My 1986 Honda CB700SC Nighthawk S project.

Ross63 · L Plate Warrior Joined: 30 Nov 2015 Karma :

Hi all,

I'm a long term reader but first time poster here. I was on the lookout for a second bike so that I could keep my Yamaha Tracer away from the winter salt and was thinking of a ZZR-600 or something similar, common enough that I wouldn't be too bothered about getting it a bit grotty.

Whilst I was searching for bikes that were relatively local to me, I stumbled on a 1986 Honda Nighthawk 700 that looked as if it was mechanically sound and would do the job. I went and bought it the next day before doing any real research on it and not really knowing what a rare machine it is this side of the pond. In short, they were only made for the US market and only for 3 years between 1984-86. Mine is the last of the line and spent it's first 10+ years in California where there is no need for salt on the roads and it rarely saw any meaningful rain. The frame, wheels and casings are pretty much spotless as a result.

Anyway, long story short, I've spent all of my spare time in the garage and gutted the bike from top to bottom, mechanically and cosmetically. It's had the following mechanical bits:

Oil and filter
NGK plugs
K&N cone type Air filter
Final Drive Oil changed
Rear brakes cleaned and adjusted
Front brake calipers removed, disassembled, cleaned and reassembled
New OEM front pads from David Silver spares
Brake fluid changed
Carbs stripped down, cleaned, 2 sizes larger main and pilot jets and 2 needle shims on each carb
Fuel hose and clips replaced
Vacuum pot on Fuel tap cleaned and reassembled
Battery replaced
Entire frame treated with ACF-50

This has all left me with a problem, a big problem. I'm now too precious about the bike that was supposed to be a winter hack and can't bring myself to take it out in the cold and wet, so much so that I'm thinking of selling or swapping it for something else Sad

stevo as b4 · World Chat Champion Joined: 17 Jul 2003 Karma :

That's bloody nice now! Thumbs Up

I wouldn't want to run that through a salty winter either. Would be a nice bike for summer Sunday ride outs and day/weekend trips though!

It looks like its a CBX750 derived engine too, so it should be nice and smooth, and sound great too!

The CBX750 motor is the best air cooled IL4 under 1000cc by far IMO.

You either need to keep this for the spring or sell swap for something like a CB500 or XJ600N etc.

Ross63 · L Plate Warrior Joined: 30 Nov 2015 Karma :

geordie1234 · Borekit Bruiser Joined: 27 Oct 2015 Karma :

That's a lovely bike mate
____________________
Smile

Matt B · World Chat Champion Joined: 01 May 2012 Karma :

Keep it for the dry weather now, don't spoil it.
____________________
stinkwheel: He had an animated .gif of a cat performing fellatio. It's not socially acceptable. It can have real life adverse effects on other people.

RhynoCZ · Super Spammer Joined: 09 Mar 2012 Karma :

Perfect job! I always enjoy seeing the classic motorcycles at their show room condition again. Thumbs Up

____________________
'87 Honda XBR 500, ~~'96 Kawasaki ZX7R P1~~, ~~'90 Honda CB-1~~, ~~'88 Kawasaki GPz550~~, ~~MZ 150 ETZ~~
~~'95 Mercedes-Benz w202 C200 CGI~~, '98 Mercedes-Benz w210 E200 Kompressor

Mark65 · World Chat Champion Joined: 16 May 2008 Karma :

Very nice

____________________
07 Yamaha YBR125, 07 Honda CG125 , 15 CBR300R (Chocolate Crank, Deaded), 16 CB500FA, 19 Honda Forza 300, 70 Suzuki SV650

alber697 · Derestricted Danger Joined: 02 Dec 2015 Karma :

Nice bike dude! Very Happy

Bubbs · World Chat Champion Joined: 28 May 2009 Karma :

Any before pics?

Love the look of this - how much you asking?
____________________
Life begins at the end of your comfort zone.

stevo as b4 · World Chat Champion Joined: 17 Jul 2003 Karma :

If OP wants to pop a CB1100R engine into it, I'll have it off him too as my next big bike. I bet even with that engine in it would be lighter than a V-max, Z1300, or even a GPZ1100A.

It's a pretty looking summer ride IMO, and I'm thinking the revvy short stroke CBX based lump will sound very stirring through that sexy 4-1 too! Smile

.Chris. · World Chat Champion Joined: 09 Jun 2007 Karma :

That is absolutely lovely. Far too nice for a winter hack IMO! As above it would be good to see some before pics.
____________________
Chris
1985 Kawasaki Z550F

Ross63 · L Plate Warrior Joined: 30 Nov 2015 Karma :

Sorry guys, I never had the presence of mind to take any before I started on her. She's gone now Crying or Very sad

but to a good home. Replaced with a 1998 ZZR600.

winz · World Chat Champion Joined: 05 Feb 2015 Karma :

That's a shame, would have been a nice garage queen.
____________________
Current Bikes: BMW K1200S
Previous: Honda CBR929RR, Honda CBR1100XX, Honda CB600F

pompousporcup... · World Chat Champion Joined: 15 Apr 2015 Karma :

hope you made a few pennies selling it on Thumbs Up

looks really well done

agreed on the winter front. that nice shiney manifold wouldn't be so nice n shiney after a few weeks of salt

Bullet · Trackday Trickster Joined: 06 Jan 2006 Karma :

nice shiny bike Smile

but ive never understood the sell it so you dont spoil it in the rain attitude myself, if you get enjoyment out of it why swap it for something not as nice? just keep it clean and look after it after you get it wet..... bikes like this were made to be used, use it Thumbs Up

edit - posted before reading the whole thread, sold it huh, shame, just dont do the same to the new 'hack' Wink

____________________
nonstop unicorns vomiting sunshine pills into a rainbow toilet
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
past: ZXR750 J1, K1 & H1, GPX600R, Yamaha Radian. present: ZXR750 J2, SP-1, CB350