Trouble starting Hawk

[Bud1968]

Hey guys back again for some help, so when I first brought the Hawk home last weekend it started easy no choke but as of last couple days it has gotten harder to start, this morning I killed the battery trying to start it. So I tried to kick start and it did start I'm only riding around subdivision 3rd gear pretty slow no highway or trails. Was wondering is it normal to have to start with half choke in warm weather also idle seems kind of high once it warms up any help is much appreciated. Thank you.

[timcosby]

mine always takes half choke

[JerryHawk250]

Have you adjusted the valves yet? Valves come set tight from the factory . If they are set too tight it will be hard to start.
Also sounds like the idle mixture is too lean.

[roundhouse]

Throw a charger on it. Might be worth it to buy some jets and tune the carb. I stopped having to use 1/2 choke to start mine when I did that. I do turn the idle up pretty high to start it then turn it down as it warms up.

Not real sure though.

[Bud1968]

Thanks again for the replies I did drain the regular gas out tonight and put premium in I thought that may help I'll try an work up my confidence to tackle those valves thanks for all your help. The bike sure is fun to ride.

[pete]

Once the carb is set right the choke is the only thing you should need to touch..
my bike... cold motor summer or winter... full choke push the start button once no throttle and it sits there idleing.. once the revs speed up turn the chock off....
I have not had to touch the carb in 3 years..

every 3rd or 4th tank or when I remember to I put a little carb/injector cleaner in...



..

[timcosby]

premium gas is only need for high compression engines 10:1 and above.

[roundhouse]

I am with tim. no need for premium. Get the carb adjusted and I bet it solves your probs.

[wheel spinner]

start with full choke first 2 start tries... then half choke on 3rd try... bet it will tart then... if you need to adjust the carb then do it after it warms up... let us know how it goes... :hmm:

[timcosby]

premium gas is only need for high compression engines 10:1 and above.

on that note i just saw the specs on the new yamaha mt10(sp?) 12:1 compression ratio ...damn

[Bud1968]

Thanks again for all your help everyone, this morning I put the choke on full and it fired right up. Rode around the house for a bit seems to idle a bit high but I'm happy it's started up easy. Sure is fun to ride!

[roundhouse]

on that note i just saw the specs on the new yamaha mt10(sp?) 12:1 compression ratio ...damn

Saw the ducati 1299 is 12.6

my big bike is 11.5, some guys run 87 in theirs i will not. 93 only

[timcosby]

Thanks again for all your help everyone, this morning I put the choke on full and it fired right up. Rode around the house for a bit seems to idle a bit high but I'm happy it's started up easy. Sure is fun to ride!

once it warms up set your idle screw so that it turns at 1500 rpm then you shouldn't have to change it again. idle screw is the one on the side thats easy to get to

[itsnt4me]

Thanks again for the replies I did drain the regular gas out tonight and put premium in I thought that may help I'll try an work up my confidence to tackle those valves thanks for all your help. The bike sure is fun to ride.

I just put a Hawk together last week and adjusted the valves and its really easy. My valves were really tight seemed almost no clearance. Most time consuming part was getting the valve cover out and in. When it hits that sweet spot it slides right in. My bike is also as has been stated very lean. Got a carb and jet set on the way. Going to gut the cat and tune the carb and hopefully wake my Hawk up. Plenty of how to posts and videos on here and folks that know what they are doing. I'm not one of them I have to get them to hold my hand but I get it done. Good luck.