Should I trade my XL600 for a 700 Nighthawk?

[truthfriend7]

Hi guys, I'm torn between the 2 and would like some advice. I have a chance to trade my 86 xl600 for an 84 nighthawk 700s. My xl has a fresh top end and a bunch of new parts. However it's not very good cosmetically and the lights and signals are all rigged. The 700 seems to be in good shape and just had $800 worth of work done (carb cleaning, new seals, oil, starter, etc.), but it has 32,000 miles already on it and will probably need new clutch plates and springs soon.

I'm torn because I'd like to have something good for streets that my wife can ride on the back of occasionally. As well as something easier to ride. But I also want it to last a long time and be easy to work on as well as holding its value. What are your thoughts? I'll probably need to give the guy an answer by this Monday. Thanks.

MY BIKE (86 xl600):
http://i110.photobucket.com/albums/n98/truthfriend7/Craigslist/DSCF1029.jpg (http://s110.photobucket.com/albums/n98/truthfriend7/Craigslist/?action=view&current=DSCF1029.jpg)

THE OTHER ONE (84 nighthawk 700):
http://i110.photobucket.com/albums/n98/truthfriend7/Craigslist/img336.jpg (http://s110.photobucket.com/albums/n98/truthfriend7/Craigslist/?action=view&current=img336.jpg)
http://i110.photobucket.com/albums/n98/truthfriend7/Craigslist/img337.jpg (http://s110.photobucket.com/albums/n98/truthfriend7/Craigslist/?action=view&current=img337.jpg)

[BillR]

I'd probably trade.
I see a couple of the Nighthawks running around here in Nashville. Still sound and look good. Those engines have a pretty strong rep too.
It'll definitely be more comfortable to ride around with the wife on back.
My 2 cents.
Bill

[AZ200cc]

It's a good trade, Unless You truly want the dirt aspect of riding.

[kmoore]

id jump on that trade in a heartbeat. i love my new to me honda shadow 750 and could not go back to a smaller bike. my little brother has an 84 nighthawk 500 and its a sweet ride and love the 6 speed tranny.

[katoranger]

I would go for it too. Those nighthawks will last a long time. The clutch and springs are not that expensive either.


Allen

[truthfriend7]

Well thanks for the advise. It's looking like trading is a recommendation of the day. I just wasn't sure how many more miles I could expect from the 700 since it's already turned 30K and also how expensive a rebuild would be in the future. I'm out of money, so I can't really afford any expensive fixes for a while.

hmmm... I saw one as I was pulling out of Church this morning. Maybe it's a sign :)

EDIT: I also neglected to mention that my total post count at the time of making this post was 84 8O :lol:

[kmoore]

rebuilds on the 500s arnt that bad so i would assume that the 700s wouldent be rough and also if a honda cant get more than 30k im screwed cause my new to me 03 shadow has 30k on the clock already.

[SpeedSouth]

My old roomie had a 700 just like the one in the picture. Great bikes! A little tall for my comfort, but I rode it quite a bit without much trouble.

They were only sold here for two years (83/84), so they hold their value really well. And I would expect it to go well over 50k before needing anything major....maybe closer to 100k. Very solid bikes...highly recommended. :)

[truthfriend7]

Cool. It looks like I'll be getting it. I just have to save up some funds to put new clutch plates and springs. I've never done a hydrolic clutch before. I hope it isn't much harder than the standard cable clutch.

[katoranger]

I don't believe there is really any difference in the clutch replacement.

Allen

[truthfriend7]

I don't believe there is really any difference in the clutch replacement.

Allen


Well that's good news. The guy sent me some better pictures today. After looking at them I think I'd be kicking myself if I didn't trade. It looks pretty good to me. Just needs clutch and to fix the front turn signal mounts.

http://i110.photobucket.com/albums/n98/truthfriend7/Craigslist/rtside.jpg (http://s110.photobucket.com/albums/n98/truthfriend7/Craigslist/?action=view&current=rtside.jpg)

http://i110.photobucket.com/albums/n98/truthfriend7/Craigslist/rearview.jpg (http://s110.photobucket.com/albums/n98/truthfriend7/Craigslist/?action=view&current=rearview.jpg)

http://i110.photobucket.com/albums/n98/truthfriend7/Craigslist/leftside.jpg (http://s110.photobucket.com/albums/n98/truthfriend7/Craigslist/?action=view&current=leftside.jpg)

[DDG1976]

I have to say you'd regret it if you didn't trade. I had a 1985 nighthawk 750 that looked identical to the one in the pictures except it was blue. I loved that bike and kick myself every other day for selling it. It was comfortable to ride and very very fast.

[AZ200cc]

Those are very good looking bikes.

[Cal25]

It does look comfy and sporty. Looks to be in great shape too.

[truthfriend7]

Well the swap happened today. Apparently the guy wants to turn mine into a supermoto and that's why he traded. I'm charging the battery now, but I took it up and back on the street. It's definitely a MUCH better ride, and it was much easier than I thought to handle. It looks sporty but seems to ride much more like a cruiser which is what I wanted. I'm anxious to get it on the open road soon. I'll go to the dmv with the 25 year old title today.

The only downside I noticed is that the bike is slowly dripping oil out the engine. I'm not exactly sure where. I'm thinking i'll thicken up the oil to a 15/40 or 20/50 to lessen it a bit. I found clutch plates and springs for $50 from EBC. So I'm glad about that. Thanks for the good advice guys. I think I'm going to be very pleased.

[SpudRider]

Good trade! Please keep us updated. :)

Spud :)

[kmoore]

if you did an even trade you did very well even if you had to give a little to boot you still did good you will not be disappointed

[truthfriend7]

Sure thing. I've noticed that there's probably a tablespoon's worth of oil that's dripped on the ground under it since I got it yesterday. Also the "new battery" in it only has enough juice to fire it once, and if it doesn't start then I'll have to charge it. However this was an even trade and the previous own poured over $2000 into it redoing the carbs, starter, and other miscellaneous things.

Maybe it's just me, but I don't see why people put that much money into a bike. Why not put it toward a new one. :?:

Does anyone know if thicker oil will help to slow the leak? The manual says that 20/50 is fine, especially since I live in the FL heat. Is it safe to do any thicker than that? What would you recommend?

[Cal25]

Personally I would not be tempted tp put in anything heavier than what is recomended. In your first post you said the previous owner just had some new seals put in. Are those the ones leaking? If so maybe he could arange for the shop to fix again no charge?

Look real close and see where the oil is leaking from. It might be an easy fix.

[truthfriend7]

Yeah I should have clarified. By seals I meant fork seals. This oil is dripping from the block. Looks to me like its the cylinder base gaskets mostly on the middle and left side. I'm certainly going to avoid disassembling the cylinders if I can. That's why I was hoping the thicker oil combined with running it often would help. I'll at least go the thickest recommended, but I didn't know if I could get away with any thicker since the motor is 25 years old.

[SpudRider]

...Maybe it's just me, but I don't see why people put that much money into a bike. Why not put it toward a new one. :?:...
I agree; that baffles me, also. :?:

Spud :)

[truthfriend7]

I found a thread of a guy with my bike having problems and doing the same thing-throwing money into it. It's kind of scary, but I supposed it's good to know the worst case scenario. Good news is that the guy still was able to ride it.

http://www.bayarearidersforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=234782

After scoping out my oil leak further today, I think it's coming from the very center of the front of the block at the cylinder base where there are 2 nuts. I torqued them now slightly more as well as a few others the might have been leaking. We'll see if it helps.[/url]

[SpeedSouth]

Congrats on the bike trade. :)


Sorry to hear about the oil drip, though. I think many people put money into the classics because they just don't make them like that anymore. As cliche as that might sound. Same as an old Mustang or Camaro. It's done for love more than economical value.


I think, just based on your posts, if it were me with your bike, I'd simply park it where the drip isn't a mess (over a pan or some cardboard) and make sure it's topped off every day I ride.

The bike will hold it's value. There's a couple around here at about $2k - http://atlanta.craigslist.org/mcy/1112069270.html
http://atlanta.craigslist.org/mcy/1089941700.html

Both have about the same miles as yours. I'm not sure what your other bike was worth, but I suspect you could sell the new one (if you wanted) for more. And being a classic, it will go up in value as time goes by, assuming it remains in good shape.

I'd just keep some oil with me and keep my ears open for someone who just has to have this particular model. :)

[truthfriend7]

That's good advice. I didn't really think about flipping this bike, but it never hurts to find someone looking to pay big bucks for an oldie. My xl wouldn't even sell for $900. So it makes me feel good knowing this is worth more. Hmmm... you've given me an interesting idea. :idea:

I think I'll enjoy the bike a bit first though. :)

[SpeedSouth]

Glad to help.


A lot of guys never really own a bike anyways....they just rent them for a few months at a time. :lol:

[BillR]

Glad to help.

A lot of guys never really own a bike anyways....they just rent them for a few months at a time. :lol:

Kinda like beer, huh :?:
I never "BOUGHT" a six-pack, but I sure "RENTED" quite a few :twisted: :P

Sorry, couldn't resist.

Great trade, Truth. You'll enjoy that bike.
Bill

[DDG1976]

Wanna trade it for a 2008 Lifan gy-5, I'll drive to florida (LOL)

[warrior91]

shift shaft seal???

[truthfriend7]

shift shaft seal???

I'm pretty sure the oil leak isn't coming from there.

Well the other day I learned a hard lesson. If a clutch is ever prone to slipping DON'T GO FAR FROM HOME. I got out on the back roads and it was shifting and riding perfectly. It was a really sweet ride, so I just kept going and going :? . Then all of the sudden in sixth gear the engine started to rev up, and I knew it was slipping. So I turned around and pulled over for 15 min to let it cool. Started back up and... it's still slipping. So I turned it off for 45 min. Went and stared at a few cows for entertainment, then started up and... still slipping :( . I had to push with my feet to even get moving :arrow: :arrow: :arrow: . I ended up limping it home in 5th gear at low throttle slipping in out every few seconds while going about 20-25mph.

But now I'm home and I yesterday I opened up the clutch and good news... the steel plates still look fine :) . So I ordered the friction plates and springs for $53 and they should be hear within a week. I'll keep everyone posted who's interested.

Thanks to all you guys for recommending this trade. I can already tell I'm going to love this bike, and the motor really seems to be a strong runner despite the oil leak.