Should I trade my XL600 for a 700 Nighthawk?

truthfriend7 · 04-11-2009, 10:54 AM

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):

THE OTHER ONE (84 nighthawk 700):

BillR · 04-11-2009, 10:59 PM

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 · 04-12-2009, 12:14 AM

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

kmoore · 04-12-2009, 12:36 AM

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 · 04-12-2009, 10:15 AM

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

Allen

truthfriend7 · 04-12-2009, 03:09 PM

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

kmoore · 04-12-2009, 07:31 PM

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 · 04-13-2009, 11:48 AM

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 · 04-14-2009, 11:54 AM

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 · 04-15-2009, 01:44 PM

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

Allen

truthfriend7 · 04-15-2009, 03:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by katoranger

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.

DDG1976 · 04-15-2009, 03:50 PM

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 · 04-15-2009, 11:44 PM

Those are very good looking bikes.

Cal25 · 04-16-2009, 08:43 AM

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

truthfriend7 · 04-16-2009, 02:04 PM

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.

04-11-2009, 10:54 AM	#1
truthfriend7 Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Florida Posts: 92	Should I trade my XL600 for a 700 Nighthawk? 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): THE OTHER ONE (84 nighthawk 700):
	0

04-12-2009, 12:14 AM	#3
AZ200cc Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Show Low Arizona Posts: 2,889	It's a good trade, Unless You truly want the dirt aspect of riding. __________________ <br />2001 Suzuki DR200SE<br />1997 Suzuki RM250 YIKES<br />1995 Yamaha Breeze 125 daughters<br />1991 Honda XR80r Restored<br />maybe a 2003 Yamaha TTR90
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04-12-2009, 10:15 AM	#5
katoranger Join Date: May 2007 Location: Altamont, Kansas Posts: 15,103	I would go for it too. Those nighthawks will last a long time. The clutch and springs are not that expensive either. Allen __________________ You meet the nicest people on a Honda Clone.
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04-13-2009, 11:48 AM	#8
SpeedSouth Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Atlanta, Ga Posts: 710	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. __________________ 2008 American Lifan LF200 GY-5 (930 km) - Sold 2007 Kawasaki EX250 - Sold 2006 Kawasaki EX650R - My new ride! 2005 Kawasaki EX250 - A new project
	0

04-15-2009, 01:44 PM	#10
katoranger Join Date: May 2007 Location: Altamont, Kansas Posts: 15,103	I don't believe there is really any difference in the clutch replacement. Allen __________________ You meet the nicest people on a Honda Clone.
	0

04-11-2009, 10:59 PM	#2
BillR Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Nashville, TN Posts: 588	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
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04-12-2009, 12:36 AM	#4
kmoore Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: lawrenceburg, tn Posts: 122	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.
	0

04-12-2009, 03:09 PM	#6
truthfriend7 Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Florida Posts: 92	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
	0

04-12-2009, 07:31 PM	#7
kmoore Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: lawrenceburg, tn Posts: 122	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.
	0

04-14-2009, 11:54 AM	#9
truthfriend7 Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Florida Posts: 92	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.
	0

04-15-2009, 03:50 PM	#12
DDG1976 Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Ringgold, Ga. Posts: 410	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. __________________ I have all of soberday to satur up!!
	0

04-15-2009, 11:44 PM	#13
AZ200cc Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Show Low Arizona Posts: 2,889	Those are very good looking bikes. __________________ <br />2001 Suzuki DR200SE<br />1997 Suzuki RM250 YIKES<br />1995 Yamaha Breeze 125 daughters<br />1991 Honda XR80r Restored<br />maybe a 2003 Yamaha TTR90
	0

04-16-2009, 08:43 AM	#14
Cal25 Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Terrell and Grapevine Tx. Posts: 1,585	It does look comfy and sporty. Looks to be in great shape too.
	0

04-16-2009, 02:04 PM	#15
truthfriend7 Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Florida Posts: 92	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.
	0