New bike rider, new Nighthawk

[natechiaro]

Hi I'll be getting a 1982 750 Nighthawk in less than 2 weeks.  It runs a bit rough, the guy I'm buying it from says it was sitting all Summer.  I've been seeing Seafoam is popular for cleaning the carbs, it would be great if they don't have to be removed from the bike.  I was wondering are the valves self-adjusting on these bikes?  If not, are they difficult to adjust for a novice like me?  I was also wondering why 4 into 4 exhaust?  Is there a performance advantage or disadvantage, or is it just for appearance?

Nate

[WingNut]

Just running Seafoam may or may not do the trick.  If she's been sitting all summer the carbs might do well from a good cleaning and running a carb cleaner in the fuel may not get everything out, so to speak.  IIRC, I don't think the 82 had self-adjusting valves, but don't quote me on that one. 

As for the 4 into 4, I think its just for looks. It's unique since its the only year they had 'em for that generation of the NH. A 4 into 2 system, or even a 4 into 1 would probably be better performance wise, but hey, it looks really cool 

Anyways, hope you enjoy the new ride.  Oh, and 

P.S. Feed the forums with pictures, lots and lots of pictures  The inmates get a little rowdy around here without 'em   

[gammer]

The 82 did not have self adjusting valves.

Looking forward to those pics 

[SirSeanSean]

For the carbs, you might want to look into the pine sol trick. Lot's of people here have had success with it. http://nighthawk-forums.com/index.php/topic,4472.0.html And like gammer said, we like pictures..... LOTS OF THEM

Also if you are new to riding; get the gear and take the class. Yes it's hot outside, but hot asphalt burns more on flesh than it does on a quality jacket.

  to the forums.

[natechiaro]

I know everyone likes pictures, I like them myself. I'll post a few after I take some pictures. It has a good amount of scratches so try not to be too disappointed.  I did some google searches and it looks like Seafoam can make a bike run like new even if it's been sitting for years.  A more direct approach would be to spray it into the carbs and let them soak a day or two, it's worth a try.  I'll let you know how it works.     

[JB1290]

  to the forums. Good luck on the new bike.

[natechiaro]

It has more than 30,000 miles, should I check the valve shims? Is there other maintenance that I should do other than change the fluids?

[mandinga09]

I don't know much about valves, but I can tell you what to check based on what I've had to replace...

I'd give your electrical system a quick check. After 30000 miles of riding and a summer storage it wouldn't surprise me to find a few fuses either popped or beginning to corrode. Remove and check each fuse. Check battery cables for corrosion, Check spark at each cylinder (should be a bright blue-ish spark, not yellow or white). The bike should run with only 3 cylinders at a time while you check spark.

Inspect your gas tank for rust and muck. Some Sea Foam will clean it out if it's not too bad, just don't run the crud through your bike. Make sure your fuel valve/petcock isn't leaking, and is actually off in the 'off' position.

And of course the basics, hardened/cracked vaccuum or fuel lines, shavings in the oil, all other filters. A hundred bucks worth of regular maintenance can make all the difference in the world...

Get ahold of a shop manual; it will make your life so much easier! See what Honda says to check at their specified intervals.

Good luck and  !!

[ariwhiteboy]

  to the forum! Can't wait to see the new to you bike...

+1 to buying a good shop manual

Also check out www.motorcyclesuperstore.com to pick up some quality crash gear...it might save your life.

[natechiaro]

I was doing some riding today, I picked up the bike last Sunday. The oil smells a little gassy, probably from the guy I bought it from flooding it. He was pumping the gas like he was trying to empty the whole tank just to start it. It seems to run ok now. The clutch slips and the fuel gauge doesn't work all the time. I have a lot of practicing to do, it's a lot of bike to get used to.The battery doesn't stay charged, so I probably have a few parts to change in the charging system. The only other thing is the oil cooler is missing, I'll have to pick one up some place. 

[natechiaro]

Boy I tell you what it didn't take long before thinking buying this bike may have been a mistake, it's pretty hard to find some of these parts.  Does anyone know where I can find oil cooler lines for this?  I found a used oil cooler on e-bay, but there was no mention of it including the hoses and there were no hoses in the picture.  I've been trying to find websites that stock parts for this bike, but I've found nothing that has the factory oil coolers.  I called a local honda dealer and they could not get one either.

[natechiaro]

Ok I know I've been saying I would post pictures, I've been tinkering working on things and haven't taken any yet, so I'm posting the Craigslist picture.  I'll post a better picture later.  I know the saddle bags look awful, I don't have them on there..they won't be in the next picture.

[SirSeanSean]

Sorry to hear of your trouble finding the parts you need. Try Bikebandit.com.

[gammer]

Parts like that for these bikes are darn near impossible to get new. Your best bet is to keep trying eBay and/or a cycle salvage yard. If its in the pocket books and you want to keep this long term, I'd recommend getting a parts bike.

[natechiaro]

I've found major parts easy to find at Bikebandit, e-bay, etc..it's just some parts, like seat strap screws, I could not find.  I bought different screws from Home Depot that should work.  Some clown managed to break the gas tank bolt and both seat strap bolts, I have to get the remainder of the bolts out with maybe a screw extractor or hex bolt.  I tried to adjust the clutch because it's slipping, does anyone out there know a good way to take off the adjustment cover?  I tried using a screwdriver but it just slips out of the slot, is there a special tool that would grab the slot better, or should I just take off the whole clutch cover?

[scoathy]

  to the forum Nate! I found you had to be patient with finding parts for these bikes. I just spent 17 months getting a non-running bike going again and some of that time was looking for parts. Hang in there and be sure to take a look in all the various forums and sub-forums. There are some stickies that are simply full of useful information. Tons of knowledge at your fingertips. 

[talespin]

It has a good amount of scratches so try not to be too disappointed.

People on this forum have Nighthawks that are close to 30 years old, some of which were rescued from barns. We're definitely not going to turn our noses up at a few scratches.

[scoathy]

It has a good amount of scratches so try not to be too disappointed.

People on this forum have Nighthawks that are close to 30 years old, some of which were rescued from barns. We're definitely not going to turn our noses up at a few scratches.

+1! Remember, this is not OCC. 

[jerjohn]

Have you changed out that gassy oil? Some new oil may help with your clutch issues.

[detdrbuzzard]

'82 750's did not come from the factory with an oil cooler. if its an aftermarket it will sandwich between the engine and oil filter canister. you can add the oil cooler from a cb900, 1000, 1100 by using the oil pump and related hardware and the po may have done this

[natechiaro]

Here is an updated picture of my bike, it helps to take a picture during the daytime.  I changed the front brake pads, drilled out the seat strap bolts and gas tank bolt that were broken off, I'm guessing they rusted in and someone broke off the heads trying to remove them.  I re-tapped them and put the same size bolts in, they seem to be holding well.  The only thing keeping me from enjoying this thing is the charging system, it won't keep the battery charged.  the three yellow stator wires all have continuity and I put in a new regulator/rectifier.  What else could it be?  I'm not very familiar with working on these things and the Haynes manual I bought is almost completely useless(or maybe I just don't understand it).  I'm thinking of just taking it to a mechanic so I can get some riding in.  Is there something else I can check on?

[scoathy]

Here is an updated picture of my bike, it helps to take a picture during the daytime.  I changed the front brake pads, drilled out the seat strap bolts and gas tank bolt that were broken off, I'm guessing they rusted in and someone broke off the heads trying to remove them.  I re-tapped them and put the same size bolts in, they seem to be holding well.  The only thing keeping me from enjoying this thing is the charging system, it won't keep the battery charged.  the three yellow stator wires all have continuity and I put in a new regulator/rectifier.  What else could it be?  I'm not very familiar with working on these things and the Haynes manual I bought is almost completely useless(or maybe I just don't understand it).  I'm thinking of just taking it to a mechanic so I can get some riding in.  Is there something else I can check on?

I've never seen an 82 750 up close and personal. the bike looks much more bulky/stocky than later model 650/750s, although it could just be the pic... me likey! Totally dig the 4-4 exhaust too!

[natechiaro]

It's not your imagination, it really is a big bike.  My brother says it's bigger than the 1100 v-max he used to have.  I can't get a break so far with the charging system.  I put on a new rectifier/regulator and new battery and went for a few rides.  It started up the next day and shut off when I got around the corner.  The battery didn't even have enough charge to fully light the headlight.  I ordered a new stator, could it also be the rotor?  Or could it be that I just didn't keep the rpm's up high enough?  They were mostly between 2000 and 4000.  I connected a multimeter after installing the new battery..I was getting more than 14 volts at around 4000 rpm.  Maybe I should have bought a bike that charges the battery at idle?  

This picture is not of my bike, I had to use one that I found on the internet because my garbage crapberry phone wouldn't send a picture to my e-mail address.  They really use the term "smartphone" generously.

[scoathy]

I've used the flowchart provided in this thread a few times to resolve electrical issues:

http://nighthawk-forums.com/index.php/topic,262.0.html

[Floridamtbiker99]

Sharpe looking bike.  Congraduations.