1985 Honda CB 650 Nighthawk First Build

Hammy 24

New Member
(First Posted Dec 20 2015)

Hey!
I have been lurking around this site for the better part of a year perving on all the sweet builds that everyone else is working on and I have finally pulled the trigger on my own build. I have decided to post this build so people can see what I am doing but mostly to ask for help when I get in over my head. This will be a huge learning experience for myself.
This is it the day I brought her home. I read that these were great reliable bikes so I found one and bought it. It is my first bike and I thought it would be good to learn on. I always had it in the plan that I would turn it into a cafe after the summer of riding for a winter project. I hated the way this thing looks. It is so top heavy that it looks like it could topple over any second. I knew right away that the square headlight and the huge speedo were going to be the first to go.
I have taken all the things off that I am comfortable taking off the bike and I have worked through the "what have I done to this perfectly working bike" moment. I am onto the "trying to put new things back on and have it still work" phase.

TA DA!
Well that didn't work as I wanted it to. I am done the build and never once updated this post on my progress. I may as well post the final product beside the picture of the original so you guys can compare the two. I will then try and remember the steps that I took to make the transformation. I also have to find all the pictures that I took.
 

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Hammy 24 said:
Unfortunately yes. Paint, peel, and repeat. :P
What would you suggest to paint them with.

Paint then 4 or 5 coats of clear will help. I used appliance epoxy on forks and it never chipped or peeled.
 
WOW! I didn't expect to like that, but what a transformation. More pics please, excellent job!
 
I don't mind it. Can't lie it's much better than the stock bike so thats at least an RBI.

Why, with all the info on the net, did you run $4 pods on your CV carbs? Are you the first person to ever get it to work? If so, post a video of the engine revving quickly from idle and then tell us your secrets.

If it isn't running perfect, don't gotta lie to kick it.

The answer to what you spray paint wheels with is none. I would have left them stock or done it right with powdercoat. Maybe later you can have them coated. Contact member 01marc here if you ever decide to.

Overall very impressed if you are a first time builder. Much better than my first custom build.
 
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