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I'm looking into one on the cheap for a project bike, but I haven't been able to find much about it online. There are enough parts on ebay and I heard that the 82 model wasn't the hottest thing but I understand the 83, 84 and 85 were better.

Does anyone know anything about this bike? I'd appreciate it.

i had the same model , and 84. i sold it earlier this year. i drove it 6000 miles or so, and put nothing in it, but gas. They are shaft driven, great, all around reliable bikes. not really great at any one thing, but sufficient for most. I'd recommend them for beginners, or someone who just wants something for around town/light touring.

there is a great nighthawk yahoo group with tons of info on them.

parts are also mostly available.

if its cheap, get it, cant go wrong.

My first bike was a 83 Nighthawk 650, rode it for 3 years while going to University and never had a problem with it, other than oil changes the only thing it needed in the 3 years I had it was a fuel filter. Great riding bike, shaft drive was very smooth and to this day I think it was the most comfortable seat of any bike I have had since.

Regards

World of difference between the 82 and the 83-85 CB650SC models. The 83 got the new lightweight narrow 4 cyl engine that was also used in a 83 CB550SC and the mid 80's CB700SC. Same engine ended up in the recently demised Nighthawk 750. A dependable 16 valve engine with hydraulic lash adjusters. All had shaft drive except the Nighthawk 750 which went back to chain.

I put 48k miles on a 85 CB650SC that I bought used with 10k on it, had about 58k miles on it when I traded it in on a new GS500 in 99.

I had the '83 and it was super-reliable, but not too exciting. The motor was lacking on the bottom end and it wasn't a very solid handling bike. If you want an old bike that has held together well over the past 23 years this would be it. Just don't expect a corner carving torque monster.

High_Side wrote:I had the '83 and it was super-reliable, but not too exciting. The motor was lacking on the bottom end and it wasn't a very solid handling bike. If you want an old bike that has held together well over the past 23 years this would be it. Just don't expect a corner carving torque monster.

+1

thats exactly what i was trying to say about this bike.

its so reliable it makes you angry it wont just die so you can buy a cool bike.

I just want a bike to use to for friends coming out of the MSF but don't have a bike yet

storysunfolding wrote:I'm looking into one on the cheap for a project bike, but I haven't been able to find much about it online. There are enough parts on ebay and I heard that the 82 model wasn't the hottest thing but I understand the 83, 84 and 85 were better.

Does anyone know anything about this bike? I'd appreciate it.

Purchased an 85 nighhwak 650 about a month ago and i like it.
Its fun, has nice power once you past 40 mph and easy to ride.
I have had some issues w/ my throttle cables and such, but that was simply due to my messin around w/ the gas tank.
Seat is wonderful, a little bouncy on the highways sometimes, but i can definitly keep up w/ just about every vehicle on the road.

Handlebars hurt my hands just a tad, but your bars can always be replaced!
i like my NH and am happy that its my 1st bike!