New to the forum and loving the NH 450

[bittenbythehawk]

They have grown on me a bit, I will know better after the headlight is mounted. Looks like I will use a 8" headlight or possibly go with dual front lights. I did go ahead and order the correct size gaitors for the front. I was even joking with my buddy helping me that we could invert these and put them over the rear shocks for a giggle. Still waiting on the mailman to bring me more gifts.

[fishball]

That is a nice paint job, looking good!

[bittenbythehawk]

Well being out of town for the weekend made for not much being done on the 450. When I got home a few new items in the mail. The rear blinkers came in, I really like them so I went ahead and ordered the front to match. I was wanting to mount them in the existing mount but space would not allow, ended up mounting them as seen in pics. What I do like about them is that the black rubber between the led housing and the rear housing is rubber and allows for quite a bit of flexing also the cost $25 so I thought quite well made for the price. Maybe the fork ears and bars will come tomorrow then I can button this up. The bike is dirty from all the dust being blown around from the forced air heater.

side view

rear view

[tomb raider]

Your bike is looking nice. Hey, here some shots of the Box's I've scored at old tractor engine shows. Notice the dates.

Found the goods in the box's, left over of years so I stated lighting them off last night.

[bittenbythehawk]

They are sweet. Mine are military explosive boxes, I will get out there in the next few days and snap a couple of shots. I really like the red cross one. Like to know what they were using dynamite for?

[tomb raider]

I live in the land of old mining history, and they blew stumps to clear land.

2Drx.com

[bittenbythehawk]

Hope everyone is having a great holiday. Have not had much time to go out and tinker around. The fork ears finally came in and are way to small for what I am wanting to use for the headlight (8"). The enduro bars came and after sanding and paint they are perfect for the look I am going after, very comfortable riding height. I have opened up a rats nest with the wiring. PO had done quite a bit of mod or better yet mess in the bucket. I am wanting to do away with the indicator lights panel and go with small led button lights mounted in the top of the headlight bucket. Anyone know if I can just cut the two wires going to the indicator bulb and connect it to the led? 


you can see one of the led bulbs Im wanting to use for indicator light.

Also the front led blinkers (like the new rear blinkers) thread into the headlight bucket mounts and tighten down nicely.

[Laminar]

Anyone know if I can just cut the two wires going to the indicator bulb and connect it to the led?  

That depends on how the indicator bulb is wired. I don't have a 450 wiring diagram in front of me so I can't say for sure, but I've seen Honda connect each side of the turn signal indicator bulb to each turn signal's "hot" wire. This is fine for an incandescent bulb, as when one turn signal is on, the indicator bulb can find a ground through the other turn signal's hot wire. But an LED allows current to flow in one direction only.

If this is the case with your bike, you'll need to attach both hot leads to the proper side of the LED, each with a diode inline to prevent current flowing backwards down the "off" line when the other signal is on. Then the other side of the LED needs to be grounded, but that's easy to find in the headlight bucket, any extra green connector will work.

Another thing that I'm not sure has been mentioned yet is that if you're running LED signals you'll most likely need an electronic turn signal flasher to prevent the signals from flashing too fast. These are available for $8-$10 at any auto parts store. I use them on all of my bikes (even those with regular turn signals) as I like the consistent flashing speed that a normal thermal flasher can't do.

[bittenbythehawk]

Well a bit of time in the shop tonight. Did get the bucket CLOSED and not looking forward to having to open it again. Everything wired up, the led indicator lights worked out perfect, ended up drilling through inserting a grommet and presto water tight indicators. It has a spaceship look when looking at all the colors but hope that will pass in time. Here are a few updated pics.

Front with blinkers inserted in bucket mounts.

View from the seat.

Overall look coming together.

Lit up

Took it for a short ride tonight now that the snow has melted. Love the enduro bars extra width is very comfortable. The short front fender is going to be a problem, slightly moist road and quite a bit of spray. Might be interesting to try something different up front to change it up. I also have ordered some heated grips and they should be here this week, still need right side battery cover, rear shocks and mini gauges. Wanting to find something in the 14" range for the shocks. Anyone know off hand what would fit, that would have the length with a clevis?

[Laminar]

CB900F shocks are about 13.5" and should bolt up, I used them on my CB550.

[bittenbythehawk]

Laminar, Thanks on the lookout for a set now. That is a nice looking cb550 of yours. Tried looking for more pics of your bike, do you have a link or more photos posted on the forum. The heated grips came yesterday so installed them last night and AHHHHH wish I would have had these sooner, so nice to have warm hands while out riding. They are a cheap priced set off of eBay, had a issue with the throttle tube that came with it but after changing that and making a mounting bracket for the temp adjustment knob they are great. Will post pics soon. Made a mount for the choke and thinking I might just go with a GPS rather than mini gauges, still on the fence.

[Laminar]

Full build thread here.

Final pictures here.

[bittenbythehawk]

Well its been awhile and thought I would catch you up with what has been done. I have been out putting on the miles. I ended up getting rid of the led lights and put some large older honda turn signals on. I have loved the heated grips, and I had a old huge windshield laying around so chopped it up and made a smaller sheild along with some handguards. I was going to go with mini gauges but the garminfone with gps is working like a champ. I was trying to find some rear shocks that would give me a bit more height so some china knockoffs are doing the trick. I have noticed a considerable difference then the originals. The short front fender I cut down is not very effective on any type of moisture on the road, so you will notice a beak on it that has really been effective on keeping the spray away, or at bay. Switched out the 50 cal shell footpegs to some MC and that has helped. Added some harley mufflers that I had. Have been taking 3-4 hours rides on the weekends, getting ready to go on a three day camping trip with my neighbor who has the very same model bike. So as the title says Loving the Nighthawk. Think this one is done total investment under $350 not including liquid beverages, many hours with friends out in the shop. Just started back on the CX500 and going a different route than cafe. Its going to be sweet. I'll keep you updated.

[Tstang429]

I love the look of this bike.

[Option13]

I don't usually say this about the military themed bikes but.....

It works.


The bike looks great, especially for $350

[bittenbythehawk]

Thanks for the complements. Started on another lil 450 going bratstyle with this one. Will start a new thread when I get all my parts together. These little 450 are some fun rides.

[allstresdout]

I want to add to the adulation, that is one awesome paint job. I also like how you have the indicators on the back of the light!

[darian]

Wow.  I'm actually really excited by this bike.  It turned out great!  (disregard my comment yesterday... apparently I couldn't see some pics)

[Tstang429]

Hey man Any way I can get some hi resolution copies of this bike?