Of the 83-85 Nighthawks...

[Gene]

650, 700, and 750. Which do you consider best, and why?

[Pete in PA]

I had an 83 650 new.  Put on 30k+ miles. Loved it, first bike.

I rode an  S extensively back to back, liked it better but had less power down low. Still wonder if the full size 750 S  would have taken care of that.
Thanks Harley and Ronnie.😡😡

Now a year ago I picked up a 92 to relive the old days. I like it. chain doesn't bother me, gives all the power, Full 750cc's, and has the look I love.

Thought long and hard about an 80's NH but the extra 10 years, parts availability, bottom end problems, etc. stopped me.

[mollusc]

750 was only available outside of the US 84-86.  Supposedly there is effectively no performance difference between the Canadian 750S and the 700S.
Style-wise, the 700S is my platonic ideal of an 80s bike.

[Larry Fine]

I take it you omitted the '82-'83 750 on purpose. I don't blame you at all.

It was a heavy pig of a bike, a full 100 pounds heavier than the '91-'03.

[Gene]

Larry,
I didn't omit the '82-'83 750 on purpose, in fact, I know nothing of them. I'm speculating though it has the hydraulic valves, DOHC engine?

[Larry Fine]

I'm speculating though it has the hydraulic valves, DOHC engine?

Negative. The '82 and '83 CB750SC (Sport Custom) bikes were merely styling alterations to the standard DOHC CB750, with shim-adjusted valves, 5-speed trannies, and chain drives. I believe the same apply to the SOHC CB550SC and CB650SC models as well, except for the shims.