Hey Motorcycle Nerdz,

I've been eyeballing a 1986 Honda Nighthawk that's for sale locally.  It's got about 20k on the clock.  Super clean, well kept, runs great.  I'm thinking about buying it.  It'll be the first bike I've owned since the 1994 Honda Magna I had when I was 19 (that thing was a MONSTER).


I'm posting this just to see if any of you motorcycle gurus have any advice about this bike.

What things should I check on it before buying?

Are there any really common issues to look out for?

Are parts readily available for it?

Are there a ton of special tools I will need if I ever do have to work on it?


Thanks for your advice :)

Derreck,

I'm not a MC guy but what I remember form way back when I had Hondas was a long set of feeler gauges to set the valves and a set of matched vacuum gauges to sync the carbs but what you have in your tool box will work.

I don't know as far as the mechanical issues what to look out fer - - - way to long ago.

Oh, I did have misfires when caught in the rain.

HTH

daveyK wrote on Jun 26^th, 2015 at 3:56pm:

Derreck, I'm not a MC guy but what I remember form way back when I had Hondas was a long set of feeler gauges to set the valves and a set of matched vacuum gauges to sync the carbs but what you have in your tool box will work. I don't know as far as the mechanical issues what to look out fer - - - way to long ago. Oh, I did have misfires when caught in the rain. HTH

Thanks Davey.  I think I've got plenty of long feeler gauges but I'll have to look into a set of matched vacuum gauges.

If your looking for vac gauges look for Morgan carbtune 2 sync gauges. They are far more accurate than dial gauges and can be used for carb and fuel injection. I have a set of Morgan's. They are a excellent bit of kit.

mark152152 wrote on Jun 30^th, 2015 at 4:29am:

look for Morgan carbtune 2 sync gauges.

Like this?

http://www.carbtune.com/

Derreck wrote on Jul 1^st, 2015 at 12:59pm:

mark152152 wrote on Jun 30th, 2015 at 4:29am: look for Morgan carbtune 2 sync gauges. Like this? http://www.carbtune.com/

Yes - that's the set I've got. Excellent bit if kit. Fully rebuildable and easy to maintain and calibrate yourself. I calibrate mine periodically just to make sure they are 100% accurate.

mark152152 wrote on Jul 2^nd, 2015 at 10:51am:

Yes - that's the set I've got.

Cool.  Thanks for the tip.


Still trying to put together the extra $$$ to buy the bike, but no one else has bought it yet.  Hopefully it will still be there in a week or two when I have the funding together. :)

Hi guys, been away so havnt been checking here much.

I would say on something like this watch for valve leakage and carb wear/ gumming up with old fuel if its sat around long enough without use, which given the age and milage is quite possible.

Parts for theese older models are becoming harder to get hold of so that may be a consideration too. Depends what you want it for? Daily ride or just perhaps a bit of a tinker project and the occasional nice sunday ride?

I may be able t help with any issues you may have if you have gone ahead with it just let me know.

PS that carb tune looks cool, havnt used a mercury(if thats what they still are) filled one like that since my apprentice days. Would be worth a buy for the money.