First purchase

[hossZ28]

New to street riding bought a standard Classic 1983 Honda nighthawk 650 that is in need of a good cleaning and some minor TLC Would like to hear any advice about the bike or riding thanks

[ceemes]

New to street riding bought a standard Classic 1983 Honda nighthawk 650 that is in need of a good cleaning and some minor TLC Would like to hear any advice about the bike or riding thanks

Nice machine, pretty much a bullet proof engine, well behaved and a decent learner bike. As for advice, take a riders safety course and don't cheap out on your riding gear. Better to be hot and sweaty then to be covered in road rash if and when you drop it.

[gsJack]

Nice bike, I had a 85 CB650SC that I put about 50k miles on but my air cooled fours (CB750K, CB650SC) didn't hold up as well as my air cooled twins have.

[totalmotorcycle]

You'll really like the CB series, excellent reliable bikes they are and still are. Honda is perhaps the most reliable out the majors in the 80's and the CB series helped cement that position.

Riding tip, even though it is an older CB650 it has enough power to get you into trouble quickly so do some practice on it and watch the throttle hand. If it hasn't been done yet upgrade the brake lines to stainless steel ones and get a K&N filter for it if you can find one. These make quite the difference.

Enjoy riding the CB! Oh, how about a pic of her?

Mike

[waylander]

Congrats on the new ride Hoss,
I have a 1983 CB550SC as my first bike and I absolutely LOVE her. Great bike to lean on, but like the previous post said you DO have enough power to get yourself in trouble in a big hurry! Take lots of time getting to know your bike. The friction point of your clutch, how the throttle reacts, how tight your brakes are, etc...

You might want to get your hands on a shop manual (Clymer works good for me) and learn how your bike works and how to maintain and repair your own ride.

Have fun and stay safe. Remember the shiny side should always be facing up!

Waylander.

[totalmotorcycle]

You might want to get your hands on a shop manual (Clymer works good for me) and learn how your bike works and how to maintain and repair your own ride..

That is an EXCELLENT bit of advice right there. The CB series was an easy to work on, great hands on bike. It will teach you a lot in the years you own her.

Mike