burnicarus
Oliver
Will you be doing rearsets? looks like it would be tricky
Finally starting a thread for my Cafe-Atrocity Nighthawk 450
- Thread starter Umusername
- Start date
Umusername
Been Around the Block
Sadly those are the rear sets... and even this has proved tricky. I need welding tools something fierce. I would like to go back just a bit further and up just a hair but between the frame and suspension it could be bad. I really don't feel like getting my heels bit by the springs. This is where the atrocity/abomination against the 80's Honda gods comes back to bite me hard. I really love the bike but it is time to finish it and move on soon and I know it. My problem is I want to do it as close to right so when the time comes I can sell it for the cost of parts for the next project. I do appreciate how weird of a build it is though because it has given me a chance to get creative and learn how to work around some interesting issues.burnicarus said:
gijoe13844
Coast to Coast
honestly if you are in the mindset of just getting it off your plate you will be better served tearing it apart and parting it out. You will get way more that way. Selling it as a complete bike wont get you much for it. Just honesty.
Umusername
Been Around the Block
I am not planning on getting much for it I plan on taking a loss. In my area I am sure I could get back what I spent on parts and that is more important to me than making the most money. It runs like a clock and is my primary mode of transport (another reason not to part it out) so the time will have to be just right. I plan on finishing as a learning experience as I do for any other reason. In reality this bike in pieces is not worth much as it is a very common bike that was in production up until very recently. Also I live in an apartment (a privately owned one that doesn't care if I work on my bikegijoe13844 said:
) but this means that I cant exactly store a parts bike anywhere. In a perfect world I would trade it for another runner that is not completely built yet. I can dream can't I?
Umusername
Been Around the Block
I just did my usual craigslist search and found not one but two Cb550's (what I really want so a next project) that look totally stock on the price range I was thinking. This makes me very happy and but very sad that I just spent all my money on college...
burnicarus
Oliver
Well if thats how you feel then man just get rid of it. Sell it and find a bike you actually can see something inside of
Umusername
Been Around the Block
I am too stubborn not to finish it at least half way decent haha. I am trying to be more patient and waiting for just what I want when the timing is just right. I will not be bike less in the mean time though that is for sure. I was at work yesterday and was doing a very mindless part of my job and may have come up with a way to make things work with the rearset and exhaust. Simply find a machine shop that will cut me a a piece of aluminum the same as the current triangle brace but on the back side of it extend further to the back and upwards allowing for a better rearset mount location. No I just need to find a way to make it happen.
Umusername
Been Around the Block
Wow I can't believe I have not added anything to the thread in the last month. I am experimenting with the look of a tank strap. this one is the first mock up and I know it needs some modifications but hey you get the idea and I like the look of it any way. I have been trying to decide on what to pain it as well and have a few ideas for that the most prominent being very dark gray on the tank and seat and then use flat white reflective tape to do a stripe, a friend of mine has a vinyl decal cutter and we are probably going to make a honda wing tank badge emblem with that also reflective white. I like the reflective idea because it will look like a nice white stripe in the day time and will help me be seen at night as I do ride it over 300 miles a week this is a nice perk.
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Umusername
Been Around the Block
So I had a day off and to myself today so naturally I went to the junk yard with a friend. I really wanted I to find some used gas charged shocks for the rear end to upgrade the suspension a bit (another place has some stock CB750 shocks for $50 if anyone thinks they would be an upgrade for a 450 I would love to know). What I did find was an new Emgo Viper fairing for the same price I have seen online, only I did not have to pay shipping. It was a little taller than I expected once I got it on the bike but i am happy with it and will say it makes the bike just that more ride able although it does feel weird to me. Tell me what you think about how it looks.
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Umusername
Been Around the Block
Umusername
Been Around the Block
I have thought about that and since replacement shields are available even if it does look worse at least I can put it back to what it was.
Little Heat
New Member
nice to see a nighthawk actually looking decent for once! i really like the rear seat you ended up with, is that the original tank? did you cut the holes of the bottom where the side fairings clips in? i have literally the exact same bike 82 450sc and it sounds quite literally like an identical situation with rushing in and ending up with something sub-par. But im just starting to tear into it now and starting a thread on here for it. definitely gunna keep watching this thread!
Umusername
Been Around the Block
It has a Kawasaki kz400 tank on it (I think, it could be a kz440 or something like that) I know it is a Kawa though. I cut out the old cap/hole and petcock and grafted the cap and petcock from the old Nighthawk tank on it. I will probably put side covers on eventually but I am not worried about it. I made the seat out of fiberglass and played with different fits. I am mostly just pending my time riding it now as I am broke and oddly enough just riding is a lot cheaper than actually working on it. I need to do clutch springs and fork seals really soon and replace the bulb in my tach. I would like to swap out the rear shocks but I don't have the funds at all right now. I work on commission and work has been a joke lately (I go to work and just talk to my friends for a few hours then go home it sucks.) Any way feel free to ask if you have any questions or need direction.
Little Heat
New Member
Right on, i just picked up my fork seal kit actually, im doing mine pretty soon here too. keep on ridin man hope your work picks up
Little Heat
New Member
Hey any new updates on this bike? Wondering how the pod filter setup is running? I was gunna to swap the airbox to pods but have just been told so many times its a pain in the ass, what size filters did you go with ? Any tuning?
Umusername
Been Around the Block
The pods are fine on it. they are the 54mm pods from Mikes XS and the bike runs like a clock no issues with the pods. The carbs are up one size on the main jet. I will admit that this was the only thing I paid a guy to do and I feel it was well worth it. I did my for seals last week and flipped the headlight brackets and lowered the fairing and it looks better. I also did my brake pads this week. I just got a gopro and will be making some riding videos as soon as I get some mounts.
