Topic: trading my 78 750 for an 82 650...let me explain!

[jordanp]

78 cb750k...bought non operable...put a bunch of work into, anjd still end up with something that has been requiring way more time and energy than my kids allow...eveytime I want to go for a short ride, i spend the time in the garage trying to get the next problem out of the way.

I put it up on craigslist, and some dude's got an 82 nighthawk 650 w/ 6500 miles on it he wants  to trade for my, sporatically running mismatched 750.

I find the nighthawk to be disgusting and hideous, but I see potential for a seriously fun and cool ride that is dead reliable and running from the start.

Am I rediculous for doing this??

[seaweb11]

I can't imagine a 4000 mile ride to Surgis and back on an 82 nighthawk 650........

But it's you bike

[Spanner 1]

PDQ, that '82 Nighthawk is going to need work to keep it going too!!....here's what I would do... 1. Decide on a time you can devote 2 days to the 750....2. Post all the problems with it here....3. Have the willingness to respond and try suggestions from folks here and..4. Tell us how great your bike runs when it's all sorted-out..!!

[seaweb11]

  Good idea, I'm always up to assist with 78k issues I have had to deal with.

[jordanp]

.had '70 model carbs when I got it...ran super rich, i broke em and got '78 model carbs
. now with the right carbs on, I can't seem to get it to run right at all...timing, jetting...who knows??
. electrical problems: tail light/ brake light dont work...put it to park and the light stays lit at least...keeps blowing 15a fuses, and I can't find anything grounding anywhere...

the list goes on... I feel like a failure on this project, but I really cant gather two days of kid free time- wife works weekends and Ive got twin two year olds .

as the bike sits right now, it sounds/feels/runs like the timing is out of whack...but the timing was fine before the carb swap, so maybe its running too lean?? it was popping a bit and my plugs were barely tanned at all... It was running real llean so I kept turning the pilot out... it's at 3.5 turns out, and still lean...so maybe jetting, maybe timing, maybe maybe maybe. I bought it for 800 bucks and paid damn near 400 to register it and another couple hundred in parts...paid in emotional distress from the wifey(haha) just paid to have a pro clean the sh!t out of the carbs and still worse off than before.

I still have all day to think about it... I found 1...count em 1.. modified 82 nighthawk 650 on google.

[Loki]

i love these classic bike threw and threw, but if your unable to spend a reasonable amount of time on the bike, then your probably better of going with the night hawk.because at least youd be able to get on the bike and not be worried about how its running so at the end at least your riding a bike.my friend has the problem of popping fuses on his 75 cb550 and he cant seem to find what the problem is so he's just going to replace the hole harness.

[leekellerking]

Some of us would strongly disagree with the highlighted statement below!   

I you get the Nighthawk, check the charging system over with a fine-toothed comb.  The only major issue for the last of the SOHC Hondas is the charging system (don't ask me how I know   ).

The good news is that (1) the parts are available to fix it better than new, and (2) the installation is pretty easy (I could do it and I'm a returning newb). 

I commute 28 miles one way to work, five days a week.  The only problem my 30,000 mile Nighthawk has given me (outside of the charging system) is the propensity to burn a little oil.  But maybe I shouldn't be cruising 80-85 mph on a 28 year old motorcycle!   

As far as riding 4,000 miles to Sturgis on a Nighthawk -- why???  If you have to go to Sturgis, do it the way most of they Harley guys do -- trailer it to 20 miles away and ride in from there!  (Lee intends no hate to HD riders who really RIDE in the previous statement.  It ain't what you ride, it's that you ride).

Good luck,

Lee

78 cb750k...bought non operable...put a bunch of work into, anjd still end up with something that has been requiring way more time and energy than my kids allow...eveytime I want to go for a short ride, i spend the time in the garage trying to get the next problem out of the way.

I put it up on craigslist, and some dude's got an 82 nighthawk 650 w/ 6500 miles on it he wants  to trade for my, sporatically running mismatched 750.

I find the nighthawk to be disgusting and hideous, but I see potential for a seriously fun and cool ride that is dead reliable and running from the start.

Am I rediculous for doing this??

[leekellerking]

Not to hijack the thread, but is your friend blowing fuses, or the fusible link?  The later can be caused by a bad rotor.

i love these classic bike threw and threw, but if your unable to spend a reasonable amount of time on the bike, then your probably better of going with the night hawk.because at least youd be able to get on the bike and not be worried about how its running so at the end at least your riding a bike.my friend has the problem of popping fuses on his 75 cb550 and he cant seem to find what the problem is so he's just going to replace the hole harness.

[seaweb11]

I will ignore the Sturgis comment above,I will ignore the Sturgis comment above,I will ignore the Sturgis comment above,


Sounds like you are trying to ride a bike that needs to spend some "down time" in the garage.
I can't  imagine riding around with all that going on.
I did not  have this forum when I did my 78k and it was very frustrating.
3 bikes later with help from members here, it became much easier.

Thoughts:
- Park bike, put up on blocks or stand.
- Strip tank, seat side covers.
- Put together a description of bike on a build thread....... “just pick away at it over the winter”
- Let us know what exhaust you have.
- Any engine mods?
- What are you using as an air filter system. Stock? new/old? pods?
- What main jets are you running?
- Photos are a great way for "me" and perhaps others to relate to your questions.
- It's the tortoise that wins this race.
- You have a few basic systems. Fuel, elect, motor, carbs, what ever else

Your K8 sounds a lot like mine when I got it. I tried riding it that summer and it didn’t really work out that great. I got the summer in and then tore it apart over the winter. Came out in the spring with my vision of MY bike.  

No major issues since.  A great bike I can always count on.

It will tax your patience and resolve, but when you're done  

P.S. You need to go slow. ........................

[jordanp]

Thanks all! I am still leaning towards the trade.
In a few years when I can sell my house and make a few bucks, I can find another 750 in good running order and focus on the performance/aesthetics aspect rather than troubleshooting the last ten years gremlins. I used to be up for the challenges alot more...but you know...twins...work...twins...work. We will see what happens with the trade... if i get the 82, I will have a project thread so y'all can see what kind of blasphemous crap I'll do to it!

[Terry in Australia]

I thought Sturgis was a "Harley Only" event? I would have thought a Honda guy would have felt a little nervous at an event like that, like Obama at a Klan meeting?

Arguably, the K8 had the best (or at least, the most developed, being the last incarnation) of the CB750 engine, but design wise, it was pretty hideous too.

I can't argue with the Nighthawk comments, I never liked any of the 650's, they were like the K7/K8's in that they worked fine, but were otherwise a nothing bike.

I guess what's important to you is that you have a reliable rideable bike, so take that 650 and ride it while you save up for a decent CB750, preferably a K0-K6. Cheers, Terry.

[jordanp]

thats what im thinkin terry!

[leekellerking]

Hey!  I put a disclaimer in!!! 

There are a couple of Harleys I'd love to have in my garage, if the price was right.  Right now, the Nighthawk is all I can freaking afford (but I love it). 

I say make the trade!


Lee

I will ignore the Sturgis comment above,I will ignore the Sturgis comment above,I will ignore the Sturgis comment above,

[seaweb11]

"I thought Sturgis was a "Harley Only" event? I would have thought a Honda guy would have felt a little nervous at an event like that, like Obama at a Klan meeting?
Arguably, the K8 had the best (or at least, the most developed, being the last incarnation) of the CB750 engine, but design wise, it was pretty hideous too.
I can't argue with the Nighthawk comments, I never liked any of the 650's, they were like the K7/K8's in that they worked fine, but were otherwise a nothing bike.
I guess what's important to you is that you have a reliable rideable bike, so take that 650 and ride it while you save up for a decent CB750, preferably a K0-K6. Cheers, Terry"

Are you drunk, or just feeling sullen? 

[jordanp]

you guys are freekin hilarious! seaweb, I just shot you a PM- Thanks for the reminder!

[SKTP]

Don't H8TE on the K8

[mgbgt89]

Don't hate on the nighthawk! It was one of the most unique sohc4's i think. Much better looking than the other 650's.

I own one and absolutely love it. I think its better looking than my 750. The carbs are a pain in the ass though, and it took me forever to find a replacement side cover when mine blew off at 90 mph.

If you're looking to modify a bike, That is not a good bike for it. There arn't many replacement parts for the SC's.. and almost no aftermarket parts.

If you do chop it up though, i'll buy all the stock parts you take off.

[mgbgt89]

Here's my 650 on a stop on a 500 mile trip this summer.

[jordanp]

I did it! the cord has been cut...I am sad for the loss, yet excited to get out and ride! I'll get some pics tomorrow!

[seaweb11]

Have fun with the new ride

[leekellerking]

Have fun with the new ride

And put me on the parts list if you start taking stuff off!

Lee's wish list:

Luggage rack
Luggage
Engine guards
Sissy bar

[jordanp]

I may have luggage rack...engine guards you can have...pm me, and I'll let you pay shipping

[jeepster]

Hey cheer up there partner. The Nighthawk might not have the same vintage cachet/cafe potential as older 750s but just think how much less fear and loathing you'll have when it comes time to clean out that slow jet. On the NH they just unscrew! The CV carbs are also a lot less complicated to take apart than mechanicals. Couldn't be easier. You're also getting DUAL front discs and about 75 less pounds to wrestle around at stop lights.

True the Nighthawk does look a bit awkward at certain angles and certainly does not photograph well, it does look pretty lean and mean at 3/4 view on the sidestand. I still get the same old timers wanting to stop me and chat for an hour about the old CB they used to own before the wife made them sell it etc.

[jeepster]

I may have luggage rack...engine guards you can have...pm me, and I'll let you pay shipping

I'll take that luggage rack if Lee isn't interested....

[jordanp]

no luggage rack guys! Lee, I'm still working on getting the engine guards off( no time!)

[jordanp]

Oh, and I also just figured out the NH is running on 3 cylinders! Oh joy!!! oh, btw... this bike still has the original dunlop qualifiers on it...I mean like...from 82. So heres my list of to-dos immediately.1- all new plugs, double oil change ( two cycles) run some carb system clean through her...compression check starting with #1!!!dammit. and tires ASAP... I don't know why I didnt notice the missing cylinder when I picked the bike up. The mileage on the bike is 6255...I wonder if lack of use over 28 years let some of the important sealing pieces go bye bye, as the petcock was a leakin also till I rtv'd the shat out of it( ghetto I know...it worked though!)

[Terry in Australia]

Oh, and I also just figured out the NH is running on 3 cylinders! Oh joy!!! oh, btw... this bike still has the original dunlop qualifiers on it...I mean like...from 82. So heres my list of to-dos immediately.1- all new plugs, double oil change ( two cycles) run some carb system clean through her...compression check starting with #1!!!dammit. and tires ASAP... I don't know why I didnt notice the missing cylinder when I picked the bike up. The mileage on the bike is 6255...I wonder if lack of use over 28 years let some of the important sealing pieces go bye bye, as the petcock was a leakin also till I rtv'd the shat out of it( ghetto I know...it worked though!)

Don't be too worried mate, with only 6K miles on the clock, unless it's been sitting outside in the snow all it's life, it'll be fine. I'm guessing it's a blocked pilot jet or a valve with no clearance, and maybe a screwed sparkplug. Cheers, Terry.

[mgbgt89]

When mine ran on 3 cylinders, I found out the rocker cover on the #4 cylinder had the bolts in the wrong place. One is longer than the other. The longer one held the intake valve open slightly, so that cylinder had no compression.

Something to check at least.

[leekellerking]

I'm in no hurry. 

no luggage rack guys! Lee, I'm still working on getting the engine guards off( no time!)

[leekellerking]

..I wonder if lack of use over 28 years let some of the important sealing pieces go bye bye, as the petcock was a leakin also till I rtv'd the shat out of it( ghetto I know...it worked though!)

?   


What is "rtv'd it" mean.  (My petcock leaks, too).

Thanks,

Lee

[jordanp]

RTV is a silicone gasket maker product. It has held so far. The only problem is I have to leave it in the on position, as it was leaking at the lever. that stupid riveted design is garbage. I have another one coming via ebay soon. I also grabbed a 80 cb750 top triple to see if it will fit...those handlebars scare me.

[leekellerking]

Ahhhh.  My petcock leaks on "RESERVE", but not "ON" or "OFF." (As far as I can find, I have to RESERVE).   

Of course, OFF is not really OFF and it will actually run 80 miles or so on OFF before it starts to bog down a little. (Don't ask me how I know    )

I was looking for the specs for a replacement from Pingle, but no one seems to know the bung size and I'm resisting pulling the old one off because it is such a pain (have to plug the hose with a pencil).

The NOS petcocks are just too pricey for me.

 
Lee
(Who now needs to buy a new speedo cable).

RTV is a silicone gasket maker product. It has held so far. The only problem is I have to leave it in the on position, as it was leaking at the lever. that stupid riveted design is garbage. I have another one coming via ebay soon. I also grabbed a 80 cb750 top triple to see if it will fit...those handlebars scare me.

[leekellerking]

no luggage rack guys! Lee, I'm still working on getting the engine guards off( no time!)

Mick Jagger was lying!  Time is NOT on my side!   

[funkdr5]

ive got some leftovers if anyones interested..  great seat , gas tank, side covers, etc.

[jordanp]

I swapped oil/filter/plugs... put some redline fuel treatment through her... ran the shat out of her in the freezing cold last night... she was running really well, firing on all four, no smoke, motor nice and tight! I am extatic!!!! new tires soon- AVON road riders I think. Oh, and I got the crash bars off last night.

[leekellerking]

ive got some leftovers if anyones interested..  great seat , gas tank, side covers, etc.

Did you say side cover???  Like a LEFT side cover with two or more prongs still attached???

[funkdr5]

why yes i did!!!