What things should I check in the Spring after I take my
bike out of storage, but before I put it on the road?
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CLUTCH. Prior to starting
your vehicle, engage the clutch and put the bike in gear. Then let go of the
clutch and push it back and forth a few times, making sure the bike doesn't
roll.
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BATTERY. Clean and check the
tightness of battery connections. Battery terminals should be tightened to no more
than 40 in-lbs. Make sure to wash your hands after handling battery.
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SPARK PLUGS. Remove and inspect
your spark plugs. Replace with new ones if necessary.
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AIR CLEANER. Check your air
cleaner filter. Remove any excess dust or debris.
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FLUID CHECK. Check your oil tank
level (cold check). Check transmission lubricant level. Add fluids to
appropriate marked levels if necessary.
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START IT UP. Start the engine and
run it until the motorcycle reaches normal operating temperature. Turn ignition
key switch to off position.
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REPEAT AND CHECK OIL AGAIN. Turn engine over a
few times to be sure there is no oil in the crankcase and that all oil has
been pumped back into the oil tank. Stop engine and re-check oil level (hot
check).
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CONTROLS. Check controls to be
sure they are operating properly. Operate front and rear brakes, throttle,
clutch and shifter.
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STEERING. Check steering for
smoothness by turning handlebars through the full operating range.
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TIRES. Check tire pressure.
Incorrect pressure will result in poor riding characteristics and can affect
handling and stability. Refer to owner's manual or tire sidewall for proper
pressure.
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ELECTRICAL. Check all electrical
equipment and switches including headlamp, tail/stop lamp, turn signals and
horn for proper operation.
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FINAL FLUID CHECK. Check for any fuel,
oil or brake fluid leaks.
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Honda Nighthawk FAQ
Dean Lowe, Victoria BC, Canada
(dlowe@engr.uvic.ca)
I found that the 'S' is extremely tolerant, and requires very little maintenance, so most of my suggestions are things not to do. I'm a little afraid to post this, since I'm sure others will disagree, but I guess that's what this list is about.
- Oil: I ran Castrol 10W40 car oil for years with no trouble. I ride year round. The only time I had trouble is when I tried synthetic oil. After putting it in, my clutch started to slip (I assume this is due to increased lubricity of synthetics).
- Exhaust: I tried a Jardine 4-1 without changing the crush gaskets. The bike ended up with an exhaust leak and burned the exhaust valves on my inner two cylinders. The bike had more power for that first ride, but was *way* too loud. Thankfully, Lane sold/gave me a set of OEM cans that I welded on. No problems to speak of there.
- Fairing: I used a rifle sport fairing to give me a bit more wind protection. I had to add a couple more supports to it because it vibrated quite a bit. Other than that, it has been a pleasure to own, and looks alright, in my opinion.
Lane Pipkin, Charleston, SC
(Lanepip@aol.com)
The bike is overall very reliable (6000 carefree miles last summer) fast enough for any sane person, and comfortable on long trips. It's probably the best bike I've ever owned, but I've only been riding since 1970 so what do I know? Enjoy yours!!
- I have a Jardine header on my '84, to which I have fitted a Kerker muffler from a 650 Nighthawk system. I also have a UNI air filter. This combination works really well with stock jetting.
- I'm running Cheng Shin Himax tires (OK so I'm cheap!) 13/90 back and 120/80 front. They seem to be a good compromise between durability and stickiness. They do tend towards slipperiness in the rain, but not too bad. The difference in front tire size (stock is 110/90 I believe) makes my speedo read about 5 mph high at 35 mph (reads 40).
- I run Texaco Havoline oil; 20/50 in the summer, 10/40 in the winter. I am currently using EMGO oil filters. There is a lot of debate about oil filters; I don't want to start THAT up again, but these work fine for me.
- I replaced the front brake lines with stainless steel; BIG improvement.
- I filled the handlebars with "Great Stuff" insulating foam to kill the handlebar buzz I was getting at high RPM. It worked.
- My gas tank was badly rusted on the inside when I got it, so I cleaned and lined it with a tank repair kit I got from "www.brysondist.com". It's made by POR-15 and is the best I've seen. It's about the same price as a KREEM kit, but a much tougher liner. Check it out.