michaeld1 
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« on: September 17, 2010, 05:32:00 PM » |
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I stopped by and checked out a 1982 Nighthawk 750 listed for sale on craigslist. It has been sitting around in a garage and hasn't been run for about a year and a half til now. It fired right up when I started it. It does need a little work, front brake pads soon, carbs cleaned and possibly synced and a new back tire. This will be my first bike, already have my license and took the MSF course. Sitting on it felt good and I rode a lap around and it worked well. I was wondering if anyone had any advice, additional things to check out on it and rough price estimates for the repairs I listed? Thanks!  |
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Adam Roby
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« Reply #1 on: September 17, 2010, 05:56:05 PM » |
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Welcome to the forum!  This is the same bike as mine. It is a very reliable bike if the maintenance has been kept up and continues to be. Pads are very cheap, repairs can be easily done with the help of other forum members and the owners manual. Just ask and you will get answers. One thing to note: 1982 was a long time ago... parts are not easy to find. Consider this in your bike search. If you like to tinker, this is as good a platform as any to consider. Cheers, |
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82 CB750SC|84 VF1100S|76 FS1E|83 YZ125|82 RM80|72 RV90
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michaeld1
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« Reply #2 on: September 17, 2010, 06:15:01 PM » |
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Thanks, for the advice. It looks like maintenance on the bike was kept up on until recently when the original owner died and his son sold it to the guy I am buying it from now, who hasn't used it much at all. He is asking $1000 which doesn't seem like a bad price but I may try to get him to go down a hundred dollars or so. Also forgot to mention in my first post that it has 9,000 mi, which is pretty low for a 28 year old bike. Thanks for the advice about finding parts, the bike is older than I am!
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ariwhiteboy
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« Reply #3 on: September 17, 2010, 08:20:28 PM » |
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Looks and sounds like a great purchase!  |
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What is good Phaedrus, what is not good? Need we ask anyone this?
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noahnsteph
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« Reply #4 on: September 17, 2010, 08:43:13 PM » |
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I must say that from the pic that thing is clean as hell for it's age. I love the split pipes on the old 750s. I was all but sold on one till the bid went too high and I happened to stumble across my 650 later that day on Craigslist for too good of a deal to pass on.
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hockeyhawk
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« Reply #5 on: September 17, 2010, 09:21:42 PM » |
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Really looks good, only 9k on the clock is pretty awesome. If you buy this bike you will be surprised, they don't ride like a 28 year old bike. They hold their own with most modern bikes.
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85 NH 650-SOLD
85 NH 700s
97 Suzuki DR 650
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JB1290
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« Reply #6 on: September 17, 2010, 09:28:34 PM » |
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That is a really sweet loking 82. Buy it. You won't regret it. Unless it turns out to be a mechanical nightmare...Then you might regret it.  Just kidding. That looks like it's in great shape. |
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I'd rather be judged by 12 than carried by 6
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Hondo
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« Reply #7 on: September 17, 2010, 10:08:48 PM » |
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If the bike is as nice as it looks, I'd buy it for $1K without even thinkin' about it.
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Adam Roby
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« Reply #8 on: September 18, 2010, 08:32:37 AM » |
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...They hold their own with most modern bikes.
I can vouch for that, my riding friend has an Kawasaki 1100 4-in-line and he is always amazed that when he "floors it" and looks in his mirror I am right behind. Mine has a hard time starting, but as she warms up she runs better and better. If this one fired up nice right away... I'd say grab it. |
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82 CB750SC|84 VF1100S|76 FS1E|83 YZ125|82 RM80|72 RV90
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michaeld1
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« Reply #9 on: September 20, 2010, 09:51:01 AM » |
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Well I am back from my trip and going to call up the guy again tonight and tell him I want it. Got permission from the wife, I am going to take it for a longer test ride and get up in the gears more to make sure shifting is OK and have him not start it before I get there so I can see how it does on a cold start. If all looks good I'll be riding it home.
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detdrbuzzard
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« Reply #10 on: September 20, 2010, 10:02:45 AM » |
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drain the crankcase breather, adjust the cam chain tensioners, they are not self adjusting
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'75CB750k, '79CB750 super K,
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'79cb750f, '8
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Laminar
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« Reply #11 on: September 20, 2010, 10:41:16 AM » |
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Hope it's cheap. You'd be better off getting one of the "real" Nighthawks.
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It's not what it is, it's what it does.
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ak85lp
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« Reply #12 on: September 20, 2010, 11:08:10 AM » |
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He is asking $1000 which doesn't seem like a bad price but I may try to get him to go down a hundred dollars or so.
Tell ya what. Buy it for a $1000.00 and I'll give you 1200 at least for it!! Nice bike  |
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2001 Honda ST1100
Still have a 1982 650SC Nighthawk
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michaeld1
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« Reply #13 on: September 20, 2010, 11:44:42 AM » |
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Hope it's cheap. You'd be better off getting one of the "real" Nighthawks.
I am pretty new to nighthawks, what do you mean by a real nighthawk? |
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Laminar
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« Reply #14 on: September 20, 2010, 01:49:58 PM » |
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Hope it's cheap. You'd be better off getting one of the "real" Nighthawks.
I am pretty new to nighthawks, what do you mean by a real nighthawk? The '82 750/650 and the '83 750 Nighthawk were basically appearance packages for the same old overweight engines, frames, etc. The '83 550/650 and the '84 700s/750s were the first real Nighthawks, with brand new engines, frames, transmissions, shaft drive, etc. $1000 will get you a pretty nice 650 that's lighter, nimbler, faster, and lower maintenance. With some searching, you might be able to pick up a nice 700s for that price, too. The '82-'83 Nighthawk 750 weighed over 570lbs. That's huuuuuge. |
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It's not what it is, it's what it does.
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michaeld1
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« Reply #15 on: September 20, 2010, 01:56:28 PM » |
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Thanks for the advice. I am a little concerned about this bike now due to its age and the availability of parts if anything were to ever go wrong with it. I'll be keeping my eye on craigslist. I am in the Des Moines area as well so that is where I will be looking  |
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michaeld1
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« Reply #16 on: September 21, 2010, 09:41:22 PM » |
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I have decided to just go ahead and bite the bullet and buy the thing. I am picking it up tomorrow. I'll post some more detailed pics then or the day after.
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Adam Roby
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« Reply #17 on: September 22, 2010, 07:07:21 PM » |
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Congrats... looking forward to the update and more pics!  |
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82 CB750SC|84 VF1100S|76 FS1E|83 YZ125|82 RM80|72 RV90
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gammer
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« Reply #18 on: September 22, 2010, 08:14:38 PM » |
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Hey, as long as the work it needs is minor and the engine runs fine. Then I'd say it will be a great bike...especially since its your first.
Get some riding time on it and enjoy it for a season or two. Then look to upgrade if you feel the need.
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Certifiably not certified.
Technical answers based on experience
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