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):
http://i110.photobucket.com/albums/n...t/DSCF1029.jpg

THE OTHER ONE (84 nighthawk 700):
http://i110.photobucket.com/albums/n...ist/img336.jpg
http://i110.photobucket.com/albums/n...ist/img337.jpg

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

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

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.

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


Allen

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:

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.

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. :)

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.

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/n...ist/rtside.jpg

http://i110.photobucket.com/albums/n...t/rearview.jpg

http://i110.photobucket.com/albums/n...t/leftside.jpg

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.

Those are very good looking bikes.

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

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.