 |
The Nighthawk 700S (CB700SC) saw it's debut in the
1984 model year, and continued in production until the termination of all
Nighthawk production after the 1986 model year. In a review article, Cycle
magazine said, "Honda wanted to make the "S" look as if it came out of a
privateer's speed shop, and we can't quarrel with the results. Stylewise,
the "S" is the epitome of the California custom, from its bikini fairing
to its pseudo velocity stacks. Thankfully, there's some muscle to back up
the image. the 700 uses a bored and de-stroked version of the 650 engine,
the bore 7mm larger and the stroke 8.6mm shorter. The 700 is cammy, but
there's a good rush of power at 8,000 rpm."
1984- The 700S was
unveiled with two color schemes, a black & red model, and a black
& blue model. The colors extended to the tank, side covers, rear
fender, and an all new bikini fairing. both models had black front
fenders, and all colored areas had matching pinstripes. The left side fork
leg was black, with a white "TRAC" logo. Available options included engine
guards, passenger floorboards, color-matched detachable sport saddlebags,
luggage rack, body cover, and soft saddlebags.
1985-Surprisingly,
there were no major color changes! The pinstripes were changed to white.
The left side fork leg was changed to solid black. The speedometer was
changed to increments of 10, ending in 5's.
1986- This was the
last of the 80's Nighthawks, and many say the best. The only changes were
cosmetic. A Black & Alamoana Red model was unveiled, with orange
stripes on the red panels. The other model was Candy Aleutian Blue &
Shasta White, with the white panels bordered by a red stripe. The wheels,
engine, and "velocity stack" covers were blacked out. Click here for some terrific old pictures of the 700S. Click here for more information on the 700S
Test Specifications 1985 Honda
CB700SC (Nighthawk S) MSRP (5/30/85) = $3398
Performance
|
Standing start 1/4 mile
|
12.35 sec at 107.46 mph |
|
Acceleration, 0-60 mph
|
3.60
seconds |
|
Accleration 45-70 mph 4th Gear
|
5.04 sec., 431.0
ft. |
|
" " 45-70 mph 5th Gear
|
6.32 sec., 538.7
ft. |
|
" " 45-70 mph 6th Gear
|
7.68 sec., 644.1
ft. |
|
Braking, 60-0 mph
|
127.65
ft. |
|
Horsepower @ 60 mph
|
11.97 |
|
Engine rpm @ 60 mph, top gear
|
4373 |
|
Average fuel consumption rate
|
49.6 mpg (21.5
km/l) |
|
Cruising range (main/reserve)
|
178/34 miles (290/53
km) |
|
Load capacity (GVWR less curb
weight) |
379 lbs. (171.9
kg) |
|
Maximum speed in gears @ redline
|
(1) 49, (2) 71, (3) 89, (4) 106,
(5) 127, (6) 147 |
Engine
|
Type |
Four-stroke, transverse four;
air-cooled with two chain-driven overhead camshafts; four valves per
cylinder |
|
Bore & stroke
|
67.9 x 49.4 mm (2.64 x 1.94
in.) |
|
Piston displacement
|
696cc (42.5 cu.
in.) |
|
Compression ratio
|
9.3:1 |
|
Carburetion |
(4) Keihin 31mm
constant-vacuum |
|
Exhaust system
|
Four into
two |
|
Ignition |
Battery-powered, inductive,
magnetically triggered |
|
Air filtration
|
Paper element,
disposable |
|
Oil filtration
|
Paper element, disposable (Fram
PH6010A) |
|
Oil capacity
|
2.9 qts. (2.8
l) |
Transmission
|
Type |
Six-speed, constant-mesh, wet
clutch |
|
Primary drive
|
Straight-cut gear; 73/41,
1.78 |
|
Secondary drive
|
Bevel gear; 19/16,
1.19 |
|
Final drive |
Shaft and bevel gears; 34/10,
3.40 |
|
Gear ratios (transmission)
|
(1) 38/17, 2.24 (2) 34/22, 1.55
(3) 31/25, 1.24 (4) 28/27, 1.04 (5) 26/30, 0.87 (6) 24/32,
0.75 |
|
Gear ratios (overall)
|
(1) 16.13 (2) 11.16 (3) 8.93 (4)
7.49 (5) 6.26 (6) 5.40 |
Chassis
|
Type |
Double-downtube, full-cradle
frame; tube/box-section steel swing arm |
|
Suspension, front
|
Center-axle, air-adjustable fork
with 39mm tubes, anti-dive valving and 6.3 in. (160mm) of
travel |
|
Suspension, rear
|
(2) shock absorbers, adjustable
for spring preload and rebound damping, producing 4.7 in. (120mm) of
rear-wheel travel |
|
Wheelbase |
58.5 in.
(1485mm) |
|
Rake/trail |
30.0 deg/4.8 in.
(122mm) |
|
Brake, front
|
Hydraulic, dual-disc with
twin-piston calipers |
|
Brake, rear |
Rod-actuated single leading shoe
drum |
|
Wheel, front
|
Cast, 2.50 x
16 |
|
Wheel, rear |
Cast, 3.00 x
16 |
|
Tire, front |
110/90-16 Bridgestone Mag Mopus
G511 |
|
Tire, rear |
130/90-16 Bridgestone Mag Mopus
G508 |
|
Seat height |
31.8 in.
(806mm) |
|
Ground clearance
|
5.3 in.
(133mm) |
|
Fuel capacity (main/reserve)
|
3.6/0.7 gals (13.5/2.5
l) |
|
Curb weight (full tank)
|
516 lbs. (234.1
kg) |
|
Test weight (160 lb rider)
|
676.0 lbs (306.6
kg) |
Electrical
|
Power source
|
Three-phase AC generator, 280
watts |
|
Charge control
|
Solid-state voltage
regulator |
|
Headlight beams (high/low)
|
60/55
watts |
|
Tail/stoplights
|
8/24
watts |
|
Battery |
12V /
14AH |
Instruments
|
Includes... |
Speedometer, odometer,
tripmeter; tachometer with 10,750-rpm redline; fuel-gauge; warning
lights for low oil pressure, tail/stoplight out; indicators for gear
position, high beam, turn signals, neutral |
|
Speedometer error
|
30mph indicated---30.06 actual
60mph indicated---59.70 actual
|
|
 |