1982 Honda Nighthawk 450


1982 Honda Nighthawk 450, originally uploaded by evanfell.

This is my 1982 Honda Nighthawk 450. What a fun little bike these are. This is about as close as you can get to a perfect city commuter bike. I am of course partial to a CB350 or kin, but this Nighthawk 450 sure fits the bill pretty well too.

In the late 70’s and early 80’s bikes motorcycles were going through a lot of changes. Many were dropping their mechanical ignitions in favor of electronic systems. Consoles and gauges which were once steel were fast become plastic. Larger amounts of body work were becoming common place, and some funky wheel combinations were hitting the market.

These nighthawk 450’s are great little bikes for what they are. They are great for zipping around town or quick jaunts down the interstate. The motors are smooth, make good power, and are relatively low maintenance. This was definitely a transition motorcycle for Honda. They were beginning to make motorcycles that were styled a bit more sporty and aggressive. The same features you see on this bike can also be seen on the CB750F, CB900F, and CB1100F models of the same time period. They were using well formed fuel tanks and plastic body work that was designed more for aesthetics than it was for function.

Honda did not jump to plastic headlight buckets and gauge clusters on this model like they were about to do on the Honda Magna’s and Sabre’s. They did however switch to a real dorky style of wheel. It is styled like a Comstar Wheel, but it can be disassembled. The radial supports unbolt from the rim and hub so the wheel can be taken apart. I would bet that the singular glaring reason Honda started using these wheels was the cut costs. It is easier and faster to cast several small pieces than one large one. Personally I have always preferred a spoked wheel in every case.

These Nighthawk 450 motors were essentially the same beast as the CM400 and CMX450 motors. They really do run smooth and reliably. This is an excellent first bike for someone just getting into riding, or is even perfect for someone like myself who prefers to ride a small and simple machine rather than the big hogs and performance driven bikes that most are drawn to. In almost every case a bike like this is all you need to have a great time on two wheels. The small stature, light weight, and peppy motor make it a blast to zip around on. It is very maneuverable, and the seat is soft and wide. The Honda Nighthawk 450 is indeed a great all-around bike.

ef

By ef

Hey, I'm Evan and this is one of my motorcycle sites. You can find more about me on my homepage, or visit me on Google Plus: +Evan Fell

88 comments

  1. Just bought my first bike. An ’82 450 with 16000 miles for $500. I can’t wait to take the MSF course and hit the road. Mostly commuting but looking forward to some afternoon rides.

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    Evan Fell Reply:

    Have fun learning Matt. You picked a great bike and I’m sure you’ll have a blast!

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  2. Thanks Evan. All things considered it’s in pretty good shape. I’m going to go through it and give it a full maintenance and tune up. I do have a question though. When the front wheel is off the ground how free should it spin? It seems fairly difficult to spin mine by hand. Like the brakes are binding. Just curious how much it should spin or if I should think about tearing the calipers apart and give them a good cleaning. I appreciate your input.

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    Evan Fell Reply:

    The wheel should spin effortlessly. Sounds like the brake is binding. This is common when bikes site for a while and is typically an easy fix. Sometimes just riding the bike around the block and squeezing/releasing the brake repeatedly will free it up. But most of the time you’ll want to free up the caliper piston by pushing it back into the caliper then pumping it back out again using the brake lever. If you do this a few times it’ll usually free right up. It’s often also a good idea to drain the brake fluid and put in fresh.

    The piston can be pushed back into the caliper using a C clamp. Very simple. Just make sure the top is off of the master cylinder when you do so and have some towels handy in case the oil overflows out the top.

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  3. I’ve enjoyed reading all the comments, and couldn’t agree more with you, Evan, that medium-sized bikes like the 450 Nighthawk are perfectly good for virtually any use, including tours of several hundred miles. It’s worth mentioning that the 450 NH is a relatively large bike – longer wheelbase and higher, larger seat than most 450’s.

    In addition to a 1986 450 Nighthawk, I also own a 1982 CM 450 Custom, and a 1986 CMX 450 Rebel, all of which use the same 450 engine, but different carbs, gearing, etc. The Custom feels a bit more laid-back with the lower seat and pullback bars; and the Rebel is even more so, plus higher / forward footpegs and a different exhaust sound. A new rider, or one with short legs, might consider a Custom or Rebel – or even a Kawasaki 440 LTD, which is also low, fun, and easy to find on Craigslist.

    I think the best features of the Honda 450 engine are the low-end torque, and the excellent spacing of the 6-speed transmission – 5 good usable speeds around town, and an overdrive for the highway. Around town, you can put the bike in 4th or 5th gear and cruise around for a long time without shifting, if you want.

    By the way, when Honda came out with those Comstar wheels in the ’70’s, they claimed to be slightly flexible, and were made with different thickness alloy “spokes” depending on the bike they were fitted to.

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  4. I am looking a buying an 82 cm450c. It has about 14k miles and the owners says it was running about a year ago. he said he tried to crank it but it would turn over but not catch. He wants me to make an offer and I was thinking around $250 to $300 since its not running. I know it needs a battery and a simple tune-up, and possibly a new chain. I’m just concerned about getting into something that will need another $300 to $400 just to get it running. Any ideas would be great.

    [Reply]

    Evan Fell Reply:

    As long as you believe the previous owner when he says it ran well before being stored, then I think you’re golden. Buy a new battery, clean the carbs, flush the oil and gas, and you’ll be on your way. Sounds like a great deal at 300.

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  5. I’ve had an 82 nighthawk 450 for the last 6 years that i bought for $500. It’s bean a great bike and very little maintenance required.

    now however, things are starting to go wrong, & i’m having trouble finding some parts.

    I’m looking for an original, unbent handlebar, as well as a lock set for the bike to replace the ignition.

    any suggestions?

    thanks in advance,
    nathe

    [Reply]

    Evan Fell Reply:

    You can get handlebars nearly anywhere with a similar bend. It might be tricky to get the exact bend, but there are dozens of universal bends so it won’t be hard to find something that will suit your needs. Any parts house carries handlebars, and usually lots of them.

    The key set you’re only likely to find in a scrap yard or on ebay. You can call around to your local junk yards and see if they have a bike you can pick the locks off of, then bring them to a key maker to get a key. Or buy a complete used set with key off ebay. If there aren’t any available there right now there are bound to be some popping up shortly. Key sets are popular sales items for parted out bikes.

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  6. Love the site man. I have a question though. I’m getting an ’82 CM450A from my grandpa, and it seems as though these 450A’s were pretty rare. Are the nighthawk and 450A engines pretty similar? A friend of mine has a mid 80s Nighthawk 500 and they look extremely similar.

    Also, would you think the tire sizes are the same?

    I can’t wait to pick this CM450A up in a couple weeks!

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  7. I picked up a 1982 Honda CM450C w/ 12,000 miles on it last July and really enjoyed it for the remainder of the riding season. As a first time, middle-aged rider, I found this to be a great bike. Now I’ve got some work to do. Seat cover, choke cable, chain, drive and driven sprockets need to be replaced.

    The rear tire is 120/90-18 mounted on a comcast wheel. The rear sprocket is 37T with each tooth looking like a crescent moon – really worn. I was planning to replace both sprockets and the chain with stock parts (34T & 17T sprockets and 530×102 chain). As I don’t understand all the ratios associated with chains, sprockets and gearing. I was wondering if going back to the 34/17tooth sprockets on the 18″ wheel will present any issues.

    Also, I noticed some “bottoming out” of the tire against the inner “mud guard/fender” on big bumps and am wondering if that is due to the larger 18″ wheel as opposed to the original 16″ wheel.

    I appreciate any thoughts.

    [Reply]

    Jeff Reply:

    Following up for what it’s worth to others.

    Got my bike on the road yesterday after a couple days of work. Replaced the drive and driven sprockets and the chain. Went with the stock parts and all is good. Procedures were easy to follow from the Cramer manual. I really cleaned the gunk out of that drive sprocket area!

    I found that the issue with the “bottoming out” is due to the larger 18″ wheel as opposed to the stock 16″ wheel. There is simply less clearance between the tire and that inner fender so on big bumps it will always scrape a bit.

    Next job is brake shoe replacement (I found how low they were when I had the wheel off.)

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  8. I just bought a 1982 450cc Nighthawk. It is my first bike, and I want to take the chain off to lube it. Someone mentioned looking for the master link to take the chain off. I can’t see any difference in any of the links. Any ideas on how to take the chain off to oil it?

    Thanks!

    [Reply]

    Evan Fell Reply:

    Hi Jesse – It’s possible you don’t have a master link, not all chains do. It could have been pressed together.

    You don’t need to remove the chain to lube it. Just pop the bike up on the centerstand and spin the wheel while cleaning and lubing it up.

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  9. I need to find replacement brake shoes for my CM450C, but the rear wheel is not stock. It’s an 18″ comstar or comcast (I’m not clear which is which). Inside the brake drum/housing, it said “Max. Dia. 141.0mm”. Does this help me in any way find the right brake shoes?

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  10. I bought a 82 nighthawk cb450sc new and it has always ran great. Last week I went to open it up on the interstate and it bogged down. Idles ok but can’t go fast. I have a spair carb that I rebuilt and put on it knowing this would solve the problem but the same thing happened. I replaced plugs, pitcock, fuel line, air filter, dumped the gas in the tank and cleaned it and no better. I live in the boonies and there’s no where to take it close. Could it be points ? Does it have points ? Any ideas ? Help please.

    [Reply]

    Mr. Bill Reply:

    Don,I think ur problem may still be the carb! most people do not know how to properly clean a carb! NO POINTS its electronic ignition. r ur aircleaners new? did u check the valve settings? did u check the plug wires? how is the exhaust? or did someone change it? these r all very important things and if one is not correct it will not run properly! ALWAYS start with a complete tune up and make sure everything is set to factory specs. give it a (KISS) Keep It Simple Sucker (KISS)
    Mr.Billscycle

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  11. Don,
    It is the sync screw. Bench sync the carbs so that one half of little hole in the throttle plate is exposed, so that you are close. Then synchronize it completely on a running engine. I use the tubing manometer, designed according to a web procedure filled with tranny fluid. My engine sync is perfect now!
    Robert

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  12. I moved up fron a ’87 Rebel 250 to a ’86 Nighthawk 450 a few weeks ago. As a learning rider (I’ll always continue to learn) the higher seat took a bit of getting used to but it seems to make the bike easier to curve with. The engine has a lot more power on paper but due to the higher gearing it doesn’t seem that much more power until you realize that unlike the 250 the 450 can keep up on the interstate. Still I’m going to change the front sprocket to a 16t to give a bit more (6 %) guts to 6th gear. I spend most of the time around 55 mph with some hills going to my shop. Large saddlebags and a plexisheild 2 wind screen should make this a 3 season bike for me. My only complaint is the 41 mpg I now get (started out @ 38 mpg but a few tanks of Sea Foam helped clean the old carbs). I’m hoping rebuilding the carbs next winter will improve the milage unless someone has a suggestion for this 25 yr old bike with 10,000 miles on the clock. Bottom line is a bike is meant to be fun and ecnomical and this is a good sized bike for both.
    Spencer

    [Reply]

    Mr. Bill Reply:

    Thats pretty lame gas mileage for a 450 since the 650 gets like 67 MPG

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  13. Hello I have a 450 82 nighthawk and in need of a new ignition email me please if you have one

    [Reply]

    Mr. Bill Reply:

    Shane exactly what do u need a switch? coils? pulse generators? etc. need to know what u need before we can help u n leave ur email address it makes it much easier!
    Mr.Billscycle

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  14. Hello,
    Any chance you have a clear decent rez side view photo of the 82 450 nighthawk without the tank or seat in place…you can guess what im thinking…everyone says you cant cafe one but they are such great reliable bikes and i was going to look for one to buy and do it just to prove it can be done and be done well…thanks alot in advance

    [Reply]

    don Reply:

    well… send me an email with the subject line 450 espresso, i will send you pictures of mine..

    [Reply]

    don Reply:

    don again…here’s the email
    salernodzn@aol.com

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  15. i have a 82 black 450 nighthawk w/ 2900 miles. been in storage for over 30 years….just redid the carbs and it runs like a top. looking fo a headlight trim and left fr & rear turn signals w/ mounting bars….after that it going on the market….asking 950.00 . if interested email me or facebook….leon lewis

    [Reply]

    Alan Jones Reply:

    Any interest in selling your 82 nighthawk. I am a shriner and my group is need of several other bikes for our parades and competitions. 8172711970

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  16. Evan,
    Do you have a 450 Nighthawk parts bike you would be willing to part with? I bought a 450 from a police auction for my son, but all the wiring has really been hacked up. I would like to find a parts bike to make it right.

    [Reply]

    Mr. Bill Reply:

    Bob to bad you don’t need a NOS engine I have 3 of them for sale for a 450 and one left for a 750 Nighthawk.
    Mr.Bill

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  17. I am looking for the right hand side body panel for my 1982 honda nighthawk. Would you tell me the best places to start looking for one?

    [Reply]

    Mr. Bill Reply:

    Jason Honda made more then one NH 450? 250? 650? 700? and ebay is usually your best place and craiglist and Nighthawk sites and I am sure you will find one BUT be specific on your exact model..I just sold some NOS for 650 n 700 they brought a nice dollar. Let me know what u need and I’ll take a look I have well over 10,000 new n used parts including brand new never ran 450 n 750 Nighthawk engines n not rebuilds these r brand spanking factory NOS.

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  18. where can i find right side mirror and right side battery cover for my 1982 450 nighthawk i just bought? 17000 miles great shape

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  19. I just bought a 1982 Nighthawk 450 and may need some help and advice.
    Just bought a Chilton Manual, where can I buy or download an owners manual.
    Also can you send some links and relevant resources.
    I am on the Eastern Shore of the Chesapeake.
    Thanks,
    Michael

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  20. I am needing a Master Break Cylinder (NOT a rebuild kit) for my ’82 450 Nighthawk. Anyone know where I may locate one? Thanks!

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  22. No, I do rib-jabbing too and th#87at21&;s all right. That’s part of being a large book blogging family, which is what I think we are sometimes (complete with the in-fighting at times too). And yes, you’ve taught Elle well. Happy BBAW back to you.

    [Reply]

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