Nighthawk 250 progress

[Fast Eddie]

Well, it started as a 95 honda nighthawk 250 with something like 20,000 miles on it. Looking to make a cheap cafe with good mileage and keep me out of trouble. The suzuki i have has alot of power and it going to get me in trouble. So I started stripping it down.

Took the bars off and swapped them with some ace cafe clubmans. I still need to re route the clutch and brake cable to get the lever in the right position.

Ditched the tank and got a 78 cb400 tank for it. I need to make some new front mounts on the tank to get it to sit up where i want and make a new rear mount on the bike, no problem. Tank sits really well, nice and level.

I made some temporary struts for the back to see how it sits. The stock shocks are 12" eye to eye. Im swapping to some 13 to level out the bike more. I still need to chop off the back half of the frame and make a new cross bar. Still need to see about the seat pan and seat. Shaped foam since i have tons of different kinds.

Still need to strip off odds and ends like signals, horn, etc.

So far the only problem i have run across is a big one. While taking off the exhaust, the stud broke off on the block. So im going to attempt to drill it out and use a helicoil, or im watching some new engines with less miles for pretty cheap.

Here it is so far. Not much room in the garage, so pictures kinda suck.

 

[Crash]

Not exactly the easiest bike to turn into a cafe racer, but your off to a good start. I built one from a 93 CB250 Nighthawk, and it was a great learning experience. If you need any info or have any questions, don't be afraid to ask.

My Old Bike.

First Paint Job and Seat combo

 

[ROne]

Man, that looks great! Well done. Apart from my CX500 Cafe, I'm doing up a similar bike to yours, it's a '96 250 Rebel but as an early style 'Bobber'. I think they have a very similar engine, and I've used the same shorty mufflers as you have done. Looks sweet though man.

Rone

 

[Fast Eddie]

Thanks for the comments. Got a little farther with it. Got rid of an extra chevy 350 i had laying around so i have more room now.

Re routed some cables to get the handlebars working right. Need to disconnect the front blinkers still.

Starting to work out how to mount the rear of the tank. Not sure if i want to raise it up some or leave it where it is. Looks kinda low from the handlebars but if i raise it, the rear mount is high off the frame which means thicker seat. I kinda like it where it is. Any input would be nice.

I chopped of the rear frame. I have a friend that is going to cnc bend some steel for the rear. I just have some left over tranny cooler line in the back to get an idea of the look and position.

Need to find some decent but inexpensive 13" eye to eye shocks for the rear. The old ones were 12 and it didnt sit right. The temporary struts i made are at 13"

Took care of the broken bolt in the head. Bought a new engine on ebay for cheap. This one had 20,000+ miles, the new one is only around 2,000. Hope things work out with the swap, shouldn't be to hard, just disconnect, reconnect. oil. Might gussy up the engine with some painted and brushed fins to since it will be out of the bike.

 

[Cafe Hawk]

Hey Crash or Fast Eddie, did that cb400 tank bolt right on to the nighthawk or did you have to modify it at all? Thanks!

 

[Crash]

Fits right into the forward pucks, but sits low at the back. I built mine up with a block of wood under the tanks tail and strapped it down with hose clamps.