Specs & Performance of the 1985 Nighthawk 700S as tested by Cycle magazine, 1985

Test Specifications

1985 Honda CB700SC

(Nighthawk S)

MSRP (5/30/85) = $3398
Performance

Standing start 1/4 mile

12.35 sec. @ 107.46 mph

Acceleration, 0-60 mph

3.60 seconds

Accleration 45-70 mph 4th Gear

5.04 sec., 431.0 ft.

" " 45-70 mph 5th Gear

6.32 sec., 538.7 ft.

" " 45-70 mph 6th Gear

7.68 sec., 644.1 ft.

Braking, 60-0 mph

127.65 ft.

Horsepower @ 60 mph

11.97

Engine rpm @ 60 mph, top gear

4373

Average fuel consumption rate

49.6 mpg (21.5 km/l)

Cruising range (main/reserve)

178/34 miles (290/53 km)

Load capacity (GVWR less curb weight)

379 lbs. (171.9 kg)

Maximum speed in gears @ redline

(1) 49, (2) 71, (3) 89, (4) 106, (5) 127, (6) 147

Engine

Type

Four-stroke, transverse four; air-cooled with two chain-driven overhead camshafts; four valves per cylinder

Bore & stroke

67.9 x 49.4 mm (2.64 x 1.94 in.)

Piston displacement

696cc (42.5 cu. in.)

Compression ratio

9.3:1

Carburetion

(4) Keihin 31mm constant-vacuum

Exhaust system

Four into two

Ignition

Battery-powered, inductive, magnetically triggered

Air filtration

Paper element, disposable

Oil filtration

Paper element, disposable (Fram PH6010A)

Oil capacity

2.9 qts. (2.8 l)

Transmission

Type

Six-speed, constant-mesh, wet clutch

Primary drive

Straight-cut gear; 73/41, 1.78

Secondary drive

Bevel gear; 19/16, 1.19

Final drive

Shaft and bevel gears; 34/10, 3.40

Gear ratios (transmission)

(1) 38/17, 2.24 (2) 34/22, 1.55 (3) 31/25, 1.24

(4) 28/27, 1.04 (5) 26/30, 0.87 (6) 24/32, 0.75

Gear ratios (overall)

(1) 16.13 (2) 11.16 (3) 8.93 (4) 7.49 (5) 6.26 (6) 5.40

Chassis

Type

Double-downtube, full-cradle frame; tube/box-section steel swing arm

Suspension, front

Center-axle, air-adjustable fork with 39mm tubes, anti-dive valving and 6.3 in. (160mm) of travel

Suspension, rear

(2) shock absorbers, adjustable for spring preload and rebound damping, producing 4.7 in. (120mm) of rear-wheel travel

Wheelbase

58.5 in. (1485mm)

Rake/trail

30.0 deg/4.8 in. (122mm)

Brake, front

Hydraulic, dual-disc with twin-piston calipers

Brake, rear

Rod-actuated single leading shoe drum

Wheel, front

Cast, 2.50 x 16

Wheel, rear

Cast, 3.00 x 16

Tire, front

110/90-16 Bridgestone Mag Mopus G511

Tire, rear

130/90-16 Bridgestone Mag Mopus G508

Seat height

31.8 in. (806mm)

Ground clearance

5.3 in. (133mm)

Fuel capacity (main/reserve)

3.6/0.7 gals (13.5/2.5 l)

Curb weight (full tank)

516 lbs. (234.1 kg)

Test weight (160 lb rider)

676.0 lbs (306.6 kg)

Electrical

Power source

Three-phase AC generator, 280 watts

Charge control

Solid-state voltage regulator

Headlight beams (high/low)

60/55 watts

Tail/stoplights

8/24 watts

Battery

12V / 14AH

Instruments

Includes...

Speedometer, odometer, tripmeter; tachometer with 10,750-rpm redline; fuel-gauge; warning lights for low oil pressure, tail/stoplight out; indicators for gear position, high beam, turn signals, neutral

Speedometer error

30mph indicated---30.06 actual

60mph indicated---59.70 actual

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