Your Nighthawk - Page One

Your Nighthawk - Page One

Hi Paul

Here is a photo of my 1984 Honda CB700SC Nighthawk S. I purchased it this year from the Honda Dealer I work for. It has 26000 miles on it and runs great, and I really love it.

Mike
Sturtevant, WI
Added Aug 23, 2003

This bike belongs to Scott in Portland Oregon
It's a 1983 Nighthawk 550 and almost identical to my own. Scott has the smaller windshield (which I prefer) and he has different exhaust pipes, but other than that there's not much difference. This is one pretty bike! Added August 24, 2003

This 1983 Nighthawk CB650SC belongs to Will from Cleve, Ohio. Will says the bike has 20,700 miles on it. Exhaust configuration on these models is very close to the 550s.

Added September 4, 2003 (Updated April 24, 2004)

This sharp bike belongs to David in Hubbard, Ohio. David writes:

My 1984 CB700SC Nighthawk S was purchased early this summer for a mere $700. It has 12,000 miles on it and is very clean. A few mods from a previous owner are 4 into 1 exhaust, re-jetting of the carbs, etc. I plan on adding a Corbin seat, changing the windshield to a 3 1/2 extension, and some minor cosmetic changes here and there. Best $700 I have ever spent! Look forward to a ride down to Deal's Gap and have some fun on this very fun and powerful bike.

Paul says: I'm with you David...you got a STEAL!
Added September 4, 2003

This gorgeous motorcycle belongs to Gary in Tampa, Florida. I'll let him tell you about it!

I fell in love with the Nighthawk my junior year of high school in 1985, and vowed that one day I would own one. Something about the 85 Nighthawk appealed to me like no other bike ever has. Over the years I lost hope of my dream bike and never thought I would own one, until one day in March of 2002. We were visiting some friends in Atlanta and my friend Jeff came riding home from work on a beautiful blue 85 Honda Nighthawk 650. I almost fell over. It was such a beautiful bike. Jeff let me ride it around their subdivision that weekend, and I got the bug . . . real bad!! The next day when I came home I called up an old friend from Indiana who used to have an 85 Nighthawk years ago. I had never seen his bike before, but I knew it had to be a beauty because Jim is a meticulous mechanical fanatic!! When I asked him about his Nighthawk he said he still had it and was thinking about selling it. Right then and there we struck a deal over the phone for $1,200 and he promised to hold the bike for me until I saved up the money. Over the next few months I worked freelance jobs & sold whatever I could to scrape up enough money and on October 10th, 2002 I drove all night from Tampa to Indianapolis, slept for a few hours, and then went to Jim’s house to get my Nighthawk. As I pulled up in his driveway, he was washing the bike. I had such a huge lump in my throat, I almost cried the first time I saw it. It was such a beautiful bike. I had planned a ride that day with Jim and some of my old friends that I grew up with that had motorcycles. We rode for 220 miles thru the hills of southern Indiana. (The crazy part about the ride is that until then, I had never ridden a street motorcycle on public roads up till then.) What a way to get broke in!!! I was so scared. After a few hours sleep that night, I drove down to Atlanta to ride with my friend Jeff who had the blue Nighthawk. We rode 60 miles thru the hills of northern Georgia. I was so cool; two best friends on two identical Nighthawks cruising down the road. Since then I’ve enjoyed each and every mile I have put on my Nighthawk. I still have to occasionally pinch myself just to be sure that I finally own my dream bike. By the way, I was also fortunate enough to have my Nighthawk selected to be on the cover of the next Clymer’s Nighthawk 650 repair manual which is due to be released in November 2003.
Added Sept 8, 2003

This bike belongs to Tom. Here's what he has to say about it:

My bike is a 1983 650 with 24,000 miles on it. The only engine modifications are a K&N air intake filter, the two washer Carb. Mod documented by "Glen Stephens" photographed by "John Glickman, a Kerker header and a Supertrap exhaust canister. It has a $$$$ paint job done by Burt at “Campbell paint” and mundo polish work buffed by Sam at “The Wheel place”. The front end has progressive springs, heavier fork oil (15w) and a 6-position “Daytona” steering stabilizer. I use “Magna” rear shocks but this photo is with the original shocks. The tires are “Avon Super Venom’s”; both the front and back are the AM18 style. I also changed the turn signals to shorties made by K&S.
Added September 11, 2003

Here's another beautiful 1983 650 belonging to Ian. But just wait until you read the story about this bike! Here's Ian's note.

Here's the results of my labors over the winter - before, after, and the mouse nest! I bought this bike as a basketcase in fall 2002 with a spun crankshaft bearing. I replaced the motor, back tire, fork seals, headlight, switchgear, battery, and many other parts. Primarily through Ebay. I also repainted the whole bike and replaced decals etc.

By wheeling and dealing on Ebay the total cost of this bike, including the initial purchase came to $206.00. I did this by selling parts of the old engine as well as any surplus bike parts.

Added September 12, 2003

Paul's note: You should see the before pictures!! You would've thought it was nothing but junk! It's nothing short of incredible what Ian did with this bike!!

Seems like the 1983 650 is a popular bike! I really love the styling of these bikes! This one's owned by Bob and here's what he says about it:

This is the bike that got me back in to motorcycling after a 30 some-odd year hiatus! This particular bike was a semi-basket case when I got it from the next door neighbor, who had let her sit out in the weather for a long time, thereby pretty much messing up all the brightwork. Mechancially, the bike was in pretty good shape with less than 20,000 on it when I acquired it. So between December of '02 when I got the bike and now (September of '03) I have put in new fork seals; changed out the forks for some nice, shiny ones, gotten rid of the stock exhaust for a Kerker 4 into 1 system; added a Corbin "Dual" seat; added a National Plexi-Fairing 3 to keep the bugs off my teeth; changed out both tires for some fresh Bridgestones; changed the color from the original Honda midnight blue to the original Honda wineberry red. I'm proudest of all the elbow grease I used in shining up the aluminum. In a word, there isn't much left of the orginal bike except the motor and running gear. I'm somewhat embarrassed to say I have more in the bike than I paid for it...by far!!!

Added September 16, 2003

Here's a Nighthawk owned by Thomas Zangla of Pennsylvania. Here's what Tom says about it.

Here is a pic of my 1986, Honda Nighthawk, 450cc. I bought it in August 2003 with 3,850 original miles on it. I have 7,000 miles on it now in October. I added the windshield and the milk crate on the back...LOL. That crate might not be stylish but it sure comes in handy when stopping to pick something up at the grocery store. My dog also rides in the crate.

Added October 27, 2003

Bruno from Fairport, New York sent me this photo of his 1985 CB650SC. This is a beautiful motorcycle! Here's what Bruno says about it:

She's my first ever motorcycle I purchased about 18 months and 10K miles ago. It now has 24K miles and I have had a blast learning about motorcycling, doing maintenance, but especially riding it.

In this picture, I have set up this very versatile bike as a 'sport tourer' complete with Tour Master tail and saddlebags, National Cycle Deflector windshield, and a RAM mount for my Garmin GPS V among other tweaks. This picture was taken at the beginning of a weekend camping trip in the Adirondack mountains of NYS.

Nothing but smooth, quiet, troublefree cruising from this little 'shafty'

Added December 8, 2003

David from Auburn, Alabama sent the following picture of his Nighthawk and this explantion:

Hi Paul,

Here's my 1985 Nighthawk CB650SC. I purchased it in Jan. 2002, in pretty poor shape cosmetically. When the seller told me it had been painted white, I thought, "how odd." But I like it quite a lot--the white is ever so slightly warm in tone. Makes a good effect with the aluminum, and black bits. Since buying it then, I've cleaned the beast up, tried as best I could to do a bit with the aluminum and chrome, and replaced the handlebars with superbike ones for a slightly more forward riding position. Also, I've put stainless steel brake lines on the front, done the Radio Shack washer thing to the carbs, installed a Maier short windshield with Saeng edging, and added a Sigma BC800 bike computer. More recenly, I replaced the windshield with an F-16 model from National Cycle, added two auxillary lights, installed a chin spoiler (Maier), and built up the saddle with extra, and firmer, foam. It's a good ride for short-to-medium length tours, and on a recent (early April) trip to The Dragon, I was very happy at how the bike handled the ultra-twisties.

So all-in-all, I'm delighted with the bike; plenty of power for me, and I love the exhaust note after drilling out the end plate with four 1/4 " holes each. But--she has almost 40,000 miles now!

So all-in-all, I'm delighted with the bike; plenty of power for me, and I love the exhuast note after drilling out the end plate with four 1/4 " holes each. But--she has almost 40,000 miles now!

Added December 9, 2003 (Updated photo and text April 20-21, 2004)

Joshua from Marion, Indiana sent me this picture of his black 1983 550. Joshua says:

Paul -
Here is a pic of my slightly mod-ed 1983 Honda CB550sc Nighthawk. The only mod so far is replacing the stock bars with a set from an '83 650. Future mods include lowering the triple tree on the forks, and re-shaping the seat to get rid of the taller back seat (Corbin gunfighter style). I will send a new pic as soon as the mods are made. This bike is absolutely great. It is a little lacking in the power area, but it keeps up with traffic, and that is all I need. Hopefully a carb clean, tune, and sync will solve the power problem. At the current power level, I cannot cruise above ~65 (indicated). So, she isn't perfect, but I love her just the same.

Added December 9, 2003

Rob Pearson sent me this pic of his nighthawk. I think you'll enjoy his story:

The skinny: 1984 Honda Nighthawk CB650SC - reborn as a Niteskunk. The previous owner left it for dead in a vacant lot. He thought it need a new CDI box or "whatever". It sat for four years exposed. When I aquired it the bike had 40K miles and was FUBAR - the paint job was from a spray can, every conceivable aluminum part had been chromed and was flaking away, the saddle was completely rotted, and every fluid and compartment needed either flushing, scraping out, or both. The rear brake hub was frozen and so the bike had to be half lifted, half dragged into the trailer. I assumed it would be a parts bike. But I was curious to see if the motor was salvagable. I cleaned, lubed, and tuned it up, gave it a few cranks, and eventually discovered it needed a new set of pulse pickups. It starts, idles and runs ok, but there are still carb/fuel delivery issues to resolve.

It didn't appeal to me to go with a stock restoration. It was already a total ratbike, and I like the streetfighter or naked bike look. Nighthawks don't make good 'fighters but they do have a great streamlined, stripped down aesthetic. So far most of my mods are just visual, but there are some notable changes.

I ditched the stock dials and headlight. Too square, too 'eighties. I removed the California air cleaning PCV system and replaced the original carbs with a standard set. The pipes are stock Cali-model, but are a bit quieter than the standard. I'm hoping to install a 4into1 Supertrap soon. The fork stem bearings were toast so I installed new tapered ones. All the nasty chrome was etched off, the aluminum polished, and then a custom paint job was applied by Shane Stepper of Portland, Oregon. The skunk thing: Lockheed Martin Aeronautics build the ultimate 'Nighthawks', and established the skunkworks creed. In that spirit I had the bike painted gloss black, with white racing stripes down the front fender, tank and tail. The Skunkworks skunk logo is embossed on both side panels. Hence 'Niteskunk'. New bars, grips, mirrors and a customized deflector shield. The only real radical mod was rewiring the fuse block from the front to a pocket of space just under the base of the fuel tank. This allowed more room for the dual 5.75" lights to fit. There's lots more, but at this point in time it's a work in progress.

Cheers,
-Rob P

Added January 14, 2004

Jon Umina sent in this picture of his beautiful 650. Here's what Jon says:

Hi Paul,

Excellent site! I'm glad someone is still hopelessy devoted to these wonderful bikes besides myself.

Atached is a picture of my bike. It is a 1985' Nighthawk 650. I'm lead to believe it was one of the last 650s produced considering it's date of manufacture is 6/85. I purchased the bike in very rough condition for $200 this past spring. The previous and original owner had only put 8000 miles on the bike before highsiding it. Instead of repairing and caring for the bike, he let it sit outside for several years, partially exposed to the elements. The interesting thing is that it started rather effortlessly for the first time in 6 years! Shortly after purchasing the bike I spent several arduous hours polishing the entire bike. With a few replacements parts from Ebay and a new seat cover, the bike looks phenomenal and is an absolute blast to ride.

--JON

Added January 14, 2004

Peter M. sent me this absolutely gorgeous picture of his 1983 650 Nighhawk. A man of few words, he wrote saying:

Here's a picture of my 1983 650. It was really clean when I got it, in great running condition with less than 9000 miles on it. I wish honda would start making them again. I really love it, it's perfect for me.

Added March 6, 2004

Another person of VERY few words, Canh sent me this picture of his '82 450. (Kinda wonder if he's riding with that snow on the ground!) Here's Canh's remarks:

This is my 1982 Nighthawk 450. It's my first bike and I love it. It's easy to work on and just as easy to ride. Great communter bike!

Thanks for a great site!

Canh Ly

Added April 20, 2004

If you guys send me anymore pictures of gorgeous 650s I may start coveting! Here's a note from Benny who lives in Belgium, Europe regarding his '85 650:

Hi Paul,

Great site! I'm sending you a picture of my '85 CB650SC Nighthawk.
I just bought it last week with 14000 miles and it runs perfect!

Some years ago (5 to be exact) I wanted to buy a Honda. I liked two models: the cx500c and the Nighthawk cb650sc.

I found a cx for a good price and now, just last week, I found the Nighthawk . Now I have the two bikes I love.

That's it.

Benny

Added April 20, 2004

Tim R. from Catawba, North Carolina sent me this picture of his '83 550. Here's what he has to say about his bike:

I found this 1983 CB550SC Nighthawk advertised in a local newspaper and researched Nighthawks by visiting Paul's website. When I saw it for the first time, I found it hard to believe it was a 20 year-old bike. This 550 NH was purchased in October of 2003 from a used car dealer who took it on a trade. I replaced the original mirrors, one of the front turn-signal stems, the fuel tank cap, the ignition, and put in new plugs. I have also removed the "home-made" highway pegs seen in the picture and added black engine guards (not seen in the picture). Best of all, I have put about 1200 miles on it since I bought it. This is my third motorcycle. I have been without a bike for 20 years and have really enjoyed getting back "out there!"

Added April 26, 2004

Here's a note from Lancashire, England that Kevin sent to me.

Hi Paul

Here is the picture of my 450 which I purchased only a week ago.

As I explained in my previous email I think for its age it is in excellent condition, not sure how original the whole bike is but I do plan to make it as original as possible hopefully with the help of some of the guys over there in USA. The year of the bike is 1983 and is an American import so it did begin its life the other side of the pond, Not that I am an expert on bikes it certainly meets all my expectations. Not had a bike for nearly 20.. years did I say 20? It doesn’t seem that long, had to do the necessary you know, get married leave the Navy and bring up a daughter and now have some fun! Only using bike currently for commuting to work daily but will eventually use for trips on the weekends. I have always had Honda’s so can’t really compare to other makes but I always believe if it works don’t fix it, in the past have had Bentley 125, CB200, CB250 Dream, CB400 and 400/4 and CX500. I will keep you updated as to my progress with returning it to original condition. Hello to all the Nighthawk riders hopefully meet one day!

Kevin in the beautiful Ribble Valley Lancashire, England.

Note from Paul: I'm thrilled to start hearing from some overseas Nighthawk riders! I've always wanted to visit England!!

Added June 5, 2004

Danny from Holland sent this picture of his 650 and the following long-distance note.

Hello Paul,

Finally I've found a intersite just about the nighthawk. Here is a picture of my Honda Nighthawk 650sc. I've owned this bike for almost 3 years. It's an excellent bike and very easy to handle. I'm very proud to have this motorcycle, because here in Holland there aren't that many of them. I need and want to customize the bike. My "to do" list includes: a new paint job, new handlebars, new cover for the seat, etc. etc. When I'm done I'll send you a picture of the end result.

Greeting from Holland,

Danny Jansen

Note from Paul: Danny, we will look forward to seeing your bike down the road when you get some of the upgrades finished! It's a beautiful bike!

Added June 5, 2004

Time for another 450 to be heard from. Here's a note from Hung Chang who lives in San Francisco.

Hi Paul,

I stumbled upon your website and it was quite informative. Here is my first bike ever and it's a 1985 nighthawk (cb450sc). I was hesitant to get a bike bigger than a 250, being my first bike and all, but I am glad my buddies talked me out of a 250. It was sold for $1,600 and it had 19,000 miles on it when I bought it. I decided to get a bike when I moved from New York to San Francisco because mass transit sucks here and parking is horrible. The Nighthawk makes an awesome city bike. It farts around when it's cold, but it runs very smoothly when it's warm and happy.
Thanks for the website again.

Sincerely,
Hung Chang
San Francisco, Ca

Added June 13, 2004

Bob from Kentucky sent me this picture of his 450 and his bike's story.

Thanks for your site!!

I've been a fan of the Nighthawk since the 80's, when I got my first ride on one at the tender age of 14. I spent two summers in Ohio with my older brother, and he owned an 83 Nighthawk 650. I recall us tooling around town til around Midnight, but at 14 it seemed like all hours of the night. I went back down the next year, and he still had the Nighthawk and we pretty much picked up where we left off.

Enter 2004, and I now own my very own Nighthawk. I purchased an '82 Nighthawk 450 as my first bike. I've never owned or ridden a motrorcycle before this one. I bought it yesterday evening (6/8/04) and I spent my first 30 or so mins in my subdivision just trying to get used to the clutch and gears and how to turn it.

This Nighthawk was purchased from it's original owner, with 6500 miles on it. It still has the owner's manual (2 actually) and the factory toolkit. This bike is totally original, and is in great shape to boot. The previous owner really took care of it.

Hopefully today I can get down to the Courthouse to get the proper Motorcycle study guide so I can study up to get my permit, and that's where the real learning begins. I was very interested in taking a Motorcycle Safety Foundation course, but they don't have any openings until early September?!? That same "bug" that bit me must be working overtime!!

Thanks again for your site, and I've included a couple pics of the Nighthawk. I have yet to do ANYTHING to the bike yet, and the pics you see were taken about 10 mins after I got it home for the first time. I'm not too crazy about the big box behind the sissy bar, but it serves a purpose! :)

Bob Zimmerman
South Shore, KY

Cloyd from Louisville sent me this photo of his sweet-looking 1991 Nighthawk 750.

Paul,

I have enjoyed your website about the Honda Nighthawks. I purchased this bike from a co-worker of my son about 3 months ago. This nighthawk is a great motorcycle and only has 14,000 miles. I also just purchased a 1982 CB 450 SC Nighthawk with 6,675 miles. The bike had been kept in a storage building for years. I'm restoring this bike for myself and giving my son, Andy, the 750. Your website has been very helpful on locating parts. Attached photo of the 1991 Nighthawk 750, I will send you a photo of my 1982 Nighthawk 450 soon.

Cloyd

Added June 13, 2004

Roger from Marysville, Ohio wrote sending me this picture of his 1984 700SC. Here's Roger's story:

Paul,

Here is a picture of my pristine 1984 NighHawk 700SC. I bought it last year for just $1,900.00. At the time it had about 17k miles, and it now has almost 22k. The previous owner scored a NOS (New Old Stock) fairing, side covers, and gas tank from the UK, so the bodywork is essentially brand new. The Corbin seat made it comfortable, and the Cortech bags made it more useful. This is my second bike (my first was a black/red '78 Honda CX500) and I plan to keep it until I can afford a sport-touring bike like an ST1100 or a Yamaha FJR-1300. For now I am happy with the performance, and I can really appreciate the maintenance friendly design...especially since I prefer to do as much work myself as possible. Thanks for hosting a website dedicated to these overlooked but not forgotten bikes!

Roger M. Thurau
Marysville, Ohio

Added June 16, 2004