bought a new old Honda on Saturday

[Iahawk]

I've had my eye on a 1980's Honda Nighthawk 650 (CB650SC) for a while. I finally bought one on Saturday, a 1984 with 21K miles. The seller messaged me with a very low price (actually much lower than we'd agreed upon earlier before he couldn't find the title) and I jumped at the opportunity. He had a new title all ready to go.

I rode the bike home from Chicago (206 miles). The lack of front brakes (leaking fork seals had soaked the rotors and brakes), the somewhat sketchy, dry rotted tires, ancient gas in the tank and marginally working hydraulic clutch made the ride home a bit more exciting.

Bike looks beautiful from 10 feet..up close she's a little rougher. Nothing is very expensive on the 'to do' list...seals, clutch and brake master cyl rebuild kits, clutch slave cylinder kit, cylinder cover gasket, front brakes, maybe brake hoses/lines and tires. Other than tires i'll do it all myself.

Very comfortable bike, soft seat, plenty of power and a smaller rider triangle than I'd expected, which is fine because I'm short.

Once complete it will be a very nice bike.

[monkeybongos]

Pretty bike, nice score.  The tires--and the bike overall--look to be in great condition in the picture.  Guess it was taken from 10 ft away.

With all those repairs you are going to get familiar w her in no time.
Have a feeling your other 3 are going to see a lot less riding time.

As this bike might be conducive to longer rides, may want to consider floor boards, seat back and even highway pegs.
I added all three to my Rebel, and instead of going out for 40-60 miles I now usually go for 60-100. 

[Neil955i]

Good deal Hawk. Enjoy the fettling!

[Ruffus]

Congrats, and the name matches too👍👍.

[Neil955i]

Congrats, and the name matches too👍👍.

Well spotted Ruffus!

[Iahawk]

Congrats, and the name matches too👍👍.

haha, you guys are good! Not sure if this bike was called a Nighthawk in other markets? Or if it just went by the Honda CB650SC?

[Iahawk]

Have a feeling your other 3 are going to see a lot less riding time.

well, the plan is to sell one of them...and the Kymco People S200 is my least ridden bike by far. The good news is I should be able to sell my Kymco scoot for more than I paid for the Honda so it should work out.

I tell friends that I need at least 3 bikes because 1 or 2 always seem to be down at any time and owning 3 gives me a good chance of having at least 1 working bike!

[Neil955i]

haha, you guys are good! Not sure if this bike was called a Nighthawk in other markets? Or if it just went by the Honda CB650SC?

Could be wrong, but I don’t recall either model designation here in the UK, but I’m sure Viper will correct me if I’m wrong?

Edit:  Obviously came in under my radar, but clearly they did make it to UK shores:  https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/185983947411?utm_source=newsnow.co.uk

[Iahawk]

I saw some references to the European market models..maybe it didn't make it to the UK?

Here's a nice story on the bike from a few years ago..

https://ridermagazine.com/2017/05/26/retrospective-1983-1985-honda-cb650sc-nighthawk/

[Stig / Major Tom]

Nice looking Honda Hawk!
I read the Rider report.
Kinda liking everything but that gauge cluster.
Numerals on plaid seem difficult in the daylight. Can we see a night shot of it....and are those cut-off pipes raucous?
Shaft drive? Hmmm.

Anyway, keep the photos coming please. You take good quality ones, and your projects are interesting!
Rid'ersafe friend!
Stig

[Iahawk]

Stig, I actually really like the gauge cluster..looks like an 80's Japanese car with the orange grid background. Very period. I'll certainly get some more pics. I placed 2 parts orders today for around $220. It's missing an important spring in the oil filter housing, missing both plastic covers that go over the rubber diaphragms in both clutch and brake masters, I ordered the rubber parts and spring to rebuild the clutch slave cylinder, new head cover gasket, clutch and brake master rebuild kits, fork and dust seals, a turn signal screw that's missing...and a few other bits. It will still need front brakes and caliper rebuild kits, a battery and tires. That should cover it!

The slash cut pipes are actually pretty quiet. It has a large baffle in it. That's one of the iconic things about the bike, the pipes! Love 'em.

Will need to do plugs and clean / sync carbs at some point. 4 carbs..I must be a glutton for punishment! Here's a pic I just took of the gauge cluster.

[Iahawk]

2 more pics...daylight view of gauges...and a view of the pipe...the baffle is the middle section. The exhaust only comes out around the perimeter of that baffle..the roughly 1/2 inch air space around the perimeter of the baffle. Kind of an odd design.

[Viper254]

Could be wrong, but I don’t recall either model designation here in the UK, but I’m sure Viper will correct me if I’m wrong?

I think they were in the UK, but don't seem to have been very popular at all.

[Stig / Major Tom]

"TAIL LIGHT"...on the dashboard?
Indicator light if your tail light is not on?
Never seen that before.
Night shot of gauges - 👍
Prefer black on white, or red on black....but that's just me.
I had a Subaru with the orange fighter cockpit lights.
Stig

[Neil955i]

I think they were in the UK, but don't seem to have been very popular at all.

Fetching £2K plus now!  https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/185983947411?utm_source=newsnow.co.uk