Four stroke, transverse four
cylinder, DOHC, 4 valves per cylinder.
Capacity
749 cc / 45.7 cu-in
Bore x Stroke
62 x 62 mm
Cooling System
Air cooled,
Compression Ratio
9.3:1
Lubrication
Wet sump
Induction
4x 30mm Keihin carburetors
Ignition
CDI
Starting
Electric
Max Power
70 hp / 51.1 kW @ 7200 rpm
Max Torque
56.2 Nm / 41.5 ft-lb @ 7500 rpm
Clutch
Wet plate
Transmission
5 Speed
Final Drive
Shadt
Frame
Dual downtube, full cradle, mild steel
Front Suspension
37mm Air assisted forks
Front Wheel Travel
152 mm / 5.9 in
Rear Suspension
Dual shocks
Rear Wheel Travel
93 mm / 3.6 in
Front Brakes
2x 276mm disc 2 piston caliper
Rear Brakes
180mm Drum
Front Tyre
110/90 H16
Rear Tyre
130/90 H16
Rake
29.6°
Trail
119 mm / 4.7 in
Dimensions
Height 792 mm / 31.2 in
Length 2184 mm / 86.0 in
Width 800 mm / 31.5 in
Wheelbase
1544 mm / 60.8 in
Ground Clearance
163 mm / 6.4 in
Dry Weight
213 lg / 466 lbs
Wet Weight
226 kg / 497 lbs
Fuel Capacity
16 Litres / US 4.2 gal
Consumption Average
42.2 mpg
Standing
¼ Mile
13.1 sec / 102.6 mph
Top Speed
131.2 mph
The big 'Hawk incorporates all the
high-performance/low-maintenance features which have made the Nighthawks so
popular: a rubber-mounted in-line four-cylinder engine with oil cooler and 16
hydraulically adjusted valves, hydraulic clutch, automatic cam-chain tensioner
and fully electronic ignition. The shaft drive is low on lash and maintenance
free, and the 16-inch front. wheel, with TRAC anti-dive and an integrated fork
brace, delivers nimble yet stable handling. The rear end is steadied by a pair
of VHD shocks with four-way-adjustable rebound damping and box-section
swingarm
Honda introduced the Nighthawk in
the 1982 model year. It was initially produced in three sizes, the CB450SC,
CB650SC & CB750SC models. All of these models borrowed heavily from the existing
CB models, yet there were enough styling and substantive improvements to warrant
designating them as new models. The CB450SC Nighthawk was an improvement upon
the CB400, with an increase in engine size, improved internal lubrication
system, hardened transmission gears, six speed tranmission, chain drive, cast
wheels, disc front brake, air-adjustable fork, and VHD shocks. In it's first
year, the 650 Nighthawk was equipped with Honda's last remaining SOHC in-line 4
cylinder engine, a 5 speed transmission, chain drive, and Comstar wheels. The
CB750SC Nighthawk began it's run as a chain drive, 16 valve, DOHC in-line four
cylinder, using the existing CB750 engine, but with everything else restyled and
redesigned.
1983 brought many changes. The CB550SC Nighthawk , a cruiser styled Nighthawk,
was introduced. The CB650SC Nighthawk was totally redesigned, producing a
package which rivaled other companies 750's, including shaft drive, self
adjusting cam chains, improved braking, handling, ergonomics, and visual appeal.
The CB750SC was still offered but that would come to a hault when In 1983 the
U.S. government, in an effort to keep Harley-Davidson afloat, imposed strict
tariffs on imported motorcycles exceeding 700cc's. The 700 Nighthawk S was
produced in 1984-86 in an effort to make a larger model Nighthawk that was still
able to be sold in the U.S.
The 700s hit the showrooms with an all new engine, with DOHC and automatic cam
chain tensioners. The bikes were shaft driven, and came standard with a small
fairing, giving the bike a sportier appearance. This model remained until 1986,
the last year of the Nighthawk's initial existence. The 550 was dropped after
the 1983 model year. The 450 was not produced in 84, but was reintroduced in
1985 & 1986 model years. The 650 saw it's last production in the 1985 model
year.
1987 brought sportier bikes, cruisers, and touring rigs, but no Nighthawks!!
This intolerable situation persisted until 1990, when Honda, finally realizing
the error of it's ways, resurrected the Nighthawk series in the 1991 model year.
The bike was bike. The new version came in two sizes, a 250cc twin, and a 750cc
inline 4 cylinder (size was not a problem now that Harley-Davidson was healthy
again). Both of these machines were very well designed and affordable, a package
hard to beat. Having achieved perfection at last, Honda has wisely left the
design untouched , except for moving the location of the helmet lock in the 93
and later bikes, color changes, and a blacked out engine in 1997 and later
bikes). The new 750 died off yet again leaving the Nighthawk name with the
lesser 250cc. Today the "little bird" is used as a training bike for the
MSF's(motorcycle safety foundation).
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