Hi all. New to this forum, long-time Nighthawk owner. At one point, I had 4 (well 3-1/2) CB700's. Now down to 1-1/2. Currently have an '86 R/W/B w/12k miles. In short, my starter just failed but, I had a spare in my inventory. Once replaced, the bike was fine. I was helped by a forum thread titled "83 CB550 Starting Issue." Because that helped me, I thought I'd join and post the symptoms and steps I followed before opening up the starter. Maybe someone else would benefit.
Bike had been starting fine then one recent afternoon, nothing. Just a click of the starter relay.
All lights were bright.
Checked the battery. All cells okay and voltage spot on. No corrosion on the connectors.
Checked the starter relay for continuity. Yep, good.
Checked all fuses up by the handlebar and the 30A at the starter relay/solenoid. Good.
Finally pulled the starter off.
Eeek. It was filled with black oil. The brushes were totally exploded. All of 'em. In fact, I only found a few little shards of them. I've rebuilt a couple of CB700 starters and never saw one this bad. Fortunately, I had a working starter on my project bike. A quick intall and my ride was good ta go!
I plan to order the brush holder plate and rebuild it.
Speaking of my project bike... I had purchased two partial CB700's from a San Francisco salvage yard 6 or 7 years ago. Paid $150 total. Assembled one running NH but, (alas
) the bike ran - right up until the battery died. Yah, it suffered from the dreaded alternator chain failure. So it has sat for years. Carbs are totally gummed up but, the engine still turns. Just won a working engine on Ebay ($200) and intend to swap it in and make it my winter/rain bike.
My first "real" bike was an '85 CB700SC. It and I were hit by a car. I almost lost my right foot but recovered. It however, died. RIP. My pristine '86 is a tribute to the years and miles of fun I had with old blue. So, I've got Race Tech springs and cartidge emulators in the front and Works 'Steel Trackers' shocks at the rear. She's good for schooling sport squids on twisty, downhill mountain roads where her low power and heavier weight don't work against her. And so it doesn't appear that I'm a sportbike-hater, I also ride an '07 GSX-R750 on road and track. To my eye and heart 'tho, the R/W/B '86 Nighthawk 700S is just beautiful!
