I need someone to talk me down...

[Zenmervolt]

When I moved to Seattle from Ohio, I left behind an '82 Honda CB450SC Nighthawk. I'd bought it when both it and I were 16 years old and rode it until I left Ohio in '04. Since then, every summer, I've missed that bike. I keep meaning to either ship it out or buy another one, but practicality always stops me.

Until now.

For the last couple of weeks I've been skimming the used bike sections of Craigslist and stumbled across an '82 CB750SC Nighthawk. The 750cc "big brother" of my faithful little 450cc friend. I could drop the cash on it without a problem, and I've kept my motorcycle endorsement current on my license, and, unlike the 450, the 750 would be manageable on the highway...

Someone stop me.

ZV

 

[Arkaign]

I don't see why you shouldn't get it, you obviously aren't an inexperienced rider, or someone who's going to drive it every day in busy traffic.

It's great to have extra transportation, particularly as both backup/economical purposes are fulfilled.

Fun as well!

Pics when you get it

 

[Zenmervolt]

Originally posted by: Arkaign
I don't see why you shouldn't get it, you obviously aren't an inexperienced rider, or someone who's going to drive it every day in busy traffic.

It's great to have extra transportation, particularly as both backup/economical purposes are fulfilled.

Fun as well!

Pics when you get it

Bastard.

ZV

 

[Arkaign]

Hahah, I guess I didn't fulfill the thread title, eh Well, I miss my old Honda Magna myself, and though I'll never ride a bike every day again (esp. not in Texas! too many SUVs with drivers that don't pay attention), I really think I'll start looking for something like that again, a weekender bike.

 

[shocksyde]

It's truly sad that no matter how good of a motorcycle rider you are, all it takes is a dumbass soccer mom on a cell phone to kill you.

However, if you're a REALLY good rider, you'll avoid those situations. So, if you feel you're "qualified," go for it.

 

[desy]

I'll sell you my 82 Yammy 650 Seca?

 

[Zenmervolt]

Originally posted by: shocksyde
It's truly sad that no matter how good of a motorcycle rider you are, all it takes is a dumbass soccer mom on a cell phone to kill you.

However, if you're a REALLY good rider, you'll avoid those situations. So, if you feel you're "qualified," go for it.

There are a thousand and one things that could kill you on any given day, and yes, a motorcycle does increase the chances for some of those things, there's just something about it that gets under your skin.

ZV

 

[Turin39789]

interested in getting rid of the 450 in ohio? Has it been run in the last two years? Hell if I had the free time I'd ride it to you for a small fee.

 

[Zenmervolt]

Originally posted by: Turin39789
interested in getting rid of the 450 in ohio? Has it been run in the last two years? Hell if I had the free time I'd ride it to you for a small fee.

It has not run since I parked it. And it needs a shift lever. My sister ran into it when it was parked and bent the shift lever against the crank-case. Ran exceptionally well last time I had it out, only caveat is that it's notoriously cold-blooded and does not like to start when it's cold (typically I could solve this by just turning the fuel on for a couple minutes before starting it and it would fire right up).

If I don't pull the trigger on another bike, I'm going to just have the 450 shipped out here.

ZV

 

[Estrella]

death.

 

[dustmann]

Doooooooooooooo iiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiit!

 

[jagec]

Originally posted by: Zenmervolt

Originally posted by: Turin39789
interested in getting rid of the 450 in ohio? Has it been run in the last two years? Hell if I had the free time I'd ride it to you for a small fee.

It has not run since I parked it. And it needs a shift lever. My sister ran into it when it was parked and bent the shift lever against the crank-case. Ran exceptionally well last time I had it out, only caveat is that it's notoriously cold-blooded and does not like to start when it's cold (typically I could solve this by just turning the fuel on for a couple minutes before starting it and it would fire right up).

If I don't pull the trigger on another bike, I'm going to just have the 450 shipped out here.

ZV

Get the 750. My first bike was a Yamaha XS400, and 300 extra CC's sounds about right for that sort of bike. Plus, it's just not worth shipping a bike that old, unless you've got a lot invested in it...makes more sense to sell it locally on Craigslist, and buy another one locally in here in Seattle.

On the other hand, resale value's probably higher here than Ohio, so if you can find someone to bring it over for *really* cheap...

 

[Gillbot]

Go for it.

 

[DivideBYZero]

*SPLAT*

 

[Fenixgoon]

Originally posted by: Zenmervolt

Originally posted by: shocksyde
It's truly sad that no matter how good of a motorcycle rider you are, all it takes is a dumbass soccer mom on a cell phone to kill you.

However, if you're a REALLY good rider, you'll avoid those situations. So, if you feel you're "qualified," go for it.

There are a thousand and one things that could kill you on any given day, and yes, a motorcycle does increase the chances for some of those things, there's just something about it that gets under your skin.

ZV

sounds like you've already made up your mind i'm also going to go with "buy the damn thing" but just to help you out:

what are some reasons you SHOULDN'T go for it, ZV? try to think of some if you really are averse to buying another bike

 

[Zenmervolt]

Originally posted by: Fenixgoon
what are some reasons you SHOULDN'T go for it, ZV? try to think of some if you really are averse to buying another bike

The only answer I have is the answer I always have before I "invest" in yet another depreciating object: I don't need it and the money could easily be spent on something more practical.

Other objections are decently easy to dismiss:

- Where to keep it?
It will fit quite easily in the one-car garage with the 951, needs no new space.

- Insurance?
It's an old bike and I'm over 25, insurance won't be awful.

- Maintenance?
What maintenance? It's an old Honda, oil and gasoline and the occasional set of brake pads.

I did E-mail the guy from the ad though. I suppose we'll see what the vibe is when I hear back.

ZV

 

[jagec]

Originally posted by: Zenmervolt
The only answer I have is the answer I always have before I "invest" in yet another depreciating object: I don't need it and the money could easily be spent on something more practical.


- Insurance?
It's an old bike and I'm over 25, insurance won't be awful.

Old bikes don't depreciate. Either you can sell it for what you paid, or you can keep it long enough to actually MAKE money due to scarcity. Unless you trash it, of course...then all bets are off.

And insurance will be practically free...or, if you're a risk taker, you could go uninsured, which is legal in Washington. Probably not worth it, though, especially considering how cheap it is.

 

[exdeath]

What I do when I'm about to spend money on something I know I really don't need is stall and wait around and hope it's gone by the time I call

 

[ponyo]

Buy it!

All my friends who had bikes regret selling it once bike season start. That's why I'll never sell my bike even though I don't currently ride it. Plus the bike has sentimental value.

 

[Pliablemoose]

Originally posted by: Zenmervolt
When I moved to Seattle from Ohio, I left behind an '82 Honda CB450SC Nighthawk. I'd bought it when both it and I were 16 years old and rode it until I left Ohio in '04. Since then, every summer, I've missed that bike. I keep meaning to either ship it out or buy another one, but practicality always stops me.

Until now.

For the last couple of weeks I've been skimming the used bike sections of Craigslist and stumbled across an '82 CB750SC Nighthawk. The 750cc "big brother" of my faithful little 450cc friend. I could drop the cash on it without a problem, and I've kept my motorcycle endorsement current on my license, and, unlike the 450, the 750 would be manageable on the highway...

Someone stop me.

ZV

I owned a CB750C for a few years, it was ok, but you really should look for something different.

The armchair position sucks at highway speeds, the engine was pretty warm on my shins...

It's a UJM, but it's too much of a compromise, a handlebar mounted fairing is ok, but it jacks with your steering when buffeted at highway speeds. If you want a highway bike, dig up an old Honda Interstate, they sell like crazy for a reason.

If you want a more sport oriented bike get a V twin, they really do handle very well, and they're really not uncomfortable to ride like you'd think.

If you really want that bike, put in a stage one carb kit, and an aftermarket exhaust, it makes a nice difference. The CV carbs were very jetted very lean.

Also at that age, parts start getting difficult to find.

 

[imported_Imp]

Originally posted by: shocksyde
It's truly sad that no matter how good of a motorcycle rider you are, all it takes is a dumbass soccer mom on a cell phone to kill you.

However, if you're a REALLY good rider, you'll avoid those situations. So, if you feel you're "qualified," go for it.

This should help a bit in saying "no": no matter how good a rider you are, once the sh!t hits the fan: good night. In one "scenario", a smart, and I emphasis smart, rookie rider will take it easy on side roads, city streets and go easy on the highway; it may be more likely that sh!t happens, but he'll/she''ll be going slower and in more defensive positions (side lanes, more spacing). Once you get confident, the chance of anything going wrong is small, but you're also more likely to be red-lining, pushing your bike harder and more often on the freeway. Hence, anything bad will be worse. Recently, a 50 year old rider who was considered one of the safest and best riders took a turn too fast in my city; pronounced at the scene IIRC.

On the otherhand you have beginners who take their new 600cc sportsbike around the block once, then join a 40 member group ride on an "expert" rode with twists and turns everywhere. They then proceed to hit a guardrail which blocks off a cliff and then fall 50ft below (true story). Luckily, an a former army medic and off-duty paramedic were in the group to provide aid to the corpse for 30 minutes until the ambulance dudes pronounced.

And finally, you're safe and smart your entire riding career and live one happy man.

Oh, and I plan on getting a bike in the next year or two. Rode one recently and it's just too much damn fun to just give up forever... Ride safe and go for it.

 

[imported_Devine]

Originally posted by: Imp

Originally posted by: shocksyde
It's truly sad that no matter how good of a motorcycle rider you are, all it takes is a dumbass soccer mom on a cell phone to kill you.

However, if you're a REALLY good rider, you'll avoid those situations. So, if you feel you're "qualified," go for it.

This should help a bit in saying "no": no matter how good a rider you are, once the sh!t hits the fan: good night. In one "scenario", a smart, and I emphasis smart, rookie rider will take it easy on side roads, city streets and go easy on the highway; it may be more likely that sh!t happens, but he'll/she''ll be going slower and in more defensive positions (side lanes, more spacing). Once you get confident, the chance of anything going wrong is small, but you're also more likely to be red-lining, pushing your bike harder and more often on the freeway. Hence, anything bad will be worse. Recently, a 50 year old rider who was considered one of the safest and best riders took a turn too fast in my city; pronounced at the scene IIRC.

Thats why I got in my last accident on my bike, over confident and doing something I shouldnt of been doing at the time. Thankfully nobody got hurt besides me and my pride and only did $700ish in damage. I learned my lesson though, be stupid when its kinda safe, or at least safer i.e. during the day, when nobody's around, on roads you know and within your skill lvl. I know that I'll have a bike for the rest of my life god willing, its too big of an itch not to scratch

 

[Zenmervolt]

Originally posted by: Pliablemoose
I owned a CB750C for a few years, it was ok, but you really should look for something different.

The armchair position sucks at highway speeds, the engine was pretty warm on my shins...

It's a UJM, but it's too much of a compromise, a handlebar mounted fairing is ok, but it jacks with your steering when buffeted at highway speeds. If you want a highway bike, dig up an old Honda Interstate, they sell like crazy for a reason.

If you want a more sport oriented bike get a V twin, they really do handle very well, and they're really not uncomfortable to ride like you'd think.

If you really want that bike, put in a stage one carb kit, and an aftermarket exhaust, it makes a nice difference. The CV carbs were very jetted very lean.

Also at that age, parts start getting difficult to find.

It's stupid, but part of me really likes that the bike and I are the same age. Also, for whatever reason, I've always liked the styling of the early 1980's Nighthawks. They just look "right"; purposeful and mechanically honest.

I'm not really looking for a highway big, and I definitely don't want a sportbike. If I had unlimited funds, I'd pick up an '04-'06 Harley XL1200R Sportster because it looks good and has enough power to make the highway a viable option. The Honda Nighthawks have always been the best looking of the UJMs. And the one I'm looking at has had the stock handlebar replaced with a flatter bar that looks a little more comfortable...

I'm in a fit of missing my 450, that was an amazing bike, still love that little thing.

ZV

 

[Pliablemoose]

I can't slam it too much, I liked mine

And I like the flat handlebars a lot too...

Like I said, a stage one jet kit, some pipes & you're good to go.

 

[sniperruff]

"Someone stop me."

ok i just offered the guy $1k and bought it. that should stop you...

j/k =P