URGENT: Hawk 250 Front Wheel Swap/Equivalent?

emptyschmitz · 05-06-2017, 08:52 AM

So our first day on the KAT managed to take out the front wheel on one of our Hawks. Today we are looking at ways to fix it and the two we can think of are to get an equivalent wheel to swap the tube and tire and bolt on, or at least a rim that has the same size and spoke holes and lace in the new one. If not it's fine, but I figured I would see if anyone else has swapped and knows what works. Thanks!

BlackBike · 05-06-2017, 10:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by emptyschmitz

So our first day on the KAT managed to take out the front wheel on one of our Hawks. Today we are looking at ways to fix it and the two we can think of are to get an equivalent wheel to swap the tube and tire and bolt on, or at least a rim that has the same size and spoke holes and lace in the new one. If not it's fine, but I figured I would see if anyone else has swapped and knows what works. Thanks!

If you have time, can we see the damaged rim.

just for getting out there and tearing it up!!!

emptyschmitz · 05-06-2017, 11:35 AM

The wheel got stuck between two rocks when it went down, best we can figure. It's bent but we were able to ride it off the trail fine...but 25mph was all she had before it got too

Also Hawks make lousy submarines. Player 2 and Elizabeth had a rough day but made it out!

And because I couldn't resist...

Yes, it got deep enough to fill from the main lamp hole. This was before the wheel got tweaked!

**JerryHawk250** · 05-06-2017, 12:09 PM

It sucks you got damage but I like the real world testing of the hawk

looks like fun no matter what happened

Ariel Red Hunter · 05-06-2017, 12:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by emptyschmitz

The wheel got stuck between two rocks when it went down, best we can figure. It's bent but we were able to ride it off the trail fine...but 25mph was all she had before it got too

Also Hawks make lousy submarines. Player 2 and Elizabeth had a rough day but made it out!

And because I couldn't resist...

Yes, it got deep enough to fill from the main lamp hole. This was before the wheel got tweaked!

That's quite a job someone did on that wheel. It is straightenable, but only for someone who has experience at this. If you have to pay some one to do this, you're better off with a new rim and spokes. They are easy enough to lace up. Go to Britannia Motorcycles video on the BM-250 Trials Bike, chapters 10a and 10b. He shows the easy way to lace up a wheel. You might as well learn how to do this yourself. You're status will go way up when people learn you rebuilt your own wheel. Most people are scared to death about spokeing a wheel. It's not that difficult when you learn how. You will want a 36 hole rim, 1.85 (or so)X21. And new spokes. The cheap ones come from China. The expensive ones come from the USA. (Buchanon) Use a metric measure for the length, if getting them from China. Get the thickest ones, if going Chinese. Taobao is a source of Chinese parts, not just rims. If you hunt Taobao, you'll find you can get the whole wheel assembly (without tires) for about $100. That is just about the amount you'll pay for American spokes alone....ARH

Merlin · 05-06-2017, 01:10 PM

I have one word for you TAOBAO!! (let the adventure begin)

Weldangrind · 05-06-2017, 01:23 PM

This is an excellent opportunity to lace an aluminum rim to the hub. I used a DID rim from an early '80's XR200, but a new Warp 9 rim would also be a good choice. You can pick up a decent wheel balancing stand for cheap at Rocky Mountain (or similar). You could also use Buchanon stainless spokes if you wish, as ARH says.

Irishjew · 05-06-2017, 04:22 PM

maybe these will work. Although its a long drive for you.

https://lasvegas.craigslist.org/mpo/6103509452.html

emptyschmitz · 05-06-2017, 06:30 PM

We found a local junkyard and snagged two 21 in 36 spoke rims, $25 for both! Glad I got two so I can eventually swap!

JeremyC · 05-06-2017, 06:44 PM

From what I've gathered, the Hawk doesn't share a front wheel with any of the other chinabikes here in the US. I'm waiting on the slow boat for a new one. If I could find spokes and a rim for cheap, I'd rebuild mine. No such thing around here.. I live in a vacuum in this area. If it's not a quad, good luck.

BlackBike · 05-06-2017, 07:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by emptyschmitz

We found a local junkyard and snagged two 21 in 36 spoke rims, $25 for both! Glad I got two so I can eventually swap!

Geez, y'all look like your trying to cross the Darien Gap. Looks like your stuck at a hotel? Hope the wheel fits. I noticed the weather at the Kentucky derby was bad rainy weather.

emptyschmitz · 05-06-2017, 07:46 PM

It was pretty rough. First half of the day wasn't bad, puddles but the rest of the trail was drying out and we had traction. After we revived the drowned Hawk, it started raining and it was wet and muddy. We think we ended up on one of the hard sections of the KAT by accident. It was a lot of fun and the Hawks were champs, even when wounded!

Ariel Red Hunter · 05-06-2017, 10:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JeremyC

From what I've gathered, the Hawk doesn't share a front wheel with any of the other chinabikes here in the US. I'm waiting on the slow boat for a new one. If I could find spokes and a rim for cheap, I'd rebuild mine. No such thing around here.. I live in a vacuum in this area. If it's not a quad, good luck.

A front wheel? Could be. But a front rim? A 2.85 X 21 36 hole rim is the same over all brands that use 21 inch front wheels. Then you measure the lengths of all of the spokes, and buy those. Then you lace the wheel up to the hub that came on the bike....ARH

JeremyC · 05-06-2017, 10:28 PM

Problem is, it's cheaper to wait on the boat. If I could find the parts I need for CHEAP, I'd rebuild it.

pete · 05-06-2017, 10:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ariel Red Hunter

A front wheel? Could be. But a front rim? A 2.85 X 21 36 hole rim is the same over all brands that use 21 inch front wheels. Then you measure the lengths of all of the spokes, and buy those. Then you lace the wheel up to the hub that came on the bike....ARH

looks like fat finger issues.....
I think you ment to write 1.85 there..
1.60 is a better size in 21"....

..

05-06-2017, 08:52 AM	#1
emptyschmitz Join Date: Nov 2016 Posts: 72	URGENT: Hawk 250 Front Wheel Swap/Equivalent? So our first day on the KAT managed to take out the front wheel on one of our Hawks. Today we are looking at ways to fix it and the two we can think of are to get an equivalent wheel to swap the tube and tire and bolt on, or at least a rim that has the same size and spoke holes and lace in the new one. If not it's fine, but I figured I would see if anyone else has swapped and knows what works. Thanks! __________________ 2002 BMW R1100S, 1999 Kaw Concours, 1991 Kaw Eliminator 250, 1969 Honda Trail 90 Too many damn mopeds...
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05-06-2017, 11:35 AM	#3
emptyschmitz Join Date: Nov 2016 Posts: 72	The wheel got stuck between two rocks when it went down, best we can figure. It's bent but we were able to ride it off the trail fine...but 25mph was all she had before it got too Also Hawks make lousy submarines. Player 2 and Elizabeth had a rough day but made it out! And because I couldn't resist... Yes, it got deep enough to fill from the main lamp hole. This was before the wheel got tweaked! __________________ 2002 BMW R1100S, 1999 Kaw Concours, 1991 Kaw Eliminator 250, 1969 Honda Trail 90 Too many damn mopeds...
	3

05-06-2017, 12:09 PM	#4
JerryHawk250 Moderator Join Date: Oct 2016 Location: Houma, La. Posts: 11,554	It sucks you got damage but I like the real world testing of the hawk looks like fun no matter what happened __________________ 2023 Lifan Lycan 250 Chopper 2023 Venom Evader 2022 Lifan KPX250 2020 Kawasaki Vulcan S 2004 Honda ST 1300 2016 Black Hawk 250 (sold) Keihin PE30 carb,125 main,38 slow.Pod filter,ported & decked head 10:1 CR,Direct Ignition Coil,15/40Sprockets,NGK DPR8EIX-9,De-Cat,Dual Oil Cooler,Digital Cluster 2016 Cazador180 XL 2014 Coolster150 JerryHawk250.com My YouTube Channel
	2

05-06-2017, 01:10 PM	#6
Merlin Join Date: Jun 2016 Location: Colorado Posts: 1,107	I have one word for you TAOBAO!! (let the adventure begin) __________________ Bashan Blaze Mods: Alloy Rim's, Muffler, Mukuni VM26 Carb, Foam Filter, Tachometer, Volt Meter,LED Headlight, LED Blinkers
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05-06-2017, 01:23 PM	#7
Weldangrind Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Sardis, BC, Canada Posts: 25,977	This is an excellent opportunity to lace an aluminum rim to the hub. I used a DID rim from an early '80's XR200, but a new Warp 9 rim would also be a good choice. You can pick up a decent wheel balancing stand for cheap at Rocky Mountain (or similar). You could also use Buchanon stainless spokes if you wish, as ARH says. __________________ Weldangrind "I figure I'm well-prepared for coping with a bike that comes from the factory with unresolved issues and that rewards the self-reliant owner." - Buccaneer
	2

05-06-2017, 04:22 PM	#8
Irishjew Join Date: Apr 2017 Location: Henderson, NV Posts: 104	maybe these will work. Although its a long drive for you. https://lasvegas.craigslist.org/mpo/6103509452.html
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05-06-2017, 06:30 PM	#9
emptyschmitz Join Date: Nov 2016 Posts: 72	We found a local junkyard and snagged two 21 in 36 spoke rims, $25 for both! Glad I got two so I can eventually swap! __________________ 2002 BMW R1100S, 1999 Kaw Concours, 1991 Kaw Eliminator 250, 1969 Honda Trail 90 Too many damn mopeds...
	2

05-06-2017, 06:44 PM	#10
JeremyC Join Date: Apr 2017 Location: Southern IL Posts: 132	From what I've gathered, the Hawk doesn't share a front wheel with any of the other chinabikes here in the US. I'm waiting on the slow boat for a new one. If I could find spokes and a rim for cheap, I'd rebuild mine. No such thing around here.. I live in a vacuum in this area. If it's not a quad, good luck.
	0

05-06-2017, 07:46 PM	#12
emptyschmitz Join Date: Nov 2016 Posts: 72	It was pretty rough. First half of the day wasn't bad, puddles but the rest of the trail was drying out and we had traction. After we revived the drowned Hawk, it started raining and it was wet and muddy. We think we ended up on one of the hard sections of the KAT by accident. It was a lot of fun and the Hawks were champs, even when wounded! __________________ 2002 BMW R1100S, 1999 Kaw Concours, 1991 Kaw Eliminator 250, 1969 Honda Trail 90 Too many damn mopeds...
	2

05-06-2017, 10:28 PM	#14
JeremyC Join Date: Apr 2017 Location: Southern IL Posts: 132	Problem is, it's cheaper to wait on the boat. If I could find the parts I need for CHEAP, I'd rebuild it. Last edited by JeremyC; 05-07-2017 at 12:56 AM.
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