Total Motorcycle Community Forums

Hey everyone, my name is Scott and I just bought my first starter bike. I'm starting my motorcycle enjoyment a little late at the age of 23, but it's something that I've wanted to do for a while. I just purchased a 1983 Honda Nighthawk 550, but sadly it's starting to get cold out here in CO. I bought it for $900 with 22K miles on it, but it seems like I need to purchase a new battery and a front brakepad. So yeah, I'm a complete rookie and hope to learn a lot from the more experienced riders here.
-shutter

Howdy Scott! Im also 23 and started riding my first streetbike ever (Bought it a day after my birthday ) Ive had a good amount of experience riding dirt bikes off road (and way to much on road... how I never got hurt or pulled over is beyond me) but street riding is a whole different can of worms.

Hey awesome you have a nighthawk 550. Ive ALWAYS wanted a nighthawk... but was never able to find one which I could afford.

Ride on man, Ride on!

Yeah, I've never really ridden anything besides my roommate's beat up Nighthawk 450, which we have to push to start. I'm just hoping to not hurt myself within the first couple months of owning it.
-shutter

Well what has really gotten me onto the right track has been two things

#1 Taking the Motorcycle Saftey Foundations (MSF) Beginner Rider Course (BRC) The price varies state to state(sometimes free!!!)... and is found in a variety of flavors. Third Party companies that are endorsed and certified by MSF, Community Colleges endorsed by MSF, harley davidsons Riders Edge course which is MSF approved... etc.

And last but not least

#2 Any books by David Hough... like the book Proficient Motorcycling.

Well... I guess I can't help but not mention the countless times this community here at TMW have helped me out! I wish I didn't lurk on these forums without giving back to them for so long.

Anyways, Good luck and Safe Ridin'!

Congrats on your new bike and welcome to the forum. If you think you started late you should be me . I am 33 and just started myself.

I am taking hte MSF course next month and can't wait. Hubby has been giving me lessons already and I love it. I have a ninja 250.

Good Luck and Safe Riding
Deedee

Welcome to the board.

Welcome. I too always wanted a Nighthawk. Almost bought a 750 this summer but the deal was no good.

had an 85 650 Nighthawk w/ 15,000 miles
totally loved it...now i am waiting for my new MC......too bad its cold as hell out here in chicago

Thanks for the warm welcome. My bike isn't starting right now, and I think I need to purchase a new battery for it. Would it be difficult/dangerous for me to purchase a new battery and install it myself? I probably also need new front brake pads. Would that be hard to install myself as well, since I have little to no knowledge?
-shutter

The brakes might be a little bit more work than the battery. The battery should be right underneath your seat. Make sure to disconnect the black cable first, and with the new battery installed, put on the black cable on last after your red cable.

The brakes should be easy, might have to bleed out some air from the lines if it feels spongey after you install the new brakes. I would actually check the condition of the brake fluid from the brake fluid reservior(little plastic container... usually a box or cylinder on the handle bar for the front brakes) If the fluid looks brownish or black, it would be a good idea to flush the brake system. Just keep bleeding the brakes and adding brand new fluid to the brake reservior when the fluid level goes below the low or "add" mark.

Im just making an uneducated assumption, but I would think your bike would use DOT 3 brake fluid... either way I would ask someone more knowledgable with the Honda Nighthawk about the type of fluid to use and the proper procedures to bleed/install your brakes.