Topic: 1996 Nighthawk 750 Camping Conversion

[JaredKnecht]

Hey - So I am very novice but wanting to attempt my first build. I have a 1996 Nighthawk. Its an incredible bike. Runs great. Engine is a beast. But I am short and its a lot of bike for me. I'm a big camper fan and want to build a bike to travel upstate new york and take on trips outrigged for camping.

SO I want to build the nighthawk out with better suspension, lowered, lighter, with racks on the back to strap tent, backpack etc.

Would really like to emulate this build. But keep it as simple as possible. Check out how beautiful this bike is: http://crowemetalco.com/index/#/bmwcamperspecial/

I wanted to start with swapping the forks with a set of lowered forks off a 2006 dr650. Are there any compatibility issues I should research?

Appreciate the help. Hear to learn and just give it a shot. Thanks in advance. Really need all the advice I can get!

[Jerry Rxman Griffin aka MuthaF'er]

Give a tank bag a thought also if you plan on really loading down the rear. The front end will get light and you can balance out the load a little. Just depends on how much weight you are packing.

[GizmoDuck]

I like this build!

[70CB750]

Out of curiosity I looked for more info - seems like your bike has 41 mm forks and the DR650 has 43 mm - unless I am mistaken.

Probably easiest swap would be to find 41 mm forks, or shorten originals?


Anyway, it looks like a fun project, I will be following it.

Good luck!

[70CB750]

That BMW is jolly sweet, but from my experience only hard cases keep your gear dry, canvas bags look cool and whatnot but set of Krausers or Shoei would be much more practical.

[JaredKnecht]

Thanks so much. I'm looking for a comparable 41mm fork set. Though is it still possible to switch to 43mm? just change the mounts for the forks as well?

Also looking for a new seat. Either going to cut the frame or add a straightened back to it. Are there any prebuilt custom frames that I could easily switch out to change the seat?

This is my first. Appreciate all the help!

[70CB750]

AllBalls do not have  a bearing conversion kit:

http://www.allballsracing.com/index.php/forkconversion

Proly means there is not much market for it.

Anything is possible, depends howmuch you will need to fabricate and how long it will take.

You are right, the easiest fork swap is change it including top and bottom bracket. You have to watch for the angle and the trail - it has influence on stability and overall drivebility of the bike.

You could start by sliding forks higher in your existing brackets and installing some lowering blocks in the rear - to get the feeling of lowered bike without the expense and work.

How much lower do you want to go?