My favorite UJMs (in no particular order)

Honda 550, 650, 700 and 750 Nighthawk(1982-1985, 1991-2003)

The Nighthawk moniker was introduced in 1982 as a sort of cross between the sporty and cruiser-style of bikes that had begun to differentiate themselves in the late 70's-early 80's motorcycle market.

The first Nighthawks, introduced in 1982 in 450cc and 750cc size, were just slightly dressed up versions of the standard CB 450 twin and the venerable, 2nd generation CB-750 four that Honda introduced in 1979. The 82 750 Nighthawk (which replaced the CB-750 Custom in the Honda Lineup) was a good looking, if not particularly remarkable, early-80's UJM.

Brochure for the 82 Nighthawk

But the 550 Nighthawk, introduced in 1983, was a completely new bike, with a dual overhead cam engine, 6-speed transmission, self-adjusting valves, and shaft drive (in fact, when it was introduced, it was the smallest bike then sold in the US with shaft drive.) It got raves from the Motorcycle Press of the time, for being a Cruiser bike that was actually geared more towards function than looks.

1983 Nighthawk 550. Mine looked just like this one.

On a personal note, I actually owned one of these little babies for a few months in 1990, when I was stationed in Washington state. It was pure joy to ride around, and seemed just as much at home on the freeways cruising at 70mph as it did in town or in the twisties. Unfortuantely, about 3 months after buying it, I was rear ended by a drunk driver at a stoplight. I went to the emergency room and the bike went to the junkyard. Although I didn't suffer any permanent injuries, I was shaken up enough that I didn't ride for almost 5 years afterwards.

In 1984, the size of the Nighthawk was increased by 100cc to 650cc. It's important to note that the 1984 Nighthawk 650 was in no way related to the CB-650 of 1979-81. The older CB-650 was chain-driven and had a SOHC engine that was derived from the older Honda 500 and 550 fours of the mid-70's.

By 85, the Nighthawk had grown again, this time to 700cc (like many bikes of the 84-88 period, this was a "tariff buster", with a 699cc engine that just slipped in under the punitive tariff established in 84.) By this time, the bigger CB-750 had been dropped from the lineup altogether, not to appear again until 1991.

1985 Nighthawk 700

Honda resurrected the Nighthawk name in 1991 for both the entry-level 250 (simply called the Nighthawk), a favorite of beginners and AMA Beginning Rider's classes, and the 750. The '91 750 was built as a bargain-basement standard. Although the 91-03 Nighthawk looks superficially very much like the 82 model, they have virtually nothing in common. Whereas the 82 Nighthawk had dual front disk brakes and a gas gauge among its instrumentation, the later Nighthawk makes do with a single front disk (and drum rear), and the only gas gauge is the trip meter and the reserver position on the petcock valve.

1991-2003 Nighthawk 750. Despite the resemblance to the 82 model, they share virtually no common parts.

Yamaha Maxim 550, 650, 750, and 1100 (1980-1986)

My 1983 Maxim with windshield and custom-made sissy bar

The Maxim was the "cruiser" version of the Yamaha XJ series of bikes introduced in 1980 as a replacement for the aging XS bikes of the 70's. The "Sport" XJ line was called the Seca.

The XJs were available in 400cc, 550cc, 650cc, 750cc, 900cc, and 1100cc. The 400cc models were twins, all the others were 4 cylinder bikes. The XJ400 and XJ1100 were simply newer versions of their XS400 and XS1100 predecessors, using the same old engine and transmission in a new frame and with different body work, but the 550, 650, 750, and 900 models were all new. The 550 was a chain-driven bike with a 6 speed transmission, all the others were shaft driven with 5 speeds. The XJ series lasted until about 1983. I was fortunate to own a 1983 XJ750 Maxim, pictured above.

The XJ line was a great example of a later generation UJM. The 4 cylinder models all featured DOHC motors with the Yamaha Induction Control System (YICS) for greater efficiency. Most also had air shocks at the front and adjustable rear shocks. The kick starter of the XS series had been deleted and the electric starter was extremely reliable by that time. The XJ's featured distinctive "swirl" or "cyclone" pattern cast aluminum wheels.

The XJ/Maxim was first introduced as a 650 in 1980, then in 1981 (I believe) the 550 was introduced. 1982 saw the 750 model brought in. In 1983 the 750 got a major facelift, with its rectangular headlight, adjustable aluminum handlebars and complicated electronic instrument panel replaced with a conventional round headlight, analog gauges and a regular 7/8" round handlebar. In 1984 the entire XJ line was dropped, and in 1985 it was brought back as the XJ700 (a tariff-buster) with a completely different frame and a sleek style. The XJ700 has the distinction of being the last true "UJM Cruiser" in my opinion, as all of the UJM 4-cylinder bikes introduced after that time were more sport-standards than cruisers.

As far as reliability goes, I can tell you that I purchased a 1983 Maxim 750 in April of 1998, 15 years old at that time. Over the next 2 1/2 years I put nearly 18,000 miles on it. I finally sold it after my first year of law school when I could no longer afford to maintain it. However, a couple of years ago, when I happened to be back in Laramie, I noticed that the old Maxim was still running around town! That's quite a testimonial, particularly considering that I wasn't that kind to it in the time I owned it, and Wyoming is very harsh weather in which to keep a 24 year old bike in good repair!

Honda CB-900/1000 Customs (1980-1983)

"10 speed"  bike:  A beautiful '82 Honda CB-900 Custom. I passed on the opportunity to buy this bike in 2003 and I still kick myself (ignore the ugly windjammer: The owner had all the parts to restore the original headlight and turn signals.)

Besides the Maxims and the Honda Nighhawk series, I'd have to say my other favorite UJM cruiser is the 1979-83 Honda CB-900 and CB-1000 Custom. These exceptionally well-made, shaft-driven cruisers exemplify all that is best about the UJM. A unique feature of this bike (never used on any other bike before or since, to my knowledge) was a dual-range transmission that gives the rider, effectively, 10 speeds.

Kawasaki Spectre (1982-83)

The Spectre was made in 3 sizes, 750 and 1100 (for 1982) and a 550 was added for 1983. The styling of the Spectre was highly reminiscent of the Yamaha "Midnight Special" of the late 70's. In both the Midnight Special and the Spectre, parts that were normally chrome, such as the handlebars, rear grab handle, and exhaust, were instead done in a semi-gloss black. The Spectre was something of a "technology showpiece" of the time, as it incorporated many "luxury" features such as air suspension front and rear, and shaft drive (in fact, the 550 Spectre was the only shaft-driven 550 that Kawasaki ever made. All the other KZ550s were chain driven.) The distinctive features of the Spectre included the already meantioned "blackout" treatment, as well as paint in either black and maroon or black and gold, and the fork "gaiters" (or as the British call them, "Fork Boots") that gave the Spectre a unique look. Apart from the cosmetics, though, the Spectre was a basic Kawasaki UJM. I'm happy to say that I just recently picked up a very good condition 1982 Spectre 750 that will be my new "daily rider." Although the paint is quite oxidized (especially on the exhaust header), it runs like a top. As soon as I get new handlebars on it, it will be an awesome street ride. Photo of my Spectre below:

Conclusion

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