Honda Nighthawk (CB450 '83) Repairs

Message

cptnsmelly · Wed May 21, 2008 12:31 am

Hey everyone!
I'm 17 and I'm just getting into motorcycling this summer. I'm really excited and really enjoy it so far!
Okay, so here's the deal. I bought a second hand Honda Nighthawk (it says the year and model in my posts title) and it needs a few repairs. Yes I know it would probably be unwise to attempt to restore the bike fully, but I just want to make it look half nice ya know? Anyway, so I know absolutely NOTHING about engines, welding, anything like that. My main question is: "Do you know of any really good online bike part shops where I could find parts for my bike? I already tried www.oldbikebarn.com and ebay and they're pretty good but I'd like to find some more sites if possible. Also, I was wondering what I should do about something about my bike... The holder thing for the headlight on my bike has metal fatigue (it's cracking) and I really want to fix it. Problem being that it's welded onto the front forks (I think that's what they're called...). Any advice?
Thanks for checking out my post.

Johnj · #2 Unread post by **Johnj** » Wed May 21, 2008 1:19 am

The holder thing for your headlight is a tube with an ear on it that slides over the fork tube and can be replaced. You'll properly have to find one at a motorcycle salvage yard as I couldn't find one at oldbikebarn.com or bikebandit.com. I didn't try ronayers.com.

gsJack · #3 Unread post by **gsJack** » Wed May 21, 2008 5:32 am

Call or e-mail someone like Cycle-re-Cycle for a used one. Must be the same on most of those old Hondas with the 400/450 cc Hawk twin engines. They helped me a couple times with parts for an old CM400.

http://www.crc2onlinecatalog.com/

cptnsmelly · Wed May 21, 2008 10:01 am

In replay to the first comment:

Actually it's not slid on on my bike... It's welded on I even checked. However, there must be a solution right? I don't know.... Any help would be appreciated.

gsJack · #5 Unread post by **gsJack** » Wed May 21, 2008 12:02 pm

The bracket is welded to a tube that slips on the fork tube like Johnj said above, I found a parts fiche picture for a 86 CB450SC, should be same for your 83:

Parts 24 and 25 are the brackets and they are mounted with cushion bushings to absorb vibration parts 23 and 26. Kinda pricey, look for good used ones at salvage yard.

From this parts fiche:

http://www.mrcycles.com/fiche_section_detail.asp

Your bike is a CB450SC if it is a Nighthawk 450.

Johnj · #6 Unread post by **Johnj** » Wed May 21, 2008 12:13 pm

Brian, after you remove the handlebars and the speedometer and tach you get to the top of the triple tree. Remove that and you'll see what I mean.

cptnsmelly · Wed May 21, 2008 1:08 pm

Thanks Guys!
I get it now. I have lots to do but I'll look into it this weekend. Thanks so much!

Gurgus · #8 Unread post by **Gurgus** » Wed May 21, 2008 2:54 pm

Hey. i just wanted to say that you'll have alot of fun with that bike. I've got the same one, except mine is an '84. Good first bike, and it puts up with alot of inexperience on my part.

TorontoBoy · Thu May 22, 2008 5:36 am

Nice choice for a first bike. To learn about wrenching try:

http://www.dansmc.com/mc_repaircourse.htm

The humour (I think it's humour), may put you off, but he has lots of great info.

As for parts, I'd stick with eBay. Try to find a forum specific to your bike, so you can ask riders that have done the actual repair you'll be attempting. Their advice will be invaluable.