What did you do on your Hawk today?
 

Occasionally I'd like to share something that happened with my Hawk but I don't want to start a whole new thread for it, so maybe we could use this one?

Enough of us have Hawks we could keep this going.

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I needed to run to town yesterday but I don't have any storage on my bike yet. Being a good Okie I've just bought a case of Blue and Gold sausage, so I strapped it to the bike and off I went.

I actually got my first compliment of the bike, a guy walking out of the store* said "Boy, that sure is a nice looking bike." I wasn't expecting that at all. I need to get the 'Made in China' stigma out of my own head I guess. It IS a nice looking bike, and has been more reliable all ready than my old Royal Enfield.


*Now...I must give a caveat for that compliment. The store was the Dollar Star and the guy didn't have any teeth...but I'll take the compliment!

Fixed a flat!:tdown:

Did you take off on your trip yet?

Yeah, a compliment is a compliment. All are welcome!

lol

Nope, having some electrical issues with the hawk. Turn signals, horn all on the left switch. Battery also not charging, probably bad battery. Clutch is starting to slip. May have to call in the backup for the trip. Haven't put 50 miles on it since buying the Hawk but it's ready to go as well.

Man I hate to hear that, hope you get it going. A successful long trip like that would really speak well for the Hawk.

I went exploring and found some awesome trails by my house...

http://i.imgur.com/aIyIFtph.jpg

Rode my Hawk Sunday offroad, it did well...but I do see that the suspension is exactly what I paid for. :)

However, today on my way to town I was surprised as the bike easily cruised at 65 (flat ground, no wind). It seems to be loosening up now that it has about 200 miles on it. Also seems to be getting about 65+ mpg. Converting km to miles means I can't ever tell until I get at home and use a calculator lol

Went riding down in the Ouachita National Forest area.

http://i.imgur.com/GGD1qAv.jpg?1

I'm curious. What is wrong with the suspension?

I think it is what was discussed in the rear spring thread. The front is fine, but the rear is just too firm. Instead of absorbing washboard terrain or bumps it just bounces off the ground.

Have you been following the thread by jimwildman on the rear shock he found to replace the stock one?

Yes that is the thread I was talking about. That shock is on my list once my pennies start adding up to dollars.

I see that you live in Oklahoma, so most of your riding is of the sit-down variety, is that correct? Try standing up on the rough stuff, it may help.

I changed to a 110 main jet, man what a difference! My stock main was a 98. I went cheap and drilled out the screws in the stock carb since I figure one Chinese knockoff is just as good as any other, saved $40 in the process.

The bike is definitely more responsive and pings much less. I had noticed earlier that a mild strain at under 3k rpms would produce an occasional ping, that is now completely gone. Absolutely no bogging what-so-ever now. It also seemed that after my high speed run the engine was noticeably cooler...though that is probably just in my head.

I have no increase in top speed, but it gets there slightly quicker. I think I need to drop down to a 16 tooth front. Where I live there are lots of hills, and where there isn't a hill there is that Oklahoma wind sweeping down the plains... 17/45 is just too much I think for my 200lb 6'2" airbrake of a body.

Happy as can be with this bike, now to get a freer exhaust and to sort out some luggage...and also more street oriented tires since I'm about 80% street 20% dirt.

Agreed the 110 changes the bike completely. I figured I'd spend about $40 in band aids trying to slot then remove the newly formed flat head screws.

Next I'm going change out the pilot jet. That way I dont have to have the needle on the bottom.

Cleaned the oil out of the airbox (thank you PO), clippd the turn signal beeper wire, took the girlfriend on a little drive around the block (when we were done she actually said "That was so much fun". She told me when I first mentioned wanting a bike that she would never go near it so not to ask her to ride haha, ordered $70 worth of parts (jets, 17t front/45t rear sprockets, NGK plug, MSR shifter). I'm hoping the stock chain will work with the 17/45 without needing to remove any links. I'l replace the chain eventually, but I'm hoping the stock chain will work for the time being
https://scontent-atl3-1.xx.fbcdn.net...9e&oe=5897FBF4

I finally got tired of the strange looks at stoplights, so I yanked the speaker off the turn relay. While I was at it, I checked my valve clearance again. It was a little tighter than I'd set it, but still MUCH better than stock, so i left it alone.

Went for a quick 10 mile around the block ride and I'm still impressed at the change since the rejetting. No top speed change,but 0 to 55 is much quicker. 110 seems to be perfect. I'm going to start saving my pennies for the exhaust next...

A lot of people have been very satisfied with replacing the original chain with a Uni-Bear chain. Much higher quality.

I changed the oil and adjusted the valves. The valves were tight with no gap. I went take a quick ride and noticed that it ran better. When I got back in took the carbrerator off and prep it for when I get the Jets in. I did the hacksaw method to slot the screws. Next I shim the needle with 2 washers and turned the idle mixture out 1 1/2 turns. Now it will start and Idle without choking it. Throttle response is so much better.

That great news!

Now all I need are the Jets I ordered. I'll try the 110 first and see how that works out.

In time. Right now, I just want it back in a condition that I can ride it in
https://scontent-atl3-1.xx.fbcdn.net...77&oe=589CDD37