First bike - 1983 cb550 Nighthawk

[cdschneider265]

Hi everyone, I just picked up my first ever motorcycle; it is a 1983 550 nighthawk. She runs but has plenty of projects to keep me busy through the long Michigan winter. I have no experience with bikes but lots of enthusiasm! It is missing a few parts that I will be hunting down over the next few weeks

So far here is the list of things I need to fix/replace:

New battery
New tires
Clutch controls/master cylinder (missing)
Choke controls (missing)
new brake pads/shoes
new tail light
mount/wire turn signals
fix or replace cracked side cover

I have already found a lot of great info here and just wanted to say thanks to all who share their knowledge on this site.

-Chris

[FearThis SC]

  

I would check out ebay for some of the parts that you have listed.   Looks like a great project for the winter months!

Ride Safe...

[TimmyJ]

Are you missing an exaust pipe on the left side? I dont know a lot about 550's, but I do know they are straight 4 cylinders, so I am guessing they originally had 2 exaust pipes, one on each side?

Anyway, good find and welcome!  :) The 550 is a rare beast indeed.

[Option13]

Are you missing an exaust pipe on the left side? I dont know a lot about 550's, but I do know they are straight 4 cylinders, so I am guessing they originally had 2 exaust pipes, one on each side?

Anyway, good find and welcome!  :) The 550 is a rare beast indeed.

It's got a 4-1 aftermarket setup. I didn't know anyone ever made such a system for the 550's.

 

[cdschneider265]

Yup, an older aftermarket exhaust, here is a photo of that side. Its very loud!

[bajakirch]

  from another 550 owner. I also picked up mine with virtually no MC experience and it's been a great bike. 95% of what's gone wrong with it has been the result of user error and not anything to do with the quality of design or manufacture.

You'll find this forum is a great resource for just about anything you'll want to do on the bike.

[kathybrj]

'83 550 owner here as well. We just got ours and we're starting to pick up some items it needs. It runs wonderfully, though. Good luck with your bike- I like the paint job!!