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03-04-2022, 11:18 AM | #1 |
Join Date: Mar 2022
Posts: 38
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Hawk 250 suspension for fat dudes
The Hawk suspension leaves a lot to be desired for a 5'9" 280lb fella such as myself. I've ordered a ZXTDR 11.6" 295mm 1200LBS Rear Shock Absorber from Amazon for the rear. I've also ordered 15w fork oil and some aluminum tubing to create preload spacers.
Any experience with the rear shock I've mentioned? Thinking of adding extra fork oil and spacers to stiffen up the front forks. I'm not sure how long the spacers should be. There is a larger guy on Youtube talking about adding 10" spacers and DAMN that seems like a lot. I've also heard that 9oz of fork oil is ok....even though I think it comes with around 5???? The bike is carrying me at 60mph now with no problems after installing the fake Mikuni and 115 main jet last night. The new carb along with a 17/45 sprocket combo really woke this bike up. |
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03-04-2022, 11:29 AM | #2 |
Moderator
Join Date: Oct 2016
Location: Houma, La.
Posts: 11,590
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I don't have any info on the rear shock as I still have the stock rear shock. But I'm only 180. Front shock I used 1" long PVC spacer and ATF. It firmed the front up perfect for me.
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2023 Lifan Lycan 250 Chopper 2023 Venom Evader 2022 Lifan KPX250 2020 Kawasaki Vulcan S (Sold) 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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03-04-2022, 11:36 AM | #3 |
Join Date: Mar 2022
Posts: 38
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The stock rear isn't terrible but will bottom out on me. The front forks though are horribly soft. I may start out with 2" spacers and see what happens.
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03-04-2022, 11:44 AM | #4 | |
Join Date: Apr 2017
Location: Omaha, NE
Posts: 8,061
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Quote:
The rear shock spring rate will definitely make a difference as well, even a 1000lb spring rate with the right preload adjustment would work ok. As my name implies, I am a fellow large person, though lately I have been losing that weight. At my heaviest I was at the maximum weight rating for the bike, and some extra.
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Hawk Information and Resource guide: http://www.chinariders.net/showthread.php?t=20331 2018 Hawk 250 - Full Mod list here. http://www.chinariders.net/showpost....62&postcount=1 2024 Royal Enfield Shotgun 650 https://chinariders.net/showthread.php?t=34124 |
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03-18-2022, 06:33 PM | #5 | |
Join Date: Jan 2022
Posts: 10
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Quote:
LOL! Color me dense!! I thought Megadon was some sort of Jurassic reference. Ity didn't occur to me that Don was mega!! Good one! |
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03-18-2022, 09:40 PM | #6 |
Join Date: Feb 2021
Location: Kansas City
Posts: 2,415
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That's Dan, not Don
MegaDan has some useful Youtube videos, and lots of experience he provides this community. This includes how-to and upgrade info (up to and including head porting)! |
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03-18-2022, 10:02 PM | #7 |
Join Date: Apr 2017
Location: Omaha, NE
Posts: 8,061
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Lol. I am kind of a dinosaur in some ways. Big, slow, old (ish) and I eat lots of meat.
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Hawk Information and Resource guide: http://www.chinariders.net/showthread.php?t=20331 2018 Hawk 250 - Full Mod list here. http://www.chinariders.net/showpost....62&postcount=1 2024 Royal Enfield Shotgun 650 https://chinariders.net/showthread.php?t=34124 |
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03-12-2022, 03:13 PM | #9 |
Join Date: Mar 2022
Posts: 38
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Well, I'm not really sure what everyone sees in the old white Ebay/Amazon 1200lb rear shock. With enough preload, a lot, it performs good enough but is very "bouncy" either way. I personally don't see too much advantage over stock. The stock shock on my 2021 works decently but has bottomed out on a huge pothole or two. I'm going to add even more preload and Time will tell.
The 295mm rear shock did slightly lower the rear and get my feet a little more solid on the ground...so that is a plus for me. Now on to the front forks.....that's my main problem. They are very soft. |
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03-12-2022, 11:38 PM | #10 | |
Join Date: Apr 2017
Location: Omaha, NE
Posts: 8,061
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Quote:
I currently run a 280mm Fast Ace shock with a 1000lb rate with a Brozz Swingarm (requires a shorter shock than the Hawk) and I absolutely love it.
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Hawk Information and Resource guide: http://www.chinariders.net/showthread.php?t=20331 2018 Hawk 250 - Full Mod list here. http://www.chinariders.net/showpost....62&postcount=1 2024 Royal Enfield Shotgun 650 https://chinariders.net/showthread.php?t=34124 |
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03-13-2022, 04:39 PM | #11 |
Join Date: Mar 2022
Posts: 38
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I will definitely try adding some pressure to it.
Thanks for the info |
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03-16-2022, 02:32 PM | #12 |
Join Date: Mar 2022
Posts: 38
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8oz of 15w fork oil added to each fork....after draining out the old stuff of course...and 2" preload spacers from 22mm OD aluminum pipe did the trick. I'm happy with the suspension now for strictly paved road riding. I added a little air pressure as suggested by by MegaDan and the rear is pretty darn good now. Thanks!
REAR SHOCK https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07WTB3P5B...roduct_details ALUMINUM PIPE https://www.amazon.com/dp/B083S64QCD...t_details&th=1 Last edited by Johnetattoo; 03-16-2022 at 07:17 PM. |
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03-16-2022, 07:19 PM | #13 |
Join Date: Mar 2022
Posts: 38
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If anyone read the post above earlier today.....I had 4" spacers written down like an idiot. It's 2" per side
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03-17-2022, 04:47 AM | #14 | |
Join Date: Apr 2017
Location: Omaha, NE
Posts: 8,061
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Quote:
Also, 15/16" (23.8mm) diameter material can also work well for spacers if needed, depending on what one might have access too. The internal diameter of the tubes is 24mm, so anything under that works well. Now, if you want to take the handling to a new level, a fork brace is REALLY hard to beat.
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Hawk Information and Resource guide: http://www.chinariders.net/showthread.php?t=20331 2018 Hawk 250 - Full Mod list here. http://www.chinariders.net/showpost....62&postcount=1 2024 Royal Enfield Shotgun 650 https://chinariders.net/showthread.php?t=34124 |
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03-17-2022, 02:18 PM | #15 |
Join Date: Nov 2021
Posts: 45
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I'm 6'4" 235 so not pushing the bike as hard as my weightier brethren. I just stacked up washers for my fork spacer, my 2020 actually had a pretty large spacer to begin with so I just added about an inch of washers on top of it.
Fork brace made a huge difference, the bike is far more stable. I think that with the extra preload and slightly heavier fork oil this is the most I can get out of it without major modification like valves, different forks, etc. |
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