New Rider on a Gently Used 2022 Hawk DLX EFI
 

Hey everybody,

Been lurking for a little while, absorbing information. Picked up a used Hawk DLX late in the summer. I am a new Rider. I wasn't in the market for a motorcycle. It found me. The price was way to good to refuse and I needed some reliable transportation.

The Hawk has been mostly a commuter and a learning tool for me on my short commute to work. Being my 1st motorcycle, ever, I've got nothing to compare it to. Once I got passed the initial nerves and fears and got a little handy with the bike, I've been very pleased with no regrets.

I hope to keep learning more about my bike and riding in general and to contribute when I can.

Thanks er'body!

Hiya.
If you are a new rider, I recommend getting into and Motorcycle Safety Foundation Beginner Riders class. You won't regret it.

Welcome! Hope you enjoy the forum.

I took the beginner 2 day class a couple weeks after getting the bike. It was a great experience and I may pursue more of what's available. I passed the exam at the end and currently have my M endorsement.

Thank you! I enjoyed it before I signed up. I imagine it will only get better from here.

Hello nice enjoy it mine has been a blast.

Hi. I am definitely enjoying it. I've put 400 miles on it in the 2 moths I've had it. I've done a little to it. I changed the plastic rear brake light switch out for the banjo bolt style. It's a cleaner look and I don't have to fidget with it like the old one. 17T front/47T rear sprocket. Learning my way around it.

Hi there! It sounds like you are already doing exactly what you need to learn. Just start wrenching! Nice work on the brakes.

Maybe you can check the valve clearance this Winter. Did the previous owner mention valve adjustment?

Thumper, I do think the previous owner did a valve adjustment as he was pretty meticulous about things and did the other things that need done to these kind of bikes. When I picked it up, it was clean with a fresh oil change and a brand new set of Kenda k-760's. He left the upgraded chain on the bike, but put the original sprockets on and gave me all the spare parts. He recognized what the Hawk was good for, but wanted more speed and power.

I'm 5'8", 155lbs. I took all the preload out of the shock so I can put half of each foot flat on the ground. It was only tippy toes when I got it.

https://www.chinariders.net/picture....pictureid=2296
Friday morning sunrise.

Looks like your tires are appropriately dirty! :tup:

Keep that content coming. Great pic!

Seemed silly to have clean knobbies.:)

The Hawk is just a naturally dirty nasty bike. lol It wouldn't be normal if it were clean.

yes....they attract dirt. :)

https://www.chinariders.net/picture....pictureid=2308
I friggin LOVE this thing. I can use it to commute saving huge on fuel and can "play" with it after work to decompress and sharpen my skills. Neighbors might not like it as much, but I'm not obnoxious with it.

This is the way.

I just did a valve adjustment and oil change on Monday @ about 2000 miles. I think I might have adjusted a little loose on the valves. It starts and runs just fine, but seems a little bit more chattery than it was before. From what I've read, it seems a little loose is better than a little tight, but I'm probably going to take another swing at it soon.

Tappy valves are happy valves.

That's what I've read. Does that mean tappier valves are happier valves? They've always been tappy, now just seems like a little more.

Too many different people hand out too many different valve specs. Often way too big.

My personal lash specs are .05mm intake and .07mm exhaust. You can also simply use the Zongshen valve lash spec of .07mm for both, with a check interval of 2500 miles. They will still be a bit clattery as that is just the nature of the beast with these engines, but it shouldn't sound like gnomes with hammers are on your top end opening the valves.

Makes sense. I used .002" and .003"and while close, i think those are a hair bigger than .05mm and .07mm.

You are correct. .05mm is .001968 inches, so minutely smaller than .002. .07mm is .0027559 inches, also sightly smaller.