Author Topic: project questions 1985 nighthawk  (Read 1469 times)

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Offline Tretnine

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project questions 1985 nighthawk
« on: July 23, 2009, 05:35:53 AM »



Well, I happen to have a couple of projects that aren't SOHC4. Mostly I'm doing them for the work and to make a few bucks. My first question is about this nighthawk. It's been tipped over a few times but never wrecked. It seems like the steering is out of true. I put new bars on and this still seems to be the case. I was looking at it and can't figure out where the problem would be. It's got to be bent somewhere. The fork is not anywhere near as rigid as it is on my 78 cb550k. I put my knee on the tire and hand on the handlebar and pushed it in the direction it needed to go for correction and it flexed quite a bit. Between that and changing the way the bars are set, it's almost not noticeable. Now. This thing is almost road worthy. It needed a new head gasket, but now the motor is strong, perfect compression, runs and starts without choke. Everything else that needed to be fixed on it was cosmetic, save new tires. I'm going to be into this thing for a total of about $400. I want to sell it. I think it's a great starter bike, it's been beaten up and you don't need to worry about it getting a bit dinged up. My only concern is this front end issue.

Can I say "Something is just barely out of true in there, but it doesn't matter because you are a new rider and will tip this thing over anyway." Or, do I say, "this thing is dangerous and needs a new front end."

I don't know much about this type of thing. It drives fine and the fork seals don't seem to be leaking or anything. Still handles tighter than the 550.
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2009 Kawasaki Concours, 1978 cb550k, 2006 BMW F650GS

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Offline mcpuffett

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Re: project questions 1985 nighthawk
« Reply #1 on: July 23, 2009, 03:13:06 PM »
Hi sometimes the forks can get knocked out of align with the bars , i usually undo the upper and lower triple tree clamp bolts put the front wheel against a wall and using the handle bars as a lever push on them hard till you get the wheel pointing straight forward and the bars straight then when your happy tighten everything up and you should be good to go ;),if everythings tight and nothing obviously bent or broken i cant see any problems ,  :) cheers Mick. 
Honda CB750 KO 1970,   Honda VTX 1300 2006, Lancaster England.

Offline Tretnine

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Re: project questions 1985 nighthawk
« Reply #2 on: July 23, 2009, 03:15:34 PM »
thanks man, I'll definitely give that a try.
http://www.behindbarsmotorcycle.com/

2009 Kawasaki Concours, 1978 cb550k, 2006 BMW F650GS

Member of the AMA