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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