hawk update

[Zapkin]

Performed valve adjustments today. The odometer reads 3400 miles. This marks the second valve adjustment, prompted by increased noise from the engine. Additionally, I have upgraded to an x-ring chain, replacing the stock chain that performed reliably. Ever since the installation of the economical tachometer/hour meter, I've logged approximately 60.1 hours of operation. Notably, there has been no noticeable oil consumption. Some minor clutch refinements were necessary, alongside the tightening of the speedo cable which had become loose and ceased functioning.

Nonetheless, my satisfaction with the motorcycle remains high. It surpasses my previous experience with the Gy-5 model in all aspects except for vibration, where the Gy-5 had a slight edge.

[Zapkin]

doing more stuff.

[Zapkin]

i will be back when I get my mind settled and can be more constructive.

[Bill Hilly]

You are definitely racking up the miles pretty fast. I figure the rear tire is getting pretty thin in the skin. I still have the stock cluster on my TBR7, and a couple weeks ago, I noticed that threaded ring the holds the speedO cable to the speedO ,is off, and just along for the ride. My SpeedO is still working fine, but I need to re attach it.

[Sport Rider]

first off....you're riding the heck out of that thing! good for you! I wish I had enough time on my hands to put that many miles on my KLR. My goldwing gets miles, but that's only because I get to ride it to work all the time. And now, beside the KLR, I finally have my Intruder project licensed and on the road. The goldwing may have to share some work miles with the Intruder for now. :)

Keep riding and having fun on that thing. it sounds like it's holding up just fine for you. I wonder how many miles you'll put on it!

[XLsior]

Stop being so self deprecating for a start.

Everyone is a little bit crazy.

Nobody is perfect especially the people who believe they are perfect.

Just please try to keep all your specific bike posts to the 1 thread.

It stops the forums becoming a bloated mess of random posts and search results.

[Zapkin]

Stop being so self deprecating for a start.

Everyone is a little bit crazy.

Nobody is perfect especially the people who believe they are perfect.

Just please try to keep all your specific bike posts to the 1 thread.

It stops the forums becoming a bloated mess of random posts and search results.

will do.

[Zapkin]

New additions to the Hawk: handguards, seat cover, Nibbi carb. It starts, idles, and runs a little better with the new carb. Also, received a fuel filter with it and other stuff I don't need, but redundancy is good, right? I feel like there is a slight increase in power, nothing to freak out about, but noticeable. I want to get an exhaust, but I like it being quiet. Oh well, I'm learning, fellas. If I wouldn't smoke before working on it, it would take me half as much time because I keep doing stupid crap. Oh well, I'm learning!!!! Thanks for all the help. Will keep this as my thread.

https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjd4TuVHN2s0TmMVuXsR9Hd8SKTkSqnISHhv6766PsHhk rtpOuVIQdtCjbTJusKmETMiHRzIXUzlDdHm7xk7k-CQMz5LJBfOsr_oelE5c6MTLO1o2Pjzxw0xInLOJtwnOsf27Hxg BJ8oCQRSKRy7C23KJnhP9FcD0gzznSksHbBOvcwABzRWfXgApd bEOk/s320/372151052_1502884433582664_5376250640160072130_n.j pg

https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfCtoSrkCpYJIpzefsW9i9LfiRF_0wa_Tyy-usx_bBZScF2cb9z3OD3izzcz4pq5qshFlc69EH9-HLD8bWEP6XZ0SPYB_wiiyu8jtCEopgtjYN-8YfMYFAe12KEhYj7lydmR_eYtEEhzzV1GGUeZ6r1-r3H7khDm_QsKutxuF0Rn2uXlShzJIPt6su_G0/s320/372401631_1067277920939323_8743744599722077639_n.j pg

https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgn2C5YL85elYv-jsz3Skjjyv3tpiVp47I8tseOz4NhOFDM4ZUxUP1t21PhR66DuM T6u7eLwdmT5tSR_p4YmNf5JpcKAN8-K86tpUAzOrWx0bpPjPLIh5Cj7m9Gt-DxG2HrGuUwR7dOIJ_9EXvqIDSqjzf40ZEE6XM0sHQFpp6FtGrr qadgwrvafPMA8FA/s320/372560934_1037640031005144_226916918907612950_n.jp g

approaching 4000 units.

[Zapkin]

first off....you're riding the heck out of that thing! good for you! I wish I had enough time on my hands to put that many miles on my KLR. My goldwing gets miles, but that's only because I get to ride it to work all the time. And now, beside the KLR, I finally have my Intruder project licensed and on the road. The goldwing may have to share some work miles with the Intruder for now. :)

Keep riding and having fun on that thing. it sounds like it's holding up just fine for you. I wonder how many miles you'll put on it!

it is my daily driver. not looking forward to winter.

[Zapkin]

You are definitely racking up the miles pretty fast. I figure the rear tire is getting pretty thin in the skin. I still have the stock cluster on my TBR7, and a couple weeks ago, I noticed that threaded ring the holds the speedO cable to the speedO ,is off, and just along for the ride. My SpeedO is still working fine, but I need to re attach it.

the tire is holding up okay. I am going to get every mile out of it I can and then put a more dual-sport type tire on the back. The front is great, but it doesn't have my big booty on it. hehehe.

[Zapkin]

I am pretty much babying this thing so I too am curious about how many miles I will get. The transmission seems okay, it doesn't burn any oil and I gotta say I'm pretty dang impressed..

[Bill Hilly]

the tire is holding up okay. I am going to get every mile out of it I can and then put a more dual-sport type tire on the back. The front is great, but it doesn't have my big booty on it. hehehe.

Mine (rear tire)is holding up surprising good too. I don't baby mine, but I try not to abuse the bike, mainly because of the reputation of the rims. I like both my TBR7 and Hawk, but I honestly think the Hawk was probably a better bike right off the line. I have a little more power on the 7 now, but I think that both bikes were equal in power , until I did the head, and the 4 degree key. I think I just lost a little love for the 7, because I was having to work on it lately. It never did have anything majorly wrong with it, but I drove the bike for a year, and never had the tank off, and then I had to replace the throttle cable, so I did the head, while I waited for the cable, and was tickled that I finally got around to doing it. I rode the bike a few times, and it started acting up, and off comes the tank again. It was probably the coil not being grounded properly, but I don't know if it was that, or some water in the gas, or just a wire connector. Either way I got that took care of, but thought that I would order a new coil, and CDI, and as soon as I tried the bike with the new CDI, it acted like it wasn't wanting to turn over very good with the electric start, almost like the timing was too high, so I put my old CDI back on, and it acted the same. I was able to kick start it, and it ran already, so I went for a ride, and noticed that my gas gauge was moving like a tach, and come to find out it was because of the way I rerouted my inductive tachometer wire to be neater when I had the tank off, so off comes the tank again. I don't really think the CDI was behind the cranking issue. I think it was just a coincidence that the battery died . I ordered a new battery, and it seems alright, and looking back on it, I do seem to remember the TBR7 starter would kinda almost stop briefly, and then start cranking for some time now. Everything that I have done to the Hawk has been on the cheap, and it benefited from everything I have did. I wasn't very pleased with the sound after de cating it, but I drilling four 7/16" holes in the" inner plate" of the muffler , and I got what I think is a good sound, and the deceleration kackle. I did spring for an adjustable shock for it, and it was well worth it. I think that I have it set up pretty good too, because I can make good time on back roads. . I went for a long ride on a variety of roads today on the Hawk, and even though I got kinda lost , and ended way farther away than I intended, I wasn't at all worried, because I had plenty of gas, and confidence in the bike. I may have taken the TBR7, but it didn't have as much gas, and I didn't want to go into town. I need to ride it the next time, and then I will probably start realizing that it's just as good, which I know it is. It does have around 4,500 on the odometer now, and the Hawk about half that much, or a little more, not only because I've had it longer, but I think I liked it better at first, but the Hawk has really grown on me.

[Megadan]

I am pretty much babying this thing so I too am curious about how many miles I will get. The transmission seems okay, it doesn't burn any oil and I gotta say I'm pretty dang impressed..

Keep up with maintenance and a Hawk will last a very very long time. I didn't baby my first Hawk and I hammered out 4400 miles in about 6 months mostly running on the highways and using it to commute to work. If it wouldn't have gotten stolen I probably would have over 40k miles on it by this point. Most of my issues were wiring/electrical related. Mechanical stuff is flawless as long as you keep up with the lubrication and checking the hardware from time to time.

[Zapkin]

I do dan. I check the tightness of bolts and change the oil every month no matter the mileage and i put grease on every electrical connection i could find.

[Zapkin]

also, when I say I baby her, I mean I dont wind her out unnecessarily and I rarely take her off road. that being said, i live in WV so you can imagine the roads she deals with just going to the grocery store. potholes inside of potholes.

[zero_dgz]

Boss. I have exactly that same seat cover on both my Bashan and my KLR.

[Zapkin]

i am amazed how much better the bike runs with the nibbi carb. started right up and idles even without choke (which is good cause it aint got much of one from what I can tell). Also the low end acceleration is better, paired with that nibbi filter I felt slight increase on power. like I said, nothing to write home about but definately worth the small expense. at this point, i am ready to head out to alaska to convert the hawk into a hybrid/snowmachine and stock up on bug spray. I am sick of this heat! im a sweaty mess. Take care fellas. Im not even gonna grammar chek this one.

edit. I was mistaken. choke is fine. nevermind.

[Zapkin]

https://scontent.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.15752-9/373390513_1980432585623324_8108087802246834476_n.j pg?_nc_cat=106&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=aee45a&_nc_ohc=aoAW4ITD1M8AX9EPDQN&_nc_ad=z-m&_nc_cid=0&_nc_ht=scontent.xx&oh=03_AdR6B30s2TEprqqNu7SPNIv-Aa9w1cYQeMjVSQDGpf3LjQ&oe=652076A5

[Zapkin]

finally did a definitive mileage check. with new carb, 44 tooth rear and 17 tooth front and the air filter I got 83 MILES PER GALLON (yes i corrected for units vs miles) . BUT a good 30 miles of that was on backroads puttering around 4000-4500 rpms at most. I am going to do another check today and see if I was mistaken.

[bigdano711]

I just put on my 16t front to go with my 47t rear sprocket. It just doesn't have the low end I need in 5th gear with the 17t front. 4th gear is great and would get me up above 50mph, but as soon as a shift to 5th she just gives up. Of course this is going into the wind a bit, but we're only talking like 10mph to 15mph winds. Will report back soon on how she does. The next thing I need to look at is the carb. She's lean, but not too bad. I will pull the plug at 1000 miles and get a pic posted.

[Zapkin]

part of the fun is learning and tinkering.

[Zapkin]

Well, after banging and banging, my speedo needle finally broke. I am hoping the digital cluster doesn't sell out before my payday. They had 9 left yesterday and I have two weeks to wait. I am sweating it.

[bigdano711]

My needle is bouncing around. Is there no fix for it? It just dies and you have to get new cluster?

[Zapkin]

did another mileage check. went 215 "units" on 2.1 gallons of gas which after my calculations = about 78 mpg from that tank. Not bad.

[Zapkin]

My needle is bouncing around. Is there no fix for it? It just dies and you have to get new cluster?

mine danced and danced until the needle broke off. it was banging pretty hard.

[Megadan]

Yeah, there is a reason most of us upgraded to a digital cluster. The most impressive feat I have seen from a Hawk is a guy that has a perfectly functional stock speedo with 5000 miles on it.

[Zapkin]

Well, I've been sitting around worrying about my head gasket, even though I've got the new head gasket. Even though it doesn't appear to be leaking any worse than it did in the beginning, in the interest of reliability and the fact that the folks at powersportsmax.com hooked me up, I will install it. But in the short term, I'm about to jump on my motorcycle while it is wonderfully cool out, and the leaves are changing. I'm going to some covered bridges. Oh, and I will post the pictures here. Don't worry about me; I have full coverage, roadside assistance, and everything that a poor boy can have. So, I'm about to embark on this journey, and there's only one way I could have achieved this journey, and that's through the Hawk 250. Thanks!

[XLsior]

is the leak impacting the oil level significantly and or causing smoke/burnoff...If not it can be 'lived with' for a while...

No harm in replacing the head gasket/oil feed o'ring as you don't have to replace the cylinder and piston.

Hopefully you already have a torque wrench for the head bolts...

[Thumper]

Push rods make your task easier! No cam chain to deal with. Just keep it all clean, rods back in the same place and orientation. Maybe you can leave them in place during the gasket change. This is a remove and replace job. Don't sweat it.

[Zapkin]

I bought a torque wrench and learned how to use it. I rode two hours today with no issues, but like I said I have to remove the tank to do the speedometer so I might as well do it all at the same time. Anyway, I rode out to two covered bridges (I don't really like them that much but they are a great excuse to get rural). here are a few pictures.

[Zapkin]

also found a little lake.

[Zapkin]

is the leak impacting the oil level significantly and or causing smoke/burnoff...If not it can be 'lived with' for a while...

No harm in replacing the head gasket/oil feed o'ring as you don't have to replace the cylinder and piston.

Hopefully you already have a torque wrench for the head bolts...

I posted a picture of it when I first discovered it. Since then I've washed the oil off, but it's still leaking. It's a super slow leak so far, but it's going to knag at me until I fix it.

I just had to ride today, the weather was good for it and the trees are changing and my brain was being calm. So had to do it.

[XLsior]

Ok i just looked at the leak photo...its on the pushrod drain back side not the pressurized oil feed side...

which means the valves and rockers are still getting oil.

Though the leak is somewhat significant so you're on right path to repair...

Remember to backoff the valve adjustment screws prior to removing the 3 valve rocker assembly bolts..

As far as torque setting somewhere around 25ft pounds and under 30ft pounds...I say this as my particular torque wrench is a bit vague at the lower adjustment settings.

I go around krisskross/star pattern with 20ft pounds then adjust up to the 25ft* and do another round of tightening.

Also don't forget the washers...

4 inner head stud bolts and the 5th outer bolt witch locks into the cam follower shaft.

[Zapkin]

thanks guys. I will review all of this right before tearing into it. I think I got this. its fun. i mean, say what you want..its fun to wrench on these bikes.

[bigdano711]

I bought a torque wrench and learned how to use it. I rode two hours today with no issues, but like I said I have to remove the tank to do the speedometer so I might as well do it all at the same time. Anyway, I rode out to two covered bridges (I don't really like them that much but they are a great excuse to get rural). here are a few pictures.
What a cool place for a "safety meeting". ;-)

[Zapkin]

Yes.. and Yes i did. and remember "safety is #1 priority"

[Zapkin]

Not sure if there is an interest. The current state of the hawk is this. running. occasional oil smell. almost 6000 units boys! really the only issues I've had with the bike are issues I created myself by being a newb and trying to fix stuff that wasn't broken.

[buzz]

Thats part of the fun. let the madness go on.

[Zapkin]

Took her out to Turkey Run Dam and took some pictures, made a video and did a perimeter search for evidence of Bigfoot. :)

[Zapkin]

Took her out to Turkey Run Dam and took some pictures, made a video and did a perimeter search for evidence of Bigfoot. :)

[Bill Hilly]

Citizens Arrest!! Citizens Arrest!!! Can't you see ? It clearly says NOT to park in front of the gate ?

[Zapkin]

All i bought the Hawk for Christmas was a handlebar riser. I expect to be able to gain an additional 1.0 to 1.25 mph with this on the bike. I don't know why, but I do. :)

[Do©Hawk]

Might need to start a covered bridge thread. I have a couple within riding distance of my location.

[buzz]

Me too,theres a few around here.

[flopsweat]

Oh I know of at least one, if not too. Cheesy is about an hour closer to it than I, but I would 100% make a day out of getting that one photo for this one thread on this one forum.

[Bill Hilly]

We have a couple covered bridges locally, and I have taken pictures of them, and posted on here, but WV has a super nice, one at Philippi . It's farther than I want to go for a picture though. It's probably closer for Zapkin, and some of you Maryland, and Pennsylvania members. I do intend to get some footage of the KPX on the New River Gorge bridge this spring, or next Fall when it's prettier.

[Zapkin]

Might need to start a covered bridge thread. I have a couple within riding distance of my location.

That would be cool, especially when spring comes. I wanted to hit every one of them near me but got derailed by stuff. Some are in such peaceful places and with the creek nearby..just really nice.

[Do©Hawk]

That would be cool, especially when spring comes. I wanted to hit every one of them near me but got derailed by stuff. Some are in such peaceful places and with the creek nearby..just really nice.

I have one petty close @ McConnell's Mill State park. It's down in a rocky gorge....feels like being somewhere other than western PA.

[Zapkin]

Installed the handlebar risers—nice blue ones, very classy. The immediate impression is that the bike feels different, larger. I'm not sure if this will improve anything yet (haven't gone far), but I will say one thing: the mirrors are now much more useful as they are higher, and I can see over my arms now. Before, no matter what I did with my coat on, I had to move my arm to see behind me. Altogether, a worthy $18.00 upgrade.

[Do©Hawk]

What is the riser height?

[bigdano711]

And the link?

[JerryHawk250]

And the link?

It looks like these are the same ones. https://amzn.to/47Z7qK8

[BriNbigD]

I bought these: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0CD61TR29?ref=ppx_yo2ov_dt_b_product_details&th=1
Got the last red ones I guess. Needed space between the bars and triple tree to mount some light switches.

[Zapkin]

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08RS46WPM?ref=ppx_yo2ov_dt_b_product_details&th=1



Please note that the installation of these will in no way shape or form increase the top speed of the Hawk 250! :D

[Zapkin]

What is the riser height?

Almost 1 1/4 inches. Doesn't seem like much, but it is.

[Zapkin]

Oh, one other thing: The free motorcycle cover that X-Pro included with my bike was far superior to the cheapo one I bought from Amazon:

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B09KNBHZFY/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o00_s01?ie=UTF8&th=1.

I found this out after the good one (from X-Pro) escaped during a windstorm, and I replaced it with the cheapo from Amazon. Next windstorm... two holes in the cheap one. Sad, sad, sad. Sometimes you do get what you pay for.

[Zapkin]

One more thing. I took a short video of my engine running today. I think it sounds okay, but I am hoping one of the Hawk experts can tell me what they think. I have valves set to .0025 intake and .003 exhaust.

https://youtube.com/shorts/DhuxMrOT10I?feature=share

Thanks.

[JerryHawk250]

One more thing. I took a short video of my engine running today. I think it sounds okay, but I am hoping one of the Hawk experts can tell me what they think. I have valves set to .0025 intake and .003 exhaust.

https://youtube.com/shorts/DhuxMrOT10I?feature=share

Thanks.

Sounds good to me. :tup:

[Zapkin]

Sounds good to me. :tup:

Thanks Jerry. I took a 35-mile ride today. Its over 50 degrees out. The handlebar risers definitely change the way the bike feels. Was so good to get out on the backroads. I wish it were spring. Anyway, thanks again.

[buzz]

sounds good to me too.

[Zapkin]

https://youtu.be/SLgn8i88GtQ

[Do©Hawk]

I can't keep my hands off the Hawk when the sun is shining. Whether I should or shouldn't is always an afterthought.

[buzz]

Hey looks like old buildings in Sagamore Pa. Mining town,you should have stopped at my house.

[Zapkin]

Hey looks like old buildings in Sagamore Pa. Mining town,you should have stopped at my house.

The property we ride on down there is owned by the coal mines. during the summer its very dense with a few well-worn trails but right now it's wide open. I want to go roam around down there some more but the mud and my constitution are preventing it right now.

[buzz]

You should have went today,was nice.

[Do©Hawk]

You should have went today,was nice.
It was beautiful out on Christmas day. I had family visitors in and out all day long so I didn't really get to enjoy it. I took a quick ride in my neighborhood at dusk just to get one in. Warm enough to be comfortable in sweats and Crocs on the bike.

[buzz]

Another nice day today, got a little ride before the rain.

[Zapkin]

It was 38 degrees out, but the sun was peeking out. I thought, "if the hawk will start without kicking it, I'll ride." Well, below 40 degrees the Hawk really doesn't like to start using the battery. So, I kicked it, got it started and then promptly let it stall and then flooded it trying to kick it again. Jeez o weez. Old age sucks, completely winded and drenched in sweat, I ended up flipping it the bird and covering it up and going inside to cozy up to my kitty and watch 1883.

Until another day, then the Hawk will spread its wings and commence to vibrating my old bones to dust as I scurry down the road in search of my lost youth.

that last bit was kind of poetic. . .

[JerryHawk250]

It was 38 degrees out, but the sun was peeking out. I thought, "if the hawk will start without kicking it, I'll ride." Well, below 40 degrees the Hawk really doesn't like to start using the battery. So, I kicked it, got it started and then promptly let it stall and then flooded it trying to kick it again. Jeez o weez. Old age sucks, completely winded and drenched in sweat, I ended up flipping it the bird and covering it up and going inside to cozy up to my kitty and watch 1883.

Until another day, then the Hawk will spread its wings and commence to vibrating my old bones to dust as I scurry down the road in search of my lost youth.

that last bit was kind of poetic. . .

That's one smart Hawk. It was trying to tell you keep yo old butt inside. :lmao:

[Texas Pete]

The problem is you didn’t have the old Australian standby handy. :lmao:

https://cdn.discordapp.com/attachments/1194042568732848198/1194657898349989928/IMG_8971.jpg

[buzz]

I need that!

[Zapkin]

It's freezing cold outside; the wind last night completely destroyed the cheap Amazon bike cover I was using. It's shredded. I went out in this freezing snow and pulled the battery out of the bike, then brought it inside. I am going to let it warm up and then take the bike over to my son-in-law's to store her for the rest of the season. I am pretty much within walking distance of everything I could possibly need, and the Hawk... well, she needs a rest.

[Thumper]

-2 and dropping for the Chiefs/Dolphins game in KC tonight. That's even colder than a Chiefs/Raiders game a few years ago. Layered up for that, but it is predicted to drop to -9 throughout the game, and there is a 15mph wind. NO ONE will be happy on that field!!!!!:ohno:

Bikes are parked indefinitely. And too cold to even work on them in the garage :wtf:

[MeToo]

KC also. It's colder than I like. But I don't really like cold at all so I'm ready for hibernation. I don't know how you folks farther north even survive.

[buzz]

You get used to it, 2 degrees this morning.

[Thumper]

I can't keep the offset hot in this weather, but we have a window on Wednesday for grilling (just above freezing :wtf: ). I have 5 lb of GOOD hamburger and some brats and big shrimp that might go on. Need to do some planning. Maybe I should pick up a ribeye family pack. No need to freeze the menu :tup:

[Zapkin]

right now its 9F out and the schools are cancelled tomorrow due to the cold. I really was in denial about winter. we had such warm weather up until recently that I was thinking this is the new reality of global warming. well mother nature decided to end that crazy thinking in my mind and dump some snow and freezing azz temperatures on me. UGH!

[2LZ]

One very nice view!

[Zapkin]

One very nice view!

Beautiful Moundsville West Virginia. Home of the West Virginia Penitentiary (which you've seen in loads of movies and didnt know it) and the fastest Hawk this side of the mason-dixon line. hehehehehe :P (i think i did hit 68 once..i swear I did)

[Sport Rider]

yeah, I don't miss it one bit! :D

[Zapkin]

A while back I posted the Hawk for $1400 on fakebook, thinking I'd upgrade to the new hawk or a templar if I sold it. Well, I quickly changed my mind and thought I'd removed the ad. Some random dude offered me 1000 cash today. I thought about it for about 2 seconds and declined. I have 2 grand in it and even though it's got over 6000 miles on it now, the screen was clean the last time I changed the oil, the bike runs great and even if it is turning my old bones to dust, I just can let her go that cheap.

[JerryHawk250]

A while back I posted the Hawk for $1400 on fakebook, thinking I'd upgrade to the new hawk or a templar if I sold it. Well, I quickly changed my mind and thought I'd removed the ad. Some random dude offered me 1000 cash today. I thought about it for about 2 seconds and declined. I have 2 grand in it and even though it's got over 6000 miles on it now, the screen was clean the last time I changed the oil, the bike runs great and even if it is turning my old bones to dust, I just can let her go that cheap.
I know what you mean. I'm having a hard time letting my old 2016 Hawk go. lol

[Bill Hilly]

http://https://i.ibb.co/vqrwPhv/img-1-1705607959975.jpg (https://imgbb.com/)Night before last, and yesterday morning were the coldest temperature we have had in 2 year, but my new carb came in, and like a kid with a new toy, I had to try it. It's still cold, at just about freezing now, and is supposed to hit 35. I jetted my carb last night with a 130 main, and 40 pilot, but didn't mess with the needle, because I didn't he my needle nose pliers in the house. I'm just running the needle the way it came for now. I will have to experiment with carb settings, but I think it's pretty close now. I took it down one road, and it did really good, so I took it around to the backside of Rollins Lake, and I shut it off for pictures, and on my way back around the lake it was a little erratic at the real slow speed I was moving because it was slick. I was going slow around the lake on the way in, but didn't notice the little bit of erratic running then. But it did great out on the main road. I've not climbed any long fast hills yet, but I can really tell the difference in the motor's higher RPM especially once you get up over 6,000, and at 7,000 its pulling hard, and picks up real fast, to 8,000, and that's as far as I took it. If it is able to retain it's speed on some of the long,fast hills a little better than it did, I'll be satisfied. I don't plan on putting my plastic back on the bike till I paint it, and spruce it up some, but here is today at the same lake , and close to the same conditions , and when I first got the bike. http://https://i.ibb.co/ns0kFFf/ASTRO-55-R-01182024-134423-3.jpg (https://ibb.co/RpSHqqP)

[Bill Hilly]

I know what you mean. I'm having a hard time letting my old 2016 Hawk go. lol

That's the way I feel about my Hawk, which is also a 2016.. I didn't mean to jump your thread Zapkin, I thought I was making a separate post. I saw your bike on Facebook Marketplace when you advertised it. I know how people are , they always want to either trade random items, or claim they will come look at whatever you're selling. They will see a junk Hawk, or TBR7, that's only fit for parts,for sale and automatically think that's what they should pay for a road worthy bike.

[Thumper]

My son is off to college. He left behind the Storm, which is similar to the Hawk, but has inverted forks, SS brake lines, a counterbalanced engine, and a stupid alarm (remote has battery delete!).

But I put a Tusk DSport rear tire on it, de-cat the exhaust, and the thing is super dependable. It is a great first bike, and it can CLIMB in the dirt and trails. I wouldn't sell it without his approval (probably with upgrade to a Templar in mind!).

A good Hawk is probably worth more than most people would pay for it. Just like this Storm.

I sold a COVID year TBR7 with many major issues for just about what we paid for it (it was my son's original new bike). The footpeg breaking off on first mount was the thing that told us that the old Storm would be better for him!

So I keep the Storm in the garage, drive it occasionally, and it is here for him.

[Zapkin]

That's the way I feel about my Hawk, which is also a 2016.. I didn't mean to jump your thread Zapkin, I thought I was making a separate post. I saw your bike on Facebook Marketplace when you advertised it. I know how people are , they always want to either trade random items, or claim they will come look at whatever you're selling. They will see a junk Hawk, or TBR7, that's only fit for parts,for sale and automatically think that's what they should pay for a road worthy bike.

its all good. this thread has become a conversation. no biggie.

[Zapkin]

Night before last, and yesterday morning were the coldest temperature we have had in 2 year, but my new carb came in, and like a kid with a new toy, I had to try it. It's still cold, at just about freezing now, and is supposed to hit 35. I jetted my carb last night with a 130 main, and 40 pilot, but didn't mess with the needle, because I didn't he my needle nose pliers in the house. I'm just running the needle the way it came for now. I will have to experiment with carb settings, but I think it's pretty close now. I took it down one road, and it did really good, so I took it around to the backside of Rollins Lake, and I shut it off for pictures, and on my way back around the lake it was a little erratic at the real slow speed I was moving because it was slick. I was going slow around the lake on the way in, but didn't notice the little bit of erratic running then. But it did great out on the main road. I've not climbed any long fast hills yet, but I can really tell the difference in the motor's higher RPM especially once you get up over 6,000, and at 7,000 its pulling hard, and picks up real fast, to 8,000, and that's as far as I took it. If it is able to retain it's speed on some of the long,fast hills a little better than it did, I'll be satisfied. I don't plan on putting my plastic back on the bike till I paint it, and spruce it up some, but here is today at the same lake , and close to the same conditions , and when I first got the bike.

you got out there! thats good! im going stir crazy right now. hehehe

[Bill Hilly]

you got out there! thats good! im going stir crazy right now. hehehe

Today,and tonight are supposed to be about the same miserably cold conditions, but starting Monday, the temperature really improves, even though it's gonna be raining a good bit.
I live South of you, but I figure you get the similar weather.

[buzz]

Ya guys looks like 51 thursday,time for a ride.hope don't rain.

[Bill Hilly]

Ya guys looks like 51 thursday,time for a ride.hope don't rain.

It was close to 60 degrees here in Jackson County West Virginia, at 10:00 AM. Yesterday I painted my tank plastic with some gray that had on hand, but it was a little too cold, so that's all I painted. I.took my old saddlebags off, but have a set ordered, and a round headlight. I put the Hawk through the paced today, and it is really running good, I stopped at the lake today for a picture, but it was foggy, because it was warming up so fast. I hadn't even had the keys in the KPX for around a month, and even before I rolled it out, I tried to start it ,incase it's battery was dead. It started as soon as I bumped the starter. I rode it a good bit today as well, but it was drizzling rain just enough to get all over my face shield. .http://https://i.ibb.co/vmLLGfx/ASTRO-55-R-01252024-111218-3.jpg (https://ibb.co/jG332qv)

[Zapkin]

Well I rode to Wheeling yesterday. I had to. I didn't get very wet but something funny happened and I once again proved my noobness.

On the way out of Moundsville I thought I heard something fall off of the Hawk. Well, I pulled over and did a visual. Nothing.

When I got to Wheeling I realized that the tank vent tube thingy was gone. Well it was sprinkling so I thought I'd put a little piece of tape over the hole to protect from rain getting in.

Fast forward to me on the way home on Rt 2. Doing about 55 and all of a sudden the bike dies. Just dies! I pull over..cant get her to start no matter what I do. I am in panic mode and then I see it..that piece of tape over the vent hole.

Pulled it off, bike fired up and I came home. So..dont put anything over that vent hole when you lose the tube and..i guess my tank is definately air tight. heheh

i know some of you are laughing and thats ok. :)

[2LZ]

Self-inflicted is completely acceptable. It's when it's shipped plugged on your brand new bike, and you spend hours on a forum trying to figure out why you're always walking home, is when it's unacceptable.

[flopsweat]

I think one of my very first questions on here was why won't my TT250 start, they ship it with a little gas so wtf? It was a *little* gas, and I just needed to turn the petcock to reserve, which took me two days to figure out (it was/is my first motorcycle). Then I'd ride for 15min and it would die, and turns out they shipped it with the lines reversed to the carbon canister so it was creating a vacuum in the tank... same thing!

[zero_dgz]

Or it could be like my Orion which apparently shipped with a petcock with no pickup tube on it. Both inlets are at the same height. So flipping the petcock from "run" to "reserve" does... nothing!


I keep one of those MSR fuel bottles strapped to the side. There's your reserve.

[Zapkin]

Well, I took the bike off of the marketplace. I see too many Hawks on there with fewer than 1000 miles for less than what I am asking. I know my sweat and blood are worth nothing, so I cannot in good conscience sell the Hawk for $1400 when it's got over 6000 miles on it, even with the modifications I've done so far. And there is no way I can take less than that for her.

But the really big reason I changed my mind is because after riding her yesterday, I remembered why I love her, and I am not going to let freezing weather make me forget that again.

[Bill Hilly]

Well, I took the bike off of the marketplace. I see too many Hawks on there with fewer than 1000 miles for less than what I am asking. I know my sweat and blood are worth nothing, so I cannot in good conscience sell the Hawk for $1400 when it's got over 6000 miles on it, even with the modifications I've done so far. And there is no way I can take less than that for her.

But the really big reason I changed my mind is because after riding her yesterday, I remembered why I love her, and I am not going to let freezing weather make me forget that again.
You also need to keep in mind that you have already invested in tax, and title, and with any bike you may replace the Hawk with, will still cost you sales tax, and title fees. The best thing you can do, IMO, is to do something about your missing spoke, so you can enjoy your bike without worrying about the wheel. I know money doesn't grow on trees, but you have a bike that as long as you don't take it out, and bend up the forks, and swing arm, will be cheap, and easy to key going. Even a brand new CG motor, is evidently not real expensive, and several have been going with the OHC, 6 speed motors, but the process is more expensive. I think that when someone gets a bike like a Hawk, they are probably best to either ride it into the ground, and only spend what's absolutely necessary on it, and selling it cheap ( like the parts bike,I bought), OR plan on keeping it as long as possible, and spend a little to keep it going, and to upgrade it as desired.

[Zapkin]

You also need to keep in mind that you have already invested in tax, and title, and with any bike you may replace the Hawk with, will still cost you sales tax, and title fees. The best thing you can do, IMO, is to do something about your missing spoke, so you can enjoy your bike without worrying about the wheel. I know money doesn't grow on trees, but you have a bike that as long as you don't take it out, and bend up the forks, and swing arm, will be cheap, and easy to key going. Even a brand new CG motor, is evidently not real expensive, and several have been going with the OHC, 6 speed motors, but the process is more expensive. I think that when someone gets a bike like a Hawk, they are probably best to either ride it into the ground, and only spend what's absolutely necessary on it, and selling it cheap ( like the parts bike,I bought), OR plan on keeping it as long as possible, and spend a little to keep it going, and to upgrade it as desired.

Yeah shes a keeper I guess. Not too worried about the spoke until spring when I go into the vast unknown wilderness again (lol).

[buzz]

Zapkin I have a 2021 TBR7 8600 miles, and running strong. Hoping for 8000 more miles,and more time will tell. Love these china bikes. How did you break a spoke? Never any problems with my spokes,and have never tighten any on any bike i've ever had. But i hear theres problems on some of these bikes. Get that spoke fixed!

[Zapkin]

Zapkin I have a 2021 TBR7 8600 miles, and running strong. Hoping for 8000 more miles,and more time will tell. Love these china bikes. How did you break a spoke? Never any problems with my spokes,and have never tighten any on any bike i've ever had. But i hear theres problems on some of these bikes. Get that spoke fixed!

well I am pretty sure that I either snagged it on something on the trails that loosened it way up or that one time I got air. I am a big boy and that one time I got air could have been it. right now I am not worried about it. i only ride around town at the moment, but when it gets warm I am getting a new rim. i just wish i was 30 years younger dammit.

[XLsior]

are you sure replacing a rim will be any cheaper than just getting a new back wheel? by the time you strip down and re lace the new rim and tune it you could be in deeper then a new wheel.

[Do©Hawk]

$30 for a set of 32 (16 of each of 2 different bends)spokes from Ebay + $10 for a Tusk spoke wrench on Amazon. $40 and a little time and effort could get you all squared away. I know it seems intimidating, but it is very doable. Just like many of the other fixes, watch some videos, get an idea of the process, then dive in.

I had no experience with any of this before removing my wheel and tire and getting it done. I had to replace 4 spokes. Haven't had a problem since.

Edit to add... Forgot I also had to buy tire bars. 2 24" ones from Harbor Freight @ $6 each and a pair of 10" tire bars from AutoZone or Advanced Auto Parts that cost $10.

[XLsior]

Spokes are fairly cheap its the rims that can blow out costs. I'm looking at replacment stainless steel rims for my XL185, which are not more expensive than alloy and for me just the 1 rim shipped is over $170AUD or $111USD + spokes and time. Heck you might even get free rubber on the replacent back wheel...


If I'm not mistaken Zapkin's rim is damaged not just the missing spoke.


https://txpowersports.com/ricky-power-sports-Hawk-250-FlywheelRear-rim-p/hs250y-a.100030.02.htm

[Zapkin]

Spokes are fairly cheap its the rims that can blow out costs. I'm looking at replacment stainless steel rims for my XL185, which are not more expensive than alloy and for me just the 1 rim shipped is over $170AUD or $111USD + spokes and time. Heck you might even get free rubber on the replacent back wheel...


If I'm not mistaken Zapkin's rim is damaged not just the missing spoke.


https://txpowersports.com/ricky-power-sports-Hawk-250-FlywheelRear-rim-p/hs250y-a.100030.02.htm

Yeah the rim is damaged where the spoke goes in. It looks as though it was ripped out. I slapped a gob of JB Weld over it to keep it the tube from popping out. Its gonna be 180.00 or so for the rear rim. I am going to keep it like it is for now, but when spring comes and I want to go further into the unknown wilderness (haha) I'll replace it and also get my road side assistance back in effect.

[Zapkin]

I am just posting this here so as not to bloat the forum with another stupid question from Zapkin. hehe. I have decided to replace my fuel sensor. I was told that this was a direct replacement and will fix the issue of the gauge only registering until half a tank (when its on E there is still half a tank).

https://cscmotorcycles.com/zt8-113-06366-fuel-sensor-2016-up-tt250/#product-reviews

Seems like a cheap fix. Is there anything I need to know about replacing it?

Thanks in advance fellas.

(if I aint selling it, I guess I gotta keep upgrading it)

[Bill Hilly]

I am just posting this here so as not to bloat the forum with another stupid question from Zapkin. hehe. I have decided to replace my fuel sensor. I was told that this was a direct replacement and will fix the issue of the gauge only registering until half a tank (when its on E there is still half a tank).

https://cscmotorcycles.com/zt8-113-06366-fuel-sensor-2016-up-tt250/#product-reviews

Seems like a cheap fix. Is there anything I need to know about replacing it?

Thanks in advance fellas.

(if I aint selling it, I guess I gotta keep upgrading it)
My gut feeling is that is very possible that it's no better quality than your stock one. There is probably some "hit, and miss " with accuracy.. If you do order from CSC, then make sure you get whatever gasket you need for that sending unit, and maybe a spare as well. I seen on one of the Facebook groups were they can leak, and one guy recommended making a gasket from an old inner tube. OH yeah, be very careful not to break, or strip the bolts, or threads. In my opinion, I wouldn't fool with it, and while it may be due partially to laziness, but also, the fact that you have a reserve on the bike, and the chance that you may replace it, and the gauge still acts the same.. I have heard of some people bending the rod that the float is on, to kinda calibrate them, or attempting to, but that requires removal as well. Mine got better after replacing the stock cluster with digital, but my TBR7 was terrible. It's pretty much the nature of these bikes.

[Zapkin]

It was my understanding that the ones for the TT250 actually read correctly when installed into the tank on a Hawk. But, you talked me right out of it. I will use the odometer, reserve and if and when this one breaks. replace it then. thanks. if it aint broke dont fix it i guess. my best friends dad told me that many years ago..still hasnt sunk in.

[Do©Hawk]

Yeah the rim is damaged where the spoke goes in. It looks as though it was ripped out. I slapped a gob of JB Weld over it

Gotcha. I remembered you had plugged the hole with JB Weld, wasn't sure there was damage besides the missing spoke. I priced a replacement wheel for mine in case the repair went south, but it worked out for me thankfully.

[Bill Hilly]

It was my understanding that the ones for the TT250 actually read correctly when installed into the tank on a Hawk. But, you talked me right out of it. I will use the odometer, reserve and if and when this one breaks. replace it then. thanks. if it aint broke dont fix it i guess. my best friends dad told me that many years ago..still hasnt sunk in.
I don't know, maybe they do read more accurate.. I wasn't necessary trying to talk you out of doing it, but was just giving you my thoughts on the matter.

[Zapkin]

I don't know, maybe they do read more accurate.. I wasn't necessary trying to talk you out of doing it, but was just giving you my thoughts on the matter.

well I am going to wait until I have to mess with it. Took the bike out today and got all of the mud off of her. about to hit 1000 miles on the new gauge. I have to ride, it is necessary.

[Bill Hilly]

well I am going to wait until I have to mess with it. Took the bike out today and got all of the mud off of her. about to hit 1000 miles on the new gauge. I have to ride, it is necessary.

I'm fixing to go on a ride today, but don't know were to go. LOL. I usually like to stop, and eat, especially if I go to Mason, or Point Pleasant, but I realize that I have gained a good bit of weight recently. My Hawk has always ran great, but now that I have modded the motor about all that I plan on doing, I realize that the best performance upgrade that I can do now is loose weight.

[Zapkin]

I'm fixing to go on a ride today, but don't know were to go. LOL. I usually like to stop, and eat, especially if I go to Mason, or Point Pleasant, but I realize that I have gained a good bit of weight recently. My Hawk has always ran great, but now that I have modded the motor about all that I plan on doing, I realize that the best performance upgrade that I can do now is loose weight.

:lmao:

yeah get the old horsepower to weight ratio a little better. hehehe

[Bill Hilly]

:lmao:

yeah get the old horsepower to weight ratio a little better. hehehe

Yeah. The term muscle car really was overused, but it was originally a car that made at least one HP for every ten pounds the car weighs. So the Hawk weighs over 300 lbs, and with my boots, and heavy coat, and the recent weight gain. I only need just shy of ,60 HP .LOL

[Zapkin]

Comment changed and removed so that I don't accidentally encourage people to engage in overindulgence in alcohol and the purchasing of motor oil that may or may not be needed. So. that being said, good night.

[Zapkin]

Went for a short ride today. This is how she sits now.

[Zapkin]

Thinking about ordering this: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07GYSLJMD/ref=twister_B0B8VWFKWW?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1

How hard is it to make a bracket and do any of you have any suggestions for a person of my limited skillset? Like..the cheapest easiest (not necessarily most durable) solution?

[XLsior]

have you fixed the back wheel yet...


I'd prioritize that over a new muff

[Bill Hilly]

Thinking about ordering this: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07GYSLJMD/ref=twister_B0B8VWFKWW?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1

How hard is it to make a bracket and do any of you have any suggestions for a person of my limited skillset? Like..the cheapest easiest (not necessarily most durable) solution?

You really don't have to use a drop bracket, especially if you don't mind it melting a corner of the airbox, but if you do want to use one, you could probably just buy something at Walmart in hardware, for probably around $2.00 . I had a hard time getting the muffler up quite high enough on my TBR7, and I used one of those light duty, fairly long U bolts that come with a little metal strap. I put the U bolt on the frame, right above the resivoir for the rear brake fluid, and then using the strap, and nuts pulled the exhaust up with it. I still had to make a bracket, about an inch long, is so , because the mount on the muffler has either a little to far forward, or backwards. On my Hawk, I have the exact exhaust as you show in the link, and the mount on the muffler lines up perfectly with one of the bolts in the passenger grab handle. I just used that hole with no bracket, BUT, it did put the pipe right against the corner of the airbox. I got my money's worth of use from that U bolt ( probably $2-$3 ), because I am still using it. I didn't want my saddlebags to get against the muffler, so I reshaped it into a muffler guard, and it's on the bike now.

[Zapkin]

have you fixed the back wheel yet...


I'd prioritize that over a new muff

yeh well its a more expensive thing to deal with and we lifted the bike onto a stand and the remaining spokes seem to be fine and the wheel is not terribly out of true, so I am going to procrastinate about it. my stock exhaust looks like crap..rust all over it now. oh well, who knows what I will end up doing.

[buzz]

Get the exhaust,wheel might last forever. You will know when its bad and then fix ,

[Bruces]

If (when) that wheel collapses at 60mph ,I bet you will wish you fixed your stupid wheel that you have known about for months already .

[Zapkin]

If (when) that wheel collapses at 60mph ,I bet you will wish you fixed your stupid wheel that you have known about for months already .

What would cause that to happen. All the other spokes are fine, the wheel is true. BTW are you the Bruce from endlessjourneyscycles or something it was called 15 years ago up in Ohio?

[Zapkin]

oh by the way I had to replace my kill switch. easy to do. but I think its backwards. the button on top is on and the middle button is off. I could have swore it was different.

[Bruces]

The wheel is under tension ,the stresses are huge and are designed to be equal all around the wheel ,your missing a spoke on a cheaply made wheel ,so now the other spokes are having to do the work of their missing brother and eventually they will start failing and literally the wheel will collapse .Let me ask you a question ,do you understand that your entire bike is made with the cheapest parts they can find ,in order to sell it as cheap as they do ? Then ,why did they bother to put so many spokes on your wheels if they are not needed ?

[Bill Hilly]

I know that a rim is one of the expensive items, but your rim can probably be saved. All it needs is to be able to hold the " head" in the rim without pulling through, and be countersunk about as flush as the others. I would try either a small conical washer, or if you could find one of those real thin washers and use a small bolt and tap to pull it down in the recess. A star lock washer would probably work, because they are thin. A second, and better option is to find a small body shop, or muffler shop,cand and have them tig weld the hole, and then just redrill it. If you know someone who welds, or could braize it then that's great, but even if you have to pay a little at a shop, it should not be too much. Unless your sure of a friends welding skills, then I don't think I would let them try a wire feed or arc weld, because they may burn the hole even bigger. Anyway it's worth trying to fix.

[Zapkin]

The wheel is under tension ,the stresses are huge and are designed to be equal all around the wheel ,your missing a spoke on a cheaply made wheel ,so now the other spokes are having to do the work of their missing brother and eventually they will start failing and literally the wheel will collapse .Let me ask you a question ,do you understand that your entire bike is made with the cheapest parts they can find ,in order to sell it as cheap as they do ? Then ,why did they bother to put so many spokes on your wheels if they are not needed ?

alright dammit you convinced me!

I am so sick of the voice of reason messing with my plans.

[Zapkin]

I know that a rim is one of the expensive items, but your rim can probably be saved. All it needs is to be able to hold the " head" in the rim without pulling through, and be countersunk about as flush as the others. I would try either a small conical washer, or if you could find one of those real thin washers and use a small bolt and tap to pull it down in the recess. A star lock washer would probably work, because they are thin. A second, and better option is to find a small body shop, or muffler shop,cand and have them tig weld the hole, and then just redrill it. If you know someone who welds, or could braize it then that's great, but even if you have to pay a little at a shop, it should not be too much. Unless your sure of a friends welding skills, then I don't think I would let them try a wire feed or arc weld, because they may burn the hole even bigger. Anyway it's worth trying to fix.

I am ordering the rim. I have road side assistance but the idea of that baby failing at 60 mph like Bruce said and then my guts being strewn all over the highway. well...I am ordering the rim.

[Do©Hawk]

Peace of mind......priceless.

[Zapkin]

Well, I once again risked my life on the Hawk today. The weather was pretty decent, so I took it up to Wheeling, then out the creek, and finally, home. Put about 70 miles on it. It just keeps chugging along, but I just wish my body was made of rubber or something! Anyway, had to share. Not sure why, but I had to.
I can't wait for spring. Every dang time I think I wanna get rid of the bike, the weather breaks, and I take her for a ride and remember what she means to me. She's my independence. I'll never be able to sell her and get anywhere near what I've put into her or what she means to me. I think I'm right around 2 grand at this point. It's money well spent.
Even as I'm lying in my hospice bed years from now, with my bones ground into dust from not getting a counterbalanced motor, I'll look back fondly on these days and remember all of you.

[Bill Hilly]

Well, I once again risked my life on the Hawk today. The weather was pretty decent, so I took it up to Wheeling, then out the creek, and finally, home. Put about 70 miles on it. It just keeps chugging along, but I just wish my body was made of rubber or something! Anyway, had to share. Not sure why, but I had to.
I can't wait for spring. Every dang time I think I wanna get rid of the bike, the weather breaks, and I take her for a ride and remember what she means to me. She's my independence. I'll never be able to sell her and get anywhere near what I've put into her or what she means to me. I think I'm right around 2 grand at this point. It's money well spent.
Even as I'm lying in my hospice bed years from now, with my bones ground into dust from not getting a counterbalanced motor, I'll look back fondly on these days and remember all of you.

My first Chinese bike was a Brozz( counterbalanced), and I don't know, if I am just less sensitive to vibration, or what, but on my TBR7 , or non ballenced Hawk,I really never noticed the handgrips vibration, that people speak of, and have never had my mirrors vibrating, and distorting the image,that I also have heard about.

[Zapkin]

The problem is when the engine vibration is out of sync with the vibrations in my soul. When that happens, I have to take a deep breath and then remind myself I am completely insane and not to take my thoughts too seriously.

[XLsior]

Its a single cylinder, they don't call them thumpers for nothing...


Sure a balance shaft helps a bit but really its baked into the engine dynamics.


I was getting numb thumbs for awhile but then I learned to relax my grip and overall riding posture which overtime the vibrations seem less taxing to the point I stopped noticing...


However I think my phat tapered bars and pillow grips helped.


I think most fatigue issues are just bad riding habits and poor ergonomic setups for the most part.


Still advised to take rest stops.

[Zapkin]

I was getting numb thumbs for awhile but then I learned to relax my grip and overall riding posture which overtime the vibrations seem less taxing to the point I stopped noticing.\

Yeah yesterday I took note of the fact that I am gripping very tightly and I need to relax that grip somewhat.

[Do©Hawk]

Yeah yesterday I took note of the fact that I am gripping very tightly and I need to relax that grip somewhat.

I do the same thing. The more seat time I get, the more relaxed I've become and the fatigue is much less now compared to last year when I 1st started riding.

My buddy's TT250 is counterbalanced. It's a little smoother, but I've always been in positions where I had to adapt to what I could get my hands on rather picking and choosing........"beggars can't be choosers" would be the phrase that applies to me, not that I beg. I pride myself in being adaptable.

[Do©Hawk]

on non ballenced Hawk,I really never noticed the handgrips vibration, that people speak of, and have never had my mirrors vibrating, and distorting the image,that I also have heard about.
I'm not a fan of the stock seemingly hard plastic waffle grips on my Hawk DLX, but vibration isn't an issue and the image in my mirrors is just fine. If I stare at a stop, I can see my front fender vibrating, otherwise, I don't really notice.

[Zapkin]

I had a 2007 Lifan GY-5 that was counterbalanced. Looking back on it now, it was half the bike my Hawk is. But somewhat smoother. It did have better quality controls and electronics and shit and that was back in 2008 when I had it. It was just less robust..that is the only way I can explain it and also..it was pretty much worn out when I sold it at 10000 units (6000 miles) and in comparison, my Hawk is just getting started. But..I dont beat on it like a dirtbike I use it as a commuter. That is a big factor here. I wish someone would trade me for a street bike. its killing me guys., roids and my bones.

[Zapkin]

must be nuts. got more stuff for the hawk. new grips. grip puppies. some ballistic gel for my butt and a new lift. Wow I am doomed. This bike is going to take every spare dollar I have and I dont care.

[Bill Hilly]

must be nuts. got more stuff for the hawk. new grips. grip puppies. some ballistic gel for my butt and a new lift. Wow I am doomed. This bike is going to take every spare dollar I have and I dont care.

What do you mean by a new lift?

Never mind, I think you mean one of those jack type things.

[Do©Hawk]

I wasn't aware of Grip Puppies. After looking those up, I might have to get a pair.

[Zapkin]

https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/31Av75ty-LL.__AC_SY300_SX300_QL70_FMwebp_.jpgso far I just put it under my atv cover thingy, but if you take the plastic off its so sticky it would stick to the seat and probably also stick to atv cover. Pricey but good for the bottom so far.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0CPP5ZPMY?psc=1&ref=ppx_yo2ov_dt_b_product_details

[Zapkin]

my gosh fellas I wish I could turn the clock back. I am listening to Billy Joel right now, stuff from when I was a child and I heard my mom listening too. Something about Zanzibar. Man I wish I could go back guys. This modern era has me down.

[Bill Hilly]

Well, you can't turn the clock back for about 6 months, BUT you get to turn it ahead this weekend.

[Zapkin]

Installed Grip Puppies today. If you search on YouTube you can find multiple ways to to install them. I used hand sanitizer and it worked perfectly. For both the new protapers onto the bar and the puppies onto the grips. Worked great

[Zapkin]

I wasn't aware of Grip Puppies. After looking those up, I might have to get a pair.

hand sanitizer makes them so easy to install.

[buzz]

Whats a grip puppy?

[JerryHawk250]

Whats a grip puppy?
These https://amzn.to/43atz74 There's also cheaper versions that work just as good.
https://amzn.to/3PhHSBg

[Do©Hawk]

my gosh fellas I wish I could turn the clock back. I am listening to Billy Joel right now, stuff from when I was a child and I heard my mom listening too. Something about Zanzibar. Man I wish I could go back guys. This modern era has me down.

My 1st cassette was Credence Clearwater Revival. It was my mom's (one of her faves) and it's some my favorite music to listen to now, but it's Chicago that reminds me of both my parents and my childhood. My Mom is still around, but my dad passed almost 25 years ago. My dad was in a Chicago cover band when he was in college.

[Zapkin]

These https://amzn.to/43atz74 There's also cheaper versions that work just as good.
https://amzn.to/3PhHSBg

I saw some even cheaper than that one, but was afraid I would tear them putting them on so I went for the original. Knowing what I know now, I could have went cheaper.

[bigdano711]

Just bought them puppies.

[Zapkin]

Despite the chilly weather, I took the Hawk 250 out. The Grip Puppies are a nice addition, and the gel stuff—I'm liking it. The downside is the cost of it, but another layer or two could build up the seat to be even with the hump. Probably won't bother, but something like that could work. The stuff is good at absorbing the vibes.

Or as Hunter S. Thompson would put it: "In the face of the biting cold, I dared to unleash the mighty Hawk 250. The Grip Puppies, a peculiar addition indeed, but the gel stuff—oh, how it sings to my senses! The drawback, however, lies in its price tag, yet perhaps another layer or two could elevate the seat to meet the hump's challenge. Unlikely that I shall indulge, but the prospect lingers like a specter in the night. This substance, it possesses a knack for absorbing the vibrations of the road, a trait not to be taken lightly."

Yes, I've been playing with AI again, but I promise to keep it to myself. other than that text. because well, it was groovy.

[JerryHawk250]

I saw some even cheaper than that one, but was afraid I would tear them putting them on so I went for the original. Knowing what I know now, I could have went cheaper.
I have the cheaper one on several bikes. I can't tell any difference.

[Zapkin]

I have the cheaper one on several bikes. I can't tell any difference.

lesson learned for me. just didnt want to go cheap and then accidentally tear them. the hand sanitizer works great. and...it disinfects those hard to reach places at the end of your handlbars. hehhe

[Zapkin]

Protapers? and Grip Puppies and windshield installed.

https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-WdaD3fzZHfPYuZCzcT-HhikCW8Dtqe1LOFoHhyhaL0fe6lXVvhjvTdF0O8UXNqQEn5OzD zgrCd_IVwS0YwQiztZwB4-SasyEVeIS01P_8jtlH8XIOUy_fb_3qYMQ1GfQApFrp3ZIhJUz9 bG1Atg_WaSd9qSJ-4Gs1SMwgmNkyEir6UeMUc2ITrDKrfw/w945-h600-p-k-no-nu/Hawk%20gRIPS.jpg

https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikyVdMSbfWzyb3eJ6i7o2URE6p1A6ueFMwfYJQDVPsfl Oxdoo6Ce8uImIuiDAv6z87SfCvnbHyWlbJ6Rm0_dRYIPhCVjRk r_9Y8BIf2VqNhtrJLXatpFll7LVt9eniU8_i2I3fj8_kJYhwi9 A0TFAI47MWqYpC9XBe14zESyVODpY7ZZmbvP5GeyTF-PA/s2133/hAWKSHIELD1.jpg

[Zapkin]

raised windshield and put bike on lift. surprisingly the front wheel is just a tad out of true (maybe where some of the vibes annoying me is coming from) but rear is fine. checked remaining spokes. greased chain. felt it all around and feels okay for now. oh had to adjust rear break switch. i feel it will be okay for putting around until I get the new rim and then I will take it locally to have tire and tube replaced and wheels trued... for spring and additional savings. i know I share too much, but my family and friends are sick of hearing about the Hawk. hehehe.

[Do©Hawk]

I know I share too much, but my family and friends are sick of hearing about the Hawk. hehehe.

All good! That's why we're here.

I hated that crappy plastic brake light switch on my Hawk. I had to fuss with it before every ride and was never real sure my brake lights were working while I was on it. For under $10, you can replace it with a banjo bolt unit that mounts to the top of the rear master cylinder. The one I got was plug n play. The banjo bolt unit is metal, non adjustable(just works), and is tucked in behind the frame. The plastic one is in a vulnerable spot.
Keep it in mind if you ever have to replace the switch.

[Zapkin]

Might want to check on a new front tire very soon to prevent said guts from spilling on the road.

I will be okay until I get the new rim. I did some research, I am not riding it offroad, I am missing only one spoke and I made sure the rest are not loose. I cannot find a single incident of a rim with one missing spoke just collapsing. In fact, if the design was so fragile that one lost spoke would be catastrophic, well, I doubt they'd be using spokes in the first place.

that being said, pray for me. i am a procrastinator and i have misplaced priorities. That rim is over 200 bucks plus I might as well get a new tube another 30 plus i might as well get a new tire too..another 70. Right now I can't afford to dump 300 at one time into the bike and since it is my only form of transportation (other than begging family) I will take the risk.

[Zapkin]

a banjo bolt unit that mounts to the top of the rear master cylinder.

do you have a link? thx

[severely]

I will be okay until I get the new rim. I did some research, I am not riding it offroad, I am missing only one spoke and I made sure the rest are not loose. I cannot find a single incident of a rim with one missing spoke just collapsing. In fact, if the design was so fragile that one lost spoke would be catastrophic, well, I doubt they'd be using spokes in the first place.

that being said, pray for me. i am a procrastinator and i have misplaced priorities. That rim is over 200 bucks plus I might as well get a new tube another 30 plus i might as well get a new tire too..another 70. Right now I can't afford to dump 300 at one time into the bike and since it is my only form of transportation (other than begging family) I will take the risk.

Why not get a new front tire and tube and save up for the wheel? I'm with you one spoke won't stop the show, just pull the bad spoke when you put the tire on so it doesn't flop around. And be a nut about spoke tension. I'm seeing wheel assemblies for $150, free shipping; front tire for $54 and tube for $13 on ebay. Good luck.

[Zapkin]

Why not get a new front tire and tube and save up for the wheel? I'm with you one spoke won't stop the show, just pull the bad spoke when you put the tire on so it doesn't flop around. And be a nut about spoke tension. I'm seeing wheel assemblies for $150, free shipping; front tire for $54 and tube for $13 on ebay. Good luck.

It's the rear wheel that has a missing spoke. I put JB weld over the hole months ago and just kept riding. Does that front tire look that bad? jeez. Now I need two tires! ugh.

[Bill Hilly]

It's the rear wheel that has a missing spoke. I put JB weld over the hole months ago and just kept riding. Does that front tire look that bad? jeez. Now I need two tires! ugh.

I couldn't really tell from the pictures, but the front tire usually outlast the rear. On my TBR7, my front was still good, when the stock rear was needing replaced, so I just replaced the rear, with a new 50/50, because that bike came on 50/50 tires. The stock rear knobby on my Hawk had worn down to the point that the side of each of the center knobs, that contacts the road last, were worn down to the non treaded part of the tire, and the part of each center knobs that contacts the road first was still sticking up some. The front was showing the same pattern of wear on the center knobs, BUT the tire was probably only about what I would estimate to be half, or a little better worn out. I replaced both, because I went with a 50/50, but I probably could have ran the front knobby for a good while longer. I would say that if your rear is plumb wore out, then your front is probably still around 40 percentage, or better, but I don't know for sure. On dry paved roads, you probably don't need deep tread, but sometimes you can get caught in an unexpected rain, so while I would say your front tire should still have some usable life left in it, I would not let it get too bald in the center.

[severely]

It's the rear wheel that has a missing spoke. I put JB weld over the hole months ago and just kept riding. Does that front tire look that bad? jeez. Now I need two tires! ugh.

Same for the rear. Maintenance costs are part of riding, if you can't afford tires maybe park it.

[buzz]

Wow if i knew that i would have given my old ones,only 3000 miles on the mine that wanted them could not find anyone! so into the burn pit. I bought my rear tire on ebay for $41.00 free shipping,not really what i wanted but the price i got it.Check on ebay for tires on auction,have bought a lot of good deals from them. Hope this helps.Buzz a TBR7 rider,with 8600 miles and still running strong,

[Zapkin]

Same for the rear. Maintenance costs are part of riding, if you can't afford tires maybe park it.

yeah not gonna happen bro. but thanks for the advice.

[Zapkin]

Look this:

[Do©Hawk]

do you have a link? thx
Hydraulic Brake Light Switch,... https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07DRF3ZRD?ref=ppx_pop_mob_ap_share

https://www.chinariders.net/picture.php?albumid=505&pictureid=2300

[vividpixel]

If you have not already corrected it, your mirrors look to be on backwards.

[Zapkin]

If you have not already corrected it, your mirrors look to be on backwards.

that doesnt surpise me.

[Zapkin]

If you have not already corrected it, your mirrors look to be on backwards.

the very fact of that right there is why I need to stop. I cannot believe I didn't notice that. I have to say, I will feel a hell of a lot skinnier when I put them right.

I used to have a mind. I don't trust myself now. At all. This sucks.

Thanks for bringing this to my attention.

all I can do is walk away shaking my head in total absolute humiliation. and on a public forum.

[Zapkin]

Bought front tire (cheap Kenda), rear rim from hawk250parts and 2 tubes. My friend gave me a slightly used Pirelli M16. It looks better than what came stock.

https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/61r7As7-B+L._AC_SL1000_.jpg

It ain't exactly what I had in mind, but it'll do the job for now, keep me cruisin' 'til I can scrape together enough for a smoother, more road-friendly tire for the back, one that matches up with what I got on the front. Speaking of, here's the one I went with for the front:








https://www.ebay.com/itm/335197061311?_trkparms=amclksrc%3DITM%26aid%3D7770 08%26algo%3DPERSONAL.TOPIC%26ao%3D1%26asc%3D202308 11123856%26meid%3D28a457f3a8eb4b34a753f2c1a7d93b8b %26pid%3D101770%26rk%3D1%26rkt%3D1%26itm%3D3351970 61311%26pmt%3D1%26noa%3D1%26pg%3D4375194%26algv%3D RecentlyViewedItemsV2%26brand%3DKenda&_trksid=p4375194.c101770.m146925&_trkparms=parentrq%3A9b53140618e0ac6f488f7579fffff d3e%7Cpageci%3A70cf97d3-f065-11ee-9549-2a7a06bf64eb%7Ciid%3A1%7Cvlpname%3Avlp_homepage

https://i.ebayimg.com/images/g/vDQAAOSwPFplmIrK/s-l1600.jpg

The reason I went ahead and ordered them is that when I put the bike up on the lift, I found yet another broken spoke, and so the prophecies of Hawk Gurus on this glorious website were once again proven. The cheapest local place I can find to mount them is $40 off the bike.

I still cannot believe I had those mirrors on backwards. I almost wonder if someone switched them on me, but no, I looked back at my pictures and I really was that clueless. Oh well, live and learn.

I don't really trust that M16 for the pavement, but I figure it has to be at least as good as the cheap knobby that came on the back of the bike. I intend to only run it for about a month, unless I discover I like it.

I am glad riding season is approaching. It might not be much, but this Hawk helps keep my brain level. I know some of you know what I am talking about. The focus required to ride is good for those of us with ADHD or whatever you want to call it.

Anyway, barring major psychological problems, I will post pictures soon of the new tires. Take care, fellas.

[Bill Hilly]

I think that you should be good to go with the tires.
I hated giving up my knobbies on my Hawk, but I did, in favor of a 50/50 type, and while the 50/50 tires evidently have more potential on twisty paved roads, I don't drive agressivly enough for it to matter a whole lot. The tires that are on my KPX, are fairly flat across the width of the tread compared to the ones I now have on my Hawk, which are more rounded across the width of the tread, and I catch myself leaning the bike in fast curves a lot further than with the knobbies. I am kinda hoping that as the center of the tread wears down some the tires will get a little flatter across the width of the tread. I ordered a cheap spoke wrench a good while back from Amazon, and it came with an assortment of interchangeable heads, but the only one that I have ever used is the 6mm. I think the wrench was probably around $5.00, or possibly a very little more, but I have since ordered two sets of these little mini wrenches from AliExpress, to carry on the bikes. They are around the same price as the spoke wrench, and include a little 6mm combination wrench, so that's probably the best buy, because you get several other wrenches.

[Do©Hawk]

I still cannot believe I had those mirrors on backwards. I almost wonder if someone switched them on me, but no, I looked back at my pictures and I really was that clueless. Oh well, live and learn.

I am glad riding season is approaching. It might not be much, but this Hawk helps keep my brain level. I know some of you know what I am talking about. The focus required to ride is good for those of us with ADHD or whatever you want to call it.

Anyway, barring major psychological problems, I will post pictures soon of the new tires. Take care, fellas.

Don't beat yourself up too much about your mirrors. Right about the same time you originally posted about yours being backwards, I discovered mine were also. The print molded on the back of the mirror housing was upside down. That's how I figured it out. I swapped them and it made a huge difference in their functionality. I always thought they were a little awkward and I could never get them adjusted right. They are much, much better now.

I can relate to the focus required for riding. I get the same from skateboarding. It is an escape for sure.

[Zapkin]

I think that you should be good to go with the tires.
I hated giving up my knobbies on my Hawk, but I did, in favor of a 50/50 type, and while the 50/50 tires evidently have more potential on twisty paved roads, I don't drive agressivly enough for it to matter a whole lot. The tires that are on my KPX, are fairly flat across the width of the tread compared to the ones I now have on my Hawk, which are more rounded across the width of the tread, and I catch myself leaning the bike in fast curves a lot further than with the knobbies. I am kinda hoping that as the center of the tread wears down some the tires will get a little flatter across the width of the tread. I ordered a cheap spoke wrench a good while back from Amazon, and it came with an assortment of interchangeable heads, but the only one that I have ever used is the 6mm. I think the wrench was probably around $5.00, or possibly a very little more, but I have since ordered two sets of these little mini wrenches from AliExpress, to carry on the bikes. They are around the same price as the spoke wrench, and include a little 6mm combination wrench, so that's probably the best buy, because you get several other wrenches.

I've learned one thing: I'll be keeping an eye on the spokes from now on. If I hadn't applied that JB Weld to the rim, it could have been repaired, but my eagerness to ride overrode my better judgment. Anyway, I'm excited to get back out there. The trails are beckoning, and I want to enjoy them before they become so overgrown that a GPS is needed to find my way home. :)

[Zapkin]

I can relate to the focus required for riding. I get the same from skateboarding. It is an escape for sure.

Yes I love it. I am constantly focused on watching the crazy drivers around me or behind me, etc. I believe its good for my ADHD because it forces me to focus, a distraction could end up with me in traction. (yeh im a poet and didn't know it but my feet do because they are Longfellows) And even though she is not fast, the hawk gives me some adrenaline on the back roads. anyway. made it through winter and cannot wait to put another 6000 miles on it.

[buzz]

Hi Zapkin if you do any trail riding ,you'll love that knobby.Will never go back to a 50/50 tire.

[Do©Hawk]

Knobbies are all I know. My Hawk had new Kenda knobbies on it when I bought it and it was my 1st real motorcycle experience I've thought about something more road oriented as that has been most of my riding surface, but I don't want to give up the off-road traction. I don't hotrod on the Hawk, so I think my conservative riding style makes the knobbies a little less frightening.

[Megadan]

The only real drawbacks to knobbies on these bikes is that they wear out faster and cause more vibration, which is true on any bike. If all you do is street riding, having knobbies is pointless. That is why I put Shinko 700's on my bike. Less wear and way less vibration, but still enough grip to handle dirt roads and gravel. If I used my bike off road regularly, it would have Kenda Trakmaster II tires on it.

[Zapkin]

The rim and front tire came today. i plan to get a matching rear soon but until then will run the free tire my friend gave me on the back.

[Zapkin]

The only real drawbacks to knobbies on these bikes is that they wear out faster and cause more vibration, which is true on any bike. If all you do is street riding, having knobbies is pointless. That is why I put Shinko 700's on my bike. Less wear and way less vibration, but still enough grip to handle dirt roads and gravel. If I used my bike off road regularly, it would have Kenda Trakmaster II tires on it.

I want more dual sport tire for rear but am running that m16 until I can get another kenda for the back. I was not super thrilled with the stock knobby because it would get squirelly as heck on these grooved roads around here. At first scared the crap out of me until I learned to just let the bike ride it and suggest where it should go.

[Zapkin]

Took this picture of the Pirelli M16 for the back. Seems like it has some life left in it, but really want to keep it for the short term only as I mostly ride roads.

[Zapkin]

Posting this here in case Hawk owners didn't see it in the Webdeals. Its very very inexpensive Hawk 250 complete plastics kit.

anyway here is the thread, enjoy:

https://chinariders.net/showthread.php?t=34076

[Zapkin]

Well, I came up short on cash and could not get everything mounted the way i wanted. I could have half azzed it, but I want it right. Thanks Bruce LOL. That being said, I am going to order the matching Kenda for the rear. If I have to wait then I might as well get one that matches and you know 95% of my riding is on the road (some dirt roads in the middle of nowhere but nothing too severe), and that hawk knobby scared the living daylights out of me until it wore down a bit. The grooved roads around here wanted to grab it and drag me into the hands of the grim reaper. I said NO!

I know there are better tires out there but I already have the kenda on the front, so I will do the same for the back. (price is a major issue)

On a side note, once this is done, if there is anyone within driving distance that would want this Pirelli M16, its yours for free, once I know for sure about ordering the Kenda.

[Zapkin]

I rode around for a year with my mirrors on backwards wondering why i had crappy view. then I get these stickers and put them on backwards. Im scared fellas, I am only 52 but I am seeing my cognitive decline get worse every freaking day :( Im scared I know this is not the place for this, but I cannot help it. This just happened and I am worried. Oh well, i reckon it could be worse.

i guess alcohol will take them off and i will order more

[dirtbkr188]

Just remember to tell the sticker guy you need one for the right side, the one on the left side should be fine.

[Zapkin]

Just remember to tell the sticker guy you need one for the right side, the one on the left side should be fine.

I texted her and told her what I did. I will get new ones, but in a way, isnt this kind of good. I mean Chonda and the wings are backwards...I dunno just trying to make myself feel better. LOL. Old age sucks. I keep doing stupid crap

[Zapkin]

Just remember to tell the sticker guy you need one for the right side, the one on the left side should be fine.

hey bud, this might seem funny and a joke to you, but people who have been following and interacting with me on here know..its not a joke. its a progressive illness that is going destroy who I am and eventually I wont even know my own daughters face. Have a good one.

[dirtbkr188]

You don't hear me laughing, do you?


I was merely pointing out that you don't have to remove the one on the left side of the tank, nothing more. If you feel that my constructive comment was a joke, I'll refrain from commenting in any of your threads in the future.

[Zapkin]

You don't hear me laughing, do you?


I was merely pointing out that you don't have to remove the one on the left side of the tank, nothing more. If you feel that my constructive comment was a joke, I'll refrain from commenting in any of your threads in the future.

Its all good, I was overly sensitive because I did something profoundly stupid and on top of that the mirror thing. hehe. Oh and no..the stickers are messed up on both sides. Its a freakin' tradegy.

[Zapkin]

well i ordered those white fork guards but I am not optimistic. we shall see. finally getting new kenda for rear in a bout a week then everything gets changed. that rear wheel is not what it used to be and above about 50, you can tell. anyway. i will comment as to the quality and or fit of these plastic thingys.

https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/51bU6+w4GWL._AC_SL1500_.jpg

[XLsior]

um those are for upsidedown forks front suspension...I would cancel that order quick smart

[Thumper]

True...Fork guards shield the exposed fork tubes from damage on USD forks. It's a quick way to know if a bike has USD forks

[Bill Hilly]

I have seen bright color fork covers in AliExpress,that I think are for convention forks, but not real sure. I have thought about painting my lower forks, and passenger grab handles black on my bike.

[Zapkin]

um those are for upsidedown forks front suspension...I would cancel that order quick smart

thanks goodness you said something. I think I cancelled the order. it said may be able to. They showed a picture of my forks and I emailed them and they told me they will fit. oh well. deceptive advertising for sure.

i mean...those are clearly forks like the Hawks in the picture, but I think now that lingering question I had about why they don't have any picture of them installed may have been answered.

[Zapkin]

well good old Amazon. I don't know if it cancelled or not (i suspect it did). The item no longer shows up in my list of orders, nor does it show up in the list of cancelled orders. Weird. Eh well, in 3 days I will know for sure when they either credit my card or these things show up.

[Thumper]

I have seen bright color fork covers in AliExpress,that I think are for convention forks, but not real sure. I have thought about painting my lower forks, and passenger grab handles black on my bike.

Fork guards for standard forks? No. They do not exist.

[Aussie_in_MO]

Fork guards for standard forks? No. They do not exist.


Sure they do! Just a bit different design. Basically mounts to the top of the bottom tube and deflects gunk off the front surface of the upper tube.
I've run these in the past coupled with standard fork gaiters for a little extra protection:



https://www.thevintagespoke.com/shop/c/p/Universal-Adjustable-Front-Fork-Protectors-Pair-Matt-Black-3-060-x10582898.htm

[XLsior]

The best modification you can do to your bike right now is a full tank of gas...


and maybe a can up lanolin rust inhibiting spray..or other rust preventative coating of choice....

[Thumper]

Humbled again. :ohno:

They sure look different than the lower USD fork tube guards.

I guess if you remove the OEM boots, or your dirt bike didn't come with them :hmm: I guess this would be an alternative. More common than I thought, I guess. I think I would just replace the boots if they wore out (assuming I could). Much more protection. I guess some road bikes don't necessarily come with the boots.

[Zapkin]

One down, one to go. Son-in-law's neighbor did it for 10 freakin bucks. gonna do the rear too when it comes. that my friends is a deal, he also showed me what he was doing step by step.

[Zapkin]

The best modification you can do to your bike right now is a full tank of gas...


and maybe a can up lanolin rust inhibiting spray..or other rust preventative coating of choice....

everything around here rusts...no matter what it is. I have grown to embrace the decay and roll with it. heheheheh

[Bill Hilly]

One down, one to go. Son-in-law's neighbor did it for 10 freakin bucks. gonna do the rear too when it comes. that my friends is a deal, he also showed me what he was doing step by step.

Do you got your new 2 year inspection sticker?
I got the 2 year one on my Hawk, but my KPX still has the 1 year sticker till the next time it's due, which is in the Fall

[Aussie_in_MO]

Humbled again. :ohno:

They sure look different than the lower USD fork tube guards.

I guess if you remove the OEM boots, or your dirt bike didn't come with them :hmm: I guess this would be an alternative. More common than I thought, I guess.

I've usually seen them on more street oriented bikes that dirt. Nowhere near as much protection as full fork gaiters obviously. I ran them for looks more than protection honestly.

[Megadan]

There are also "gaiters" for USD forks - Seal Savers. Even with proectors USD fork seals will still get damaged from grime and grit that collects on the lower as you ride. A fork seal cleaning tool (bought or home made) is also a good tool to have to help protect/extend seal life on either style of fork, with or without guards or gaiters.

[Megadan]

One down, one to go. Son-in-law's neighbor did it for 10 freakin bucks. gonna do the rear too when it comes. that my friends is a deal, he also showed me what he was doing step by step.

It's a good skill to practice. The front wheels are definitely a little harder than the rear because of how narrow they are.

[Zapkin]

Do you got your new 2 year inspection sticker?
I got the 2 year one on my Hawk, but my KPX still has the 1 year sticker till the next time it's due, which is in the Fall

Im not even sure, will have to look at it. will let you know.

[Zapkin]

I am confused. Amazon said they couldn't guarantee the order cancellation because it was about to ship. Now the item is no longer in the order, in fact it is not even in my cancelled orders, and I never received an email about it one way or another. They still have my 26 bucks though. I have a feeling these things are going to be showing up tomorrow with the rest of that order. Normally I have 100% satisfaction with Amazon, but this time seems a bit sketchy.

[Megadan]

I am confused. Amazon said they couldn't guarantee the order cancellation because it was about to ship. Now the item is no longer in the order, in fact it is not even in my cancelled orders, and I never received an email about it one way or another. They still have my 26 bucks though. I have a feeling these things are going to be showing up tomorrow with the rest of that order. Normally I have 100% satisfaction with Amazon, but this time seems a bit sketchy.

Give it a minute to update. They probably got the order cancelled. The last time I cancelled it acted the same, and then it updated in the morning and showed cancelled.

[Zapkin]

The best modification you can do to your bike right now is a full tank of gas.

Yeah that 26 bucks could fill my tank and I'd still have enough money for a cheeseburger.

[Zapkin]

Give it a minute to update. They probably got the order cancelled. The last time I cancelled it acted the same, and then it updated in the morning and showed cancelled.

you were correct. they were just slow about updating the system. already got my refund too.

[Zapkin]

4.10 x 18 Kenda is noticeably narrower than what I took off. Used a circlip thingy I got for the TT250...seems higher quality and was a B to put on!!! But my friend greased the heck out of everything, went over the whole bike. Rear brakes are much better now, don't lock up so quickly (I must have done something wrong when I did the sprocket). He even jammed a crap ton of the red grease way up in the swing arms...claims it was a good idea. Bike is greased up now BIG TIME. Feels so much better on the highway. Rear is true, but the front is a teenie bit off. Gonna take care of that when I can. Happy at the moment. Feels so much better. New brake switch for the rear will be here tomorrow. Sweated my butt off today and got dirty, but it felt good and I feel like he taught me something. Dude has a badazz KTM!! 300cc beast...he says he loves working on them and was actually impressed with the hawk for what it is. Said anytime I need help hit him up, he is a disabled vet from two wars. I offered him more money, he wouldn't take it, said he loves wrenching. I still can't get over having two tires mounted for 20 bucks...anyway. Had to share, pretty excited to have things a little better. Now must shower and drink a beer. Have a good one, guys.

[Megadan]

The stock tire width is technically 4.33 inches wide, but the knobs on the tire make them physically wider. So you can use a 4.10 or a 4.60 width without issue and they are both functional. My Shinko 700 rear is a 4.6 x 18 and works perfectly, but looks narrower than the stock knobby tire too.

[Zapkin]

rear brake switch installed. very easy to do. package came with two, one of which plugged right in and worked perfectly. also added the heavy duty mirrors..what an improvement!!! its coming together for this summer adventures.

[Richie311]

The stock tire width is technically 4.33 inches wide, but the knobs on the tire make them physically wider. So you can use a 4.10 or a 4.60 width without issue and they are both functional. My Shinko 700 rear is a 4.6 x 18 and works perfectly, but looks narrower than the stock knobby tire too.

I just put some Shinko 244s on mine and did 4.6x18 in the rear and noticed them same thing. Over all it's narrower and shorter but I also put a 42t rear sprocket on so it worked out in the end.

[Megadan]

I just put some Shinko 244s on mine and did 4.6x18 in the rear and noticed them same thing. Over all it's narrower and shorter but I also put a 42t rear sprocket on so it worked out in the end.

Same with my 700 4.6x18. I am running a 33t rear instead of a 35 to compensate or the smaller diameter. My effective gearing is now the same as the stock tire with a 35. I run a 520 chain setup, if you are curious. 13f and 35r is equivalent to a 17f and 45r with the 428 chain.

[Bill Hilly]

When I put the 4.60x18" Dunlop D605 on my Hawk, it geared me down just a hair. I had recently went from a 16 to a 17 tooth front sprocket, and the difference in the tire is noticable, but I can easily live with it.

[Megadan]

When I put the 4.60x18" Dunlop D605 on my Hawk, it geared me down just a hair. I had recently went from a 16 to a 17 tooth front sprocket, and the difference in the tire is noticable, but I can easily live with it.

It gears you down about 2 teeth out back.

[Zapkin]

inexpensive mirrors and so much better than stock that its not even in the same ballpark. With these I can actually see behind me and didn't even put em on backwards! they hold their position too..far better than the ones I had which required constant adjustment.

[buzz]

ya it help tp put them on the right way,smoke a another one he he.

[Zapkin]

This is the exact rear tire I bought and I am pretty sure it changed my gear ratio.

edit: according to microsoft copilot this changes my drive ratio by 5.4% which is comforting because I thought perhaps I'd lost my mind.

[Zapkin]

Just took the bike off-road for the first time since getting new tires. Not impressed with them; it's squirrely as hell on grass and useless in mud (which I understand). Also, I was not impressed with it on dirt. I have the same Kenda 270 tires front and back. I thought they were 50/50, but for me, it feels more like 20% dirt and 70% street. Maybe if I were more experienced and the bike were lighter, it would be different, but the stock knobbies were way better than these. I know that's to be expected. Anyway, just wanted to update. Beware if you are considering the Kendas.

[Bill Hilly]

Just took the bike off-road for the first time since getting new tires. Not impressed with them; it's squirrely as hell on grass and useless in mud (which I understand). Also, I was not impressed with it on dirt. I have the same Kenda 270 tires front and back. I thought they were 50/50, but for me, it feels more like 20% dirt and 70% street. Maybe if I were more experienced and the bike were lighter, it would be different, but the stock knobbies were way better than these. I know that's to be expected. Anyway, just wanted to update. Beware if you are considering the Kendas.
I always thought the K270 tires looked like they would be a pretty good, and versatile tire, and were probably pretty aggressive for a 50/50 tire.
I bought a set of a pretty new , to the market tire, called the Tusk Waypoint. They are one of the cheapest DOT, 50/50 tires. They referred to them as 70dirt/30 pavement, but they remind me a lot of the Dunlop D605, especially the rear. The front is just a hair more aggressive looking the a D605 front, and is directional, the rear is not directional. I had bought them for my KPX, because it wore the front tire plumb out, while the rear was still probably around 3/4 tread. I could not bring myself to trash the rear yet, so, I ended up buying as cheap , and similar to stock front to run for now, and I am saving the Waypoints, but I have a feeling the Waypoints are going to catch on. I will probably put the knobbies off my parts bike on my registered Hawk, next time it needs tires.

[Do©Hawk]

Good to know about the Dunlops. My Trakmasters are all I know. As they wear down, I've been strongly considering a more street friendly tire. That is until last week when I finally got out on a trail. The Trackmasters gave me confidence off-road that I had no business having and I liked it. Even if I only ride offroad 5% of the time, I appreciate that traction. I have a hard time believing the Hawk will blow my mind in the same way with street friendly tires.

[Bill Hilly]

Good to know about the Dunlops. My Trakmasters are all I know. As they wear down, I've been strongly considering a more street friendly tire. That is until last week when I finally got out on a trail. The Trackmasters gave me confidence off-road that I had no business having and I liked it. Even if I only ride offroad 5% of the time, I appreciate that traction. I have a hard time believing the Hawk will blow my mind in the same way with street friendly tires.

I actually think the Waypoints may be the better deal. The D605 price has went up, and the front tire seems to come with pretty shallow tread. Here are a couple of pictures of the Waypoint, and 605 side by side. Keep in mind the D605 have had a good bit of miles ran in them.http://https://i.ibb.co/xjPVFfc/ASTRO-55-R-06072024-120831.jpg (https://ibb.co/G2BgHt1)
https://i.ibb.co/rt8G9dD/ASTRO-55-R-06072024-120803.jpg (https://ibb.co/n0dspPx)
Here's a shot video of me showing the D605 tires not long after putting them on my Hawk.https://youtu.be/EFDo1z-x458?si=v8rfx3QwmnAFif0T

[Zapkin]

I just got my hands on some military grade radar absorbent material. It appears to be a black color, somehow flat in nature. A friend of mine who lives just outside of some area 50 or area 49 or something got it for me, wait...maybe it was area 51. Anyway, it is radar absorbent which means the cops around here are in for a big surprise. . . . .

[Bill Hilly]

I just got my hands on some military grade radar absorbent material. It appears to be a black color, somehow flat in nature. A friend of mine who lives just outside of some area 50 or area 49 or something got it for me, wait...maybe it was area 51. Anyway, it is radar absorbent which means the cops around here are in for a big surprise. . . . .
Probably off my Stealth bomber that I had parked at the park and ride. Some crackhead stripped a lot of the radar absorbent material off of it, and sawed off the catalytic converter.

[buzz]

Thats some funny stuff!

[Thumper]

Ha! 60mph in the 25mph speed zone in stealth mode... Nice :tup:

[Zapkin]

Probably off my Stealth bomber that I had parked at the park and ride. Some crackhead stripped a lot of the radar absorbent material off of it, and sawed off the catalytic converter.

The dude I got the materials also said something about a used catalytic converter and that if I didn't want it, he would just recycle it. :lmao:

[Zapkin]

Still have to get the rear plastic where you mount the cargo rack and also going to have to purchase a new headlight because I don't like it painted. I wanna get the xhaust cover as well, seen em on temu for 12 bucks.

[Bruces]

Did you ever get your rear wheel squared away ?

[Bill Hilly]

Still have to get the rear plastic where you mount the cargo rack and also going to have to purchase a new headlight because I don't like it painted. I wanna get the xhaust cover as well, seen em on temu for 12 bucks.

That headlight doesn't look bad, but assuming you used gloss black paint, then buffing it with polishing compound would likely help match it to the rest of the bike. You may end up just painting the exhaust cover too. The cosmetic thing that I dislike on the Hawk, and other similar bikes is the silver passenger grab handles, and muffler cover. I am running my de- restricted stock exhaust on my Hawk now , and I did paint the muffler cover.the gray that I painted the plastic on my Hawk, but if I wasn't so lazy, I would paint the passenger grab handles, and lower forks black.

[Zapkin]

Did you ever get your rear wheel squared away ?

Yeah bought a new rim from xpro and had my buddy mount my new tire on it.

[Zapkin]

Well I painted the exhaust cover with flat black hi temp paint. Also hit all the rusty spots I could get to on the exhaust itself. Took off the faded seat pad. the bike looks better.

[Zapkin]

I got bored tonight and even though it was dark out, I de-humped the hawk seat. I should have done this a year ago. Took no more than 35 minutes total and what a difference. I pretty much levelled it, taking my time and using a bread knife. I then reinstalled the Mad dog seat cover, putting the blue gel under it, and whooo weeee! So much better! :yay::clap::doh:

[Zapkin]

I never should have said anything about my Zanella gauge!! Tachometer is now completely dead. Less than 4000 miles on that gauge. I will just get a universal amazon tach until the speedometer dies and then rethink the whole thing.