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Here you go 1991 nighthawk build. I’m looking forward simple clean looking brat style and the build is rather exercise for myself to try and gain some experience in engine top end, carb settings, frame modifications.. Bought the bike about 6 month ago. Never meant as a quick journey, I also got family and job to follow-up..)
Couple original pics. Imported from japan in 2013 (fun thing it have no VIN at all) and stayed in garage for most of the time since that time:
Did a few test rides in garage before disassembly. (russian license plates size is a bad joke)) Engine was running very good, brakes fine, just wash it and ride)
But disassembly was inevitable, here you go funny timelapse:
sht, this ended up as a huge post and I feel exhausted now) as you might noticed from the video, seat area of stock frame is a horrible mess. and it’s been quite some progress on frame recently, will come back soon with more pics..
Guys who did tank repaint, they mostly do bobbers with all that gold leafing and flaking stuff.. So it went totally other direction with me comparing to what I originally thought and ended up pretty wild. Still somehow looks good) Anyway repainting is the easiest part, now about to assemble this alltogether..
In fact '79 tank fits 1991 frame very bad, due to backbone raising high. So tank is too high and too far from neck and with petcock hitting carbs. Its fotoshopped desired placement here.. Will figure out actual fitment on next garage session..
Aah it looks I made a huge mistake back at the time of seat loop installation!! Frame was sitting flat top on the floor and I was leveling seat subframe with frame's bottom tubing..
As it turns out, with suspension and wheels on, frame is tilted with front upwards = my seat loop is totally downslope. More or less level if I slide front fork to lower it 2-3 inch, and with rear couple inches higher, which is already quite some impact on trail. And with rider on, rear will go down even more. Sad. Looks like I will have to fully cut loop from frame and fix it inch or higher at rear upper shock mount.. Hell, I totally overlooked this, with tank, electricity tray and seat almost done)
Ok so loop has been cut. With half-inch plywood in between already looks much better. Unfortunately not enough 'meat' or will be unpretty with existing downtubes. Already bought another frame, going to replace whole struts. Wasnt sure about seat length, seemed a bit too long. But with friend sitting on bike, looking good as a whole thing. Will keep that way for a while.
you could go with cbr 600 f2 or f3 front end. It would drop your front down an 1" and you could use the stock triples. You may have to make some spacers for the wheel. It's an option. Or see if you could find a euro cb750 rc42 front wheel. It should drop right in and you'd have dual front disc brakes and 17" wheel.
Slowly but surely.. Seat subframe tacked finally in right place, electrics fully done, handlebar done, seat ready for upholstering.. Next few days hope to fire up engine first time after top end overhaul..
Ok so frame been finished a while ago, repainted and now assembly is in the progress. So far so good. Rear shocks probably too long but will see later. New foot controls and kickstand look good..
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