Operation: Red Hawk - Skyd's Build thread

Skyd · 03-18-2021, 09:00 AM

Hey Everyone! So I ordered my new Hawk 250 from TxPowersports Saturday night. I figured while I wait, I'd start a build thread to track my progress, mods, and misfortunes.

They provided me a tracking number but it's not working yet.....maybe I'm just impatient and I need to wait and check tomorrow. It's for Saia, which I've never heard of here in the North East.

Anyway, onto the fun stuff. I tend to get a bit wordy, so I'll try and section this off for both my own benefit and anyone who might be trying to follow along.

I ordered the standard carbureted hawk, no gimmicky Bluetooth speaker or anything like that. It's still chilly here in NH and a little snow on the ground so I have a good month before any type of riding weather hits. I plan to take my time assembling the bike, going over it well and making a few upgrades before it's even started.

At first I was thinking I wanted to run it stock and then upgrade just to see the difference, but naaaaaah.

So here's the plan:

General Assembly will include the following (in addition to the obvious)

1. Checking and Loctite/lock washers on fasteners
2. Drain shipping oil from forks and refill with 210ml of 15w fork oil
3. Drain the engine oil and refill with T4 Rotella 15W40
4. Check and grease wheel bearings (marine grade)
5. Install zerk fittings to swingarm and steering and grease (marine grade)
6. Lube all cables after checking for proper routing/binding etc.
7. Throw old spark plug in the trash and put in a fresh NGK D8EA
8. Check electrical connections and apply dielectric grease
9. Flush brake fluid and replace with Synthetic DOT3 or 4

Fuel/Air

1. Airbox mod
2. Swap in a PZ30B carb
3. Rejet carb as needed

Drive

1. Regear with 16 tooth front & 45 tooth rear sprockets
2. Install new Niche X-Ring 130 link chain
3. Replace Wheel Bearings with quality ones

Controls

1. Quick Turn Throttle
2. New Grips

Engine

1. Swap head gasket for TT250 head gasket
2. Magnetize Drain plug with a rare earth magnet

Suspension

1. Once the bike is assembled I’ll check rider sag and I’m expecting to have to make spacers (I’m about 220lbs without gear)

Ok, so those are my top priority items for the assembly process before the starter button is ever pressed. I’ll let this marinate for a bit, and then I’ll come back to talk about other considerations and secondary “priorities” and undoubtedly I’ll ask for input and opinions from you guys!

Feel free to jump in with anything I may have forgotten here. I’m a shade tree mechanic and ex CNC machinist so I’m pretty handy but I don’t have all the answers for sure, and most of the time I wing it and figure stuff out as I go.

I’m also planning to take pics and video during this process and I’m kicking around the idea of building my youtube channel that’s been mostly idle, we’ll see.

If you hung in til the end of this post, congrats you get a gold star, Thanks for the interest!!

03-18-2021, 09:00 AM	#1
Skyd Join Date: Mar 2021 Location: New Hampshire Posts: 242	Operation: Red Hawk - Skyd's Build thread Hey Everyone! So I ordered my new Hawk 250 from TxPowersports Saturday night. I figured while I wait, I'd start a build thread to track my progress, mods, and misfortunes. They provided me a tracking number but it's not working yet.....maybe I'm just impatient and I need to wait and check tomorrow. It's for Saia, which I've never heard of here in the North East. Anyway, onto the fun stuff. I tend to get a bit wordy, so I'll try and section this off for both my own benefit and anyone who might be trying to follow along. I ordered the standard carbureted hawk, no gimmicky Bluetooth speaker or anything like that. It's still chilly here in NH and a little snow on the ground so I have a good month before any type of riding weather hits. I plan to take my time assembling the bike, going over it well and making a few upgrades before it's even started. At first I was thinking I wanted to run it stock and then upgrade just to see the difference, but naaaaaah. So here's the plan: General Assembly will include the following (in addition to the obvious) 1. Checking and Loctite/lock washers on fasteners 2. Drain shipping oil from forks and refill with 210ml of 15w fork oil 3. Drain the engine oil and refill with T4 Rotella 15W40 4. Check and grease wheel bearings (marine grade) 5. Install zerk fittings to swingarm and steering and grease (marine grade) 6. Lube all cables after checking for proper routing/binding etc. 7. Throw old spark plug in the trash and put in a fresh NGK D8EA 8. Check electrical connections and apply dielectric grease 9. Flush brake fluid and replace with Synthetic DOT3 or 4 Fuel/Air 1. Airbox mod 2. Swap in a PZ30B carb 3. Rejet carb as needed Drive 1. Regear with 16 tooth front & 45 tooth rear sprockets 2. Install new Niche X-Ring 130 link chain 3. Replace Wheel Bearings with quality ones Controls 1. Quick Turn Throttle 2. New Grips Engine 1. Swap head gasket for TT250 head gasket 2. Magnetize Drain plug with a rare earth magnet Suspension 1. Once the bike is assembled I’ll check rider sag and I’m expecting to have to make spacers (I’m about 220lbs without gear) Ok, so those are my top priority items for the assembly process before the starter button is ever pressed. I’ll let this marinate for a bit, and then I’ll come back to talk about other considerations and secondary “priorities” and undoubtedly I’ll ask for input and opinions from you guys! Feel free to jump in with anything I may have forgotten here. I’m a shade tree mechanic and ex CNC machinist so I’m pretty handy but I don’t have all the answers for sure, and most of the time I wing it and figure stuff out as I go. I’m also planning to take pics and video during this process and I’m kicking around the idea of building my youtube channel that’s been mostly idle, we’ll see. If you hung in til the end of this post, congrats you get a gold star, Thanks for the interest!! Last edited by Skyd; 03-18-2021 at 01:32 PM.
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