fun with my 84 Nighthawk

[Stig / Major Tom]

You're wearing me out, Hawk!
What a fearless mechanic 🙂

for the Major, Stig

[Iahawk]

Cracking job Hawk, you can be justifiably proud of your work!

thanks, guys...and yes, Stig, it has worn me out, too! Maybe more mentally taxing than anything, as seeing a bunch of parts spread out all over the garage for a few months seems to take its toll on me. The end result makes it worth it. It's been 2 years since I took on the Helix..and now the Nighthawk...let's wait another 2 years and then see what comes next.

[Iahawk]

another update on the bike..completed the carb sync last week. My bench sync got cylinders 1,2 and 3 pretty close but #4 was way off.  Ordered a Carbtune Pro sync tool and an auxiliary fuel tank.

Removed the bike's fuel tank, hooked up the sync tool to a vacuum port on each intake boot between carb and head, hooked up aux fuel tank to bike's fuel line...fired her up and made my adjustments. The actual sync process took about 10 minutes..very easy.

Bike seems a bit smoother and starts a bit easier (still trying to figure out how much choke, etc. to use to optimize start up). I've put a few miles on it and I'm finally getting used to the clutch, brakes, handling, etc. Still have valve cover gasket and tires to go (and maybe cam chain tensioner spring..but that's for another day).

Also placed an order last night for some OEM cap head bolts (to replace some on bike that has some rust, that drives me nuts), the chrome plastic covers for the top of the forks (original ones are pitting) and the positive battery cable and the starter motor cable...all OEM from CMSNL.com (awesome site for old OEM bike parts in The Netherlands). Pricing is pretty reasonable, too. Those should arrive in about 2 weeks.

pics of bike with Carbtune hooked up and auxiliary tank hanging from stepladder next to bike.

[Iahawk]

one more ...hmmmm, had to resize both pics down from my usual 'resizing'...

[monkeybongos]

still trying to figure out how much choke, etc. to use to optimize start up

Why not not put it on all the way, then gradually close it as engine warms up?

It’s been two years since getting the Helix?!
Yikes, time is passing too quickly

[Iahawk]

Why not not put it on all the way, then gradually close it as engine warms up?

that's how I do it..but wondering if trying a smaller amount of choke would help as it takes a bit to get it running(?)..some of my other outdoor power equipment (mower, snow blowers, trimmer, generator) start easier without full choke...depending on weather.

I want to be able to start it with a few revolutions of the motor..not the current 10 to 15. I'll get there at some point.

[Iahawk]

Just got back from a nice 45 minute ride...but to go back to my 'choke' comment, earlier..

turned fuel tap on, turned key on, pulled in clutch and hit starter button...da,da,da, vroom! 3 revolutions to start...looked down and noticed I did not turn choke on...slowly added choke and it killed the bike. Restarted without choke...hmmm...65 degrees F  in garage, last rode bike 2 days ago..started up easily without choke...?

I'll try to repeat this on my next ride, seeing if starting without choke in these temps is easier.

[Iahawk]

I'm pretty much done for now with the Nighthawk refresh....still need to do the valve cover gasket, along with rubber cam end caps (4x$23 each, need to buy them), and tires (~$500). I was curious what I'd spent at the various vendors on the bike so I put a list together (in USD)...roughly $900 on bike parts and another $300 on tools used for the bike refresh (snap ring pliers, carb sync tool, float height gauge, etc.)

Vendors used: Chaparral Motorsports, 4 into 1, David Silver Spares, Motosport, Brakecrafters, Rocky Mtn ATV, Partzilla, Darkhorse, Jets R Us, Superbright LED's, CMS, Jegs, Amazon, Lowe's hardware and O'Reilly Auto Parts. 

Original purchase price of bike, $1000 + $900 on parts + $300 on tools (which in all fairness will be used again on other projects) = $2200. I've probably missed another $50 from brake fluid, oil, etc..so say $2250 all in...with another ~$600 to go.

That will put me around $2850 for a bike that probably wouldn't sell for that...maybe $2000 - $2500 to the right buyer for a bike that will need nothing.

Learned a ton...had never done most of the things I did on the bike so that is invaluable experience. Also had a great time working on it...starting to get a little antsy to start another project but that will have to at least wait until next year! Attaching recent pic of bike in garage.

[Ruffus]

Hawk great, congrats!
Need not always to pay off in $$, we live to have fun!
🛠🔩👍

[Iahawk]

yes, thanks, Ruffus, I agree...it's about the fun of doing it!

[Iahawk]

all right...one more post...just received my order from CMS in the Netherlands...really cool to open a box of 40 year old (mostly) new old stock parts! Most are in original packaging, a few have been repackaged. I like how they threw in a little guy on a keychain.

Chromed fork caps, a bunch of stainless cap bolts and the positive battery cable and cable from relay to starter.  I think I know what I'm doing on Saturday.

[randyo]

you're makin my want to get back on one of my stalled projects, I never throw away bikes, I have 2 1981/2 Yamaha XV920Rs  other than both needing a starter, I can come up with 1 complete original bikes and the other turned into a café racer. been 15+ years since I rode either. A fun bike  about 70hp, boatloads of torque, enclosed chain (maintenance every 30k less than a shaft requires) huge 9" headlamp, to this day, even with modern LEDs, the best bike headlamp out there. 

[Iahawk]

randyo - great looking bike! No one ever regrets getting an old bike back on the road...I say go for it! Do you have any other old bikes hanging around your place??

[Stig / Major Tom]

Hawk,
Curious,  did you come upon CMS on ebay.....or a Honda forum, or ?
I still have some Honda Forza parts in their bags with red labels.🙃

Stig

[Iahawk]

Stig, I think I found CMS when searching for parts for my Helix a few years ago? They do get mentioned on other forums, as well. I've had their site bookmarked in my 'favorites'. My order took 14 days from placement to delivery.

I finally realized what their name means.. CMSNLcom ...Consolidated Motor Spares, Netherlands