Topic: Need nighthawk info

[apehanger 550]

  So,I delivered an old 1948 Ford project car for a relative,and got a chance to talk to the guy on the trip to pick up the car. He and I talked about life and fixing old stuff,and I told him of the bikes I had fixed in the past. As he is about to become a new dad, his wife really wants him to get rid of the bike which he really does not ride anyway. Bike belonged to EX-wife so well,yeah--get rid of the drama.
  I basically had it offered to me for $200. Bike is a 1982 [+ or -] 450 Nighthawk. Even though I have been searching around and even found a Nighthawk forum, little is written about the 450's. There seems to be a wealth of info about the bullet proof-ness of the 700 and 750 bikes with their hydraulic lifters and counterbalanced engines. I am pretty sure that the 450 is a 2 cyl bike,and I really wonder if the engine is as good a survivor as the bigger bikes. For all I know,the engine could be a left over from the CB series.
  So any info is appreciated,preferably from a 450 Nighthawk owner. I am even wondering if the thing has shaft drive,2 or 4 pistons,how the frame size and tires compare to the higher cc N-Hawks. Stuff like that.  Either direct info or links to info would be appreciated.
   The kid has the title,but it is still in the ex's name. I think the first requirement is to get it transferred from her to him and it should have been done within 30 days after the sale, which was some years ago.  I hope to get the bike for what they said would be the price,but these kind of deals take some time sometimes.  No, I have not yet seen the bike which is what led to all these dumb questions.
   Thanks for your interest....

[kirkn]

Neat bikes.

As you probably know, the Nighthawk series was a style excercise of the early 80s that sort of combined the 'cruiser-ish' look of the CB-Custom line with the semi-sportiness of the CB-F line.  Not quite as cruiser-y as the Customs but not as sporty as the Fs.  The N-H 450 followed that theme and there was a definite 'family' visual relationship between the 450 and the larger 650s and 750s of the early 80s - paint schemes, tank & seat shapes, wheels, etc.

They were available, in various years, with a whole host of different motors - a SOHC 450 twin, a DOHC 550, a 'leftover' SOHC 650, a 'new' DOHC 650, a DOHC 700 and a DOHC 750.  Most all were chain drive, but at least the 700S was a shaftie.

As for the 450 motor, it is/was the final evolution of the CB400 Hawk motor introduced in 1978.  It's a twin, it's counterbalanced, it has 3 valves (2 intake, 1 exh) w-screw and locknut adjusters and has CV carbs and electronic ignition.  AFAIK, it has no real weaknesses at all.  It soldiered on as late as 1987 in the Rebel 450.

That should certainly get you started. 

As for your specific one, it'll all depend on what shape it's in when you go see it, and if you/he can get the title issue squared away.

Good luck with it, whichever way you go.

Kirk

[apehanger 550]

Thank you so much for the reply. I finally did find an article from a bike test opinion piece from back in the day. It sounds like I could not go wrong for 200 or so. I have seen enough of these deals come and go that all it takes to make the bike go away is for some buddy with free advice tell the PO to sell it on craigslist.
  I will buy it if I can and post pictures when I do...