Another "custom" Nighthawk

[Popkorn]

That's a tight fit. Goes together well. Don't think I would waste time and $$ on those kinds of mods. But at least he's riding.
So for all you purists and people that are afraid of change, here is my bobber project. Got about $800 into it. Built from spare parts and a lot of welding. With gas at $4/gal, we'll see who laughs last.

[Tryvelcro]

Schmuck.

[Popkorn]

Schmuck.

Those who can, do.
Those who can't, ride cookie cutters.
Have a little respect.

[Floridamtbiker99]

Awesome job on the bike.  I owned Harley's before.  From my personal opinion, I rather own a Jap or Europena bike, especially the European bikes last longer.  My grandfather had a 1970 BMW, had over a Million miles buy 1985.  He had to sell it, because of heartattachs. My two cents.

[Bumblebee]

Those who can, do.

Really? I can..probably better than half the people on this board combined. I don't though. There's a reason for it.

Have a little respect.

That's the point sometimes.
As an example: I have possibly one of the few remaining 1982 standard CB650's around. (Actually I have yet to find or hear of another running standard still in operation anywhere) It's not a nighthawk, it's a standard 650, there's a difference. It would be disrespectful in the extreme to the design to destroy it.
A restoration to original or better than original condition takes far more effort, skill and attention to detail than, say, the typical seen on the road, or sidewalk, bopper job where someone takes a sawzall, axe, wire cutters, vicegrips and rattlecan to a motorcycle. (yes, a few are done decently for what they are however a lot are simple 20 minute sawzall jobs sometimes up to and including jagged unfiled metal ends of the cut structure) Some of the parts such as the 4-4 exhausts in good condition are impossible to find yet bopper jobs will take a good 4-4 and sawzall the mufflers off the pipes which indicate a complete lack of respect to what they're mangling - especially when the individual is offered a significant amount of money and old damaged identical pipes that are perfect for what they're doing.

Original designs that are taken care of are about tradition and respect.

It's all about the viewpoint. Modern society is about extreme change. Old designs and history and tradition are more and more often tossed aside as irrelevant nowadays.

One of these days there will no longer be any CB's to chop on because they will all have been chopped on by then.

[Tryvelcro]

Schmuck.

Those who can, do.
Those who can't, ride cookie cutters.
Have a little respect.

Funny thing about respect - its a two way street.  You want to make side remarks about purists, but demand that I respect your "project" for its "originality"?   Nay.

[JordanA]

Schmuck.

Those who can, do.
Those who can't, ride cookie cutters.
Have a little respect.

Funny thing about respect - its a two way street.  You want to make side remarks about purists, but demand that I respect your "project" for its "originality"?   Nay.

I'm with Lisa.

For the record, I like change.  I altered my CB650SC a bit as well, but the chopper/bobber look and feel has never been my cup of tea.  The thought of leaning into a turn and having the hardtail hit a bump and send it sailing is mortifying!  

Also bar hoppers... never saw the sanity in riding a motorcycle in order to drink and drive from bar to bar to home, etc... not the brightest of ideas.

[ariwhiteboy]

Schmuck.

Those who can, do.
Those who can't, ride cookie cutters.
Have a little respect.

Funny thing about respect - its a two way street.  You want to make side remarks about purists, but demand that I respect your "project" for its "originality"?   Nay.

I'm with Lisa.

Yep...you mess with the Lisa you get the horns.   

I'm not knocking anyone's creative expression when it comes to bikes...but remember most "purists" aren't such because they are afraid of change, they just acknowledge that it was built right in the first place...I mean you don't go cutting holes in your toaster just so it's different from all the other toaster, or do you? 

[JordanA]

Exactly.  Not to mention the fact that chopping bikes like these old CB's is becoming more common place than having them in the original condition, anyway.

It's the whole circular "non-conformity" turning into "conformity" thing.

edit: I actually do like your chop of that CB, though.  I guess for me it just goes against all I love about motorcycles (riding with the lady, carving up the twisties on my own, and long distance touring in comfort-minimal stops for fuel and room for my gear) thus I automatically dismiss it (not a crack at your work, just my taste is all).

That being said, if you'd gone the cafe racer route, I'd have been all over it.

[Popkorn]

Not trying to offend anyone. For the record, the only thing salvaged from a NH is the motor. I would never hack up a perfectly good frame. It was salvaged from a bike that was hit by a cage. The frame is custom. Cept for the neck, gotta keep a vin. Wheels are Yamaha and I think the front end is off a Hawk. Dunno what the headlight came off of. Coffin tank was found in a shipping container from Japan - not China. The container had been in storage since 1974. The exhaust was crushed in the accident. What dents didn't get pounded out, were cut off replaced and wrapped. There is not one nut, bolt or wire that has not been gone through by me. There is a lot of satisfaction knowing you built it from the ground up. This is NOT a 20 minute hack job. Hopefully all those are behind me lol. I spent countless hours on the drawing board finding out mostly what doesn't work. Years of R&D culminating into a simple project. The goal of this build is to keep it clean and simple. If a bobber is not your style that's fine. Harley'$ and Vespas don't do it for me. I built another one, 3/4 scale that the Mrs rides. It has a 110cc horizontal motor 4spd auto w/jockey shift. She had it going 65mph last week after a new pair of Dunlops.


Having said that, I kinda figured there would be some purists quick to shun my latest endeavor. My daily rider is V65 Magna. Added a few performance mods (that it really didn't need) and fixed er up so momma can ride on back comfy. One of my favorite runs is the VME run in Anacortes WA. Any purist should know what that is. Some sweet vintage rides. Hope to find some one on here that KNOWS the guts and nuts of these cb engines before I have to get another one and tear it down just to answer a couple dumb questions.

[cmyers]

well....for knowledge and know how this is a great place.

[JordanA]

How do those hardtails handle?  What do you primarily use them for (riding duration wise)?

And again, we aren't purists, per se.  Just like a different kind of ride is all.

[Tryvelcro]

Having said that, I kinda figured there would be some purists quick to shun my latest endeavor. My daily rider is V65 Magna. Added a few performance mods (that it really didn't need) and fixed er up so momma can ride on back comfy. One of my favorite runs is the VME run in Anacortes WA. Any purist should know what that is. Some sweet vintage rides. Hope to find some one on here that KNOWS the guts and nuts of these cb engines before I have to get another one and tear it down just to answer a couple dumb questions.

I didn't take offense to the project, I took offense to the attitude that went with your post.  Try leaving the word "purist" out - it's just so condescending how many times you feel the need to apply the word to people that aren't you.  Those "purists" are probably going to have the answers you are wanting.

[NightHawked]

Looks like a fun project and ride. Was hoping you could of put some of the NH parts into circulation.

[Soupskin]

Not trying to offend anyone.

So for all you purists and people that are afraid of change...

...   

[Popkorn]

Thanks for the responses. Sorry for being so forward. Was bracing for flack I guess. Don't wanna po the people that hold the answers.

We've ridden those little hardtails up to 140 miles in a day. Usually 12 miles to work each way. She gets around 120mpg.
They ride amazingly smooth. Once the springer is dialed in and the air pressure is right for your weight. They are a blast for dinkin around town.
Put a Sportster tank on her White Tiger bike.
Towed to Vegas last weekend to ride with some friends..... and stuff.
Warning!!!! Make sure the kids aren't within earshot.

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[Hondo]

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