Check out my new purchase! 1985 CB700

[jdseibe]

Hi everybody my name is Jeremy, and I am from southeast Michigan. I just purchased a 1985 CB700 Nighthawk, I am pretty sure it used to be the red/white/blue edition. the bike is in decent shape, but looks like it may have been dropped with the poor condition of the fairing, guage cluster, and left side panel.. there is also a small dent on the top of the gas tank. but all in all the bike is in good shape.. and doesnt seem like a bad purchase at 700 bucks..

the cluster is really gross, and looks like someone tried fixing it with gorilla glue.. a bunch of the mounting tabs are broke and poorly glued back on. the neutral light stays on, and the gear indicator guage doesn't do anything, I think this cluster just needs to be replaced all together. the rear turn indicators are sagging, someone tried fixing them with electrical tape.. it didnt help haha.

I removed the front fairing and cluster, I was hoping to replace the fairing with a single round headlight. has anyone done this before? and how hard would it be? can I use a headlight setup from a nighthawk 650?

[Tryvelcro]

   to the addiction!

650's had square headlights.  Maybe a round from a 750 is what you are thinking of?  If its an 85, it wasn't rw&b (that's an '86 only paint scheme).

The addicts around here will help you set the bike right.  Is this your first?

[jdseibe]

ahh yea sorry haha whatever bike has the round headlight, I don't care for the square headlight at all.. but for the price I didnt want to pass up this bike. I was told that it had that paint scheme.. but they must have been guessing on that.. it is most definatley a 1985..

This is the first bike the I haver personally owned, but I have been riding my brothers bikes for a couple years. I enjoy the bike so far.. but not having things working properly bugs me.. so that is what I am going to work on first.. getting a working set of gauges.

[skramer360]

The instrument clusters for the 700s are made of unobtanium (=$$$). At least the ones that work and look like anything. Good luck with your new ride and quest to bring it up to your standards.

[gammer]

Hi Jeremy and 

Yes, the instrument clusters are one of those hard to find parts for this bike. But keep on looking, one will turn up eventually.

Muttstang just put a round headlight and aftermarket windscreen on his 700s. Check it out here:
http://nighthawk-forums.com/index.php/topic,8208.msg132239.html#msg132239

[jdseibe]

that stinks haha, I mean I can use this one for right now not a huge deal.. ive ridden plenty of bikes and haven't really needed a gear indicator gauge haha.. so Im guessing that as long as I can find a headlight bucket assembly that will fit the same size forks as my bike I should be ok? does anyone know off hand with the diameter is of the forks?

Im really excited about this bike, it seems to have a pretty nice ride on it.. I'm looking in to investing in some riding gear... any suggestions on best places to go? whenever I rode before I just through on my brothers helmet and jacket.. but i didnt ride the bike as consistently as I will be on this bike.. I would like to get a nice set of boots/gloves/jacket and helmet.. I am actually looking to get a bluetooth helmet.. anyone have any experience with these?

also.. is there any way to remove a dent from the tank? it doesnt look too horrible.. but enough to bug me.. ill take pics of it as soon as i can.

[skramer360]

motorcyclegear.com for gear. Great prices and better customer service.

[Brittles]

Welcome,
The fork tubes are 39mm. Good luck with your project and keep us updated.

[graler]

I am thinking 85 because the fins on the motor are machined and the rims are silver. It does have the blacked out valve cover though.

Joe

[happycommuter]

 

the rear turn indicators are sagging, someone tried fixing them with electrical tape.. it didnt help haha.

Yeah, you need to splint them with a popsicle stick or two.  I used a metal strip and Gorilla Tape.  Worked for years.  The stock stalks are very pricey.

also.. is there any way to remove a dent from the tank?

Isn't there some trick about sealing the tank off and shooting it full of compressed air that works if there are not sharp creases?

Anyway, the factory service manual has the electrical tests for the gear indicator...and everything else.  I'd buy that before some Bluetooth helmet.

I always thought the angular Maier Sport fairing would look decent.  For future reference, I'm tossing up the neato dimensions of the large one from maier-mfg.com:

[gammer]

I always thought the angular Maier Sport fairing would look decent.  For future reference, I'm tossing up the neato dimensions of the large one from maier-mfg.com:

Yes that Maier fairing would work.
I also like this Rifle Fairing, that is designed for the Nighthawks with square headlights. Its a tad on the expensive side though...


http://rifle.com/Nightflight%20Fairing%20for%20Rectangular%20Headlight-P1905.aspx

[jdseibe]

Yeah, you need to splint them with a popsicle stick or two.  I used a metal strip and Gorilla Tape.  Worked for years.  The stock stalks are very pricey.

I'll have to give the popsicle trick a try and see how it turns out, thanks!

Isn't there some trick about sealing the tank off and shooting it full of compressed air that works if there are not sharp creases?

how would you seal the tank enough to be able to hold that much pressure? I would be afraid it would damage the petcock? I'm guessing I would have to remove it.. which would be another thing that would have to be sealed correct? Ill take a pic of it here in the next couple of days.. who knows maybe there is an easier solution.

Anyway, the factory service manual has the electrical tests for the gear indicator...and everything else.  I'd buy that before some Bluetooth helmet

I still need to buy a manual for the bike, it didn't come with one. The bluetooth helmet is something I WILL purchase.. which brand/model is what I don't know, I use my phone for everything, GPS,email,for work, etc, etc.. so having a helmet with built in bluetooth to let me know directions, know if someone is getting ahold of me.. etc, etc is something I would like to have.. I already have a full face helmet.. but its probably due to be replaced.. and I can use for the time being...

I don't plan on running another fairing, I don't mind the looks of them.. but the square headlight is what I don't care for, I could possibly due a cafe style headlight/fairing combo with a round light.. but I feel that those fairings are too rounded for the sharp angles of this bike.. so I am just going to run a round headlight by itself most likely.. I will keep the original fairing and such.. just in case I don't like the way it looks...

so I googled headlight mounts for a 39mm fork and they are a little expensive at around $50 plus shipping just for the mounts, not even including the headlight bucket setup.. do any other models of the nighthawk run a 39mm fork that I could possibly buy a used complete setup from do you think?

[jdseibe]

also, I am planning on installing a set of clubman bars on the bike.. I couldn't find much info on the clubman bars on the 700sc, anyone know off hand how bad it will hit the tank?

I know some people are probably gonna be upset with how much I am changing this bike form stock.. but I just want to be happy with the way my bike looks.

[skramer360]

I used the air pressure method on my tank.



As you can see it was a huge dent. I used rubber stoppers to plug the holes. You have to remove the petcock and the sending unit and the cap. Fill the tank about 1/2 way with water, then pump up to no more than 10psi. You will damage the tank if you pump it up more. After it is pumped up, start tapping lightly with a hammer at the outside edges of the dent. The dent will slowly get smaller, it really is amazing how well it works.

[MOPARJOE]

Hello Jeremy,

There is a really nice set of gauges on Ebay right now. There is already one bid on them , so they will sell at end of auction. The Ebay item # is:  390308016606

This should be a direct link to the auction, but if not, just look it up by the above auction/item #....

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/HONDA-CB700SC-NIGHT-HAWK-INSTRUMENT-ASSY-GAUGES-_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQhashZitem5ae02bb1deQQitemZ390308016606QQptZMotorcyclesQ5fPartsQ5fAccessories


ps. The 1982 (and maybe 1983) Nighthawk 650 had a round headlight, with no fairing.

[jdseibe]

anybody know what a reasonable price would be for me to sell my front fairing? I will post pics as soon as I can, but need to know what to ask for, its in pretty good shape, except there is one small chip missing.. if I recall correctly.. I saw one on ebay going for like $400 and it was junk.. I think that guy is crazy.. mine is pretty nice in comparison.. but $400 seems like a lot.

[fishball]

I used the air pressure method on my tank.

That is impressive skramer! 

[gammer]

I used the air pressure method on my tank.

That is impressive skramer! 

Ditto 

Skramer, was that before or after your drop?

[skramer360]

I used the air pressure method on my tank.

That is impressive skramer! 

Ditto 

Skramer, was that before or after your drop?

That was the dent in the tank when I got it. When I dropped it, there was only very slight damage to the front fairing. So slight, in fact, that I haven't fixed it yet 

[jdseibe]

here are pics of my fairing, any idea on price?

http://s427.photobucket.com/albums/pp356/jeremydseibert/1985%20CB700/

[hppants]

A fair price IMO would be $200.00 - yours does appear to be in good shape.

Skrammer - thanks to your mis-fortune, armour-all does not hit 'Ole Yella.  The other day, my neighbor Brody shined up H/D including the tires - I told him that was a recipe for disaster.  He quickly washed it off.  I hate for anyone to fall, but I'm glad you shared it with us so others may not fall.

[jdseibe]

what was this person thinking then?

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/HONDA-CB700SC-NIGHTHAWK-CB-700SC-FAIRING-1984-1985-1986-_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQhashZitem1e63276457QQitemZ130512544855QQptZMotorcyclesQ5fPartsQ5fAccessories

[gammer]

what was this person thinking then?

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/HONDA-CB700SC-NIGHTHAWK-CB-700SC-FAIRING-1984-1985-1986-_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQhashZitem1e63276457QQitemZ130512544855QQptZMotorcyclesQ5fPartsQ5fAccessories

I've seen that one and it is in good shape, but I think they are out to lunch. I think you'd be hard pressed to sell a NOS fairing still in the box for $450

[tomb raider]

That is Crazy Girl in Seattle

[Brittles]

Yeah, she has some crazy high prices on stuff.