My Absence - Page 2

**jonathan180iq** · 07-26-2021, 05:48 PM

This is right after I got it home. I had about 45 minutes so I cleaned her up with a little hand towel and some lucas spot wash.

Changed the oil and replaced the air filter

And did my first tiny "restoration" project - refinishing the chain guard.

Vegas Street Rider · 07-27-2021, 12:32 PM

Nice. Should give you lots of pleasure being on two wheels again.

**jonathan180iq** · 09-27-2021, 11:19 AM

Since the forum has been so utterly quiet lately, I thought I would give a few updates on the Nighthawk!

I solved my non-flashing turn signal issues with a $4 Amazon relay...

I found a really awesome bike stand at Harbor Freight for $30...

I installed a 15T front sprocket...

Lowered the handlebars and installed a rear luggage rack...

And went on lots of rides

Vegas Street Rider · 09-27-2021, 12:24 PM

Nice pics. I have that same bike stand for my GZ, but I had to put some small wooden blocks inside the frame cradles because it wouldn't clear the muffler on the right side.

I haven't spent too much time on my bike lately due to the extreme heat here in Vegas. It is no fun when it is around 110 degrees out. It is just starting to cool down a little here and there so I am planning on taking a ride on my favorite twisty road in the Lake Mead Recreation Area in the near future. Stay safe.

**jonathan180iq** · 10-04-2021, 09:58 AM

Yeah, at first I didn't understand why my rear tire wouldn't fully spin around. Turned out that the rubber grommets and coating of the swivel brackets were contacting the axle bolts and stopping them in place.

I had to force a few spins to wear the rubber coating off and every since then it's been just great! Very handy. I love it.

I wished these has been around, and not $100, when I had my GZ. I always just used the wooden stands that Bad Bob had made.

EddieSC · 10-08-2021, 03:51 AM

Y'know, I've been thinking about grabbing one of those stands from the HF up the road from me. Pretty sure ya just sold me on it.

Your Nighthawk looks great, glad you're enjoying it!

**jonathan180iq** · 10-08-2021, 02:14 PM

Totally worth it. I think even without the discount they're only like $45

**jonathan180iq** · 10-11-2021, 04:51 PM

Added an old stock factory engine guard to the Nighthawk yesterday. Took more work than I ad anticipated, but happy to have it - not just for protection, but also for another place to mount accessories.

**jonathan180iq** · 11-16-2021, 02:04 PM

We recently purchased a new house, and for the first time in 10 years, I have a paved driveway!

I gave the Nighthawk a proper wash for the first time since I've owned it. Pics never do it justice, but just the general sheen and brilliance that it brought back to the whole machine was wonderful!

**jonathan180iq** · 11-16-2021, 02:07 PM

I've been toying around with removing the front headlight fairing for a couple of months now, and finally went ahead and did it. It took a minute for my eyes to see the bike for what it truly is, but I really like this aesthetic a lot more, especially while riding.

In a corresponding move, I also picked up some of my favorite mirrors ever - those for the GZ! They'll be here Thursday and I'll update pics then.

07-26-2021, 05:48 PM	#11
jonathan180iq Super Moderator Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Dalton, GA Posts: 3,996	This is right after I got it home. I had about 45 minutes so I cleaned her up with a little hand towel and some lucas spot wash. Changed the oil and replaced the air filter And did my first tiny "restoration" project - refinishing the chain guard. Login or Register to Remove Ads Last edited by jonathan180iq; 07-26-2021 at 05:51 PM.
	0

09-27-2021, 11:19 AM	#13
jonathan180iq Super Moderator Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Dalton, GA Posts: 3,996	Since the forum has been so utterly quiet lately, I thought I would give a few updates on the Nighthawk! I solved my non-flashing turn signal issues with a $4 Amazon relay... I found a really awesome bike stand at Harbor Freight for $30... I installed a 15T front sprocket... Lowered the handlebars and installed a rear luggage rack... And went on lots of rides Login or Register to Remove Ads
	1

09-27-2021, 12:24 PM	#14
Vegas Street Rider Senior Member Join Date: May 2015 Location: Henderson, NV Posts: 1,107	Nice pics. I have that same bike stand for my GZ, but I had to put some small wooden blocks inside the frame cradles because it wouldn't clear the muffler on the right side. I haven't spent too much time on my bike lately due to the extreme heat here in Vegas. It is no fun when it is around 110 degrees out. It is just starting to cool down a little here and there so I am planning on taking a ride on my favorite twisty road in the Lake Mead Recreation Area in the near future. Stay safe. Last edited by Vegas Street Rider; 10-04-2021 at 11:47 AM.
	2

10-04-2021, 09:58 AM	#15
jonathan180iq Super Moderator Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Dalton, GA Posts: 3,996	Yeah, at first I didn't understand why my rear tire wouldn't fully spin around. Turned out that the rubber grommets and coating of the swivel brackets were contacting the axle bolts and stopping them in place. I had to force a few spins to wear the rubber coating off and every since then it's been just great! Very handy. I love it. I wished these has been around, and not $100, when I had my GZ. I always just used the wooden stands that Bad Bob had made. Login or Register to Remove Ads
	2

07-27-2021, 12:32 PM	#12
Vegas Street Rider Senior Member Join Date: May 2015 Location: Henderson, NV Posts: 1,107	Nice. Should give you lots of pleasure being on two wheels again.
	2

10-08-2021, 03:51 AM	#16
EddieSC Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Birmingham, AL Posts: 37	Y'know, I've been thinking about grabbing one of those stands from the HF up the road from me. Pretty sure ya just sold me on it. Your Nighthawk looks great, glad you're enjoying it!
	1

10-08-2021, 02:14 PM	#17
jonathan180iq Super Moderator Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Dalton, GA Posts: 3,996	Totally worth it. I think even without the discount they're only like $45
	0

10-11-2021, 04:51 PM	#18
jonathan180iq Super Moderator Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Dalton, GA Posts: 3,996	Added an old stock factory engine guard to the Nighthawk yesterday. Took more work than I ad anticipated, but happy to have it - not just for protection, but also for another place to mount accessories.
	2

11-16-2021, 02:04 PM	#19
jonathan180iq Super Moderator Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Dalton, GA Posts: 3,996	We recently purchased a new house, and for the first time in 10 years, I have a paved driveway! I gave the Nighthawk a proper wash for the first time since I've owned it. Pics never do it justice, but just the general sheen and brilliance that it brought back to the whole machine was wonderful!
	0

11-16-2021, 02:07 PM	#20
jonathan180iq Super Moderator Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Dalton, GA Posts: 3,996	I've been toying around with removing the front headlight fairing for a couple of months now, and finally went ahead and did it. It took a minute for my eyes to see the bike for what it truly is, but I really like this aesthetic a lot more, especially while riding. In a corresponding move, I also picked up some of my favorite mirrors ever - those for the GZ! They'll be here Thursday and I'll update pics then.
	1