Carbs have been off for jetting, synched upon installation (couple of years ago), with no change in right bar vibration. Like I said earlier, the bar ends have helped, and adjusting the cables/brake line on that side have helped too. But it's still a drag. You don't know it for the first 20 min/half hour or so...maybe it's just me. But I wonder if something's not right with the bike since the gentleman also experienced the same (r/s) on his '84. I've even readjusted the bars and filled the bars with expanding foam.
I don't believe any amount of guessing will fix this one, it will take the succesfull, previous experience of another SC owner who has cured the same problem.
I purchased my nighthawk in July of 98 and proceeded to put over 4,000 miles on it up untill the middle of October when I stopped riding due to lack of adequate rain gear, The bike ran well the entire time with no problems. When I went to ride it a few days before Christmas, it wouldn't start, not even a pop or sputter. I ran down all the usual checks like the kill switch, gearing, etc. I checked for spark which I had in all four cylinders, checked for fuel flow from the tank to the carbs which was OK, and checked to see if there was gas in the cylinders after cranking for a while which there was little if not none. I tried using starter fluid first through the airbox with the filter removed. Then, down the cylinders with the spark plugs removed and replaced. No sputter, no pop, absolutely nothing except the starter cranking the engine over. I decided to remove the carbs and do a thorough cleaning inside and out. I used a factory seal and "O" ring set when I re-assembled carbs after cleaning and. I set the carb adjustments using the factory manual Thinking that I had checked and cleaned everything associated with the fuel system, and that my problem must be a fuel one. I was very disheartened when my bike still would'nt start. (More like really, really pissed off ) Nothing different than before, From here I don't know where to look. Can anyone come up with a possible solution, I really want to ride before this century is up!
I read the question and solution Marc had about his 650 electrical problem. I have had similar problems, except mine comes and goes. Some times after the bike has been shut down, I will turn the key on, the lights will come on, when I hit the starter, it clicks and everything goes dead. If I turn the key on and off at that point, nothing will happen. I have replaced the battery already, and discovered that when I remove the battery and reinstall it, many times that fixes the problem. I'm thinking I have a problem with a bad cable or connection. Has anyone ever witnessed this and can anyone make any suggestions?
Thanks for the help.
Brad Hawley , Grass Valley, Cal.
I have an 85 650 Nighthawk. during slow speed manuevering it feels as if their is something causing the front wheel to pitch left or right. When I put the bike on the centerstand, the front wheel is true without any play or wobble. The steering stem however seems to be almost too easy to turn and seems almost on its own to want to come back to dead center. When it gets to dead center it seems to settle in a "detente" where it feels like it settles in a groove or other catch. Is it time to replace the steering stem bearings/race's or is this normal. At highway speed the bike is very stable, but at parking lot speed it almost seems like it is trying to steer itself. I have a big Kawasaki Concours and when on the center stand it turns very smoothly from left to right with light resistance almost as if there is some damping going on. The resistance on the hawk is as light as a huffy bicycle. Can I get some tips on this annoying little problem?
Randy traran@wko.com
Problem Solved -- Replaced the Steering Head Bearings.
I purchased a Nighthawk 700S around a month ago. The bike had been stored covered and outdoors for about a year, and had a few very minor cosmetic problems (fuse box cover cracked, and front right turn signal clamp broken), but otherwise in perfect shape. I've been riding it around without incident until last night. As I was parking the bike, I mis-judged how far the kick stand was extended. The bike dropped on its left side. The fall was broken by an adjacent car's bumper, and by myself, who was still hanging on somewhat. Feeling like an idiot, I quickly pushed the bike back up, extended the kick stand, and inspected for damage. Unbelievably there was none. Not even a scratch. The steering column was already locked and the key was in my hand. I chained the bike, and went inside. This morning, I went out to start the bike. I put the key in the ignition, and it wouldn't turn past "park". Oddly enough, the parking light wouldn't come on, either. I looked under the steering column, and saw that the steering lock was moving a little bit, but would not budge. I gave up as I was late for work already. Could the fall have managed to screw up the key assembly? I don't understand.
It also had rained a little the previous evening, but I had ridden it since then, and my bike was mostly under cover for the rest of the day. If anyone has any insight, I would surely appreciate it.
I recently acquired a 1983 NightHawk 550 from my father. I have owned a plethora of dirt bikes through the years, but this is my first street bike. The bike has had only routine maintenance and has over 42,000 mi. The bike runs like a champ and looks pretty good too. I am very excited about owning my first street bike. It is nice to see this site about NightHawks. It was very interesting to learn that the 550 was only produced for one year. My NightHawk has only one problem that I need to fix. The timing chain is very noisy when the bike is cold. I know that it needs to be adjusted or have the tensioner or guides replaced but I am not sure where to start. I am a trained auto mechanic, but I have never worked on four-stroke motorcycle engines and I don't have a good manual. Do you or someone out there have any suggestions or procedures to correct this problem.
This problem has been solved and the solution will be posted shortly.
I have an 83 CB550SC with a bummer of a charging problem. After replacing the battery (with a Yuasa) and on a full charge, I can ride the bike without problem for an indefinite amount of time. The problem arises when I try to restart it; the battery is completely dead. I ran a few tests with my multimeter and found the the bike will only produce ~13 volts at high revs and ~11 volts at low rpm. I've run the suggested resistance tests (according to a Clymers manual) on the stator and found that there weren't any shorts. I've replaced the regulator/rectifier, but that didn't solve the problem. I was thinking that because the bike can't even produce charging voltage at high rpm, it might be the alternator rotors that are bad but I really don't know. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.
Nathan Bartow
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