Total Motorcycle Community Forums

Hello everyone

I have an opportunity to purchase a motorcycle which the owner claims the bike runs... but not well and that it is hard to shift. Apparently the pips and body work is good.

I'm do not have much knowledge of motorcycle mechanics and was wondering if I could be in for a pocket book nightmare.

Lets assume that frame, body and accessories are ok... What do you think worst case senario that the engine and transmission could end up costing me to get repaired?

The bike is a 80s Honda Nighthawk.

I know it's a shot in the dark and i'm not giving much information to go on... but have to start somewhere!

If you aren't mechanically inclined, i'd say steer clear. Take a look at some of Kar-the-Terrible's posts. His problems aren't even major, just tuning issues. If that looks like something you want to get into, then by all means go for it!

i believe that once kar the terrible quits running around in circles and approaches the problems one step at a time success will soon follow.

Yeah I get the picture... sorry to bug you guys so much. But I think I should have a handle on things soon.... thanks for all the help and patience.

Now for some first hand stuff for brandx. I did buy a non-working bike, that was sitting for a year, for my part I've cleaned the gas tank, lined it with POR-15 on the inside, got new brakes, carbs were ok, just needed the rubber gaskets for the bowls. I think I will need a new front tire, and at some point of time I will do a DIY paint job, mostly cosmetic stuff and yes some tuning up.... I must say, what has been more frustrating for me has been the fact that I havent had much time to work on my bike, and sadly I ended up transferring some of that to Tech and drBob (as it shows...hehe).

But I've always tinkered around with stuff, and only just started learning. All I know about repairing motorcycles I have learned over the past one month (I mean I've been riding smaller bikes for a while, but they were new, relatively maintenance free and never needed as much attention as I have to give my xs400 now). My advice is, see if there is anything you can salvage off the bike for parts etc. if the time comes to write off your project. You can get a manual for about 20$ or so, and that should get you started.

I'm an optimist that believes "if your willing to learn then do it"

now if you are more wanting to ride then to work then look for a "turn key bike"

It never hurts to try.
Especially if the bike is a good deal?

Good Luck! Have fun!

Keep us posted

Mike

Everything on a bike was made by a human or a machine made by a human. If you are human...You can fix it if you decide to. Attitude plays a huge role here...I would go for it, myself.

[quote="kar_the_terrible"]Now for some first hand stuff for brandx. I did buy a non-working bike, that was sitting for a year, for my part I've cleaned the gas tank, lined it with POR-15 on the inside, got new brakes, carbs were ok, just needed the rubber gaskets for the bowls. I think I will need a new front tire, and at some point of time I will do a DIY paint job, mostly cosmetic stuff and yes some tuning up.... I must say, what has been more frustrating for me has been the fact that I havent had much time to work on my bike, and sadly I ended up transferring some of that to Tech and drBob (as it shows...hehe).

keep asking questions- for some of us this is an important part of being a biker--most of us that started tinkering with old bikes trying to get them running went through the same thing.this was before the internet for me nobody to ask for help.