Nighthawk 700s Engine Parts Availability

[abigbadzebra]

Curious how available this stuff is.  I am going to look at an 86 700s that has the engine pulled out of it.  According to the ad he has everything needed to do a rebuild on the engine that's pulled but since it may be apart in some way, I would expect that I may find later that I need a part or 10.  I don't know much about the bike yet.. or what happened to the engine..  but need this info to help me decide if it's even worth it.  I haven't done engine work before (though I have done carb work and have rebuilt a bike before - an 86 Yamaha Radian). I suspect doing my first rebuild on a smaller engine - as opposed to a car engine - would be a better experience.

Also, hardware.  Those pesky bolts and things that are almost certain to be missing.

Thanks!
Kirk

[NicholasDM]

My experience with getting parts has been somewhat hit or miss for my 84 engine. I want to rebuild the original 86 engine out of my bike as my track and/or backup but have been having a hard time finding rings and certain seals. Its possible and doable, but be prepared to have some sourcing problems. Keep in mind the 700S is getting long in the tooth. Some 25 years for the 86 model. But what an outstanding bike all the same. They age well. :)

Good luck!

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[gammer]

Many used parts avail on eBay. Some new parts still avail from Honda.

Are you looking for allot of work to do or are you interested in getting a running bike?
You're taking a pretty big leap by buying a bike that has no engine in it. Plus the PO has taken the engine out and who knows what methods he's used to disassemble it.

[abigbadzebra]

Are you looking for allot of work to do or are you interested in getting a running bike?
You're taking a pretty big leap by buying a bike that has no engine in it. Plus the PO has taken the engine out and who knows what methods he's used to disassemble it.

Yeah, I wasn't real serious before I went and saw it.  I was being open minded, though.  I'm no longer interested.  First, the bike needed a lot of work.  The bike is probably not worth anything but parts without going into too much detail.  

One of the reasons I wanted to go look at it is it was close and I had never sat on one.  After sitting on it I wouldn't buy it if it was in great shape.  Unfortunately, the 'straight up' position doesn't seem to be for me.  It's the reason I sold the Radian.  I have to stretch real far (take my foot off the peg) to engage the rear break.  Shifting gears up would also be uncomfortable.  I seem to be really inflexible when it comes to moving my toe towards my shin.

Too bad, really.  I love the looks of the bike.  I'm going to have to look for something with a seating position more like an SV-650 or maybe start looking into something in cruiser form.

If anyone else is interested and you live in the Indianapolis area... http://indianapolis.craigslist.org/mcy/2478834395.html  You can PM me for more info about the bike if you want.

Thanks for taking the time to answer though!

Kirk

[muttstang]

the brake and shifter are adjustable

[muttstang]

the brake for sure, not sure about the shifter actually.

[NicholasDM]

Bummer to hear. But I hear you about the rather neutral sitting of the 700s. Its hard to get sportiness out of it but it is doable by shifting your seating position up nearer the tank, adjusting the brake lever down to about the end of the adjuster bolt so its not stupidly high and you can kinda do the same for the shifter but I haven't tried. Stomp grip also really helps hold on to the tank.

If you want sport but a good riding position, check out a Bandit or an FZ6. My choice is the bandit. Its a tractor on two wheels and can really get up and go. Really good for long distance stuff. Don't let the 1250cc displacement scare you though. Its big and powerful, but predictable, easy to operate and "inspires confidence". That phrase is what I told the suzuki crew after riding one some years ago. It was the first real bike I rode after getting my license.

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