Just purchased a 98 750cc NH! Interested in making some upgrades.

[Zanadjbouti]

Hi All,

I  just purchase a black 1998 750cc Nighthawk about 3 weeks ago, and couldn't be more thrilled. This is my first motorcycle and I bought it from a close friend. It is in wonderful condition with about 36000 miles on it. I paid an absurdly small sum for it (way less than what its worth), and the manner in which I purchased it, start to finish, makes it seem like fate! I always imagined that I'd love motorcycling, and now that I actually own one, its is abundantly apparent that I'll become addicted.

I've been making some considerations about making some upgrades and would greatly appreciate some advice.

First off, my primary interested lies in possible replacing the rear wheel with a larger one (not anything huge, just something wider and a tad larger). The problem is, I cannot seem to locate aftermarket wheels that are custom jobbies that are wayyyy more than what id like to pay. Is there any specific resource I should utilize to find a larger replacement wheel? I was also interested in extending the swing arm a bit if possible, but that isn't priority.

The last item of interest would be related to upgrading the bike to improve its performance. Anything from changing sprockets to upgrading the exhaust.

You experienced owners are bound to have a vast amount more knowledge concerning this particular bike and I'd appreciate any input that you may be able to offer.

[Tryvelcro]

   to the addiction.

Have you taken the msf?  Do you have gear?

Ride the bike for a while....6 months or so... before you make any mods.  The engineers did a pretty good job with this one, you might like her as she is.

[Bumblebee]

Ride the bike for a while... before you make any mods.

+1

First motorcycle, three weeks. You don't even know what you have yet or what it can do much less what it might possibly need in the way of modifications.
As for performance modifications, a garden variety 750 has way more power than you can handle right now. (Heck, I can get myself into serious trouble with my 650 if I were to let myself go there..and I've been riding a couple centuries with something like 70,000 miles of experience while remaining quite proficient) Go easy on what is already there lest you hurt yourself badly.

Completely clear your mind of the modification mindset then ride with an open mind for a year then start altering stuff if it needs it...then only make those modifications based on realistic necessities.

[genespleen]

Agreed with all the other folks.  Someone new to motorcycling needs to become a safe and skillful rider first.  Only then, if you must, should you begin introducing modifications that will affect the bike's handling.  But frankly, your desired modifications seem to go in different directions.  First, you seem to want a wider rear tire and a longer swing-arm, both of which will negatively compromise the bike's handling.  Second, you seem to want more power (change exhaust, etc.). 

??

[tbante]

Zana, please do not take these comments in a negative way because they are not meant to be. But the folks in this forum know their stuff. For real.
Safety gear and a riding course are #1. A suggestion I would give is to look at the date on the tires to see how old they are.....do not go by how much tread is on them.
That might be where you should spend your money first.
Like others have said, the NH is a powerful, well designed machine. Dont be in too big of a hurry to make changes.
 

[fishball]

Agree with all that has been said.  In either case you can start researching your mods now while you get to know your bike more.  Welcome to the group and how about a picture of your new Nighthawk.

[muttstang]

There are some very inexpensive things that you can do with the bike that will add a little bit of pep but as has been said, I would ride the bike for 6 months to a year and get a feel for it before you start messing with it too much (yes, I'm a hypocrit! but I can't seem to avoid tinkering with things) 

The 2 modifications that come to mind are the washer mod and the hodge exhaust mod.  They are cheap, easy and have shown themselves to be worthwhile on the 750

[cmyers]

and congrats on your new bike
I cant not stress enough what has already been said. In truth my first thought is "this aint a GSXR," rather it is an excellent reliable machine that is great to learn on. Stock this bike has more power than any new rider really needs, and enough that you will not out grow it unless you are trying to run with racing inspired sport bikes. The mods to wheel and swingarm will dramatically affect the handling of your bike in a negative manner that will make learning to ride more difficult.

Before judging this bored to harshly realize that many of us here have been riding this bike for years, and some of us daily. We know what this machine will do and I will assure you the bike will run circle around any stretched wide wheeled bike in anything other than a straight line and as my MSF coach told us several times "Any monkey can ride a motorcycle in a straight Line." I also feel certain I can speak for most when I say: We will be grateful to help you become a proficient rider, to solve any problem you face on your bike, and even how to make upgrades. Please accept our statements as coming from potential friends who honestly desire to see another new rider become an excellent veteran rider.

[drdubb]

Welcome aboard and stay safe. You can make mods, but they really will not make enough difference to make the Nighthawk a "performance bike". She'll do most anything you need as she is...but don't take her to the drag strip. Mods increase issues. Mine came with performance pipes and after fussing with the carbs for 9 months, I bought some stock pipes. I like her  better that way. Get a good set of tires and learn to ride. (There are many threads on tires...the consensus for good, reasonably priced tires are the bt45's.

[hppants]

Welcome to the group - ride safe.

+1 on the other comments.  Nighthawk riders want you to stick around - we're kind of selfish that way.   

Where are you located?

Hope you enjoy your new toy.

[LOKi]

  to the forum.

+ 1000 on everything said above. Get to know that wonderful handling bike before upgrading. That way you will at least know the difference. If you upgrade right off then you will never know how the changes you made effected the handling and performance.

Take the MSF course. Get some gear. FF helmet Jacket, gloves, boots at the least. Pants are a good idea too but I must admit I'll go without during the hottest parts of the year. They make some cool Kevlar lined jeans that look good and work very well. They are a little thick where the Kevlar is but I use this to my advantage. Soak that Kevlar in water and it stays wet for a long time. Basically an AC for your legs.  

BTW we like pictures around these here parts.

[gammer]

The 2 modifications that come to mind are the washer mod and the hodge exhaust mod.  They are cheap, easy and have shown themselves to be worthwhile on the 750

Agree'd. Just to a quick search on this forum for those two mods and you should find them easily.

 

[Bumblebee]

Read up on anything and everything you want. Just remember to not start altering anything before this time next year...and that's assuming you've taken the hands on time to learn the systems during that year.

The best way to do any non standard alterations is to have a very thorough understanding of the base system. In this case, the base foundation is the stock garden variety straight from Honda 1998 CB750SC. You have to know what is changing and why it's changing and by how much in order to balance out undesired variations or to return it to it's previous state if something isn't working out.
If you don't have a thorough understanding of what's going on to start with it's very much like doing algebra before you know how to add and subtract.

The absolute best subjects you can read about right now are the routine maintenance and repair threads where the sole goal is to maintain properly or return the motorcycles back to their original unaltered capability. Boring, sure. Essential, absolutely.

[Zanadjbouti]

Thanks for the replies guys, and I appreciate the concern. 

I don't want you to get the impression that I'm some naive kid that wants transform this bike into some monstrous racing machine. This thread was simply inquisitive to the various modifications that have been done, and the experiences related to them. I've been around and ridden motorcycles since my teen years. My brother is substantially older than I am, and was particularly drawn to sport bikes (owned Zx-7r, Zx-12r, CBR900RR, and a R1) and taught me how to ride them when I was younger. Most recently, ive spent time riding a friend K1200S. While I would certainly not claim to be an experienced rider, this isn't a situation where this NH 750 was the first vehicle to pop the cherry so to speak. This is however the first bike I've owned (as stated before), so I was simply interested in educating myself concerning the viability of any modifications that could be made down the road.

I surely agree with you guys though that I should spend time learning the bike prior to giving consideration to making changes. I know that the NH is a great machine. One of my favorite features is the fact that it is a straight 4, as opposed to the V-twin you typically find on this variety of machine. Like one of you mentioned, it has by nature, more power than most comparable 750cc bikes around and thus will not likely outgrow it for its uses. I purchased it for the use of daily communting and travel.

As for the recommendation of safety course, I've taken on previously. However, I used a Yamaha Rebel 250 for practicing and testing purposes. Would there be any benefit to retaking it?

As for gear, I have a nice jacket, gloves and am about to purchase a new helmet (HJC IS-Max). I would be interested in boot suggestions though, as I have no experience with purchasing boots.

By the way, I live in Indiana. I am very upset with the fact that it has decided to get cold again (grrr) especially when I had it out riding in 65 degree weather. Knowing that it is out there waiting to be ridden is driving me nuts.

Thanks again

[Bumblebee]

Don't forget crash pants. Jeans are in the same real world protection category as single ply tissue paper.

[coffee_brake]

Don't forget crash pants. Jeans are in the same real world protection category as single ply tissue paper.

+1. When I crashed in jeans, the impact on my knees was still hurting long after the rash had healed. Get armored pants.
Glad you seem to have your head on straight! No, there aren't a lot of mods for the Nighthawk, it won't become either a cruiser or a sport bike no matter how hard you try! But the Nighthawk 750 a great place for a mature person to start, and for most of us, it's a great place to stay!

[ariwhiteboy]

  to the forum! Take care and ride safe.