New Hawk DLX... New speed issues

BakedOregonian · 04-09-2021, 07:59 PM

Hey guys, I hope you all are doing well. I have put about 25 miles on my Hawk DLX 2020 and have upgraded her sprockets to the recommended 17-45, I'm not a big guy but yet I can barely get her up to 50?!! Any ideas what the issue could be? Thanks in advance for any help.

Bill Hilly · 04-09-2021, 08:49 PM

That's pretty high gearing considering the tire size of the Hawk, but I would think it should run up to 50 in 4th. I know they want you to break in the motor , but you will still need to build up some rpm before shifting into 5th especially. I assume you have adjusted your valves. I currently have a 42/17 combo on my Brozz, and I think it's too high for me, but it runs right up to 55, and will go higher. I think you are probably actually geared a little faster ,or at least as fast even though you have just a hair more sprocket reduction than me, because you have more diameter on your tires. I will also add that I am about 250 lbs. I regret my high gearing more on take offs, and low 1st gear operation, but it also requires down shifting, and topping hills in 4th, that I had no trouble climbing in high with my lower gears. I intend to go back to my lower gearing, but just haven't got around to it.

**JerryHawk250** · 04-10-2021, 07:39 AM

17/45 is a good gear ratio. With only 25 miles on the bike the engine is still tight and not broke in yet. Gets some miles on the bike before you try running WOT. Also check the rear brake adjustment to make sure the brakes not adjusted to tight and the brake is dragging. I've had that happen on my Hawk when I first got it. Next do a valve adjustment.

BakedOregonian · 04-10-2021, 09:59 AM

Great, thanks guys! I've seen many numbers in regards to valve clearance, could you give me your recommendation?

BakedOregonian · 04-10-2021, 10:56 AM

Thank you so much JerryHawk250, the rear brake is definitely a bit clamped, now I just need to figure out how to separate the shoe a bit. Do happen to have a Youtube video on the matter?

**JerryHawk250** · 04-10-2021, 11:38 AM

I don't have a video but CSC might have a tutorial on the TT250 on how to adjust. Bikes are very simular. https://cscmotorcycles.com/maintenance-tutorials/

BakedOregonian · 04-10-2021, 04:05 PM

Thank you for the link, it was certainly useful, however didn't address my specific issue on a bike similar to mine. So, if there's anyone who's had the issue of their rear brake dragging on their Hawk and has some insight... could you please share? Thanks guys!

**JerryHawk250** · 04-10-2021, 04:14 PM

It's simple to check. There should be a little play between the brake lever and the plunger. If it's set with no play and the plunger can't extend all the way out there will always be pressure on the brake pads. As the pads get hot they expand and gradually apply pressure on the rotor.

BakedOregonian · 04-10-2021, 05:24 PM

Okay, I figured it out based on those instructions. Bleed her too and she's feeling great. Can't ride her cause I had about 30 beers working on her. I adjusted her valves to 5-5 and man she's tapping. Does that sound about right?

04-09-2021, 07:59 PM	#1
BakedOregonian Join Date: Apr 2021 Location: Oregon Posts: 64	New Hawk DLX... New speed issues Hey guys, I hope you all are doing well. I have put about 25 miles on my Hawk DLX 2020 and have upgraded her sprockets to the recommended 17-45, I'm not a big guy but yet I can barely get her up to 50?!! Any ideas what the issue could be? Thanks in advance for any help.
	0

04-10-2021, 07:39 AM	#3
JerryHawk250 Moderator Join Date: Oct 2016 Location: Houma, La. Posts: 11,561	17/45 is a good gear ratio. With only 25 miles on the bike the engine is still tight and not broke in yet. Gets some miles on the bike before you try running WOT. Also check the rear brake adjustment to make sure the brakes not adjusted to tight and the brake is dragging. I've had that happen on my Hawk when I first got it. Next do a valve adjustment. __________________ 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
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04-10-2021, 11:38 AM	#6
JerryHawk250 Moderator Join Date: Oct 2016 Location: Houma, La. Posts: 11,561	I don't have a video but CSC might have a tutorial on the TT250 on how to adjust. Bikes are very simular. https://cscmotorcycles.com/maintenance-tutorials/ __________________ 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
	0

04-10-2021, 04:14 PM	#8
JerryHawk250 Moderator Join Date: Oct 2016 Location: Houma, La. Posts: 11,561	It's simple to check. There should be a little play between the brake lever and the plunger. If it's set with no play and the plunger can't extend all the way out there will always be pressure on the brake pads. As the pads get hot they expand and gradually apply pressure on the rotor. __________________ 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
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04-09-2021, 08:49 PM	#2
Bill Hilly Join Date: Feb 2021 Posts: 934	That's pretty high gearing considering the tire size of the Hawk, but I would think it should run up to 50 in 4th. I know they want you to break in the motor , but you will still need to build up some rpm before shifting into 5th especially. I assume you have adjusted your valves. I currently have a 42/17 combo on my Brozz, and I think it's too high for me, but it runs right up to 55, and will go higher. I think you are probably actually geared a little faster ,or at least as fast even though you have just a hair more sprocket reduction than me, because you have more diameter on your tires. I will also add that I am about 250 lbs. I regret my high gearing more on take offs, and low 1st gear operation, but it also requires down shifting, and topping hills in 4th, that I had no trouble climbing in high with my lower gears. I intend to go back to my lower gearing, but just haven't got around to it.
	0

04-10-2021, 09:59 AM	#4
BakedOregonian Join Date: Apr 2021 Location: Oregon Posts: 64	Great, thanks guys! I've seen many numbers in regards to valve clearance, could you give me your recommendation?
	0

04-10-2021, 10:56 AM	#5
BakedOregonian Join Date: Apr 2021 Location: Oregon Posts: 64	Thank you so much JerryHawk250, the rear brake is definitely a bit clamped, now I just need to figure out how to separate the shoe a bit. Do happen to have a Youtube video on the matter?
	0

04-10-2021, 04:05 PM	#7
BakedOregonian Join Date: Apr 2021 Location: Oregon Posts: 64	Thank you for the link, it was certainly useful, however didn't address my specific issue on a bike similar to mine. So, if there's anyone who's had the issue of their rear brake dragging on their Hawk and has some insight... could you please share? Thanks guys!
	0

04-10-2021, 05:24 PM	#9
BakedOregonian Join Date: Apr 2021 Location: Oregon Posts: 64	Okay, I figured it out based on those instructions. Bleed her too and she's feeling great. Can't ride her cause I had about 30 beers working on her. I adjusted her valves to 5-5 and man she's tapping. Does that sound about right?
	0