Almost time for my 1st oil change!

OneLeggedRider · 04-24-2019, 04:53 PM

Well they say with age comes patience and wisdom, and I'll agree with the patience part lol. I ordered the bike in November and after waiting 11 agonizing days for delivery cold weather had set in. So there it sat in my living room for 5 LONG months. Do you know what it's like to have a brand new bike and not even be able to take it for an initial spin? 😳

But I used the time wisely. I watched every video I could find on them, joined 3 groups and read anything and everything I could about them. And I decided I was gonna make it my bike, from the height and angle it set, even down to the angle of the front fender and wider footpegs. I spent $400 in aftermarket parts before it ever rolled out my front door.

And I'm pleased to say it all paid off. I'm loving this thing (except the seat which is next on the list), it is so much fun and I love being able to go anywhere. And in just a few days of riding and testing I'm almost to the 300 mile oil change. Big shout out to Dan and Jerry too for advice, ideas, and even part numbers. 😊

wedooit · 04-24-2019, 05:42 PM

Nice! Nice picture! Congrats to yo9u! I think I have settled on the Storm or the BMS. Chiptoothy really likes the Storm and has lots of miles on it. But am leaning to the Storm. Will be for my wife, and I need to lower it a bit. There is a couple from Minnesota that has a couple of BMS, that really likes them with the seat mod, and a couple from northern Idaho that has two hawks. That will leave me with a 2001 TTR 225, that I have put a ton of money into, I bought it fairly inexpensive. But I don't know if I get it out on a trip and will have to be towed back. I should have bought 2 chinahondas last summer, when I had the chance.

Hancadam · 04-24-2019, 05:59 PM

Great looking bike and excellent picture!

OneLeggedRider · 04-24-2019, 06:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wedooit

Nice! Nice picture! Congrats to yo9u! I think I have settled on the Storm or the BMS. Chiptoothy really likes the Storm and has lots of miles on it. But am leaning to the Storm. Will be for my wife, and I need to lower it a bit. There is a couple from Minnesota that has a couple of BMS, that really likes them with the seat mod, and a couple from northern Idaho that has two hawks. That will leave me with a 2001 TTR 225, that I have put a ton of money into, I bought it fairly inexpensive. But I don't know if I get it out on a trip and will have to be towed back. I should have bought 2 chinahondas last summer, when I had the chance.

As far as lowering for the wife, and I think the Storm is similar. I dropped the rear 3" of it's static height with a 290mm monoshock, making it much easier to swing a leg over. Also hated the riding downhill feel so with me setting on the bike I raised the front 1.25" by using 50mm spacers and 210ml of 7.5w fork oil in each. And I shimmed the front fender raising the front of it 1" from the tire. Also made the pegs wider with flat bar and put an IMS shifter on it. Next is having my buddy add some foam and re contour the seat.

roundhouse · 04-24-2019, 07:06 PM

Sweet! I am sure it will serve you well. I will say you did not ride it bone stock to appreciate the mods more. HAHA. Great work on it.

Megadan · 04-25-2019, 01:20 AM

Glad to help however I can. I still say it sits like a DR650 now.

Compare that rear stance with mine! I can still flat foot the thing too.

Tashka · 04-25-2019, 02:11 AM

WOW! I need to save up for that shock lol, I'm still running my stock one but it's a little low.

**JerryHawk250** · 04-25-2019, 07:48 AM

Always happy to help.

Know I've said this before but I consider this bikes Kits. You are buying a base model bike and customizing them to your liking without breaking the bank. Oh, your not stopping at the seat. You still have head porting and decking of the head to do. lol it never ends.

OneLeggedRider · 04-25-2019, 09:10 AM

Looks great Dan, reminds me of a jacked up truck and looks stealthy. And I gotta look up the fork brace for sure.

And yes Jerry I don't think it will ever be quite finished lol. I'm wondering if the TT250 head is a direct bolt on. My plan is to buy a separate head and fool with it, that way if I muck it up I can slap the old head back on.

And I just remembered lastnight it's time to adjust the valves again, I set them a little loose for the break in. The chain too. Also need to shim the muffler out a little because the tire rubs it when compressed on jumps and bumps. And gotta add a little preload to the monoshock. Sounds like I better get busy!

**JerryHawk250** · 04-25-2019, 10:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by OneLeggedRider

Looks great Dan, reminds me of a jacked up truck and looks stealthy. And I gotta look up the fork brace for sure.

And yes Jerry I don't think it will ever be quite finished lol. I'm wondering if the TT250 head is a direct bolt on. My plan is to buy a separate head and fool with it, that way if I muck it up I can slap the old head back on.

And I just remembered lastnight it's time to adjust the valves again, I set them a little loose for the break in. The chain too. Also need to shim the muffler out a little because the tire rubs it when compressed on jumps and bumps. And gotta add a little preload to the monoshock. Sounds like I better get busy!

The TT250 head will fit.

OneLeggedRider · 04-25-2019, 10:55 AM

What they dont warn you about is how loud the performance exhaust is, even with my full face helmet on and the visor closed. And it seems like it's gotten even louder in just 300 miles.

Megadan · 04-25-2019, 11:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by OneLeggedRider

What they dont warn you about is how loud the performance exhaust is, even with my full face helmet on and the visor closed. And it seems like it's gotten even louder in just 300 miles.

It is rather loud, but a lot of that has to do with the packing. There isn't a lot of packing in the muffler (very loosely packed) and it isn't super high quality packing so it will burn out fairly quickly. Nothing a good repack can't help. It will still be loud, but it will definitely tone it down some.

OneLeggedRider · 04-25-2019, 05:15 PM

Also ordered this, I know it's not foolproof but it's small and portable.

**JerryHawk250** · 04-25-2019, 05:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by OneLeggedRider

Also ordered this, I know it's not foolproof but it's small and portable.

I agree, It's not a guarantee that it won't get stolen but more than likely to get past up if they have to put any effort into it to steal it.

Megadan · 04-25-2019, 06:57 PM

Definitely better than nothing. My last hawk was literally picked up and tossed into the bed of a truck in a matter of seconds, so anything that slows them down is a huge help.

04-24-2019, 04:53 PM	#1
OneLeggedRider Join Date: Nov 2018 Location: Stockport, Oh. Posts: 1,442	Almost time for my 1st oil change! Well they say with age comes patience and wisdom, and I'll agree with the patience part lol. I ordered the bike in November and after waiting 11 agonizing days for delivery cold weather had set in. So there it sat in my living room for 5 LONG months. Do you know what it's like to have a brand new bike and not even be able to take it for an initial spin? 😳 But I used the time wisely. I watched every video I could find on them, joined 3 groups and read anything and everything I could about them. And I decided I was gonna make it my bike, from the height and angle it set, even down to the angle of the front fender and wider footpegs. I spent $400 in aftermarket parts before it ever rolled out my front door. And I'm pleased to say it all paid off. I'm loving this thing (except the seat which is next on the list), it is so much fun and I love being able to go anywhere. And in just a few days of riding and testing I'm almost to the 300 mile oil change. Big shout out to Dan and Jerry too for advice, ideas, and even part numbers. 😊 Last edited by OneLeggedRider; 10-30-2019 at 01:58 AM.
	9

04-25-2019, 01:20 AM	#6
Megadan Join Date: Apr 2017 Location: Omaha, NE Posts: 8,147	Glad to help however I can. I still say it sits like a DR650 now. Compare that rear stance with mine! I can still flat foot the thing too. __________________ 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
	2

04-25-2019, 07:48 AM	#8
JerryHawk250 Moderator Join Date: Oct 2016 Location: Houma, La. Posts: 11,850	Always happy to help. Know I've said this before but I consider this bikes Kits. You are buying a base model bike and customizing them to your liking without breaking the bank. Oh, your not stopping at the seat. You still have head porting and decking of the head to do. lol it never ends. __________________ 2025 Lifan KPT 400 2024 Linhai 300 ATV 4x4 2023 Lifan Lycan 250 Chopper 2023 Venom Evader 2022 Lifan KPX250 2020 Kawasaki Vulcan S (Sold) 2004 Honda ST 1300 (Sold) 2016 Black Hawk 250 (sold) 2016 Cazador180 XL 2014 Coolster150 JerryHawk250.com My YouTube Channel
	1

04-25-2019, 05:15 PM	#13
OneLeggedRider Join Date: Nov 2018 Location: Stockport, Oh. Posts: 1,442	Also ordered this, I know it's not foolproof but it's small and portable. Last edited by OneLeggedRider; 10-30-2019 at 01:58 AM.
	2

04-25-2019, 06:57 PM	#15
Megadan Join Date: Apr 2017 Location: Omaha, NE Posts: 8,147	Definitely better than nothing. My last hawk was literally picked up and tossed into the bed of a truck in a matter of seconds, so anything that slows them down is a huge help. __________________ 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
	1

04-24-2019, 05:42 PM	#2
wedooit Join Date: Jun 2018 Location: Pocatello, Idaho Posts: 794	Nice! Nice picture! Congrats to yo9u! I think I have settled on the Storm or the BMS. Chiptoothy really likes the Storm and has lots of miles on it. But am leaning to the Storm. Will be for my wife, and I need to lower it a bit. There is a couple from Minnesota that has a couple of BMS, that really likes them with the seat mod, and a couple from northern Idaho that has two hawks. That will leave me with a 2001 TTR 225, that I have put a ton of money into, I bought it fairly inexpensive. But I don't know if I get it out on a trip and will have to be towed back. I should have bought 2 chinahondas last summer, when I had the chance.
	1

04-24-2019, 05:59 PM	#3
Hancadam Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Tennessee Posts: 201	Great looking bike and excellent picture!
	1

04-24-2019, 07:06 PM	#5
roundhouse Join Date: Sep 2017 Location: N Texas Posts: 709	Sweet! I am sure it will serve you well. I will say you did not ride it bone stock to appreciate the mods more. HAHA. Great work on it.
	1

04-25-2019, 02:11 AM	#7
Tashka Join Date: Aug 2018 Posts: 158	WOW! I need to save up for that shock lol, I'm still running my stock one but it's a little low.
	0

04-25-2019, 09:10 AM	#9
OneLeggedRider Join Date: Nov 2018 Location: Stockport, Oh. Posts: 1,442	Looks great Dan, reminds me of a jacked up truck and looks stealthy. And I gotta look up the fork brace for sure. And yes Jerry I don't think it will ever be quite finished lol. I'm wondering if the TT250 head is a direct bolt on. My plan is to buy a separate head and fool with it, that way if I muck it up I can slap the old head back on. And I just remembered lastnight it's time to adjust the valves again, I set them a little loose for the break in. The chain too. Also need to shim the muffler out a little because the tire rubs it when compressed on jumps and bumps. And gotta add a little preload to the monoshock. Sounds like I better get busy!
	1

04-25-2019, 10:55 AM	#11
OneLeggedRider Join Date: Nov 2018 Location: Stockport, Oh. Posts: 1,442	What they dont warn you about is how loud the performance exhaust is, even with my full face helmet on and the visor closed. And it seems like it's gotten even louder in just 300 miles.
	0