Motorcycle Repair: 85 nighthawk 700, chassis maintenance, honda cb550

Question
Hi Bill,

Iknow that this is not quite your expert area, but.I have a 1985 honda nighthawk and I can not find a repair manual for this model and year. I can find the 550,650 and 750,950 books would any of these be close enough. I have found the shop manual for my year which does have a great starting point but as this is my first ever motocycle I would like to feel comfortable with the repair. the shop manual just does not have the fluff that is needed for the novice macanic like me. I prefer to do all work possabe myself.


Any help is a big help
Thank you
Brian

Answer
Brian, The CB700SC is one of a line of related bikes which have the hydraulic valve train engines, first released back in 1983. There are shaft driven CB550, CB650, CB700 and the long running chain driven CB750 Nighthawk models, which are all related. These are NOT related to the CB550, CB650, CB750 SOHC engines, nor are they related to the DOHC CB750, CB900, CB1000C and CB1100F models from 1979 to 1983.

http://www.pipeline.com/~randyo/Maintenance/NH700S-750S_maint_tips.htm

http://www.amazon.com/Honda-Factory-Service-1984-86-CB700SC/dp/B002DKYQVY is the only model specific repair book that I know of.

http://www.haynes.com/products/productID/582 is only slightly related to this model and would have a more comprehensive detailed look at some of the similar systems.

http://www.clymer.com/Book.aspx?bid=514&title=Clymer+Honda+CB550+and+650+Nightha... is available, but Clymer's books are often just a rehash of the factory manuals.

The Nighthawk forums are probably your best bet to pick up info specific to your bike. Otherwise, just learn the "basics" of engine design, carburation, ignition and chassis maintenance from various motorcycle repair sites online.

There are numerous online microfiche listings for this machine.  For quick reference I use the www.cmsnl.com but there are many US sites which use American Honda's parts services for reference.

Bill Silver