Vintage and Classic Hondas

Mileage to Overhaul?

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Staghorn

Mileage to Overhaul?

I decided a '90s Nighthawk 750 is the bike I want to ride. Looking in C-List I'm finding them priced from around $1500-2500 with varying mileage. One in particular is asking $2500 and has an odo reading of 53,000. This bike is attractive except for the high(?) mileage. So, my question is; How many miles can we expect to get out of these motors before they need an overhaul?

Any input or buying advice is appreciated.

If I don't have a reason to ride the ride is the reason.

TOOLS1

Re: Mileage to Overhaul?

Administrator

With proper care, it is possible to go 100, 000 miles on these engines. I would do a compression test on it to check the condition of the engine before buying it myself.
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shinyribs

Re: Mileage to Overhaul?

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In reply to this post by Staghorn

Previous maintenance history means a lot more than mileage. My '76F has about 40k miles when I got it. I put another 10k (hard) miles on that bike and it was fine. 100,000 miles on sohc CB's is not unheard of. Later model CB's like you are looking at will go just as far if maintained well.

If the engine is quite,smooth and runs/revs well it's probably ok. Check for normal signs of wear: burning oil, oily tailpipe inside, puff of oil smoke on cold startup,etc. If you are really concerned ask if you can perform a compression test.

Rpms and miles don't hurt them. Neglect does. Just try to decide if the bike you are looking at has been owned by a responsible person before. Good luck!

edit-Tools snuck in on me

Staghorn

Re: Mileage to Overhaul?

Good stuff, guys. Thanks.

If I don't have a reason to ride the ride is the reason.

Truck

Re: Mileage to Overhaul?

My 900 has 72,000 on the odometer, runs as smooth as can be

It's only illegal if you get caught.

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New Baltimore, Va '82 CB900c, 1980 CB985F/K 'Mutt"

shinyribs

Re: Mileage to Overhaul?

Administrator

Truck wrote

My 900 has 72,000 on the odometer, runs as smooth as can be

Truck

Re: Mileage to Overhaul?

unfortunatly I cannot claim them all. I prob put about 7-8000 on last year. But damn it I'm gonna do my best to double that #!!!