The New And Improved Unofficial R65 Forum V2
Technical Discussion => Discussion about "Lesser" makes, er, Non-BMW ;-) => Topic started by: steve hawkins on September 08, 2014, 02:58:35 AM
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Just acquired one of these for a winter project. Only paid £400 for it, with an MOT, powder coated wheels, new chain and new EBC disc up front. It is really scruffy though. Going to have to drop the engine out of the frame to clean and paint it. And there is a lot of Honda 1980's corrosion on it. Tank has a dent and bodywork very tired.
But a surprisingly flexible little 'mota' and an opportunity to have some fun with a winter refresh on the cards.
Going to do a 'special', but on the cheap. No expensive big ticket items. Going to have to be really creative to make it stand out. Just a polish and paint, with a brush or a rattle can and some masking tape. And some extra bits of mucking around to make it stand out from a very dull crowd. Going for the 'shed built' look.
I am not taking delivery till next month when I have finished re-decking my Classic National 12 sailing dinghy. Put a picture up then.
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Hi Steve
I remember the "Hawk" 400, I was indifferent to them when they were new as in my opinion they were a step backwards from the legendary 400/4.
Of course my much younger brain was oblivious to the reduced maintenance requirements, the better handling and the lower weight (leading to better performance)
There were so many of the thing son the road it is astounding that they are now relatively rare.
Have fun.
PS if you ever come across a good CB500T survivor let me know, that is one I'd just about pay to import into Australia. Fastest bike ever to do a tappet setting job on. Only someone who has owned one will know why - let's test how good memories are.
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Here are a couple of pictures. Otherwise nobody would believe me would they? Scruffy, unloved and a few minor issues, but hey, it was cheap. I rode it to work this morning.
Rev Light
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Sporty looking. Thanks for the snaps.
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Steve
Didn't even know that your model Hawk existed.
I thought you had one of these:-
http://www.motorcyclespecs.co.za/model/Honda/honda_cb400t%2080.htm
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No, Tony, in the UK that would be called a Superdream 400. With its horrible comstar wheels.
This bike needs polish and paint. The engine is heavily corroded under what's left of the paint. The tank, seat unit and mudguard (fender) needs repairing, filling and painting as well. The bike has been used as a winter hack and left out in the rain. But it is fully functional.
Cheers
Steve H
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Glad it found a good home.
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No, Tony, in the UK that would be called a Superdream 400. With its horrible comstar wheels.
Thank you Steve....Ah Comstars.... I was heading home with just over 1,000km to go and a grinding hangover when i cam across a young lady by the side of the road with a flat front tyre on her honda thing with comstar wheels. Worse they were comstar wheels with inboard brakes.
Turned out she was very low on cash and couldn't afford to have the bike shop come and rescue the bike. Fool that I am I agreed to take the front wheel off, pillion her to the nearest town with a bike shop, bring her back and refit the wheel.
Getting the blasted thing off did not go well at all, fixing it took too bloody long and it took me about 2 hours to get the wheel back on the bike with everything working.
I am a paid up member of the comstar wheel with inboard brake loathing society.
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My second bike was an old 1978 400 Hawk. It wasn't that old then... Great bike. It was originally blue but I painted mine flat black and tuned it the best I could. It actually got me to and from work like a champ for about a year.
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I've got one of these.
Mine is a 650 Hawk, bought in the UK but it started life in the States and was imported some years ago.
Had it for 6 years now and no complaints with it at all.