New here...

[warhead_71]

...but not new to Hondas.

I've owned over 30 bikes (all Hondas and one Yamaha FJ1100) since 1993. I'm also on ST-owners.com (ST1300), ngwclub.com (early Goldwings), Hondatwins.net, the old sabmag.org (Sabre/Magna/Interceptors V45/V65), SOHC4.com, CB750.com, and loads of FB groups for Hondas from the 60's-80's mostly.

I recently (last Thursday) bought a barely-running 83 CB650SC (wineberry red color?) for $750 and am fixing it up so I can throw dual-sport tires on it and tear up some dirt/gravel roads. It came with a 4-1 exhaust that sounds pretty throaty. Bike has a few dings, dents, scratches, and no headlight bezel... but it's solid and mostly rust-free.

So far I have:

• cleaned & rebuilt the carbs - they were pouring gas from the o-rings on the connecting fuel tubes. bench synched and running slightly rich ATM
• rewired shoddy crimping to aftermarket turn signals
• cleaned and resoldered broken/corroded connections in the fuse block
• disassembled one front brake caliper, cleaned, bled
• cleaned out the tank with MetalRescue
• reconnected the missing crankcase>airbox vent tubes
• tried to rebuild the clutch slave cyl but the piston is too pitted

Yet to do:

• the right caliper was seized/removed from the bike when I bought it. I have since unseized it and a rebuild kit is in the mail. Also the right rotor is badly scored so I have a good Ebay replacement on the way.
• install new tires - Kenda K761 Dual Sport
• swap clutch slave cyl -- I found one on Ebay from a CB550SC - same part#
• replace one MC cap that is cracked with stripped-out screws
• forks seals?? I see a little bit of weepeing but might try the "Seal Mate" trick. I'd like to add gaitors to them to protect against gravel & mud.
• vacuum synch the carbs and adjust the mix (I'm at 2-5/8" out right now but the aftermarket jets are slightly bigger than stock)
• new plugs/wires

That's the short list... I'm sure I'll discover more as I get into it. I was away all Labor Day weekend moto-camping so haven't had much time to play with it yet.

Anyway, thanks for having me and thanks to the admins for keeping Nighthawk forums alive. I see the old one is gone.

- Warren

[Pete in PA]

Welcome!  I bought a brand new 83 even same color back in the day as my first bike.

Loved it, was great as a first bike. Ahead of it's time with 6 speeds, hydraulic clutch, fuel guage, shaft drive, gear indicator, etc.

Can't imagine useing it for off road but to each his own. Looks like a lot of work ahead.

[Bob H]

... bought a barely-running 83 CB650SC (wineberry red color?) for $750

Welcome!
It seems the lowest price vehicles (even free ones) end up costing the most in terms of parts and labor - but the experience is worth it.

I have MUCH more respect for those who are able to work on things, than paying top dollar for something new.
It keeps you out of "Starbucks" because you are busy in the shop rather than posing with the BMW or taking the Harley for it's weekly 5 mile run to park it at the bar.