Local motorcycle repair shop had a number of bikes dropped off this summer by folks that just didn't want them anymore. No titles otherwise they probably would have sold them.
Owner is a nice guy and friend. So, brought home an orphan 1983 Nighthawk 550 that had sat for the last 20 years. Finally got it road worthy in terms of mechanicals. Still needs to have new turn signals put on it and tires.
Hydraulic valve adjusters so it won't have a tight valve like the Seca 750 ended up with, lol.
Single front brake caliper needed rebuilding, clutch slave cylinder and carbs needed unracking and cleaning as well. Everything went back together like it should and it runs great. However, appearance-wise it looks like it just came out of a dumpster.
The issue that has reared its head now that I've been riding it around a little in the neighborhood, the charging system is not charging the battery. It cranked weak last night when I was going to take it for a ride so charged the battery overnight. Battery checks out fine. 12.7 volts sitting, 12.7 volts with the engine running and raising the rpm. No bueno.
Time to bug out the charging system, my thought is check the connections first, the bike sat 20 years, then rectifier, stators are typically not issues, even after sitting a long time. So the journey continues on a different bike now.
Owner is a nice guy and friend. So, brought home an orphan 1983 Nighthawk 550 that had sat for the last 20 years. Finally got it road worthy in terms of mechanicals. Still needs to have new turn signals put on it and tires.
Hydraulic valve adjusters so it won't have a tight valve like the Seca 750 ended up with, lol.
Single front brake caliper needed rebuilding, clutch slave cylinder and carbs needed unracking and cleaning as well. Everything went back together like it should and it runs great. However, appearance-wise it looks like it just came out of a dumpster.
The issue that has reared its head now that I've been riding it around a little in the neighborhood, the charging system is not charging the battery. It cranked weak last night when I was going to take it for a ride so charged the battery overnight. Battery checks out fine. 12.7 volts sitting, 12.7 volts with the engine running and raising the rpm. No bueno.
Time to bug out the charging system, my thought is check the connections first, the bike sat 20 years, then rectifier, stators are typically not issues, even after sitting a long time. So the journey continues on a different bike now.
Have fun,,,,,Mike in S.Diego and PA
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