'91 - '03 750 Nighthawk longevity & high mortality parts? Other thoughts. Long post.

[Cormanus]

Warm-ish day yesterday. Got out on my BlueHawk for 25 mi. or so, long enough to mix Stabil into the topped-off tank. Bike ran perfectly and reminded me (yet again) why we fell in love with the 'Hawks in the first place. Will drain the carbs today for winter. The Ride was also long enough to make me question (yet again); Why let go of our '93 'Hawks?
Anecdotal evidence & general consensus is CB750 Nighthawks can reasonably be counted on to reliably be 100K mile bikes, given good care & maintenance.

During our daily hour+ dog park excursion afterward, we discussed (again) what course of action to take. Z1BEBE sez she's happy to keep status quo. That's likely what we'll do. The impetus of stasis, of doing nothing, is strong.

With my future miles as Rider being split between whichever 'Hawk we prep for a Ridin' season, our ST1300A dedicated to two-up, and whichever Z1 we prep for joyrides, shows & charity runs that season, I'd be pushing 100 yrs. old by the time either 'Hawk got to 100K miles, and that only if one & not the other 'Hawk was ridden every year.

Used to be, the correct number of bikes to have is n+ 1. Aging changes that calculation for us.

Bottom line is, we're happy with what we've got. It was so obvious we couldn't see it.

Thanks for the relatively subjective responses everyone.

Good Ridin'
slmjim & Z1BEBE

Aging gracefully, it sounds.

"N + 1"...I haven't heard that term used in a long time. May I ask in what context you're familiar with it? I thought it was specific to language teaching/learning theory, but internet shows me some other "applications" of the term.

n + 1, where n is the number of motorcycles currently owned, turns up on motorcycle forums as the answer to the question “how many bikes should I have?”

[pdedse]

Warm-ish day yesterday. Got out on my BlueHawk for 25 mi. or so, long enough to mix Stabil into the topped-off tank. Bike ran perfectly and reminded me (yet again) why we fell in love with the 'Hawks in the first place. Will drain the carbs today for winter. The Ride was also long enough to make me question (yet again); Why let go of our '93 'Hawks?
Anecdotal evidence & general consensus is CB750 Nighthawks can reasonably be counted on to reliably be 100K mile bikes, given good care & maintenance.

During our daily hour+ dog park excursion afterward, we discussed (again) what course of action to take. Z1BEBE sez she's happy to keep status quo. That's likely what we'll do. The impetus of stasis, of doing nothing, is strong.

With my future miles as Rider being split between whichever 'Hawk we prep for a Ridin' season, our ST1300A dedicated to two-up, and whichever Z1 we prep for joyrides, shows & charity runs that season, I'd be pushing 100 yrs. old by the time either 'Hawk got to 100K miles, and that only if one & not the other 'Hawk was ridden every year.

Used to be, the correct number of bikes to have is n+ 1. Aging changes that calculation for us.

Bottom line is, we're happy with what we've got. It was so obvious we couldn't see it.

Thanks for the relatively subjective responses everyone.

Good Ridin'
slmjim & Z1BEBE

Aging gracefully, it sounds.

"N + 1"...I haven't heard that term used in a long time. May I ask in what context you're familiar with it? I thought it was specific to language teaching/learning theory, but internet shows me some other "applications" of the term.

n + 1, where n is the number of motorcycles currently owned, turns up on motorcycle forums as the answer to the question “how many bikes should I have?”

n + 1, where n is the number of motorcycles currently owned, turns up on motorcycle forums as the answer to the question “how many bikes should I have?”
Right on... in language teaching theory the "n" would be the current level of understanding a student has, and a teacher speaks at that level (or presents an activity, gives grammar examples, etc.) so the student can understand most of what is going on. The +1 means that you add a little more complexity beyond the students' current level. The idea is that students will "guess" (correctly) as to the extra, that they will "fill-in-the-gaps"... and this filling in the gaps is the new language that is being learned during the activity.

In short, make the message comprehensible, but not always right at their level or they won't be challenged.

[GoldOxide_imp]

Whatever that was Gold,... what is it?

Whatever that was Gold,... what is it?
A wee bit of calculus integral symbolic representation of the said speak.

[pdedse]

Whatever that was Gold,... what is it?

Whatever that was Gold,... what is it?
A wee bit of calculus integral symbolic representation of the said speak.

Whatever that was Gold,... what is it?
A wee bit of calculus integral symbolic representation of the said speak.
Ah! One of those many math courses I never took.

[slmjim n Z1BEBE_imp]

Warm-ish day yesterday. Got out on my BlueHawk for 25 mi. or so, long enough to mix Stabil into the topped-off tank. Bike ran perfectly and reminded me (yet again) why we fell in love with the 'Hawks in the first place. Will drain the carbs today for winter. The Ride was also long enough to make me question (yet again); Why let go of our '93 'Hawks?
Anecdotal evidence & general consensus is CB750 Nighthawks can reasonably be counted on to reliably be 100K mile bikes, given good care & maintenance.

During our daily hour+ dog park excursion afterward, we discussed (again) what course of action to take. Z1BEBE sez she's happy to keep status quo. That's likely what we'll do. The impetus of stasis, of doing nothing, is strong.

With my future miles as Rider being split between whichever 'Hawk we prep for a Ridin' season, our ST1300A dedicated to two-up, and whichever Z1 we prep for joyrides, shows & charity runs that season, I'd be pushing 100 yrs. old by the time either 'Hawk got to 100K miles, and that only if one & not the other 'Hawk was ridden every year.

Used to be, the correct number of bikes to have is n+ 1. Aging changes that calculation for us.

Bottom line is, we're happy with what we've got. It was so obvious we couldn't see it.

Thanks for the relatively subjective responses everyone.

Good Ridin'
slmjim & Z1BEBE

Aging gracefully, it sounds.

"N + 1"...I haven't heard that term used in a long time. May I ask in what context you're familiar with it? I thought it was specific to language teaching/learning theory, but internet shows me some other "applications" of the term.

n + 1, where n is the number of motorcycles currently owned, turns up on motorcycle forums as the answer to the question “how many bikes should I have?”

n + 1, where n is the number of motorcycles currently owned, turns up on motorcycle forums as the answer to the question “how many bikes should I have?”
Right on... in language teaching theory the "n" would be the current level of understanding a student has, and a teacher speaks at that level (or presents an activity, gives grammar examples, etc.) so the student can understand most of what is going on. The +1 means that you add a little more complexity beyond the students' current level. The idea is that students will "guess" (correctly) as to the extra, that they will "fill-in-the-gaps"... and this filling in the gaps is the new language that is being learned during the activity.

In short, make the message comprehensible, but not always right at their level or they won't be challenged.

n + 1, where n is the number of motorcycles currently owned, turns up on motorcycle forums as the answer to the question “how many bikes should I have?”
Right on... in language teaching theory the "n" would be the current level of understanding a student has, and a teacher speaks at that level (or presents an activity, gives grammar examples, etc.) so the student can understand most of what is going on. The +1 means that you add a little more complexity beyond the students' current level. The idea is that students will "guess" (correctly) as to the extra, that they will "fill-in-the-gaps"... and this filling in the gaps is the new language that is being learned during the activity.

In short, make the message comprehensible, but not always right at their level or they won't be challenged. Opposite of the much-too-common 'dumbing down' these days.

Good Ridin'
slmjim & Z1BEBE

[GoldOxide_imp]

Of course here at the Forum "(n+1)" is the selfish desire to have them all.

It is nice to dream, perhaps keeps the desire lit.

[slmjim n Z1BEBE_imp]

Warm-ish day yesterday. Got out on my BlueHawk for 25 mi. or so, long enough to mix Stabil into the topped-off tank. Bike ran perfectly and reminded me (yet again) why we fell in love with the 'Hawks in the first place. Will drain the carbs today for winter. The Ride was also long enough to make me question (yet again); Why let go of our '93 'Hawks?
Anecdotal evidence & general consensus is CB750 Nighthawks can reasonably be counted on to reliably be 100K mile bikes, given good care & maintenance.

During our daily hour+ dog park excursion afterward, we discussed (again) what course of action to take. Z1BEBE sez she's happy to keep status quo. That's likely what we'll do. The impetus of stasis, of doing nothing, is strong.

With my future miles as Rider being split between whichever 'Hawk we prep for a Ridin' season, our ST1300A dedicated to two-up, and whichever Z1 we prep for joyrides, shows & charity runs that season, I'd be pushing 100 yrs. old by the time either 'Hawk got to 100K miles, and that only if one & not the other 'Hawk was ridden every year.

Used to be, the correct number of bikes to have is n+ 1. Aging changes that calculation for us.

Bottom line is, we're happy with what we've got. It was so obvious we couldn't see it.

Thanks for the relatively subjective responses everyone.

Good Ridin'
slmjim & Z1BEBE

Aging gracefully, it sounds.

"N + 1"...I haven't heard that term used in a long time. May I ask in what context you're familiar with it? I thought it was specific to language teaching/learning theory, but internet shows me some other "applications" of the term.

Aging gracefully, it sounds.

"N + 1"...I haven't heard that term used in a long time. May I ask in what context you're familiar with it? I thought it was specific to language teaching/learning theory, but internet shows me some other "applications" of the term. The context is and always has been motorcycles.

Saw the 'n+1' formula mentioned in a Cycle World magazine article written by Kevin Cameron decades ago. Being a Technician by temperament as well as trade, I deemed it worthy of space in the ol' memory bank.

I'm fortunate that The Lovely Z1BEBE has succumbed to the influence of said formula, although it's not as deeply ingrained as in slmjim. Probably the best example:
Our (my) long-term goal beginning in the mid 80's was to collect a complete production set of Z1's; both color schemes produced each year over the 3 year production run. By 1995, we had acquired the five schemes common the the US. We lacked the '73 green/yellow bike that predominantly went to Europe & Australia. Jeff, an acquaintance we'd known for a long time from the Mid-Ohio vintage swap meet told us in 2011 of a basket case he had that he obtained years earlier with the intent to restore, but said he'd decided he was unlikely to ever get around to doing so. Said he didn't disassemble it, but had bought it from the guy who did take it apart years before.

Jeff said the guy told him he's "pretty sure that maybe all the parts might still be there. He thinks..."

Months later after a six-hour drive we're standing in Jeff's dimly-lit warehouse looking at a nicely-restored bare frame, about two dozen boxes of disorganized, grimy parts, a head correct for '73, empty cases correct for the frame ser' #, and a stuck '75 Z1-B donor motor sans head for a crank & transmission.

I'm there with Z1BEBE taking it all in, contemplating the magnitude of the task; re-assembling a Z1 from scratch, nut by wire by bracket by spoke, and having my doubts. Then Z1BEBE sez' quietly but with conviction "I think we should get it."

Fast forward seven years. Our Z1 production set was now complete. We'd named the basket case "The Seven Year _itch."
This is some of what we started with:


Seven years later this is it at Barber Vintage Days the first year it was on the road. It was a fun & immensely satisfying project:


Our 'correct' number of bikes remains 'n+1'. 'n' may decline in value as she and I age, but +1 will always represent the temptation.

Good Ridin'
slmjim & Z1BEBE

[pdedse]

Warm-ish day yesterday. Got out on my BlueHawk for 25 mi. or so, long enough to mix Stabil into the topped-off tank. Bike ran perfectly and reminded me (yet again) why we fell in love with the 'Hawks in the first place. Will drain the carbs today for winter. The Ride was also long enough to make me question (yet again); Why let go of our '93 'Hawks?
Anecdotal evidence & general consensus is CB750 Nighthawks can reasonably be counted on to reliably be 100K mile bikes, given good care & maintenance.

During our daily hour+ dog park excursion afterward, we discussed (again) what course of action to take. Z1BEBE sez she's happy to keep status quo. That's likely what we'll do. The impetus of stasis, of doing nothing, is strong.

With my future miles as Rider being split between whichever 'Hawk we prep for a Ridin' season, our ST1300A dedicated to two-up, and whichever Z1 we prep for joyrides, shows & charity runs that season, I'd be pushing 100 yrs. old by the time either 'Hawk got to 100K miles, and that only if one & not the other 'Hawk was ridden every year.

Used to be, the correct number of bikes to have is n+ 1. Aging changes that calculation for us.

Bottom line is, we're happy with what we've got. It was so obvious we couldn't see it.

Thanks for the relatively subjective responses everyone.

Good Ridin'
slmjim & Z1BEBE

Aging gracefully, it sounds.

"N + 1"...I haven't heard that term used in a long time. May I ask in what context you're familiar with it? I thought it was specific to language teaching/learning theory, but internet shows me some other "applications" of the term.

Aging gracefully, it sounds.

"N + 1"...I haven't heard that term used in a long time. May I ask in what context you're familiar with it? I thought it was specific to language teaching/learning theory, but internet shows me some other "applications" of the term. The context is and always has been motorcycles.

Saw the 'n+1' formula mentioned in a Cycle World magazine article written by Kevin Cameron decades ago. Being a Technician by temperament as well as trade, I deemed it worthy of space in the ol' memory bank.

I'm fortunate that The Lovely Z1BEBE has succumbed to the influence of said formula, although it's not as deeply ingrained as in slmjim. Probably the best example:
Our (my) long-term goal beginning in the mid 80's was to collect a complete production set of Z1's; both color schemes produced each year over the 3 year production run. By 1995, we had acquired the five schemes common the the US. We lacked the '73 green/yellow bike that predominantly went to Europe & Australia. Jeff, an acquaintance we'd known for a long time from the Mid-Ohio vintage swap meet told us in 2011 of a basket case he had that he obtained years earlier with the intent to restore, but said he'd decided he was unlikely to ever get around to doing so. Said he didn't disassemble it, but had bought it from the guy who did take it apart years before.

Jeff said the guy told him he's "pretty sure that maybe all the parts might still be there. He thinks..."

Months later after a six-hour drive we're standing in Jeff's dimly-lit warehouse looking at a nicely-restored bare frame, about two dozen boxes of disorganized, grimy parts, a head correct for '73, empty cases correct for the frame ser' #, and a stuck '75 Z1-B donor motor sans head for a crank & transmission.

I'm there with Z1BEBE taking it all in, contemplating the magnitude of the task; re-assembling a Z1 from scratch, nut by wire by bracket by spoke, and having my doubts. Then Z1BEBE sez' quietly but with conviction "I think we should get it."

Fast forward seven years. Our Z1 production set was now complete. We'd named the basket case "The Seven Year _itch."
This is some of what we started with:


Seven years later this is it at Barber Vintage Days the first year it was on the road. It was a fun & immensely satisfying project:


Our 'correct' number of bikes remains 'n+1'. 'n' may decline in value as she and I age, but +1 will always represent the temptation.

Good Ridin'
slmjim & Z1BEBE

Beautiful one liners, all of them.

[SportsterDoc]

In late 2002 I wanted a new NightHawk, but I was in the mood for black (I did own, in the past, a red Honda and a red Yamaha). 2002 were black, but sold out in Ventura County, CA. 2003 were red. Had I known it would be the last year, I would have bought the red.

Instead, I bought my first Sportster.

[Ollie]

That's a nice looking Sportster and I like the "normal" bars and mid controls. 100 year anniversary? 883 or 1200? That reminds me I need to start sorting out the 2008 Roadster I picked up recently.