NH550

1983 Nighthawk 550

The Little Cruiser with Power!

Leaning 550

Hi-res available by email

The 550 Nighthawk was a "one year wonder". The Honda engineer's couldn't decide whether the Nighthawk was going to become a sport bike or a cruiser, so it appears they decided to put both personalities into one machine. When you look at the seat and handlebars, the bike says, "I'm baad, lets cruise down the strip tonight!" Then---you crank it up, hit a curve, and the bike looks up at you and seems to say, "That's all you got? Come on, lean me over--- I can take it!!!!"

This bike came in two colors; Candy Presto Red, and Black. The headlight was rectangular, and the exhaust system was a 4 into 2. For a good description of the bike, and its characteristics, read the magazine article.

Magazine article on the Nighthawk 550 A well written article from 1983.
Mike Rescues a Neglected 550 - It's amazaing what you can do with a few hundred bucks!
Back From the Dead -- Vas rescues a cast-off, abused, forlorn 550 and turns into into a sleek, sporty, fightin' 550 !!

SPECIFICATIONS

General

List Price

$ 2548

Warranty

12 mo. / 12,000 mi.

Chassis

Test weight with 1/2 tank fuel	440 lb.	Weight distribution front / rear - percent	47 / 53
Fuel capacity	3.2 gal.	Footpeg height	14.2 in.
Wheelbase	56.7 in.	Ground clearance	6.3 in.
Rake / trail	29 ° / 4.2 in.	Headlight	12v 55 / 60w
Handlebar width	30.5 in.	GVWR	815 lb.
Seat height	31.1 in.	Load capacity	375 lb.
Seat width	10.5 in.	Dry Weight	418.9 lbs

Suspension / Tires / Brakes

Front suspension	telescopic fork	Front tire	100/90-19 Dunlop K11
Front travel	6.3 in.	Rear tire	130/90-16 Dunlop K627
Rear suspension	swing arm, dual shocks	Rear tire rev/mile	821
Rear travel	4.1 in.	Front brake	12.6 in. disc
Front wheel	MT 2.15 x 19 in.	Rear brake	6.3 in. drum
Rear wheel	MT 3.00 x 16 in.	Brake swept area	120 sq. in.
		Brake loading	5 lb./ sq. in (160 lb rider)

Engine / Gearbox

Engine	dohc air-cooled inline Four	Starter	electric
Bore & Stroke	60 x 50.6 mm	Battery	12v 12ah
Displacement	572cc	Primary drive	gear
Compression ratio	9.5:1	Clutch	multi-plate, wet, hydraulic
Carburetion	4 (27mm ) Keihin CV	Final drive	shaft
Air filter	pleated paper	Gear ratios, overall:	1:
Ignition	transistorized inductive	6th	5.32
Claimed power	64 bhp @ 9500 rpm	5th	6.26
Claimed torque	36.5 lb.-ft. @ 8000 rpm	4th	7.48
Lubrication	wet sump	3rd	9.26
Oil capacity	3.4 qt.	2nd	11.98
Electrical Power	280w @ 6000 rpm	1st	17.94

Performance

Quarter mile	12.64 sec. @ 102.27 mph	Redline Calculated speed:
0-30 mph	1.9 sec.	1st gear	41 mph
0-40 mph	2.8 sec.	2nd gear	61 mph
0-50 mph	3.9 sec.	3rd gear	79 mph
0-60 mph	4.8 sec.	4th gear	97 mph
0-70 mph	5.9 sec.	5th gear	116 mph
0-80 mph	7.1 sec.	6th gear	137 mph (dream on)
0-90 mph	9.1 sec.	Test loop fuel consump.	61 mpg
0-100 mph	11.6 sec.	Range (to reserve)	153 miles
Top gear 40-60 mph	4.7 sec.	Braking 30 mph to stop	30 ft.
Top gear 60-80 mph	10.8 sec.	Braking 60 mph to stop	130 ft.
Top speed in 1/2 mile	116 mph	Speedo indicated / true	30 mph / 27 mph
Engine speed at 60 mph	4380 rpm	Speedo indicated / true	60 mph / 53 mph

Hondaline optional equipment

Windshield, Engine guards, Sissy bar, adjustable backrest, luggage rack, color matched trunk, handle-bar mounted quartz clock, and body cover.

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