1983 Honda CB650SC Nighthawk. Owner: Bob Duncan, Atascadero, California.
This Nighthawk was truly a marvel of good looks and efficiency when it appeared in 1983. Good lines, good paint, cast alloy wheels, megaphone-styled exhaust and 65 horses out of an all-new 655cc in-line four. This middling-sized engine sported 16 valves, two overhead camshafts and hydraulic control of valve lash. With six gears connected to a trouble-free shaft drive. It seemed that checking tire pressures, occasionally changing the oil and keeping the bike looking shiny was all the maintenance an owner had to do.
?But wait!? cries a somber voice from a dark corner of the library. ?Honda?s own ?Motorcycle Identification Guide? says there was a 1982 CB650SC as well.? Truth. So maybe we better start a little earlier. Like back in 1979, when the Japanese manufacturers were still wondering about what cylinder sizes sold best. Since the old Brit-bike 650s had sold well and were quite popular, the Big Four (Honda, Yamaha, Kawasaki, Suzuki) were all offering 650s?twins and fours. Honda came out with a very nice CB650C four-banger, 627cc, with single overhead camshaft, two valves per cylinder, and five-speed gearbox with chain final drive. Just look at that ’80s-awesome dash!
After three years the marketing department felt the model needed a little more pizzazz. And a catchy new name?Nighthawk. But this 1982 Nighthawk used the old CB650 engine and chassis, with a new tank, bodywork and saddle. Would the ...