Today, we’re proud to present this 1985 Honda CB750 RC04 (Nighthawk) brat bike by Sven Schmidt of Germany’s Smith Cycles. The RC04 was the German version of the Nighthawk. Though customs are a dime a dozen these days, this particular CB immediately leapt out at us with this low, mean lines and attitude. Some bikes just have that “It Factor,” and this is one.
Honda Nighthawk Brat Bike: In the Builder’s Words
(This has been translated from the original German.)
Hi, I’m Sven from Halle (Saale), located in Germany! I have a 1984 Honda CB750 RC04, rebuilt to be a bratstyle bike. The Honda had run 34,000 km in the initial state. I had to rebuild the engine, replace the clutch basket, and with the open air filter, I went with larger jets, so it runs beautifully. Then I devoted myself to the rear frame, cutting off the old and welding on a new loop. I wanted to build it such that my wife could ride with me on long-distance group rides.
I had to revise the whole electrical system–all the electronics that were located in the headlight have been moved under the seat. I wanted to go with a Bates headlight. I moved the whole ignition under the bench seat and included a Li-Po battery. The electrical system was actually the biggest task of all.
Besides that, the fork has been cut, the bike fitted with shorter dampers. The speedometer has been fitted with control lights, and here and there little things have been changed. The seat I built myself with fiberglass and leather, and the tank was painted white/candy red, and applied with multiple coats of clear lacquer.
Overall, I invested about two months of work. I think all in all, the bike has become quite pretty. My next project is a Honda CB900 SC01 Café Racer.
Cheers from Germany!
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Could you explain what you had to do to the electrical system? I am building a 1979 DOHC CB750K brat and would like to get a smaller battery but am unsure of all the other required upgrades.
Thank you!
Nice looking bike, but whats up with the logo on the tire? Is it worth corrupting some poor kids mind when you stop at an intersection just to elevate your status in the custom bike scene? Im not trolling, I just love jesus. If you think im wack look into the lack of proof for evolution. Keep it real. May God bless you.
Ha! The bike and builder are located in Germany, so at least the meaning might not be as widely understood by the schoolchildren there 😉
I think the curruption that bike will cause, is the least of kids worries mate!!
If anything it will inspire the next gen of bike builders.
My thoughts….Quite Simple, Skinny vintage rear tire with very little tread patch and high power for a bike of that vintage = you will “EAT SHIT” if you hit it too hard in a corner, especially when the already flimsy frame has been hacked on. I’ve been through my share of old Hondas, my favorite being the V65 Magna, and there are only three things truly horrifying to me. 1) Feeling your frame twisting in a hard corner, 2) having a fork brace break at 170 MPH, and three breaking traction when you didn’t mean to. not necessarily in that order.