even if there is a space between the grips and the controls. I installed engine guards, although I haven't installed foot pegs on them yet, and I got some cheap strap-on luggage.
A few years ago, I moved from a house into an apartment, so I stored the Nighthawk in my mother's garage and I continued to ride the Shadow. Eventually, when apartment living took its cosmetic toll on the Shadow, I sold it a few months ago, and I took the Nighthawk out of mothballs. Now I'm commuting and taking weekend trips on the Nighthawk and considering more upgrades.The first picture (above) is the Shadow in its prime. The second is the Nighthawk in its prime. The picture (at right) I took today before heading home from my weekend trip to see my mother.
Jeremy
(Added June 10, 2014)
Hi. Here is a picture of my 1984 Honda Nighthawk 750S Canadian spec. I wanted one of these back in the day but couldn’t afford one at the time. I have restored several bikes over the years and was looking for a project for this winter when I came across this neglected example. It had sat outside a lot and was faded and filthy dirty but was complete and ran OK. I did all the normal stuff you’d expect, brakes, carbs, tires, seat recover, and so forth. A couple operations that fellow NH owners may find interesting is that I wanted to retain the stock exhaust but the finish was in poor condition although it was sound otherwise. No one that I could find does black chrome. I had the chrome stripped and had them ceramic powder coated. I’m happy with the result. I also replaced the sight glasses in the master cylinders, something most people said could not be done. It wasn’t a big deal. Also, after disassembling the instrument cluster and detailing it, I replaced all the bulbs
with automotive type LED bulbs. It makes the dash lights just “pop” and gives it a fresh, modern look. Finally, here’s a hint for anyone who’s switchgear plastic has faded white over the years: slather them down with silicone based grease and let them sit overnight. Wipe off the next day and they’ll be black as can be.It’s still the dead of winter here but I look forward to riding it in the spring! Nice to see a website dedicated to this overlooked classic, I think it’s just a matter of time before the collectors catch on to what a cool old bike they are.
Thanks!
Les (Canada)
Added March 26, 2014
Hello Paul, From Maurice and Bill in Maraetai Beach, Auckland New Zealand,
Well, summer is almost here for us Kiwi’s down under and hence we are out and about in God’s Zone on the Bikes. Please find a couple of lines about us and the Bikes and some photographs as promised, we hope this is of interest to our American cousins and Nighthawk lovers? Like many Bikers we have returned to riding in middle age, wisdom now perhaps replacing the need for speed and cruising hopefully replacing bruising! The bikes perform wonderfully on the highway and corner well on our smaller and sometimes sharp bending NZ country roads, they usually generate gracious comments owing to their age, condition and rarity here in NZ. Our ladies sometimes join us for trips at the weekend thereby extending playtime for the boys all for the cost of a lunch and coffee. :)
The photographs are taken at Karioitahi Black sand beach, south west of Auckland city.
The bikes are:
Nighthawk 750 1991. I am the second owner here in NZ, purchasing the bike in early 2009. She is in original condition with 81,000 Kilo meters on the clock. (Bill)
Nighthawk 700 S 1984. (imported into NZ in 1999) I am, I think, the third owner here in NZ, the bike was bought for me for my 50th Birthday in 2009. The bike seems to have spent most of its life in storage prior to me owning it and only has 36,000 American Miles on it but I am doing my best to put that right! She is original except for the mufflers and the decal missing from the fairing. I added the bag carrier. It’s a dream to ride. (Maurice)
Best wishes to you Paul, thanks for hosting a great site,
Cheers, Maurice and Bill
Added December 27, 2013
Hello, I am Eric.
I live in Deventer, a medium-sized city in the east of The Netherlands
I got this bike September 6, 2013. It's a Honda Nighthawk CB650SC built in 1982. The motorcycle is in March 1991 imported from the USA.
It is in appearance a beautiful bike. For me as a beautiful woman. Slim and with the right sizes. I have to do a few minor repairs, but if it is done I hope many miles to drive.
Thanks for making this site about this special Honda. Keep up the good work.
Yours sincerely,
Eric Eggert
Deventer, The Netherlands
Added December 27, 2013
Hi Paul,
Finally got around to taking pix of my fantastic 1985 Honda Nighthawk 700sc. I swapped it for a Bandit. A steal I think. It was rebuilt, sold and then left in a garden. The guy I swapped it off got it from the same guy that rebuilt it—having bought it back! There's only 33k on it and its runs like a Swiss watch. Everything works almost like brand new! I am chuffed. It's such a nice bike to drive and having six gears is a real plus as it just hums along!
Marc in Dublin, Ireland
Added Nov 13, 2013
Hi Paul,
Great job on your Web site!
I am a 53 year-old former bike mechanic (from a LONG TIME ago). I recently relocated to the Las Vegas area from the East Coast (Maryland).
The climate around here is ideal for motorcycling. I was wondering when I would be able to get a bike. I feel like I just experienced some serendipity! My 20 year-old car recently started threatening an “unplanned retirement” so I started looking for some back up/alternate transportation, just to be on the safe side. I quickly stumbled on a good deal on Craig’s List for a 1998 Honda CB750 Nighthawk in decent shape with only 45,000 miles on the clock! J I
managed to buy the bike with CASH, after bending over backwards (robbing Peter to pay Paul).
I am SO GLAD that I bought this bike! This machine is SUCCULENT to say the least! J I’ve already done a lot of work on this bike. The machine responds so nicely to proper repair work, adjustments, lubrication and other such treatment! Handling, reliability, operation, performance -ALL EXCELLENT!
I have owned and repaired many other Hondas in my lifetime. I’ve been keeping records since 1970! J My previous motorcycles include (in reverse chronological order): 1983 Honda GL1100-Interstate, 1991 Honda CBR600F2, 1978 Honda GL1000, 1975 Kawasaki KZ400, 1978 Yamaha XS750, 1975 Honda CB360T, 1967 Honda CL450, 1968 Honda SL70, 1965 Vespa 65cc scooter.
One of the things that impresses me with Honda motorcycles is that the owners of these bikes tend to be very loyal and enthusiastic for Honda and motorcycling, and they also like to socialize with each other. Gold Wing people are also like this. Your Web site is a good example of this unusual behavior.
Safe riding!
Tim Barber
Boulder City, NV
Added Oct 7, 2013
This is my 2000 NH750 which I purchased new in 8/00. It is mechanically stock. I have added a tank bag, matching saddlebags and trunk bag (not shown), backrest, soft handgrips, and a windscreen. I use it for errand-running, commuting to work, and recreation. My 11 year-old son and 24 year-old daughter enjoy riding with me whenever possible. Other than tires, batteries, regular maintenance items, and a starter relay, it has been trouble-free. I look forward to many more years of enjoyment!
Mark
Gallipolis, OH
Added June 3, 2013
Hi Paul,
I bought my 1986 CB450SC (my first bike) the summer after my freshman year of college in 2009 when I was 18. Before I even bought the bike, I knew I wanted a nighthawk. Something about the way they're built and the way they look is just pleasing to me. When I read the article on your website about the 450, I knew it was the bike for me.
I bought the bike not running for $1000 with 24k on it, and had a local shop do some work on the carbs. Besides that, I've done some basic maintenance work on it and it's been running strong. I absolutely love this bike. It's everything I want in a machine, it's simple, reliable, sturdy, nimble, easily maintained, and it performs when I ask it to. I take care of it and it takes care of me, the way it should be.
I've sent along a picture I took yesterday in front of the Art Museum here in Philadelphia. You can ride right up in front of the building and enjoy a wonderful view of the Philly skyline with the beautiful facade of the art museum right behind you.
Thanks for the great site and happy riding!
Matt
Philadelphia, PA
Added April 10, 2013
Hey Paul -
I finally got my 2002 750NH to a point where it's just about where I want it. I'm in the San Francisco Bay Area and use it 11 months out of the year for weekends and day-trips. Pretty much stock except for the 'old-school' Shoei FM2 faring, Progressive 412 rear-shocks, Corbin seat, and Hyper-Lite flashing LED brake lights.
Back on the moto after a 30 year hiatus (deal was to get the kids through college) and loving every minute of it. One of the best decisions was to get the 750NH - does everything I want it to do, including low maintenance.
Eric
Added April 1, 2013
I'm 37 years old, and I live in St. Louis, Missouri. I was raised in somewhat of a motorcycle family, and I've wanted a bike since I moved back from Los Angeles. I began doing research a few months ago and came across your page. I felt with my budget constraints a used Nighthawk was a great looking, dependable option for me. The nice thing about the Midwest is that their are always a ton of used bikes and parts available in the region. I found this 1984 CBX650 on Craigslist and brought my brother (former road racer/ motorcycle mechanic) to check it out. Bought it right away, and it's in my buddy's shop getting fork seals, oil change, left brake line and clutch lever washer. Aside from that, my buddy Pete at Street Bikes Plus said it's the cleanest bike from the 80's he's ever seen that wasn't fully restored.
For less than $2000 I have what performs like a brand new bike with a little less than 10k on it. I've ridden it about 20 miles, and I love the manageable power and signature smooth Honda sound! I'm glad I made the move to get my bike, maintenance and license organized in the winter, so it's ready to rock when the weather turns! I would advise any rider new to the marketplace to invest in one of these classic gems over a Ninja or CBR 250 that they would likely have for sale within months of purchasing. This Nighthawk has all the power and styling to keep me happy, and when I upgrade at some point, I definitely intend on keeping this around as a commuter. In my market it's becoming trendy for the hipster and skinny jean guys to ditch the scooters and go with the vintage Japanese bikes, so this bike is kind of like blue jeans and Chuck Taylor's. Classics never go out of style! I love the condition of the original Candy red paint, so I'm gonna replace the decals, and just let it be with the polish and wax. Thanks for this forum. It really validates the purchase, and you can't beat $21 a month for full coverage insurance!
Cheers,
Chris Spears
Added April 1, 2013
I’ve been on your site many times over the years, and I really like the updated version! Many thanks for hosting such a cool place for those of us that are attached to our beloved Nighthawks. For many of us, motorcycles are just part of who we are. As they say, “You can take the man off the motorcycle, but you can’t take the motorcycle out of the man.” I really appreciate my wife and the fact that she acknowledges that primal instinct in me and puts up with my bizarre relationship with this bike.
This is me on my ‘85 CB700SC near Holbrook, Arizona a few months after I purchased it.
My first big ride was near the Painted Desert with my brother-in-law. I was lucky enough to find this beauty in ‘08 from a local guy in Phoenix. He was the original owner who purchased it new from a dealer in Los Angeles. He put about 5k miles on it over the years, but otherwise it just sat covered up like a museum piece in his garage. When I saw it on CraigsList, my jaw hit the floor as I had been looking for a quality 700S for some time. Like many other guys in their mid-40’s, I was graduating from HS when this little beauty rolled off the assembly line and vowed I would someday own one.
It was quite an emotional experience for the owner (and his wife) as I paid him his $3,500 asking price and put it on my trailer (dead battery) and pulled away. It was on the high side but he was firm; and in the big picture, I didn’t care – it was that amazing. I still keep in touch with him, because I completely understand the twisted relationship we as men have with our beloved 2-wheeled machines. My very first bike was a 1975 Honda 400-Four SuperSport. It had that beautiful chrome 4-in-1 header pipe that sounded totally boss!! It was sure gutless on power, put man, it had this absolutely stunning exhaust tone. Probably the best one I’ve ever heard from a bike. Sold that to buy an ’83 650 Nighthawk. Mine was the burgundy wine color and super smooth with hydraulic clutch and shaft drive. I rode that all the way through college until a friend of a friend test road it, missed a gear, and blew up the tranny. Ugh. But after the 650, I was totally sold on the Nighthawk platform and its brilliantly engineered style.
This 700S is truly a remarkable piece of history. Literally not a scratch on it, except for the small ones I’ve put on while riding it under normal use. I had to rebuild the carbs and clean out the gas tank, change ALL the fluids, but otherwise it is not even broken in yet now with only 6.5k miles on it. Being a California bike, it had a ridiculous array of emissions contraptions (tubing and canisters) that I’ve removed to de-clutter the engine bay. Put some Bridgestone Battlax tires on it and she’s 100%. I’ve been urged to enter it in the Phoenix VJMC show from guys who see it and marvel at its stock condition. I feel very fortunate to have it and preserve it for the next passionate Nighthawk owner someday.
Again, thanks for the great site Paul. Happy trails to you. God bless.
Kurt in Phoenix, AZ
Added April 1, 2013
Hi Paul,
I live in San Diego. My first time riding on the street was the day I purchased my motorcycle. I had my eye on a Honda CB700SC Nighthawk S. (You should know that I chose to look for Nighthawks because of this site.)
I didn't find any on Craigslist in San Diego, so I ventured to comb the Los Angeles classifieds and found one in Venice Beach. My wife and kids drove me up to check it out. I looked, I liked, and I exchanged $2000 for the 1985 classic. "It's ready to ride," the former owner announced. Wow! Now it's mine. Really?
Since then, I've put on some ammo cans to serve as saddle bags. It's now my daily rider! For me, riding a motorcycle (instead of driving a car) has redefined what it means to travel through space and time: an activity that
is to be enjoyed. I look forward to the many adventures that await my Nighthawk and me!
Thanks, Paul, for maintaining such an inspiring site!
Ming
San Diego
Added October 19, 2012
Paul,
Here is a picture of my 1992 Nighthawk 750. I purchased it in October of 2011 from one of the guys in the shop. I bought it with 23,000 mild on it and it has close to 26,000 miles on it now. I ride it everyday the weather permits here in Houston. It runs great and averages 42 MPG. I bought it "naked" and have added the windshield, larger diameter Kuryakin ISO grips, new back tire, a "back-off" wig wag tail light flasher that operates each bulb alternately and then flashes them both before staying on. I have replaced a turn signal, put on a sissy bar with backrest. Since this picture, I have added a "cheap" black plastic trunk that has a lockable lid. Included on the truck is an LED bar mounted in the spoiler + it has left and right turn signal lenses.
Right now the bike is in the garage for the summer. I picked up a nail in the rear tire. I've been needing to replace the valve cover gasket because it has gotten old and stiff. I will do all that this summer. I also bought a cheap pair of highway pegs and will also install them.
This is the second 750 I have owned. I owned a 1972 Honda 750 back in the 1980's. That was a great bike. Both of the bikes are great. I miss riding.
I am enjoying all the posts and e-mails going back and forth. Thank you for starting and allowing me to participate in your web site.
Sincerely,
Ross
Added August 27, 2012
Greetings Paul,
Here's my story and pictures.
The first time I saw a CB750 was in 1969 right after the main heat at the Hightstown mile dirt track in my home state of New Jersey. A crowd gathered as the owner fired it up. Right then you knew that motorcycles would never be the same.
It took until 1982 before I bought my first CB750. An original 1969 a friend had rebuilt. I paid one dollar per CC. It was my only transportation and I rode it in all weather conditions. Rides up and down the coast of California and trips to Laguna Seca raceway. I sold the CB750 after five years to a young dude who really liked the bike. I felt OK about that.
In 1998 I bought a new 750 Nighthawk for commuting to work. Splitting lanes and zipping to the front of the line at red lights was the only way to make time in Silicon Valley rush hour. I loved that bike, babied it and rode it almost every Sunday to Alice’s Restaurant on Skyline Drive in the Santa Cruz Mountains. Skyline Drive is a classic MC route and there are always hundreds of classic and new bikes. When we moved to the NE corner of Washington state I sold my 750NH…a decision I regretted for ten years.
Maybe you know this feeling…I couldn’t live without a bike. I had to recapture what I has given up. I wanted a 750 Nighthawk and started looking on Craig’s List for a 2003…the last year Honda imported them. It took about 18 months until I found my current Nighthawk just south of Portland…500 miles away. I rented a U-Haul trailer and bought the bike based on a picture and talking with the owner. Believe it or not he was a little ole’ brain surgeon and the bike sat in his garage with only 5K on the clock….right next to his brand new Corvette. The bike had not been cared for and put away wet. Mechanically it was perfect. I took the bike completely apart (except for the engine) and cleaned, polished and buffed everything. New Dunlop K505’s and I’m on the road again. Loop rides to British Columbia and riding the North Cascades Highway.
I love the Nighthawk. It’s the last of what I call ‘real motorcycles’. Naked. Multi-purpose. Beautiful. Doesn’t look like something out of Star Wars or too complicated you can’t work on it. If Honda imported the Nighthawk again…I’d buy another one.
Keep the rubber side down.
Steve
Malo, WA
Added August 27, 2012
Hi Paul,
I was very happy to come by your website.
It all came about with my love to own a Harley XR 1200. I was loking to buy one of those but after finding out from our Harley dealer they were no longer shipped to Australia, he suggested to get on the 'net for a good secondhander.
I searched for one only to find most Harleys were in the $12000+ price bracket, so I started to read reviews and stumbled across this one. I immediatly had to find out more and your site was most helpful. Started to look at possibly importing one as, value for the money, no other bike compared.
Just by sheer luck there was one in Australia (Newcastle). Did some negotiating and 2hrs later had sealed a deal for $2750. In addition to getting the bike with 14000kms original mileage, I got a spare set of exhaust, new blinkers still in the packaging, new decal set, other bits and pieces and an original Honda Sales Book.
I have since registered it in Queensland Australia and very happy. (Can only trace one other in Oz!) It will become part of the stable now!
Cheers! Shane
Added July 9, 2012
Hi Paul,My name is Jim Perkins and live in Bend, Oregon. Couldn't believe I found your great web site when I was looking to buy a NH. I first learned about them when I bought a new 650 NH in 1983. I loved the bike but had it for only five years. I went without a bike for twenty four years after that when I got the bug again. Bought (2) new KTM's, one adventure bike and the other a smaller dual sport. After realizing what I really wanted was another NH I sold the big adventure bike and found a pristine 1984 NH 700S with 16,500 mi. Modifications include progressive shock springs all around, K&N air filter, carb jetting and a high performance clutch. Everything else is stock and it runs like a dream. I've had it for less than a week but ride it every chance I get. Can't wait to take it on a long multi day trip around the western states.
I've been reading lots of reviews on this bike and haven't found one negative comment about it.
Thanks again for your thoughtful web site and being able to post this up.
Date purchased 6/20/2012
Photo taken 6/21/2012
Added July 9, 2012
Hello Paul
Great site! I was in the military back in ’86. I bought a brand new Honda Nighthawk 650 and got 6 weeks of leave that summer. I was 26 and rolled out the front gates of CFB Petawawa for the time of my life.
I toured most of North America. From Yosemite, Death Valley, the Avenue of the Giants in Oregon, the Great Plains, the Rockies, I slept in ditches and in fields ‘neath the stars, washed in rivers, ate a billion tacos, drank whisky and racked up 15, 000 miles, all solo. I will never forget all those miles and the smiles.
Regards, Don Laird
Edson, Alberta, Canada
PS:…Every young man needs to ride, solo, across the length and breadth of North America before he’s 25. As Mark Twain once said, "It's hard to be bigoted and narrow minded when you’re well traveled."
Added July 9, 2012
Hi Paul
Very nice pages you've got here! :-)
I`m sending you a picture of my beautiful 1993 Honda CB Nighthawk. This is taken yesterday near my hometown, Mo i Rana, close to the Arctic Circle in the northern part of Norway! The spot is on the top of a mountain pass and you can see it`s still a lot of snow up there!
Had my first real trip on the bike and these winding and real nice mc-roads in the area is a real pleasure and a perfect test to how the 250 will do. I must say it`s a fun and well liked little motorcycle.The power
of the engine with it`s 20 hp meets in my opinion its only limit when I go uphill and want to pass cars going a little too slow. I`ll just have to chill and wait until I can use some time to pass or just stay behind for a while!
It's a perfect bike around town and there`s no problems at all keeping the pace of the traffic all over. My little beauty delivers all I could ever ask for! In fact, it`s such a joy to drive that my attitude not to use the bike unless it`s 15-18 degrees (celcius) terms no longer. As soon as the roads are dry I`m taking it out for a spin with a smile on my face though it might be no more than 5 degrees. The roundabouts are suddenly great fun to me ! :-)
You might think I'm a first-time mc-driver but I'm not! This is my 5th bike after a Honda CB450 , Kawazaki H2 750, Suzuki GT 750 and a Suzuki Intruder 800 :-) I bought my CB450 in 1972, so I`d say I'm rather experienced.
After years with several trips around Scandinavia and further down through Europe, I was done touring and driving big and heavy bikes. I had some years with no bike but I missed the freedom and feel only a trip on a bike gives you, so I started looking for a 250 to fit my needs. However no 250 were found and my Intruder 800 was bought 4 years ago. This spring the Nighthawk 250 suddenly appeared for sale and I was fast as a rattlesnake to get hold of this one! :-)
To get the bike insured, I found why my search for a 250 failed for so long. The Norwegian authority did not import the Honda 250. So this beauty of mine was imported from the US in 2007 by a company down south! One 51 year old owner, before the kid selling me the bike were phoned and with "a green light" I drove south 2000 km by car and trailer to pic it up! MY LUCKY DAY ! :-D
The Intruder, though it's a very nice bike will be on its way! The Honda CB Nighthawk 250 is my choice! I've found: It`s more fun to go fast on a slow bike than to go slow on a fast one. (But that's my opinion.)
I wish all Nighthawkers beautiful and enjoyable rides.
All the best.
Arild Troite
Add July 9, 2012
Hi Paul
I am a fairly new rider- licensed only since 2005. Immediately following the Maryland safety/licensing course, I purchased a 2000 Nighthawk 750 from an airline pilot in Virginia. It had about 17,000 miles on it and I have added 15,000- mostly commuting to/from work (15 miles each way) or church (22 miles each way). In the past seven years, I have only lubricated the chain every 300 miles, changed oil every 3000 miles and replaced the battery once. The bike has been comfortable, dependable and delivers a constant 55 mpg.
I have added a sissy bar and bag, sportbike windshield, and handlebar-mount clock. The bag is large enough for water, keys, phone, wallet,
books and a change of clothes and towel for the gym. The windshield was adjustable to match the angle profile of the bike, and the clock has become an essential.
I have ridden several other bikes, but only feel at home on my Nighthawk.
Scott Dallas
Jarrettsville, MD
Added May 23, 2012
Hi Paul,
Great site!
I wanted to spend some money on an original semi classic Honda, and after checking out your site I decided to look for a Nighthawk. In Holland only grey imports are available, except for the 1990 750's.
I saw an advert for a stock original Nighthawk 650, registered 1988 in my country. I contacted the seller and after checking out the bike, I bought it in excellent condition. I added a picture. Turns out this machine is a 1985 model, first registered in Canada october 1987 in Toronto. It is an excellent drive and I really like it!
All the best from Holland.
Albert Hoorn
Added May 11, 2012
Hi Paul,
My name is Paramjit Raloowall.
I have always been a fan of motorcycle and in India I rode Yamaha 100 cc 2 stroke and then Royal Enfield 350 cc and when I got immigrated to Canada I lost the luxury to be with motorcycle but recently I acquired a Honda Nighthawk 550. It was just laying around in somebody's garage, I was not able to see how badly it was lying around and I could not stop myself asking how much it is if its for sale and the guy told me 800 dollars and I said 500 dollars and on the spot my dream came true.
It was instant love with the Nighthawk and I will never sell it in this life. I recently painted it with my hands and done some cosmetic touch-ups. Got tuned up from a mechanic, I am not mechanic myself but mechanically inclined.
So here are my Nighthawk's pictures. Please review them and if you think they are worthy enough please post them on your website. thanks for your help.
Added April 12, 2012
I am loving your website and seeing all the cool Honda Nighthawks. I'm getting great idea's for accessories and modifications just by reading other people's stories of their bikes. So thank you for putting this together and sharing.
I've wanted a motorcycle since I was a teenager. Three years ago I got my license and passed the MSF course. Still no bike.
Recently me and my son have been doing a little dirt bike riding on some small 125cc trail bikes. When I started looking for a bigger dirt bike for myself, I started poking around. Sure enough I started seeing these Honda Nighthawks on eBay and the memory of standing in the Honda showroom in the 80's and 90's came back to me.
$1750 later - I rented a van and picked up this baby. A 1998 Honda Nighthawk 750. It's in great shape. I'm the 3rd owner and there is just over 23,000 miles on the bike. Two days later, it passed the state inspection with flying colors. I think it looks pretty bad ass with the four pipes into the two exhausts and all the black engine parts. Not too shabby for a first street motorcycle. I'm thrilled.
I love how smooth and gentle you can ride this bike. Yet, when you turn the throttle, it really goes. A great combination of easy riding and fun. The sad part is that it's now early December in the Philly area so I'm sure my riding will be cut short by the winter weather. While it's not shown in this picture, I was lucky and found a guy wanting to get rid of a National Cycle Plexi 3 windshield. He wanted just $75 bucks, installed it for me and it's like new. Since that was the windshield I wanted anyway, I grabbed it. I'm fairly impressed how with a full face helmet, a snowboard jacket and some good Joe Rocket winter gloves - that I'm not that cold riding around in 38 degree weather.
Looks like I might be riding more than I thought this winter...
I couldn't be happier with the bike and I'm totally looking forward to exploring how far this Nighthawk can take me.
Dan B.Langhorne,
PAAdded
April 12, 2012
Hello Paul,
I ran across the website some time back, lots of good info, great site. I'm sending a photo of my '92 750 taken in September during a trip to Colorado and back from my home in SE Indiana. I bought the bike second hand from my cousin two years ago. It is the most enjoyable road bike that I have ever owned and I have been riding since '54. It is completely stock and currently has 28K miles on the odo. As the years have gone by, I have found myself riding less and less. Buying this bike has rekindled my love of motorcycling and I can't stay off it.
Bill and Barb
SE Indiana
Added April 12, 2012
Paul,
I really have enjoyed reading your webpage. Before kids, I owned several street bikes. When my wife got pregnant with our oldest, she "encouraged" me to get rid of the bike, which I did under the condition that, when the kids got older, I would get another. Fast forward 18 plus years and I couldn't wait to visit the showrooms and see what I've been missing. Imagine my disappointment when I quickly learned that the only new bikes available are (1) Harleys, (2) Harley Wanna Be's, and (3) Crotch Rockets. While I mean no disrespect to any of these styles, none of them appealed to me. Discouraged, I decided to buy an older used naked bike. After searching for several months, my 700s popped up for sale less than 10 miles from my house. Fell in love with it instantly and happily gave the seller his asking price of $1,500.00.
I spent 3 weeks shining and polishing the bike. Learned that although my bike is an '84, the tank and plastics are from an '86, as the Red White and Blue color was only offered that year. The chin spoiler is after market, but I think it makes the bike look real cool. A previous owner also installed a Mac 4-1 header, although I did get the stock exhaust with the bike. I bought it with 34,000 miles, and since August 2009, I've ridden it 2,500 trouble free miles. The only thing I've done is install a new front tire, change fluids, bleed the clutch - normal minor maintenance.I'm planning a 5 day trip to Deal's Gap in May and will be meeting several other Nighthawk owners for that ride that I've gotten to know from all over the country. If this is something that interest you, send me an email and by all means, please join us.
Regards,
Joseph "Joey"
Lafayette, LA
Added April 12, 2012
Hey Paul!
I know everyone says it but this site is great! This is my 1984 and a half CB450sc. I'm only 19 and this is my first (running) bike. She's not the cleanest thing around, but she drives like a dream! I don't want to make anyone mad, but I got her for only $400 bucks! From a guy who got scared off bikes forever by a deer. The bike had sat un-started since 1997 until I bought her last August as a late birthday present to myself. After hours and hours of trial and error with a bit of elbow grease, I brought her back to life. Clymer saved my life. I've seen a LOT of different bikes, but none grabbed my heart like Riley did. Hope to put many, many miles on her and to see you fellow Hawks out there on the roads!
Thanks!
Ross, Woodstock, GA
Added April 12, 2012
Dear Paul,
When I was about five years old my dad used to put me on the seat in front of him on his 1964 Honda 250 Scrambler so we could ride the dirt road from our newly developed housing tract to the 7-11 store about two miles away. He sold that bike in 1967 and did not buy another until I was in my mid-teens. At that point we were riding dirt bikes - He had a 1972 Yamaha DT250 and I had a 1974 Honda Elsinore 125. We rode both desert and motocross tracks in Southern California until about 1979, when both bikes got sold. 33 years later I got a phone call from Dad, asking if I could join him to check out a used Honda streetbike. I had picked up riding again in about 2000, buying an Aprilia RSV 1000 and had rebuilt a basket-case 2007 Triumph Tiger 1050 in late 2011. When I arrived at the apointment with my father, a candy scorpio red 1985
Nighthawk 650 was waiting for us. The bike was purchased by the current (2nd) owner 16 years earlier and had 11K miles on it. It appeared to have been sitting in the corner of his garage for at least five years; The gas was rotten and he had burned up the starter trying to get it going. It was covered in garage and brake dust and the tires were shot, but I could see that underneath the dirty veneer was a great bike with unbelievably intact original paint. As we were looking at it, my dad confided that he had been looking for this bike for years and felt that he had finally found 'the one'. You have to understand how particular my father is to truly understand this statement. Did I also mention that he is also very careful with money? To say that he bought this bike right would be the understatement of the year. While my dad traveled the next month, I went through the bike from top to bottom and front to back. After cleaning the carbs and replacing the starter and battery the bike fired for the first time since he bought it. What a thrill. A quick carburetor balance, some fresh tires and new fluids and that bike had me laughing like a kid as I whisked along at 8,000 rpm. Who knew that a bike of this age could run like that? I delivered the bike to my father on March 7, 2012, about three weeks before his 73rd birthday. Here is a photo of my dad, Bill Hamburg, along with a hot lady he picked up with his new bike (also known as my mom, Loretta) the evening it was delivered. I'm pretty sure he liked it, as he immediately made plans to get his MC license. He e-mailed me a couple of days ago to let me know that he had passed his course and to also tell me that he had finally cracked the throttle a bit. We both had a good laugh at how fast the 650 is, even by today's standards.
Thanks for putting such a great site together. I had no appreciation for these bikes until I found it. May the Nighthawk 650's always be appreciated for the fine machines they are.
Mark
Southern California
Added April 12, 2012
Hey Paul,
I have been enjoying your Nighthawk page for about 2 years. This is my 1982 650 Nighthawk. I have had it for about 2 years. When I purchased her, she had 9500 miles on the clock and was in pristine condition. Just over a year ago, someone turned in front of me causing me to go down pretty hard. My injuries were not so bad, but I assumed that the bike was a write-off. To my surprise, she fared really well. I spent most of the next year chasing down parts on Ebay. Most of the parts were found eventually. With a really close look you may find evidence of the crash, but not much. As of Spring 2012, Nelly (my wife named her) and I are back on the road. I'm up to 11,300+ miles and adding often. Sometimes I feel a little sorry for those driving around me, 'cause I know they can't be having as much fun as I am. I have started motovlogging recently, and am having a great time with it and my fellow vloggers. You can find me on Youtube.
Gary
Cleveland, TN
Added April 12, 2012
Hi Paul,
My name is Jeff and I live in Kingston, Ontario Canada. I own an 85 Nighthawk 750s. I rebuilt the engine and re-did the paint and decals on this bike myself, last summer (2010). I have a Supertrapp 4-1 exhaust, K&N filter, DynoJet kit and I have also preformed a cam timing mod that gives the bike more mid range pull. A very comfortable bike to ride and just enough pep to have fun.
Jeff
Kingston, Ontario, Canada
Added May 19, 2011
Hello Mr. Paul. My name is Brian and live in Florida. This is my 1985 Nighthawk S, with about 32,000 miles. Got it about 7-8 years ago with 21,000 miles on it. I've looked a little and still haven't seen another nighthawk with this faring. If you know of anybody else who has one , let me know as I'd like to see a picture. It also has the Corbin seat that I had to repair a couple years ago—just the burgundy material part of the seat—it was all black. Did some wrench turning on it when I first got it and had to clean it up with a little paint. She's a pretty fine ride and I like it a lot, even though it is the only bike I've ever owned.
Brian
Florida
Added April 4, 2011
Hi Paul, This is my CB650SC imported into Canada from U.S. It has jetted carbs, K&N filter and Kerker exhaust. I bought it late last summer and spent time on cosmetics such as a paint job, Emco viper headlight cowl and bar end mirrors.
Here is a dealer photo (left) and current pic of the bike (right).
Love my bike, love nighthawks!
Mike T.
Vancouver, BC
Added April 4th, 2011
Hi Paul,
Just a line to tell you about how my son and I made a project from a wrecked and dead 83 650 Nighthawk. We decided the best way to get my 16 year old son onto a bike was to have him build one and then learn to ride. This convoluted idea seemed to me a good way to introduce mechanical skills, respect for the machine and to give the boy an appreciation for the spirit of riding. We were successful in rebuilding the engine from a top end off the seized original and the bottom end from a scrapper we found on e-bay. He cleaned and sorted all the parts and worked each night on the reassembly. He also repainted the frame and body parts. He has learned to ride in parking areas and is now almost ready for his safety course. I hope to have him join me and my KZP and take some trips camping and exploring the state in the next year or so.
I think it is great to see the bike running and on the road again after years of sitting in the scrap heap of a garage and it is extra cool that this is a kid's first bike. I hope he will enjoy touring and relying on his mechanical abilities for years to come.Thanks for a great website and a place for all of us Nighthawk fiends to converge.
George
Added July 4th, 2009
Hey Paul, I ran across your site and thought this was the coolest page on the web! What you have done is awesome!
Attached is a pic of my baby....she is a '82 750 Nighthawk. She has been raked in 6 degrees at the neck and her swingarm has been extended 1 1/2 inches to keep the wheelbase close to stock and to get more weight on the front end to handle better. The whole front clip is from an 1100F for the better brakes and 17 inch wheel. It has undergone significant internal engine mods and now displaces over 900cc's. and puts 102 horses to the road at the rear tire. We have been to Deals Gap, Thunder On The Beach and are trying to plan a trip to Indianappolis for the GP race this year. God willing it will go well...if not we will try again next year.
I run an independent shop here in Alabama, so if I can help you or any of your compatriots with these wonderful old bikes, let me know
Eric
The Bike Shop
Sylacauga , AL.
Added May 13, 2009
Paul,
Nice site! I purchased this '83 650 Nighthawk last summer based largely upon the content of this site. So, thanks for putting it together!
As you can see from the picture, it has a custom paint job that, in my opinion, really helps make the bike look as sporty as it rides. The previous owner did a nice job with the paint--I really like the muscle car stripes! Other than the paint job, this Nighthawk is mostly stock, with the exception of a National Cycle Deflector windshield, a re-covered seat, and some new mirrors. It has just under 21,000 miles on the odometer, and I'm hoping to put quite a few more on. It was in good mechanical condition when I bought it, but I've been going through and fixing a few things to make it as reliable as possible. I'm in the process of obtaining a Hondaline luggage rack/backrest to make strapping down payload a little easier and hopefully getting my wife interested in riding with me.
Overall, I'm quite pleased with the features this bike (which is older than I am) has to offer. I occasionally research new bikes to see what I might be interested in when the bank account allows, but I'm always disappointed by the exclusion of certain features that I appreciate now with the Nighthawk. I'm convinced that if I ever buy a new bike, I'll have to sacrifice something. Where else can you find a gear indicator, fuel level gauge, hydraulic clutch & valve lifters, 6 speed transmission, anti-dive front forks, center stand, and shaft drive--all in a reasonably priced, fast, and good-looking bike?I've enjoyed seeing everyone's bikes!
Thanks again for the site!
Ben Amery,
Wisconsin
Added May 10, 2009
Hi Paul,
I've really enjoyed your site and thought I would share my bike, a 2001 Nighthawk 750. It's pretty much stock other than I've added the windshield and had the seat redone. It had the sissy bar on it when I bought it, and I got the center stand from my Honda dealer. My wife and I rode it to Sturgis last year and we hope to do some more touring on it. It's also been my daily commuter bike for the last few years. So far it hasn't given me any trouble, about all I've had to do is change the tires and put a new chain on it. Too bad Honda doesn't make these bikes any more!
David
Windsor, Colorado
Added May 10, 2009
The following 700S Nighthawks are owned by a couple of guys named Gary and Michael. Gary bought his 700S in beautiful condition, but Michael's was neglected and trashed. Both men got together on the restoration project, and I'll let them tell the rest of the story.
First from Gary:
Hi Paul,
I remember in high school when Honda released the 84 700s. I fell instantly in love with its stylish looks and vowed to myself that one day I would own one. Well, 23 years later after college, work, wife, mortgage & kids . . . I finally got the chance to make that dream come true. I just happened to be in the right place at the right time when I came across this beauty you see in the picture.
I bought it in January 2007 from someone who loved Nighthawks as much as I do, which is evident by its condition. I just cannot believe that I finally own my dream bike. It is such an incredible and enjoyable bike to ride. I’ve cherished every mile that I have put on it since I bought it. I see heads turn everywhere I go on it. Too bad Honda doesn’t make these anymore . . . they’re a legend! Click here to see an enlarged view of Gary's 700S.
Michael sez:
This 84 700s has come a long way as you can see by the picture (see before and after pictures below). The bike was wrecked in 2003 by the previous owner and left sitting outside in the hot Florida sun until we discovered it. We bought it for $400 in February of 2006. This project was a combined restoration by Michael & Gary. Michael focused on the cosmetics while Gary handled all the mechanical. We found a wasp nest, cob webs etc all inside this bike. We got what parts needed replacing off of eBay and fixed what we could on our own. After a carb rebuild, new forks, gauges, gas tank, new rubber, factory emblems and a paint job, we ended up with a very impressive looking 84 700s by April of 2006. It was a total labor of love to resurrect this legendary bike from the grave and restore it to its former glory. Oh, and by the way . . . it’s a ROCKET!!
Michael
Added June 21, 2008
Hi Paul,
Just wanted to drop you a line and let you know how much I enjoy browsing your website and learning more about the Nighthawk family. Here’s a pic of my ’83 650 I bought back in January. It’s actually my first “owned” motorcycle (I had friends that owned and let me ride until now). Right away I fell in love with this bike. I has just the right balance of power and handling capability. The only modification I have done since this pic was taken was to add a spitfire windshield (it’s small and unobtrusive, but needed since I drive the ‘hawk on my daily 30 mile each way commute). I would like to add a sissy bar because I keep trying to talk my wife into riding with me, but tracking one down has proven kinda difficult. I’m in the mountains of North Carolina, and this summer we’re planning on riding to the coast and hopping up the Outer Banks. Should be a great trip! Anyway, thanks for the great site!
Andy Greene
Lenoir, NC
Added August 6, 2007
Great site Paul.
This is a pic of my 1992 Honda Nighthawk 750 warming up on a cool morning just before a 5 day trip through Arkansas. I bought this bike about a year and a half ago for $1,200 with the intent of keeping it for a year or so while I saved enough money to buy something I really wanted. Well, as it turns out the Nighthawk is just about everything I need in a bike and it is here to stay (knock on wood). The bike already had highway pegs when I bought it and I added a steel braded brake line, other than that the bike is completely stock with about 29K miles.
Jim
Springfield, Missouri
Added August 6, 2007
Paul,
You're my hero! LOL! Your site was the first one I went to after I saw my bike on the Craigslist and decided to seek information before going to see it the next morning. That photo you have on your site of the bike that made it to the Clymer's Manual was all it took to make the decision to buy this Nighthawk virtually sight unseen.
I've put 43 miles on her and have her cleaned up pretty well.
Tim Foley
Added August 6, 2007
Hey Paul,
This is my '83 550 Nighthawk. As you can see I cut off the the back rest. That's a custom seat I made myself. It was easy really. I stripped the old seat off. Removed the foam and cover. I then glued some rebond carpet padding on the base. Trimmed it and glued on a piece of soft black vinyl material. I bought a small amount from a fabric store. I like the low profile.
I also painted over the chrome front fender, and the pipes. Painted the tank and side covers. I think it has a good look.
It's a fun bike and it can get up and walk!
This bike cost me $400 dollars about ten years.. Not bad huh?
Dom K.
Middletown, NY
Added August 6, 2007
Paul,
Thanks for putting the site together. I have a 1986 CB700SC that I bought in 1991 with 5683 miles on it. The original owner purchased it in March 1989 from Pasadena (TX) Honda. It had been in the crate for 3 years. They just couldn't sell it. I've always considered the 1984-1986 Nighthawk to be the perfect motorcycle. Shaft drive, oil cooled, anti-dive forks, hydraulic clutch actuator and hydraulic tappets on a compact frame. I purchased a new Honda Valkyrie Tourer in 1997 and it is a fantastic bike but the Nighthawk is my daily rider. If I had to sell one of them I would keep the Nighthawk. It now has 22,000 miles and is going strong. I've had to replace all 4 turn signal rubber mounts and the master and slave cylinder on the clutch actuator. Other than that it's just oil, filters, plugs and tires. I started riding at age 9 and received my license at 15. I've been riding ever since.
Thanks again!
Dale in Houston
Added August 6, 2007
Hey Paul!
This is my first bike. For some reason while looking through the Cycle Shopper, the Nighthawk always grabbed my attention. Just something about it. I bought this bike from a motorcycle mechanic although I'm not sure how he got it. The manual lists a lady from Massachusetts. I drove two hours to look at it last May 7th and drove it home. (Happy 30th Birthday 2 me!) It had around 18,500 miles . I picked her up for $1700. Unfortunately someone left it out in the Florida sun. The tires were dry rotted, the paint on the plastic and fiberglass panels were faded pretty badly. The seat was torn from one end to the other. The turn signals, being plastic, cracked and were bending downwards. Also, the bike has been laid down. There are two small dents on the fuel tank, and scratches in some places, but nothing really noticeable. So far, I've recovered the seat, added driving lights, replaced the tires, replaced the spark plugs, changed the oil
and the filter, and also the air filter. Not to mention cleaning and lubing to the best of my abilities. The bike still has "Nighthawk" hand painted on each side of the fuel tank. The bike had Hawks (Yes, actual birds although I'm not sure if there are actually any Hawks called Nighthawk) hand painted on each side panel, and "750" hand painted on the side of the rear end. Since the bike was left outside, those pieces were faded so I sanded and painted them over. I didn't want to, but had to. So far, it's been a blast and I have many ideas for upgrading and personalizing the bike.
Thanks for a great site Paul!
Greg
Added August 6, 2007
Hello Paul,
My name's Murrel Hastings from Kennedale, Texas. I own an '82 Honda CB650SC Nighthawk. I won this bike on eBay and absolutely love it! I have two more motors for it sitting in my back yard. I'm rebuilding one of them for the bike itself, polishing it up and what not; the other motor I am putting in a go-kart, and the one that is on the bike right now is going into a honda shadow frame... making a custom chopper. I love every detail about this bike and plan on also rebuilding and repainting the frame when I have the other motor finished. I think it will be a sweet ride when it's all said and done. The enclosed picture is not the best, but it will do.
Murrel
Added August 6, 2007
Hi Paul,
My name is Ronnie MacDonald from Halifax, Nova Scotia. I bought my 2002 750 Nighthawk in September of 2006 from a dealer in Canada who brings in bikes bought in insurance auctions in the USA. Nighthawks have not been available in Canada for years so there are not too many newer ones up here. Even the Honda dealer didn't believe I had a 2002 750 Nighthawk. The bike was dropped before I got it and it has a few dents and scratches but looks and drives great, it only had 6800 miles on it when I bought it. I have since added a small windshield that makes a big difference on the highway. I had a 1982 450 Nighthawk back in highschool and loved it. Since then I have driven many other bikes, Sport bikes that are terribly uncomfortable and not
practical and Harley's that are too loud and rough for me. The Nighthawk is somewhere in the middle. I also have the stock backrest that I modified for easy installation. I am also considering a Corbin seat if I can find one used. Does anyone know of any other seat options for this bike?
Cheers!
Ronnie
Added August 6, 2007
Hi Paul,
Nice to see I'm not the only nut in the toolbox! I've had 14 bikes in my time (from 1969 to present) unfortunately I didn't take pictures of them all; if I was double jointed, I'd bite myself you know just where! First bike was 1968 Suzuki 250 Hustler; what a great machine that was,,, there's been a few in between, everything from Triumph Trophy to CZ360 motocross... But I have to say, that this 750S Nighthawk is what I was gaga's over back when it first came out in '84; couldn't afford it then,,, (a two year and a four year old,,, playing havoc with my paycheck) I'm 58 now,,, the girls are out of the house, got a new wife who loves to ride,,, and the bike of my dreams (which was actually red),,, who can ask for more!?! She has 54M kms on her, that's the bike not the wife,
(she's got more, but also in great shape!} runs great, needs some TLC (like the wife). My life long buddy, (also 58) has one too (but he's actually a Beemer bum= '98 RS1100) bought the Nighthawk (blue) for a song, 2M$ with 32M kms on it. Looks like it just came out of the crate. We just bought another together for parts, 300$ with 22M kms on it but a blown engine. The guy who had it just gave it up after that, can you imagine! Anyway, great for me,,, it's RED! with the only thing on the gastank being DUST!
Fred
Montreal, Quebec Canada
Added August 6, 2007
Hey Paul,
Fantastic Site! I've been checking out your Pages for a number of years now, waiting for the day I could post my own bike with you. I once owned an 83 Nighthawk 550 in Candy Apple Red, just like yours, but sold it to go to school. I'm now one of those pushing 40 folks that are feeling the need for "two" wheels again. My day has finally come. Here is a shot of my 84 Nighthawk S (750). I picked it up a week ago and haven't had much time to tinker with it. The grips have to go! It has 62 grand on it but it runs real smooth. It came with Cobra F1 slip-ons and a Stage 2 jet kit. It needs a new front tire but overall a solid bike. It's great to be back.
Perry Bennett
St. Anthony, Newfoundland, Canada
Added August 6, 2007
Dear Paul,
Here is a picture and the story of my Nighthawk 550 that a got this past December ('06). After taking the MSF course & recieving my motorcycle classification on my license in November of '06, I couldn't wait to get my first bike. I did not have the funds to purchase a bike though, including a used one. I did have a Ford Ranger P/U truck that I wanted to get rid of though. After searching & searching online, I found an individual about 25 miles from me in St. Charles, Missouri that was looking to trade this here bike for a truck. After talking back & fourth, meeting him & riding his bike while he drove my truck, we agreed to do an even swap. I have done some work since than on the bike, including replacing the front & rear right hand side turn signal stems, replacing the right side mirror, replacing the battery, stator & battery cables, it now runs good. It still needs new tires as they have plenty of thread on them but is beginning to dry-rot. The bike had 13,350 original miles when I got it. It now has 13,800 miles on it. Once I get the money I hope to recover the seat, do
an oil change, air filter, new tires & have a general inspection done on the bike. Also plan to get a new battery side cover as it has got a crack & repair a dent in the tank. There is very little sun fading on the bike, and other than need a good detail & wax job, it should look like new. Haven't done much to it though as I don't have the money. This bike is my pride & joy though and I love it. Can't get enough of riding it. Perfect power for me, good handling, just an all around great cruiser. Since I'm 23, have some health problems including pernament back damage along with had a spinal implant (rods) & fusion done, and that I am new to riding, this bike is excellent for me. I couldn't have asked for a smoother bike for me to get. After owning this Nighthawk I have done alot of reading on them, and I am a true Nighthawk fan myself.
Thanks for such a good site,
Tim
Granite City, IL
Added August 6, 2007