Performance Items

Performance Items for you Honda Nighthawk

Performance Items

Suspension Items	Exhaust Systems
Air Filter	Owner's Recommendations
Carburetor

Suspension Items

Shocks & Springs - For the 90's bikes, this seems to be the one area that all of the reviewers agreed on. Nobody was thrilled with the stock equipment. They're not awful, it's just that they can easily be made much better. Progressive is the only way to go, from what I've heard. Everyone seems to agree that they make a dramatic improvement in the way the Nighthawk handles the bumps and corners. Let's hear from some satisfied customers on this. By the way, I have no complaints at all about the way my bike handles the bumps, corners, or anything else. Of course, it's the only bike I've owned, so maybe I'm too easy?
- UPDATE- I guess if you've eaten nothing but hamburger, you don't know how good steak is. I put Progressive shocks & springs on my 750. Big improvement! I'm having the Progressive front springs put in later this week. Be advised, you need to order shocks & springs. They come in seperate boxes, which means unless you have a spring compression tool, you'll need to have them put together. I had mine done by a local independant shop for a whopping $10.00. Then, it's a simple bolt on installation. Make sure you put in the correct bushing in the lower mount!
- UPDATE - The shocks can be purchased with the springs mounted also. Make sure you specify which type you want when ordering.
Forks - If you're trying to restore a weathered bike, pristine forks can be costly. Honda wants over $300 for some sets. A cheaper option is Forks By Frank, in Evanston, IL, which makes replacement fork tubes for all Nighthawks (and most other bikes too, apparently). They come recommended by the people at Progressive Suspension, and their prices are MUCH less than Honda's. Michel , who is restoring an 83 passed this info on to me. For instance, for her '83, the local Honda dealer wanted $186.00 for one side, and $199.00 for the other, whereas Frank's has the pair for $159.00. They don't have a web page, but they can be contacted at (847)475-1003. One week to ship, UPS, COD.

Air Filters

K & N makes an after market "Hi Air Flow filter which fits in the stock compartment, and is reusable too! They claim they make them for "most street machines", so I suppose they make them for the 80's bikes too. I just paid $30.00 for my Hondaline throwaway filter at the dealer. I guess the K & N is a no-brainer. Anyone have any experience with this item? You can get a "recharge kit with the cleaner and oil for your K&N filter at many auto parts stores, since K&N also makes them for some cars.
K&N filters are "supposed to " work on the 700S. See Fred's comments on the 700S maintenance page.

Carburetor Kits

Dynojet makes a "STAGE 1" Carb kit which claims a 5% boost in horsepower. They also make a STAGE III Carb kit which when used with the K & N air filter, gives a 15% increase in Horsepower!! This is a major task though, as you will be replacing jets, needles, clips, shims, springs, etc. As of now, the STAGE III kits are not available for the 90's Nighthawks. I'm not sure about the 80's. I should have that info shortly.
FACTORY makes a Config 10 Carb Kit designed for use with the stock bikes, and claims a boost in mid and peak HP, while keeping a linear throttle response. They also make a Config 30 Kit, which claims it will "develop strong linear power through the low-end and mid-range with an extreme high RPM power. The Config 30 kit is NOT available for 90's Nighthawks.

Mufflers & Pipes

Yoshimura Zyclone makes a pipe and muffler kit for the 90's Nighthawks.
Hindle makes exhausts for the 80's 650's and 80's & 90's 750's.
Vance & Hines still makes a Pro Sport exhaust system for the 84-86 CB700's. See Fred's comments on the 700S maintenance page .
Vance & Hines makes a Megaphone for the 90's 750 Nighthawk.
Supertrapp makes mufflers and pipes for the 84-86 700S, and for the 90's 750.
MAC makes exhaust systems for some of the 80's Nighthawks.

Owner's Recommendations

I have a 96 Nighthawk and already did the following:
- 1)Yoshimura Zyclone 4 into 1 exhaust
- 2) Stage 1 jet kit
- 3) K&N OEM style filter
I think that the most noticable difference is a little midrange and a lot of upper end. My bike pulls real strong right up till the rev limiter cuts the engine. I got the Yosh pipe because I liked the look of the chrome canister with the turned down tip like all the sport bikes have. And my cousin has a Supertrapp, I don't like how the exaust comes out the sides and not out the back. The end cap always gets black and he is constantly cleaning it. The yosh pipe is almost as quiet as stock pipes if you ride slow and sane, but when you open up the throttle, it rocks (but not as loud as a supertrapp, and thats not as loud as the Vance & Haynes... I don't like the V&H myself). Personally I was very happy with the purchase, I like the bike's looks and sound, much better than stock. I would say go for it. Don't forget to buy new crush washers for the new exaust system. I didn't realize they were in there, and it took a couple days till I could get them to complete the job and it was a nice sunny couple of days. If you try to use the already crushed washers in the block, you might not get the new exaust system to seat properly.

Steve (Ex 96 Nighthawk 750 Owner)
Just installed a really nice V & H 4 into 1 on my 750. It was just too loud. No help from the factory, so a friend suggested I reduce to center opening by attaching a large washer to the end. That reduced the straight through opening from about 2" to 1" and forced the sound waves to travel around and then through the fiber glas packing and thus cut the sound quite a bit. I also added some screen on the other end of the baffle. Just right now. Love the weight loss, looks, and alittle added performance with no other changes. penick@nettally.com

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