Hawk 250 forks

[Rail32]

Way too mushy for my weight of 195 lbs and riding style . Tearing down today and swapping to 10 weight real fork oil . Than exploring shim possiblity . Would like to swap springs , but I have no clue where to start . I will measure length and spring material dia . All I know is 31 mm forks at this point . Any direction advice is appreacated highly . What I did find is list of bikes that had 31mm forks I will share here in a few seconds .

[JerryHawk250]

I just changed mine to mobile 1 atf. I put 210cc and made a big difference. I weigh about 185

[Merlin]

Originally Posted by Rail32

Way too mushy for my weight of 195 lbs and riding style . Tearing down today and swapping to 10 weight real fork oil . Than exploring shim possiblity . Would like to swap springs , but I have no clue where to start . I will measure length and spring material dia . All I know is 31 mm forks at this point . Any direction advice is appreacated highly . What I did find is list of bikes that had 31mm forks I will share here in a few seconds .

Iam about to do the same thing. The info will be very helpful.Thanks

[2LZ]

Originally Posted by Rail32

Way too mushy for my weight of 195 lbs and riding style . Tearing down today and swapping to 10 weight real fork oil . Than exploring shim possiblity . Would like to swap springs , but I have no clue where to start . I will measure length and spring material dia . All I know is 31 mm forks at this point . Any direction advice is appreacated highly . What I did find is list of bikes that had 31mm forks I will share here in a few seconds .

If they're still too spongy after you change the oil, run a couple chunks of 1/2" PVC on tp of each spring, under the fork caps. Start with 1". Adjust more or less from there. Cheap and it works.

[Rail32]

Drained out 6oz's from each fork . Pretty grey color for 63miles , but that's normal here in Wi from what I have seen over the years . Added 6oz's of bel ray 10wt . And added 2 nickels as shims . I have den the PVC pipe shims before and metal in my mind is a better option . Took the hawk around the yard grabbed a little air over ditch and she is much nicer . Before I add anymore I want to measure stroke of travel and calculate spring compression to the best if my ability. I have bent forks in the past from over shimming them . These are the smallest springs I ever seen . Fork tubes are beefy enough , but finding replacement springs is gonna be a challenge . If I need them that is . For some reason I can only load 1pix at a time , bare with me

[Rail32]

Nice round 2 foot length . But tightly wound small dia .

[Rail32]

I measure and check everything , curse of being a machinist for years .

[Rail32]

2 nickels is .120 shim and seems way better already .

[Ariel Red Hunter]

Originally Posted by Rail32

Nice round 2 foot length . But tightly wound small dia .

Progressive Springs probably have springs for those forks. Progressive usually winds springs with (surprise!) progressive rate springs. Usually softer in the middle and stiffer at the ends.

[Rail32]

Originally Posted by Ariel Red Hunter

Progressive Springs probably have springs for those forks. Progressive usually winds springs with (surprise!) progressive rate springs. Usually softer in the middle and stiffer at the ends.

I normally run race tech in everything . They already told me it s gonna take some R&D first
I will try Progessive next .

[ben2go]

Originally Posted by Rail32

Way too mushy for my weight of 195 lbs and riding style . Tearing down today and swapping to 10 weight real fork oil . Than exploring shim possiblity . Would like to swap springs , but I have no clue where to start . I will measure length and spring material dia . All I know is 31 mm forks at this point . Any direction advice is appreacated highly . What I did find is list of bikes that had 31mm forks I will share here in a few seconds .

Have you measured to OD of those forks? I think they're 41mm.

[ben2go]

That there be overkill on a china bike.

[emptyschmitz]

I like the idea of progressive springs...if we know the diameter of the springs and what the maximum diameter the forks can accept, maybe we can find a set that would work?

[ben2go]

Use the motorcycle fork size chart to find a similar weight bike with the same size fork tubes. Then search for upgraded springs for that bike. They should work with the China bikes. It may require running spacers. I have used PVC pipe for decades with absolutely no issues. Just use fender washers between the spring and PVC spacers. RaceTech used to publish their spring specs on their website. I have used mostly RaceTech for the past 15 years unless someone requested, or brought me, something different to install.

https://kiwavmotors.com/en/faq/about...ube-size-chart

I have used Progressive a couple times. I have a GS500 with them. They are OK but weight matched Racetech springs are way better. It's even better with their emulators and Torco fork fluid. I recommend Torco fork fluid due to their temperature spread. From just below freezing to well over 100*F, Torco fork fluid retains its viscosity and doesn't get thick or thin out with temp change.I use 5 or 7 in sport bikes and 10 in everything else. If 10 feels to soft, the fluid level can be raised about 10mm to help stiffen the fork up.

https://www.amazon.com/Torco-T830010...2b649743313e05

[pete]

Mine lives in the lounge right under the TV.....
the wheels sitting against the wall are for the other Montesa..
That looks shocking...must get the skirting boads on the walls... sometime...
but working on motorbikes is more fun....




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