Sprockets: I ended up buying a Nighthawk 450

Yeah, O ring chains are definetly the way to go. Personally, if I had a chain driven bike, I'd put new high quality sprockets and an O ring chain on it. However, if you are on a tight budget, then a regular chain and the existing sprockets will be just fine. Be sure to buy a can of chain lube. My wife still hates that stuff. Her bike came with a chain. It now has a belt.

Your sprocket looks OK to me. I'd run that with a new regular chain.

These people: http://www.jirehcycles.com/ have a reputation for selling HD parts dirt cheap. They look to be just a tad over wholesale. My friends use them. Here's their metric site: http://www.jirehmetric.com/servlet/StoreFront Their web site leaves a lot to be desired, but they will give you a free CD catalog. here's a pocket chain breaker like I have: http://www.jirehmetric.com/servlet/Detail?no=1289 for $8. They have a Diamond chain starting at around $45 or in bulk for $9/ft. I'm getting a bit leary of "super cheap E36 M3 from FleaBay" myself. While it might be OK, there's a good chance it is crap. I know what a Diamond non-O ring chain is. Not good, but OK. A Tsubaki chain is better, in my experience. Either will probably last a long time on that 450CC bike with a little lube.

Sounds like one of your carb floats stuck open and the gas petcock was left on. Gas flows down the carb, floods it, flows into the head, down into the oil, fills crank case with gas. Be sure to turn the petcock off when you stop. Be sure to remember to turn it on next time. Everyone forgets occasionally.

wherethefmi2000 wrote: In reply to Woody: psst you want to ride again i know it lol

Shut up, dammit. Just shut up!

Woody, why'd you sell the bike and don't have one anymore?

I found the standard DID chain in my size for $30 ($40 with shipping) - I think I'm going to get that, it's a name brand and the brand that's listed on the Honda sticker on the side of the chain cover. Diamond ones are more.

Anyone have a source for cheap armor jackets? What's a decent brand etc? I went to a local bike shop but they had $400+ jackets (leather+armor)

RussellH wrote: Woody, why'd you sell the bike and don't have one anymore?

It's still out in the barn.

RussellH wrote: Anyone have a source for cheap armor jackets? What's a decent brand etc? I went to a local bike shop but they had $400+ jackets (leather+armor)

www.newenough.com is a good place to start, but leather is expensive. I wear an armored textile.

Get the best gloves you can buy. I always rode in armored ballistic nylon of some type. The reason I recommend the BEST gloves is logical. What's the first thing you do when you fall down? Put out your hands. Believe me, get good gloves.

A good helmet is a must too.

I also second therex's recommendation for New Enough. Great shop to work with. Their close outs are very competitive.

Brakes: So today I had my friend who rides a 2008 BMW K1200S ride my bike up and down the street to see what he thinks. He came back, took his helmet off and he was already laughing...he said 'wow, it's...ummm....it's just a different bike - but man there's something wrong with your front brakes, I had to use the rears to slow down, I almost panic'd. I said "don't you use both brakes anyway?" - he said "no I have interlinked brakes, so I got unused to using the front ones only but regardless the fronts should grab a lot harder than yours are right now". His bike is pretty amazing, as I often tell him, "that's not a bike, that's a machine."

Anyway, the front pads are pretty worn, so I guess I'm looking for some good quality brake pads too. I wonder if Hawk makes pads for bikes too. Do you guys have any recommendations?

Gloves Yeah I bought nice AlpineStar ones with knuckle protectors

Jacket Thanks for the newenough.com link. Here're the jackets I'm considering, my budget is around $150 or a little more if I have to.

Shift airborne

Shift

Inferno

Teknic

DTP

helmet Is using a car helmet an option? If not, I might pick up a HJC or something.

I wouldn't get anything too aggressive for brake pads, with disc brakes it can likely lock the front wheel if everything's in working order, and as a beginner that is probably not something that you want to experience. I'd bet at the bike's age, the fluid is in dire need of replacement. It's probably mostly water. Whatever oem equivalent pads you can find should do just fine. You aren't trying to slow down a whole lot of mass, after all.

+1 For Newenough, great prices and good people, they are great about taking back gear that doesn't fit, for example. All my gear has come either from them or a local bike shop.

You don't want to use an SA rated helmet for a bike, M rated helmets are designed to have a wider field of view typically. But a good M-rated helmet will certainly work for double duty. I probably have almost as many autocross miles on mine as bike miles :).

I have a few armored Cortechs textile jackets I got at closeout. I have leather, but I just like the breathability of textile better, especially in the summer.

Ebay has lots of vendors who sell closeouts. Motorcycle gear is like basketball shoes. There are new models every year and some folks have to have to latest stuff to be cool. But thats good for us. Depending on your local bike scene, Craigslist can help as well. Your local dealer should be getting the new stuff soon and will start marking down last years gear.

Good call on the gloves. I fell in love with carbon knuckles years ago when I had to (gently) tapp on a hood to let a car know I was there.

The same apllies to helmets. All of mine are brand name that I bought at the dealer for less than 50% of the original price. I actually keep about 6 in my rotation, that keeps em from getting to skanky (Actually I usually keep 2 to 4, but I have a dirtbike now and I got a great deal on another pair from a going out of business sale). I would aviod a car helmet for the same reason you shouldn't use a motorcyle helmet in a car, they really are specialized bits. They are tested differently and designed for different impacts. Whats more is that they breathe different.

HJCs are good, but try on several different brands. They are like jeans, the cut and feel of each manufactorer as well as each model is different. You should wear the helmet for at least 15 minutes to see if you develop any "hotspots." make sure you are comfortable with the airflow as well. When I moved to Oklahoma, I had to swith to the "flip up" or convertable style helmets becuase it is just so damm hot and I needed the ventalation at stoplights. For the same reason a lot of folks prefer a 3/4. But I have taken large insects at speed and even with a full face I end up with some nice bruises (I ride with the visor up). I got an Icon full face at a Harley dealer of all places, it was there last one and was less than $200 out the door. I really like it.

If you don't get a comfortable hemet, either you won't wear it, you'll wear it wrong or figit with it until it becomes a distraction, all of which counter the whole piont of a helmet. When I was buying garage reject bikes, I always ended up with more in my gear than the bike itself. Put the level of research and shopping in your helmet that you did in the jackets. I would submit they are more important.

Brakes: I'm thinking about trying EBC organic pads but all brake pads I find online say: Honda Nighthawk 450 83-86 - mine's a '82. And according to this: http://hondanighthawks.net/450.htm the changes in 83 were cosmetic only. Furthermore, the pads listed for 83-86 apparently also fit:

Honda Nighthawk 650 83-85

Honda Nighthawk 700S 84-86

Honda Nighthawk 750 82-83

Hope I order the right parts.

The SBS pads I have on my 650 seem to work just fine, and they were pretty cheap through Parts Unlimited at my local shop.

The part number for your bike (which is 1982-specific) is 1721-0242. $29.95 a pair.

http://street.parts-unlimited.com/2/57/6002787?q=brake%20pads

RussellH wrote: Woody, why'd you sell the bike and don't have one anymore? I found the standard DID chain in my size for $30 ($40 with shipping) - I think I'm going to get that, it's a name brand and the brand that's listed on the Honda sticker on the side of the chain cover. Diamond ones are more. Anyone have a source for cheap armor jackets? What's a decent brand etc? I went to a local bike shop but they had $400+ jackets (leather+armor)

Field sheer is nice and inexpensive one thing though is I'd look for a 3/4 jacket, they are longer and feel better when hunched over on a bike, ask me how I know that a shorter jacket kinda sucks in the cold I paid 90 for the jacket about a hundred for the helmet (HJC I love them) and 50 bucks for some really nice wind/waterproof gloves from joe rocket. Go for last seasons styles and you'll get a great deal.

Don't buy a helmet that doesn't fit right, one main thing when trying on helmets is to strap it on and grab the chin bar AND TRY TO MOVE THE HELMET FROM LEFT TO RIGHT IT SHOULDN'T MOVE ON YOUR HEAD. Sorry for the all caps I'm we tod id

Yeah, when you put on a bike lid it should become one with your scalp but not be so tight that it hurts. Put the lid on, then try shaking your head side to side, there should be NO movement whatsoever.

Each mfg. has its fit quirks, I bought a Shoei dirt bike lid via mailorder and it fit everywhere except at the top of my forehead. Swapped it for another, it fit the same way. I wound up peeling the fabric/foam liner back and using the round end of a 1" combination wrench to reform the Styrofoam liner. After that, it fit perfectly. The Arai I replaced it with fit perfectly with no mods only exception was the cheek pads were a little tight for my personal taste. Rather than change them, I just got used to it.

Check out the Snell site FAQ page for helmet info:

http://www.smf.org/

Car and bike helmets are designed to do different things. Bike helmets are designed with the expectation that your head may strike the pavement several times. Car helmets are designed more for striking roll bars, etc.

There's a lot more to it than that, but you get the idea. Get a bike helmet for a bike

RussellH wrote: Brakes: mine's a '82. And according to this: http://hondanighthawks.net/450.htm the changes in 83 were cosmetic only....

I can assure you that '83 brought more than just cosmetic changes, many of the parts are unique to '82.

But you might be OK with brake pads.