New Hawk, new adventures.

[Megadan]

Originally Posted by kingofqueenz

SO many varying schools of thought around changing oil warm or cold..

I changed it cold after the bike sat for 4 days

Both methods are viable. It just depends on circumstances. If the bike is used regularly, hot is going to be my method. If it sat for days, cold will get more oil out, but you have to let it drain for a while. If it is an old bike that has sat for several weeks/months I will often fill it with a cheap oil, run it for a few days to stir up anything that settled, then do a hot oil change to my preferred oil with a new filter.

[kingofqueenz]

Thanks Dan...that's a nifty.. sensible idea to use the cheap oil to run and grab the gunk out.

Suppose that is a viable option to de-winterize the bike ( I live up North).

I have done something similar with my lawn mower.

You mention changing the filter... I've got the stock screen on my TBR7.. I'm sure you may not..but that may be another post, another story for another day.

[Megadan]

Originally Posted by kingofqueenz

Thanks Dan...that's a nifty.. sensible idea to use the cheap oil to run and grab the gunk out.

Suppose that is a viable option to de-winterize the bike ( I live up North).

I have done something similar with my lawn mower.

You mention changing the filter... I've got the stock screen on my TBR7.. I'm sure you may not..but that may be another post, another story for another day.

The filter was just mentioned as a generic term. I have owned a bunch of bikes lol.

[Sochin]

Questionable bikes with questionable riders

[OneLeggedRider]

Originally Posted by Sochin

Questionable bikes with questionable riders

Yessir, you gotta watch all these shady mofos, lord knows if they're willing to go this far to save a few greenbacks what else they will and have done.

[Sochin]

I concur, I'm a cheap ass even tho I've two other decent bikes. The frugal nature of the Chonda's are appealing.........I'm having a bet with myself how many miles I will get on this thing before I deem it not roadworthy?

[brianjmt]

Megadan, question what are the pro's /con's to using shock risers? Been looking and with risers that sure would open the door up for more quality shock options. I found this on another site but I havent read anything on here about using risers.

[Megadan]

Originally Posted by Sochin

I'm having a bet with myself how many miles I will get on this thing before I deem it not roadworthy?

How many do you want to get out of it? Short of some disaster, there is no reason that one of these bikes couldn't go for tens of thousands of miles as long as they are cared for. Even if something does go wrong, the parts are so cheap that in theory you could keep it going until the frame rots away, or you just can't get parts anymore lol.

Originally Posted by brianjmt

Megadan, question what are the pro's /con's to using shock risers? Been looking and with risers that sure would open the door up for more quality shock options. I found this on another site but I havent read anything on here about using risers.

Pros = options for using other shocks that may be too short. Adapting one type of shock to a different mount style. Altering the chassis setup/suspension geometry for a given purpose.

Cons = An added complexity that can become a potential failure point. Altering of the suspension geometry/chassis setup that, if done blindly, could cause potential handling and stability issues.

[brianjmt]

Megadan yeap i did some more research seems it is ok for 4x4's and cars but the motorcycle world is a no go on these shock risers/extenders. All I could find on utube is vids of either india or asia guys doing this. I am not as lucky as those guys. Law of physics do not apply over there . The shit I have seen them do you would never believe me in a million yrs. There was one or two dirt bikevid's where the owners did this but it was on very small50cc bikes/scooters for kids.

[Megadan]

Since I haven't updated in a while I may as well blab a bit.

Rotella T6 15w40 is just about the best oil I have run in my Hawk to date. Now that I have found a place that carries it, it will be all I run.

No advances made on the swing arm swap. Just no time to mess around with it right now and I am still looking at alternative shocks.

[Cravin01]

Well I have used Rotella T5 15-40 since the build. Not one slip with the clutch or any downside. I haven't rode as much as I would like in the last few month due to very hot weather but I did get some people wondering about T5 and wet clutches. No problems here to report.

[Megadan]

Originally Posted by Cravin01

Well I have used Rotella T5 15-40 since the build. Not one slip with the clutch or any downside. I haven't rode as much as I would like in the last few month due to very hot weather but I did get some people wondering about T5 and wet clutches. No problems here to report.

T5 used to be jaso ma2 rated years ago. They just stopped getting it certified for whatever reason. T6 15w40 is hard to find. Most places only carry the 5w40 version.

[Megadan]

Had a bit of an adventure today. My uncle decided to do his annual Hog Roast down on my Mom's family land - 160 acres granted by the Homestead Act to my great, great grandfather and Grandmother - so I decided to ride my Hawk the 50 miles down a 70mph highway at 65mph in order to go exploring on it. Something I have wanted to do for a while. Nothing but rolling hills, tall grass, and thick trees of a million varieties - brought about thanks to the Arbor Lodge (the reason Arbor day exists) - that leads all the way to the Missouri River.


It was a fun day, even though I annoyingly forgot my Gopro at home. After a bit of fun I got to stuff my face with lots of home made food and BBQ. Sometimes you just need a day like today to recharge your batteries.

[OneLeggedRider]

That does look like a fun place to explore. My parents have 157 acre farm just down the road, but we can't ride quads or bikes on it because THEY ARE THE DEVIL!

[wedooit]

Nice pictures, and glad you had a fun time!