Hi Paul,

I've been reading your site with great interest. Are you still posting pics of nighthawks?

I just got my 1986 700S that has 16K miles and is in beautiful (close to perfect) shape. I ride it every chance I get. Somebody dropped it sometime in its history, but she's still pretty.

Great website! I'm learning a lot!!

Doug

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

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

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

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 to 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

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

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

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 and here is a list of the motorcycles I have owned.

1971 Rupp Roadster (minibike)
1984 Kawasaki G4 (100cc)
1986 Honda CB200T
1986 Honda CB360T
1973 Kawasaki H1 (500cc)
1986 Honda Nighthawk
1973 Kawasaki H2 (750cc)
1997 Honda Valkyrie

Thanks again!

Dale in Houston

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,

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