I just picked up an 84 750 S... Canada. Mine is in similar shape with the notable exception that it has a 4 into 1 exhaust. I will be looking for a stock setup. Thanks for posting this!
@@LiterPlus I mean I’m sure you’ve seen the hatchet café racer builds built off this machine. I can live with a four into one until I can find a stock unit.
You were mistaken as to why this bike was only produced for just a few years (84-86). It had nothing to do with catalytic converters or emissions, and had everything to do with the "Harley tax" that was imposed on all imports above 700cc. In fact, no motorcycles were required to have catalytic convertors in the US until 2003, which also coincided with most manufacturers shifting away from multiple carburetors and towards fuel injection to meet the increased emissions regulations. The Harley tariff was passed in an attempt to save Harley Davidson from bankruptcy, which was at the time was the only US motorcycle manufacturer. In early 1980s Harley Davidson had suffered from years of poor management and product neglect, which had allowed the Japanese imports to gain significant market share selling bikes that directly competed against the big Harley cruisers. The import tariff of 45% was seen as a way to allow the new management that was just taking over an opportunity to get some breathing space, and to introduce new models that could compete. The CB700SC "Nighthawk S" was only produced for 3 years (84-86) while in the rest of the world a nearly identical CB750SC with slightly better mid-range torque and slightly higher horsepower was sold.
I had an 84 S. If I may suggest, Dennis Kirk made aluminum slip-on canisters for that bike. They sounded great. I’m in the research stage of getting another one now. That bike was a lotta fun. I removed all the decals and painted all the bodywork black.
I removed all old decals, repaired the dents in the tank, fixed all the cracks in the plastic and sprayed black with 3 coats of clear, cut the clear with 1000 grit. Installed new decals and sprayed 4 more coats of clear. The stock twin exhaust sounds awesome. I get tons of compliments on how it sounds. Plus I want to keep it as original as possible. Good luck in your search. Half the fun is restoring or customizing.
Good luck with this project. I had a blue 84 and pretty much was the best bike I ever owned. Have a 2014 CB1100 now and it is definitely a great bike. The shape of the tank reminds me of the Nighthawk. Glad you got the factory exhaust. I think it sounds perfect and like the look with dual canisters. Looking forward to seeing how this turns out. Glad I found this channel
Welcome to the channel. I should always have some bike in process of a restoration. I have a 92 Ninja next in line. I have always loved the CB line. I am looking for a red 85 nighthawk to go with the blue one.
In the early eighties, Harley-Davidson claimed that Japanese manufacturers were importing motorcycles into the US in such volume as to harm or threaten to harm domestic producers.[68] After an investigation by the U.S. International Trade Commission, President Reagan in 1983 imposed a 45 percent tariff on imported bikes with engine capacities greater than 700 cc.
I just picked up an 84 750 S... Canada. Mine is in similar shape with the notable exception that it has a 4 into 1 exhaust. I will be looking for a stock setup.
Thanks for posting this!
The stock exhaust sounds so good. Not sure why anyone would want to change it. Check out some of the riding videos I have with it. To hear it.
@@LiterPlus I mean I’m sure you’ve seen the hatchet café racer builds built off this machine. I can live with a four into one until I can find a stock unit.
Nice. I bought a NEW 1985 Red and Black 85, and I now have a 84 Black and Blue one that is cherry....
Nice. Enjoy it.
Very cool. You and I are thinking along the very same lines when it comes to bikes. I was a sophomore in high school when this came out.
You were mistaken as to why this bike was only produced for just a few years (84-86). It had nothing to do with catalytic converters or emissions, and had everything to do with the "Harley tax" that was imposed on all imports above 700cc. In fact, no motorcycles were required to have catalytic convertors in the US until 2003, which also coincided with most manufacturers shifting away from multiple carburetors and towards fuel injection to meet the increased emissions regulations.
The Harley tariff was passed in an attempt to save Harley Davidson from bankruptcy, which was at the time was the only US motorcycle manufacturer. In early 1980s Harley Davidson had suffered from years of poor management and product neglect, which had allowed the Japanese imports to gain significant market share selling bikes that directly competed against the big Harley cruisers. The import tariff of 45% was seen as a way to allow the new management that was just taking over an opportunity to get some breathing space, and to introduce new models that could compete.
The CB700SC "Nighthawk S" was only produced for 3 years (84-86) while in the rest of the world a nearly identical CB750SC with slightly better mid-range torque and slightly higher horsepower was sold.
Great video
I had an 84 S. If I may suggest, Dennis Kirk made aluminum slip-on canisters for that bike. They sounded great. I’m in the research stage of getting another one now. That bike was a lotta fun. I removed all the decals and painted all the bodywork black.
I removed all old decals, repaired the dents in the tank, fixed all the cracks in the plastic and sprayed black with 3 coats of clear, cut the clear with 1000 grit. Installed new decals and sprayed 4 more coats of clear.
The stock twin exhaust sounds awesome. I get tons of compliments on how it sounds. Plus I want to keep it as original as possible.
Good luck in your search. Half the fun is restoring or customizing.
Good luck with this project. I had a blue 84 and pretty much was the best bike I ever owned. Have a 2014 CB1100 now and it is definitely a great bike. The shape of the tank reminds me of the Nighthawk. Glad you got the factory exhaust. I think it sounds perfect and like the look with dual canisters. Looking forward to seeing how this turns out. Glad I found this channel
Welcome to the channel. I should always have some bike in process of a restoration. I have a 92 Ninja next in line. I have always loved the CB line. I am looking for a red 85 nighthawk to go with the blue one.
In the early eighties, Harley-Davidson claimed that Japanese manufacturers were importing motorcycles into the US in such volume as to harm or threaten to harm domestic producers.[68] After an investigation by the U.S. International Trade Commission, President Reagan in 1983 imposed a 45 percent tariff on imported bikes with engine capacities greater than 700 cc.
Yep.
I have a 1983 nighthawk. Are you in Canada?
No, I am in Oklahoma. But born and raised in Minnesota.
@@LiterPlus I love the US just looking to meet up with other nighthawk riders. Cheers
Link to all the decals?
www.ebay.com/itm/Honda-1985-Nighthawk-S-USA-decal-set-/362179271676?_trksid=p2349624.m46890.l49286
www.ebay.com/itm/HONDA-1985-CB700-CB700SC-NIGHTHAWK-WARNING-DECAL-SET-/300436166704?_trksid=p2349624.m46890.l49286