So stay away from any V-4 bikes? Like a Virago?

[andyb]

Get the feeling that will be common to most anything with the raked front end, really.

I don't like feeling like I'm using (or having to use!) all of the machine's performance, I like it to feel as if there's always more in reserve. 

For something to just kick about town with, I'd think something either like an old 350-450 parallel twin (XS, KZ, GS, etc) or something silly like a motard would be great fun.  You've already got a sport-tourer, may as well get something utterly different so they don't overlap on their uses.

[Bill_Rockoff]

My friend John (The Beer Scientist) has had a Virago 750 for a few years.  He favors the kind of bike he can pick up off its side while standing on one foot (I gather he has had to do this more than once) which means middleweight cruisers, and as he says, this one was the best bike he could pay cash for that was for sale that particular day.

It sat long enough to gum up the tank/lines/carbs and kill the battery.  Last year I took it in and took it apart.  Cleaned the tank and carbs, rebuilt the carbs, did the valves, put it back together, put a battery in it.  It's together and would run, except it has sat long enough to kill the new battery.

The fuel tank leaked, so I did my carb synch and test rides using a funnel hanging from the handlebars instead of a fuel tank.  It rode fine and pulled hard, but the funnel held barely enough gas to get around the block.

You may see it again at an FJ rally.  He will ride it fast enough to keep up with about 2/3 of the folks who show up to ride with us at rallies; I am never bored with his pace when he leads.

A 750 or 920 or 1100 will run $1,000 to $2,000 depending on condition.  They're neat in the way all running bikes are neat, and they are flawed in the way many Japanese bikes from back then are flawed.  (The frame is an airbox?  Really??)  Lots of steel, some of it chromed half-heartedly, John's needs stem bearings at 20,000 ish miles. 

[Flynt]

You've already got a sport-tourer, may as well get something utterly different so they don't overlap on their uses.

BINGO 

get a different experience!   

Frank

[Bminder]

As I look at all that's for sale on craigslist, I'm amazed how many are selling bikes with no title!

[Burns]

Viragos are V-twins...   

V-4, V-twin, tomato, tomahto. 

I'm still trying to get past this statement.   

2, 4 - who's counting?  it's all so cylindrical!  Stay away from the V-8 though it's mostly 2-may-tow

[novaraptor]

As I look at all that's for sale on craigslist, I'm amazed how many are selling bikes with no title!

Those I stay away from. They all say easy to get, just take the bill of sale to dmv. If it's that easy, they should do it, then charge a little more to the buyer. Since they didn't, I figure it's usually cause they can't.

[Bminder]

As I look at all that's for sale on craigslist, I'm amazed how many are selling bikes with no title!

Those I stay away from. They all say easy to get, just take the bill of sale to dmv. If it's that easy, they should do it, then charge a little more to the buyer. Since they didn't, I figure it's usually cause they can't.

You're right.
I've look at the DMV website for Wyoming, and talked to the title office in my county, and it's very, very clear: Not title, no plates.
And to replace a lost title from a bike I'd bought, I'd have to lie and perjure to do it.

[aviationfred]

This is a little bit of a drive to pick up, but this would make a good around town bike.

http://cosprings.craigslist.org/mcy/4394973574.html


Fred

[Bminder]

This is a little bit of a drive to pick up, but this would make a good around town bike.

http://cosprings.craigslist.org/mcy/4394973574.html


Fred

Looks very nice. Wonder why the miles are so low? I sent the guy a message.
It's about 3 hours from Cheyenne.

[Country Joe]

The Nighthawk is a great 2 wheeled appliance, and I mean that in a good way. Hydraulic valves, mellow powerband, very little to go bad other than the exhaust collector boxes tend to rust out.  I'd offer them $1700 and see what they say.

[Burns]

as I recall cam-chain tensioners were a problem with that motor, though not a difficult fix.

[TexasDave]

Yes I agree with Joe. They are a good reliable bike for the money. I have a 650 nighthawk and never had any problems with it.  Dave

[JMR]

as I recall cam-chain tensioners were a problem with that motor, though not a difficult fix.

Apparently all Honda's have cam tensioner problem except the SOHC CB750. That is a very practical bike with low maintenance needs. I would shim the carb needles .020, one size larger on the main and drill the pilot plugs out. Only problem I ever had with them is one guy who wanted Superbike type bars on it....the switch housings hit the tank with lower bars. OK...modify the stops for less steering lock and the keyed steering lock wouldn't engage. Anyway....a good utilitarian bike for sure.

[TexasDave]

Yes Honda has these things jetted on the very edge of lean to meet EPA emissions. My nighthawk won't run right if I even remove the air filter cover. If you want it to run like its supposed to the mixture needs to be richened.  Dave

[Alf]

The Nighthawk is a great 2 wheeled appliance, and I mean that in a good way. Hydraulic valves, mellow powerband, very little to go bad other than the exhaust collector boxes tend to rust out.  I'd offer them $1700 and see what they say.

The problem with that engines was the alternator chain tensioner, not the distribution chain tensioner. Its a completely tear down engine repair. But don´t worry: after 2 revisions of the tensioner Honda got a unburstable engine and when Honda started to built the Nighthawk the problem was definitively solved. I know various SevenFiftys (like is known in Europe) with more than 200.000 kms