i want a bobber!

[mdange2011]

so i had my bike for a few months now i have learned and ridden the thing enough stock. i have always wanted a bobber and figured if i cant sell my mint 1985 cb 650 with 22k i might as well bob it and make it a slicker ride. there is nothing wrong with it mechanically i just want to change the aesthetic a little. if someone want to buy it before i tear into it and save this beauty id probably sell. but come spring this thing is meeting a sawall if its still in my possession. feel free to post link and ideas.

Mdange2011

[Bumblebee]

Why not buy a cheap beater to axe and keep the nice one as is?

[FearThis SC]

couple of days ago i purchased a Honda CB650SC. this is my first motorcycle and i hope not last. the first time i saw it on Craigslist i liked it and i knew it would be a nice bike to learn on and to eventually bobber or retro streetfighter/cafe. but for now it will stay original. when i bought it the front brake were squeaking but thought it was usual brake noise. come to find out after getting it home the brakes are catching. ill have to bleed the brakes and see if that help. if not rebuild them.

the bike looks mint in every way. only thing missing is the tool kit, the left front light is cracked but still presentable and all lights work. even the fuel and gear indicator, it drips oil from the drain plug on the reardrive gearbox only happen after  i got it home hasn't dripped since. the bike starts right up barely using choke, gas tank looks clean. fork seals are seemingly good still. only thing i need is to change the oil(s) and fix the front brake problem. i did ride the bike the night i went to look at it. hit 60 mph so i say it still got some zip. considering this bike is as old as i am it look good.

now i have to register and take my written test to get my license. and for any new riders out there take the riding course like i did. its mandatory here in Connecticut but it helps. and wear a helmet.

also id like to update the head lights. found some fog lights at wal-mart. is it possible to wire those up and use them as head lights. says there 55w H4's

Ride safe,

mdange2011

Do you remember this?  Now you want to cut it up and destroy it because you want to make it your own!   

[SirSeanSean]

All I can say is, "PLEASE DON'T!" But seriously, if you really want to still bobber it, ride someone else's bobber before you hack this mint machine. So many people hack these up only to hate the riding style after it's done. Again, it's your bike so do what you will with it. Just sad to see something so nice get cut up.

[Option13]

but come spring this thing is meeting a sawall if its still in my possession.

Right as riding season starts you're going to start cutting up a perfectly good bike? Go to craigslist and pick up one of the cheap already destroyed bobbers. What's the appeal of destroying another bike?


If you really want to sell that to a member, you might want to give a vague price range and location.

[ariwhiteboy]

I want another thread about boppering a NH! 

[Bumblebee]

I want another thread about boppering a NH! 

Go to the real experts: I'm sure there is a Red Green episode on how to bopper a motorcycle properly and it'll even run afterward. I know there's one on how to bopper a bicycle. I'm almost certain I recall something about a motorcycle too though it's been a long time since I've seen the show.

[TDodge7]

It would be a complete waste to ruin that bike, sell it and buy a bike that is already cruiser shaped. Or buy someone elses ruined bobber attempt for $300 and "make it your own" . You would have to be insane to cut up a bike that nice just so you can play pretend Harley. 

[jerjohn]

Dont do it man. Buy a bobbered cb750 or other honda and ride this one while you fix up your bobber.

[k-vette]

If you are located in northern california I will gladly find a bobber, buy it, then trade you for the nighthawk.  Looks great the way it is.

- if not local, I recommend listing it on craigslist as a bobber trade.  I bet loads of people will offer to trade their bobber for your bike.

[Soupskin]

Hawkward!

[harrisonfaulkner]

[Rebel13]

Do what you want to your bike, it's your right! Ignore these monkey so called right righteous people. People are always afraid of change! Want a real headbanger, do what all of them normaly do on here like most have posted in this thread, dime a dozen! Losers!!!

[mattrowe19]

Do what you want to your bike, it's your right! Ignore these monkey so called right righteous people. People are always afraid of change! Want a real headbanger, do what all of them normaly do on here like most have posted in this thread, dime a dozen! Losers!!!

First, we tend to be a bit kinder to each other here than calling each other losers. Second, I think the point others were making is that it would be a shame to hack up a bike in great condition. It would make more sense to find a bike that's run down, rehab it, and turn that one into a bobber. We've seen multiple times here, that the forum members are NOT afraid of change as long as its tastefully done. While something may not be a members style, most of us can appreciate good work.

[Doby Pilgrim]

Rebel 13's daily rider is a Ninja 650R. Hmmm. She should maybe be a little more considerate in the future and someone may take her seriously.

[Blade]

i am building a bobber out of a 1982 450 nighthawk and i keep catching crap from all these people on here saying i have ruined a great bike. well in my opinion the bike looks,rides and performs 100x better than it did stock so go ahead and do what you think is right and make the bike yours.

[Laminar]

performs 100x better

 

[mdange2011]

one thing i forgot to mention is im planing on buying a 98 vfr800. so come spring i will have 2 bikes. if anyone is interested im asking 1300 but very negotiable i live in the new haven county of Connecticut. pm me for more info.

i feel its a really nice bike as is but dont want 2 stock bikes.


mdange2011

[JB1290]

Not this $%#T again...

[fortyhourdays]

I'm with everyone else on this one.  If you sell it as is, you'll be able to make more money, then buy something that is more suited to bobbing such as an old Virago, or maybe even an XS 650 that somebody's already started to hack up.  To me the lines of the 650 nighthawks just don't lend themselves very well to bobbing.  There's plenty of people who would like to take that bike off your hands in it's current condition.  There's few who would want it after you've bobbed it.  I think part of the problem with bobbed nighthawks is that it's a budget bike to begin with, so the bobbing of it is usually done on a budget as well and involves things like sawzalls, chicken wire, and Krylon paint.  Most people who are actually going to put the time, money, and effort to build a nice bobber would rather start with something that lends itself better to the style.  

Also, I like your choice of the VFR800.  That's one sweet machine

[Option13]

$1300? It's worth it. Anyone want a Nighthawk 650? Someone make this guy an offer he can't refuse!











And by that I mean trade bikes or something.

[mattrowe19]

$1300? It's worth it. Anyone want a Nighthawk 650? Someone make this guy an offer he can't refuse!











And by that I mean trade bikes or something.

If he was in my area, I'd trade in a heartbeat. When I got my XJ, I was looking for a NH 650 or 750.

[Option13]

Sadly, I'm not finding anyone on craigslist that thinks their poorly modified bike is worth even a bit less than KBB. I guess I won't be trading a bobber for this beautiful bike.

[Rebel13]

Do what you want to your bike, it's your right! Ignore these monkey so called right righteous people. People are always afraid of change! Want a real headbanger, do what all of them normaly do on here like most have posted in this thread, dime a dozen! Losers!!!

First, we tend to be a bit kinder to each other here than calling each other losers.

Is that so? The first 11 replies except one where bad mouthing his idea. Support him, help him out or leave the thread alone!

[Option13]

Do what you want to your bike, it's your right! Ignore these monkey so called right righteous people. People are always afraid of change! Want a real headbanger, do what all of them normaly do on here like most have posted in this thread, dime a dozen! Losers!!!

First, we tend to be a bit kinder to each other here than calling each other losers.

Is that so? The first 11 replies except one where bad mouthing his idea. Support him, help him out or leave the thread alone!

This sentiment again.

He earlier said he really enjoyed his Nighthawk stock. Now he wants to bob it. This really is too pretty of a bike to be doing that to when countless Nighthawks are out there in worse shape cosmetically but mechanically fine.