I've been lurking on this forum for 3 months now. Never really owned a motorcycle so a newb. Researched all the models and decided on the carbureted Hawk 250.
I've been breaking it in with the "ride it like you stole it" method my white trash neighbor insists is the best way... We'll see how that works out!
I've also been keeping everything stock. With the idea that once broken in, when I make mods and upgrades in the future, I can feel it. I just hit 600units on the odometer so I figured it was time.
I made my first major upgrade this weekend by going with the 17/45 sprocket combo. Holy crap!! It has been a MAJOR almost unbelievable improvement. First gear may be a bit high but that is my only minor complaint. All you guys who have been riding these things for years need to go back to the stock 15/50 just to remind yourselves how terrible it is!
Anyways when I "made the change" I noticed my front sprocket was worn excessively on one side... the inside side... especially for only 600 on the odometer. The rear sprocket looked fine.
https://photos.app.goo.gl/cLiDMu78jCeLdiMfA
I'm assuming its an alignment problem but not really sure how to diagnose what is out of alignment.
If it is as simple as the rear tire was not aligned properly how do I go about making sure it is aligned? I have read the notches on the tensioners are not exactly accurate. And that counting threads on the tensioner studs is not accurate either. When I first adjusted the chain tension I used those as a starting point but then measured from the tire to the swing arm and eyeballed it best I could. I felt like it was good but what do I know!
Could the engine be mounted at an angle? Has anyone ever seen that? Could I need to shim the rear tire one way or the other? Any other ideas?
Also I ran into an issue with one of the rear studs. It had a big bump/blob on it. I had read about them being weak or improperly installed but I don't know if this is also a common problem but figured people should be on the look out for it. It looked like a bad weld job or maybe they forgot to do a post weld machining step? The factory sprocket had a big divot gouged into it from the bump. I filed the stud down best I could but likely introduced a stress concentration notch because in the process I filed away most of the transition radius as well. I will likely order some of the Honda ones recommended by Megadan.
https://photos.app.goo.gl/DDhXo1tYZHwdEuoCA
https://photos.app.goo.gl/hHv8xmgLzAEW7JBp8
