1984 Honda Nighthawk 700S

The 1984 Honda Nighthawk 700S motorcycle was a sportier version of the shaft-drive Honda 650 Nighthawk introduced the previous year.

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Due to tariffs being levied at the time on motorcycles with engines of more than 700 cc, the 700-cc 1984 Honda Nighthawk 700S motorcycle replaced a 750-cc bike in Honda's line.

But where the Nighthawk 650 and the older chain-drive 750 were styled like "standard" motorcycles, the 1984 Honda Nighthawk 700S motorcycle sported angular lines. And it was capped by a bikini fairing and smaller 16-inch front wheel -- then becoming the rage for sportbikes.

The 1984 Honda Nighthawk 700S motorcycle came only in black, with either blue or red accent panels.

Power was from a slightly larger version of the 650's double-overhead-cam four, which featured hydraulic lifters that virtually eliminated valve adjustments. The 1984 Honda Nighthawk 700S motorcycle also had a special four-into-one exhaust header finished in black chrome.

The engine itself was enameled mostly in black, as were the lower fork legs, handlebars, and rear grab rail, pieces that were normally chromed.

Since full-tilt sportbikes of the era were gravitating toward a more radical look with full fairings and crouched seating positions, the 1984 Honda Nighthawk 700S motorcycle filled the gap between sport and standard motorcycles.

Unlike true sportbikes, the 700S was fitted with low-maintenance shaft drive and hydraulic valve lifters; the latter would normally have limited engine speed, but an innovative new design from Honda allowed a lofty 10,600-rpm rev limit.

Though a good compromise and a capable performer, the sharp-looking 700S lasted only a couple of years in the marketplace.

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