[scorpionking]

I have a few questions about a nighthawk I'm looking at buying. I tried google, and the search feature on the forum but can't seem to find much. First question, would this be an ideal bike to build a traditional style bobber out of? Second, is there a company that makes a weld-on hardtail for this bike? Third, is it chain drive or shaft drive? I understand that it can be complicated to make a hardtail for a shaft driven bike? Thanks in advance

 

[mscuddy]

One: Yes, a bobber 750 four is cool in some circles.
Two: Yes, weld on hardtails are avilable
Three: Chain drive.

Check out some of the aftermarket chopper accessory shops, you might just want to get a whole new frame, and a nice 2 over girder, and instead of a hardtail, maybe get a soft tail with the plunger suspension. Looks cool too. A nice spring solo seat with a tampax pad on the back fender, and whoa...

 

[scorpionking]

Thanks for the help! Could you send a link of one of the places that makes a weld-on hardtail? I found this : Honda CB750 Weld On Hardtail : TC Bros. Choppers LLC , TC Bros. Choppers LLC
,but I'm not sure if it will fit. It's for Honda cb750.

 

[Dr_Sprocket]

Wow! You got suckered into that one, Cuddy.

 

[mscuddy]

Yep, spamed again. I ought to get my own can.

 

[scorpionking]

I'm not trying to post spam, sorry about the link. I'm just new to bikes and trying to find out what will work and what won't...

 

[Dr_Sprocket]

I'm not trying to post spam, sorry about the link. I'm just new to bikes and trying to find out what will work and what won't...

Okay, we'll give you the benefit of the doubt... this time.

 

[acecycleins]

Nighthawks in 85 were 70cc. It was actually the CB700 Nighthawk if memory serves. Chain drive- yes. It is not the frame you are thinking of. Can you bob it? Certainly, but you would be better served with the CB750C Custom frame from 1980. That is a much more appropriate frame to bob. As for welding a rigid I would say that you are better off buying a hardtail frame and installing all the CB parts from a donor bike. Just sayin.......

 

[Dr_Sprocket]

Nighthawks in 85 were 700cc. It was actually the CB700 Nighthawk if memory serves. Chain drive- yes. It is not the frame you are thinking of. Can you bob it? Certainly, but you would be better served with the CB750C Custom frame from 1980. That is a much more appropriate frame to bob. As for welding a rigid I would say that you are better off buying a hardtail frame and installing all the CB parts from a donor bike. Just sayin.......

The Nighthawk in 1985 was 700cc (in the US, but was 750cc in Canada and other locals). They were shaft drive. Not the best bike to bob, IMHO. Otherwise, I agree with your assessment.

 

[scorpionking]

Nighthawks in 85 were 70cc. It was actually the CB700 Nighthawk if memory serves. Chain drive- yes. It is not the frame you are thinking of. Can you bob it? Certainly, but you would be better served with the CB750C Custom frame from 1980. That is a much more appropriate frame to bob. As for welding a rigid I would say that you are better off buying a hardtail frame and installing all the CB parts from a donor bike. Just sayin.......

I've got two people saying its chain drive, and one person saying it's shaft drive. Which is it? lol I understand it can be complicated to make a hardtail for a shaft drive bike? I'm not sure if I want to go the custom frame route, and then install all the parts in it. This is kind of a budget build, trying to keep the cost as low as possible. I can get the bike right now for $300 CDN, it is not running however... I'm also looking at a 1981 Kawasaki 440, not sure if its a kz, or ltd, or whatever. It's only $200 more than the Honda is. Maybe that would be a better bike to bob? Sorry about all the questions guys, I'm very new to the bike world, trying to buy my first one soon. Thanks for the help

 

[Dr_Sprocket]

Here in the US, the CB700S was indeed shaft drive. I used to own one -- my first bike. Not sure about the rest of the world. I remember doing some research on the model, reading that Honda did not import the CB750 to the US in 1985 due to tarriffs, but the rest of the world got it. That's what I remember --again, you'd have to verify this on your own. Cuddy, can you verify this?

You can simple do the research on BikePics to check it out for yourself. Here is a decent link to a Honda Nighthawk resource: Paul's Honda Nighthawks Pages. Hope that helps!

Where do you live?

 

[pplassm]

It really depends on the year of the Nighthawk. Earlier models were, indeed chain drive. The 85/86 700 Nighthawks were shaftdrive spot-styled standards. Again, not the best bike to "bob".

 

[pushrod]

scorpionking, if you are looking at a bike to buy, I would think you'd be able to determine how it is built, and how the back wheel goes round-and-round.

We're trying to guess which bike you are talking about, and don't know if you are in the States, Canada, or in BFE. Which, I guess, is even less hospitable than usual these days.

 

[mscuddy]

NO BOBBING KAWASAKI 440'S! THAT IS SUMMARY EXECUTION!

Let me find a nice frame for your 750, I'll shoot you an IM later today. Sheesh. Kawasaki 400's....ick.

 

[mscuddy]

Check out this place, lots of nice frames & chopper parts. It might not be A.E.E. or EMGO but it's all stuff made in America and looks pretty nice.

Welcome to the Patten Cycle Pro Street Frame

 

[scorpionking]

Thanks for all the help, I really appreciate it. I am in New Brunswick, Canada. If I went to look at the actual bike, then yes I would be able to tell how the wheel is turned. But I'm just looking at the online ads right now, and the owners don't seem to know much about their bikes.