Resurrecting a 1983 Nighthawk 650

Still haven't done the heart transplant on the bike I brought home last fall but I had a chance to pick up the identical bike pretty cheap, for a parts donor if nothing else. Hadn't been registered since 2007 but supposedly started a few years ago, been parked outside since, engine seized. Drained old gas, not too much rust, flushed and refilled oil, brake and clutch lines, new oil filter, battery, plugs. Disassembled and cleaned the clutch slave. Soaked the cylinders in 50/50 ATF/acetone for two days, rocking it about every 8 hours. Popped free Sunday evening, hooked up a starter pack and had it running within a half an hour. That ATF mixture really smokes!! Put a fan on it and let it run for about 25 minutes till the smoke subsided, good thing it was dark! Pretty excited going to sleep that night but a little disappointment the next morning to find the clutch stuck. Was advised to just keep dropping it into first and after about a dozen lurches, it popped free and the bike runs like a top. Registered it this morning and have been riding it around the yard, very pleased the way it starts, idles and runs. I want to replace brakes and tires before it goes on the road and would like some recommendations on tires for the Pacific Northwest. It currently has Metzelers but they are cracking on the sidewalls. My son took it for a few laps and he is now eying the first bike!

 

Nicely done! Metzler tires always a good choice for the wet out here. I'm only 300 yards from Point Roberts WA

 

Thanks! I have to say the first "whump" that it made while cranking was pretty neat and when it stumbled, caught and ran, it was down right exhilarating! There was quite a bit of popping when it first started but I was amazed how smoothly it idled at just over 1k rpms after the smoke cleared. It starts instantly. Also, it has a K&N air filter and 4 in 1 Kerker exhaust on it, as well as 23,000 miles. Overall, I'm very happy! I'll get the Metzlers ordered. Is there a preferred vendor that supports this site as I have to give the guys here credit for every step I took to get her running. I might be wrong but I don't think Chacal does tires?

 

My daughter also has an 83 650 Nighthawk. Nice lil bike. She found it with only 12k on it. One thing youll notice is the charging systems are persnickity. They don't start charging until the engines spinning about 2500 RPMs. This has caught her a few times. Parts can be a lil scarce too as my wifes new to us 82750Maxum will be too im sure.

 

As to parts for maxim upper right corner click on xj4ever...Chacal has most parts new or after market. Great service ...prices might seem high...but it is great parts and NO second guessing weather it will fit or not.

 

That era of Honda are prone to charging issues. Check all the chassis ground wires one under gas tank and one near battery. Remove bolts and clean frame where bolt attaches. At the factories a small piece of tape was used to cover the bolt hole when it was painted. The tape adhesive would cristalize and resulted in poor ground.

 

Agree Hondas charging system can have issues. I had an 82 CB750 custom with 4500 miles...and a bad charging system...bad rotor replaced and was all good.

 

That series of Hondas had the same glass AGC fuses in a delicate fuse box under the headlight and in front if I remember correctly. Seemed an odd place for a fuse box. Tabs on them are just as delicate and likely to fail as those in our XJ's but looked to be a bunch less easy to replace. Good Luck.

 

Agreed, the fuses are in an odd location. This bike charges just fine.