New Nighthawk and questions....

[Twisted_Wrench]

First off i like to introduce myself, i'm John. i am a disable army mechanic currently in college for auto systems tech and a proud owner of a 2003 nighthawk 750.... Now for the questions.

1. Anyone using Renthal Bars on a 91-03 NH? which type and how do you like them?

2. Anyone went up a few teeth on the sprocket? How many and did it accomplish what was intended?

3. What other upgrades would you recommend?

Thanks and i hope to gain alot of knowledge while on here. everyone have a good day and i will post pics asap.

[Twisted_Wrench]

Small pic will get better tomorrow this ones from my cell

[DesignFlaw06]

I upped to a 16 tooh counter sprocket shown here.

http://www.pipeline.com/~randyo/16_Tooth_Sprocket_Mod.htm

Dropped me from near 6000 RPMs to 5000 RPMs at 80 MPH. Rarely I noticed a lack of low end power. And if I did, a down shift usually took care of it.

[the Ferret]

Welcome.

I believe you can only fit a one tooth larger sprocket in the case (maybe 2, but most people go with 1)

You can't go any lower on the bars without the throttle cables hitting the tank on r/h turns (I tried superbike bars but... ding)

It's a fine bike as is, some people upgrade suspension front and rear, add a windshield or small fairing (which you already have), or some soft saddlebags for touring. There are a couple of mods you can do like a carb washer mod, or a muffler mod (to make it louder).

I added Progressive Suspension rear shocks and a fork brace to mine.

I'd suggest you ride it for awhile to see how you like the stocker, before making too many changes.

[LOKi]

+ 1 on the 16 tooth. I put one in and it's tight. I can't imagine a bigger sprocket than that fitting in there. It does drop the RMP's down a good bit. On the down side I think the bike is a bit slower in the VERY top end. Faster in 4th than 5th. That is unless your going down hill with a tail wind. We are talking top out at 110 instead of 120. In other words it runs out of pep before RPM's. Maybe if your riding out in Utah or something it would be different. Just not enough room to test this in Louisiana.

Suspension is the other place to make improvements. Most just do the progressive spring and valve emulator for the front.

What do you want the to do? Commuter, short weekend rides on twisties, or full on touring? As a commuter it's good as is. Short weekend twisties bike you might want to mess around with suspension and maybe some slightly more sporty bars. I would leave the sprocket the same or even drop it a tooth. Touring I would say taller bars so your sitting more upright, 16T front sprocket, suspension front (maybe back too if your maxing it out) and see about a new seat. The stock seat is not very good for long days in the saddle.

[Twisted_Wrench]

well i have found diff rear sprockets with a few more teeth, i am looking into a corbin seat. i am going full progressive front and rear 418 rear and swap out front springs. vance and hines 4-1, k&n air filter, and stg 1 jet kit. looking for a good handlin bike to take around some twist. also i am new to fixing mc whats the emulator? i seen a few for sale but not entirely sure what its for. thanks

[Twisted_Wrench]

the first thing i'm getting for it will be the superbrace though. it sounds like it is the best first mod.

[LOKi]

Emulators

http://www.motorcyclecruiser.com/tech/race_tech_cartridge_emulator/index.html

[Wahrsuul]

Upgrades are a matter of choice as the Ferret said.  It depends a lot on what you want to do with the bike.  We have some people on here using he bike as a light tourer, others for commuting, others just enjoy the ride.  Here's what I know/think.

Stock sprockets; 15t front/38t rear.  A 16t front is the most common mod.  Either larger on the front, or smaller in the rear will lower RPM.  I went with a 17t front, but lowered it 1 (37t) in the rear to drop the RPMs.  Since I do a lot of long distance commuting this is what I wanted.  I don't mind the way it is now, but if I did it again now, I'd probably go with the 16t.

The carb needle washer mod can eliminate some of the flat spot, the Hodge Mod to the exhaust gives a deeper sound.  There are aftermarket exhausts; the Vance & Hines 4-1 is still available, for less $ here's the Mac 4-1.  The SuperTrapp 4-1 is rare but can be found.

As mentioned, changing the bars is difficult.  There's about a 1/2 inch clearance between the tank and throttle cables when the bars are turned fully to the right.  Risers could be used for more clearance, but that defeats the purpose of the lower bars.

I have a Rifle SuperBike fairing as I needed some kind of wind break, and I prefer a small fairing over a windshield, just for the looks.  Either will do the job, tho windshields are cheaper.

Suspension upgrades are popular; the Progressive 412HDs being very popular along with the Progressive front springs.  The RaceTech springs and emulators probably provide more performance, but are more expensive and are a bit more difficult to install.

Tires; you can fit radials, and go up a size (150 series) on the rear (that I'm sure of).  Radials work, but I don't see a difference myself and will go with bias next time.

Corbin makes the only aftermarket seat at the moment.  There are aftermarket seat mod companies that will do whatever you want with seat, i.e. Serbgeant or Russel.

[the Ferret]

The Superbrace is a super easy add on which eliminated the small front end shimmy I could feel in my bike. Also made the front end respond better when going thru s curves.

[Twisted_Wrench]

yea i have a slight shimmy in the front at highway speeds but i think most of that is the windshield

[luckylindy]

well i have found diff rear sprockets with a few more teeth, i am looking into a corbin seat. i am going full progressive front and rear 418 rear and swap out front springs. vance and hines 4-1, k&n air filter, and stg 1 jet kit. looking for a good handlin bike to take around some twist. also i am new to fixing mc whats the emulator? i seen a few for sale but not entirely sure what its for. thanks

I mostly use my NH as a weekend backroad burner so I went up to a 40 tooth rear and that made it much better for accelerating out of curves.  Still gets close to 50 mpg also.
  to the forum.

[hap]

 Just today I installed the engine guards with highway pegs and sat on the bike. Am really looking forward to "riding" it. Pretty soon now. The melt is on it's way. Some dude rode a bike to work this AM and I noticed the salt on it, kind of felt bad for the bike. That's yet another down side of early riding. But I work the B-shift currently and don't want to come out to find snow on my bike. I do not work for nor have any affiliation with the following, have found BikeBandit.com and the ever faithful J C Whitney to be my main sources for parts. But I agree with others in that you may want to buzz around a bit before spending your doe-ray-me. Good luck and welcome to the forum.

[Twisted_Wrench]

will a 150/70-17 fit on our NH? looking to get new rubber and really want matching tires. looking at the bridgestone battleax and the michelin pilots.

[luckylindy]

Yes, 150-17 will work.

[detdrbuzzard]

if you go with a larger  ( more teeth ) rear sprocket it will increase rpm at all road speeds, most want lower rpm.

[hppants]

Perhaps this is obvious, but a taller tire also effectively lowers your overall final drive ratio.

[Twisted_Wrench]

well found a matching set of pirelli sport demons that i plan to buy so i will not be changing tire size. also changing the rear sprocket up a few teeth is similar to going to a lower gear in a car correct? more pull in the low end but you'll be turning the engine more, because i'd like a litle more get up im a big guy. how much of everyone pipes have turned yellow? i have heard all will have a few inches of discolorazion and that is normal. mine is turning about 2-3 in the first turn of the pipes.

[Adam Roby]

Yellow?  I've seens some turn bluish, mostly from overheating or just running hot.  Mine is an '82 and is still completely chrome, maybe some pitting of rust but no yellow that I remember...  ( Been a very long winter )

[hppants]

I don't recall whether or not you indicated if you have the stock exhaust.  I have a Mac 4-1 header and my pipe turn yellow to brown to blue over about 500 miles.  I bought this stuff call "Blue Job" at the bike shop.  It works, but sadly, not permanently.  I'm told the pipe originally blued because a PO ran the thing too rich (probably on choke), the pipe reacted with the unburned gas, and the metalurgy (sp?) changed.

[Twisted_Wrench]

well more like a gold, its stock and was good chrome before i started riding it hard. the last owner said he would run it high to 5,000 rpm before he would shift. i have been pushing it a little harder then he ever did...shifting in the mid 6-7 range and playing i'll run it out to 8,500. doesnt seem like she is running rich or lean throttle response is instant and no poppin or sputters at let off

[JordanA]

First off i like to introduce myself, i'm John. i am a disable army mechanic currently in college for auto systems tech and a proud owner of a 2003 nighthawk 750.... Now for the questions.

1. Anyone using Renthal Bars on a 91-03 NH? which type and how do you like them?

2. Anyone went up a few teeth on the sprocket? How many and did it accomplish what was intended?

3. What other upgrades would you recommend?

Thanks and i hope to gain alot of knowledge while on here. everyone have a good day and i will post pics asap.

Asheboro, eh?!  I ride my Nighthawk to your courthouse all of the time for foreclosure sales and regular filings (I work for a litigation law firm).  We should meet in Greensboro or something and take a ride sometime.

[Twisted_Wrench]

sounds like a plan, just let me know whenever.

[Hangster]

Hey , Welcome to the forum and enjoy the ride