Big Bird - aka my '96 Nighthawk

[nodaclu]

Hi guys,

Still debating whether I'm going to keep it or not, but for now, here is my '96 Nighthawk in all its canary yellow glory!





I picked it up last fall for $1,300, then set about going through it to make it safe and comfortable to ride.

The P.O. must have thought it was a CBR or something. He cut off the mufflers, welded on straight pipes, and bragged to me about how he used to "wheelie it" all the way to the liquor store and back.  

One complete exhaust system later (courtesy of ebay), some new tires (front had the worst cupping I'd ever seen) a center stand, front brakes, rear brake pedal adjustment, and new clutch cable, and it's a fun, reliable bike.

Still need a chain though. This one is within spec, but it was so mistreated, that even a thorough cleaning hasn't been enough to remove the lumpy feel of this thing.

I know it's a 525 chain, which is a little unusual but still readily available online. Any suggestions on a good quality chain? Never changed one before, so I'm not sure what's involved.

[anomad]

For less than the price of a decent bicycle? I think you should keep it.

I've never changed a chain either, but I bet a local shop would fix you right up with the right equipment. Or, buy chain tools and a chain and learn about it.

[nodaclu]

For less than the price of a decent bicycle? I think you should keep it.

Did I mention that my insurance is only $99 a year?!? Can't beat $8.25 per month to insure a mode of transport. 

I've never changed a chain either, but I bet a local shop would fix you right up with the right equipment. Or, buy chain tools and a chain and learn about it.

One thing I've learned about Vegas dealers, if I can learn to do it myself, I (and my wallet) are MUCH better off! 

I'll likely source all the right parts, then set about figuring it out on my own.

One of the reasons I've considered selling it (and my Sportster) is that I'm becoming increasingly sensitive to wind noise. Even with ear plugs, if I go on a couple hour ride, and my speeds are over 60mph, by the time I come home, my hearing is compromised, and doesn't return to normal for several hours.

One solution is to find a windshield that is tall enough for me to completely hide behind and look through, instead of over, but that brings its own unique set of problems. I keep thinking there must be a better way.

I've often wondered if the tremendous wind roar I hear is due to my helmet, but this is my third one, and all of them have had the same issue, so I'm not sure if that's the answer either.

Any ideas guys? I enjoy riding and don't want to give it up, but I need to preserve my hearing for the long haul!

[anomad]

I'm concerned about me hearing too.  The stock windscreen is terrible on my KLR and sounds like someone is doing a drum roll on my helmet over 60mph (I wear ear plugs too) worse if I am going into a headwind. I need to save what hearing I have left too!

I took the windscreen off and its much much better! The smooth air flow is very quiet, I can easily hear the engine and muffler through my ear plugs now. The wind pressure is a little annoying, especially if its chilly. My next step is to try a super tall windscreen.

Some guys really like the laminar lip products.

[Hondo]

What a deal for $1300- 

That color rocks, easy to be seen riding.

[detdrbuzzard]

i like the yellowmyself as for the chain you will need a chain rivet removal tool to do the job. or if you are really cheap you can unbolt the swingarm but take it from me buy the tool. no i was not cheap on the '79 750 i swapped the rear from the 750 k for a 750 f so i could have disc brakes in the rear and put a new chain on then

[DesignFlaw06]

I gotta say, I like the yellow. I hadn't seen one before, but it looks sharp.

Tim

[coffee_brake]

About the hearing issues--I found running with no windshield at all is quietest. Also, because a windshield is invaluable on long trips, I dropped the cash on a pair of custom earplugs, had the doctor do the fitting for just a few bucks more. Very effective! Very comfortable! Mine have little speakers made into them, but even with the radio off, it's amazingly quiet. I can still hear traffic and horns well enough, but I can't hear what someone's saying to me at the gas pump. Riding is not about relaxing, but these earplugs really let me focus on riding well.

I like the yellow, it lends itself to some nice contrast striping, no?

[happycommuter]

Love the yellow.  Amazing price.  Thank you for putting a decent exhaust back on.  I've had to un-pimp rides myself.

Earplugs are the cheapest thing to experiment with, but the problem is variety and availability.   I suggest ordering a sampler pack from Aerostich/Rider Wearhouse and finding a pair that works for you.  That's what I did, and there is only one model of earplug that I like.  Helmet liners like Sliks by Betty add an additional noise buffer among conveniences.

Any name-brand o-ring chain will be fine, but I have no idea how those endless ones (no master link) go on.  Check the sprocket teeth for hooking, as worn sprockets will ruin a new chain in short order.

[nodaclu]

Update...

Found a chain and sprocket kit on Ebay for $139. Front and rear sprockets are by JT Sprockets, the chain is a DID Gold 525 V series o-ring chain.

Priced separately, all three would have been about $150 plus shipping from two different sources, so I feel like I did okay here. I could have taken a cheaper option, but really wanted that particular chain, as I'd like to get 20K out of it. (I'm pretty easy on bikes, so it may be possible.)

Next week I'll dive into changing it - found out a buddy has a master link removal tool, which should help considerably.

I really like the protection the Hondaline shield provides, but this one is really chewed up. I'll probably replace with the same thing, but wondered if anyone had any suggestions for another type of windshield that might provide even better protection?

[nodaclu]

Also....

The tank has a dent in it. It didn't break the paint, and I'd *really* like to fix it. Does anybody have any thoughts on what my options might be here?

(Photo taken before I had removed the awful straight pipes....)

[dbracing]

If you are adventurous............I have done this with tanks and with care, it works.

- Take the tank off the bike and empty all the fuel.
- Take off the petcock, take out the fuel sending unit.
= Take off the filler cap
- Get expandable rubber plugs from the auto parts store
- Plug all the openings and fill the tank 3/4 of the way with water
- Pressurize the tank with 10 to 12 pounds of air BE CAREFUL NOT TO OVERPRESSURIZE OR YOU WILL DISTORT THE TANK!!!!!!
- Take a hard rubber of fiber hammer and gently tap AROUND the dent
- Give it time to slowly work itself out

If you take your time and not tap the tank too hard, it will work out. If the metal has a kink in it at one point, it may not come out all the way. If the dent doesn't have any kinks, it will all come out in time.

The secret here it to take your time and not tap the tank too hard.

Good luck!!

[beardking]

Update...
Next week I'll dive into changing it - found out a buddy has a master link removal tool, which should help considerably.

Be sure to get a master link rivet tool as well.  I borrowed a chain breaker from a friend and am now stuck looking for a way to set the rivets on my new chain.

And I wish I had looked on Ebay before I bought my chain.  I got the JT sprockets and an EK chain and it was right at 177 bucks with tax.  The good thing is I didn't have to wait for delivery.

[luckylindy]

Update...

Found a chain and sprocket kit on Ebay for $139. Front and rear sprockets are by JT Sprockets, the chain is a DID Gold 525 V series o-ring chain.

Priced separately, all three would have been about $150 plus shipping from two different sources, so I feel like I did okay here. I could have taken a cheaper option, but really wanted that particular chain, as I'd like to get 20K out of it. (I'm pretty easy on bikes, so it may be possible.)

Next week I'll dive into changing it - found out a buddy has a master link removal tool, which should help considerably.

I really like the protection the Hondaline shield provides, but this one is really chewed up. I'll probably replace with the same thing, but wondered if anyone had any suggestions for another type of windshield that might provide even better protection?

I have a Slipstreamer turbo fairing on my NH and it provides great protection.  I originally bought it for cold weather but I'm keeping on year round now as it really gives good protection but allows enough air to cool you in hot weather.  Look on the Dennis Kirk website for lots of shields that fit a NH. 

[nodaclu]

If you are adventurous............I have done this with tanks and with care, it works.

If you take your time and not tap the tank too hard, it will work out. If the metal has a kink in it at one point, it may not come out all the way. If the dent doesn't have any kinks, it will all come out in time.

The secret here it to take your time and not tap the tank too hard.

Good luck!!

Thanks for the great info!

I don't know if I'm quite that adventurous, but I'll definitely keep it in mind. I don't have a way to add compressed air into the tank, but I could probably figure that one out.

[nodaclu]

Be sure to get a master link rivet tool as well.  I borrowed a chain breaker from a friend and am now stuck looking for a way to set the rivets on my new chain.

Will do. Thanks!

Like I said, this is all new to me. I'll be doing this at a buddy's house. I'd hate to get stuck trying to put the chain back on and have to leave it there for lack of the proper tools! 

[nodaclu]

I have a Slipstreamer turbo fairing on my NH and it provides great protection.  I originally bought it for cold weather but I'm keeping on year round now as it really gives good protection but allows enough air to cool you in hot weather.  Look on the Dennis Kirk website for lots of shields that fit a NH. 

Thank you!

I've wondered how those larger shields do at freeway speeds. They look like they would keep a lot of the wind off of you, but I wondered about buffeting and turbulence.

I appreciate the info! I'll look into them more closely.

[beardking]

Will do. Thanks!

Like I said, this is all new to me. I'll be doing this at a buddy's house. I'd hate to get stuck trying to put the chain back on and have to leave it there for lack of the proper tools! 

In case you don't have free (as in borrowed) access to one, this is the least expensive one I've found available.  Looks just like the Motion Pro version that is typically around 90 bucks.  There is a CycleGear (2 actually) in Vegas, so you can just print this out, take it to the store and tell them you want the price in red (that's what I did yesterday).

http://www.cyclegear.com/spgm.cfm?L1=&L2=&L3=&L4=&item=PRC_L35-247&tier2=20

[nodaclu]

In case you don't have free (as in borrowed) access to one, this is the least expensive one I've found available.  Looks just like the Motion Pro version that is typically around 90 bucks.  There is a CycleGear (2 actually) in Vegas, so you can just print this out, take it to the store and tell them you want the price in red (that's what I did yesterday).

http://www.cyclegear.com/spgm.cfm?L1=&L2=&L3=&L4=&item=PRC_L35-247&tier2=20

Now that's going above and beyond. Thank you very much!!!

That's a good price, and I bought my Michelin Pilot Roads a few months back from my local Cycle Gear. I may just go ahead and pick that up this weekend to prevent any "gotcha's" with my friends tools.

Thanks again - I really appreciate the legwork you did on that one. 

[beardking]

Not a problem.  As I said, I've been hassling with my chain all week, so if I can help keep someone else from dealing with the same hassles, I will.  As for locating the CycleGear for you, well, I'm a geek and I like to surf and wasn't feeling like working at the moment.  :D

[beardking]

I'm sure I'm seeming oddly overly helpful here, but again, I'm just pointing out things that I've run into.

If you happen to get the chain tool I linked to above, immediately throw away the badly translated instructions that come with it and print out the PDF below.  It's for a Motion Pro set, but you'll notice the striking similarities.  And these instructions are a lot more clear.

http://www.motionpro.com/images/documents/08-0058.I8-0058.pdf

[Deadly]

I really like the protection the Hondaline shield provides, but this one is really chewed up. I'll probably replace with the same thing, but wondered if anyone had any suggestions for another type of windshield that might provide even better protection?

I use the S-03 SlipStreamer for my cold weather riding. This screen completely covers my hands so it offeres great protection from the weather. I didnt put it on this past winter since I didnt do to much cold weather riding:

http://www.slipstreamer.com/Product/Touring/touring.html

I read a Nighthawk 750 ride report online a few years ago and thats where I got the idea for the windscreen. I did an internet search looking for that same report to link to but had no luck finding it.

I dont know anything about chains and sprockets since I have not ever had to change mine yet. I hope to get about 50,000 miles out of my factory chain and sprockets. I have almost 30,000 miles on them now and they are not showing any significant signs of wear I keep my chain lubed with 90wt outboard lower unit oil. However if I keep riding on the gravel roads like I did last summer Im sure I wont get 50,000 out of it.

[nodaclu]

Thanks BK...you're making this job a helluva lot easier then it was going to be otherwise!! 

Deadly, I hadn't heard of anyone using 90wt outboard before. I'll have to look more deeply into that.

Those Slipstreamers definitely look like they would keep the wind off me and keep the noise levels down. I just need to get past how HUGE they are. 

[nodaclu]

Uh-oh. Trouble in paradise.

I tried to change my chain and sprockets today, and really screwed myself up in the process.

[Deadly]

Hi guys,

Still debating whether I'm going to keep it or not, but for now, here is my '96 Nighthawk in all its canary yellow glory!

This bike looks kind of like yours.... 

http://www.youtube.com/v/Yx_r_MkPccI&hl=en