New Hawks and Sone Questions

[Ntech25]

Hey guys.

Been doing a lot of reading on this forum and thought I post about my hawk and some questions I have.

My cousin and friend purchases 3 of them from motobuys com and all 3 came with different hardware quantities and had to go to hardware to get some extra bolts lol but wasn't a big issue.

I have been reading a lot of people upgrading the carb and sprocket size for their bike.

I'm just wondering how will the carb work in my elevation. I'm in the Catskills NY area and pretty high up I think lol. Which carb would you guys recommend and what size sprockets should I put. My elevation is 557 feet.

Also it's hard to find oil here for bikes at 15-40. Motobuys said I can also go with 10-40. I'm just wondering what you guys would suggest for my area. I'm in the Hudson valley/Sullivan county border.

What else could I do to this bike to improve the performance and make sure I keep my engine happy and healthy

I have attached some images of the bikes we have.

On Motobuys they are called Vento Enduro 250cc but the bike had the Hawk stickers and engine on it.

We are loving the bike so far

[Ntech25]

Some more images. Stupid iPhone names all images (images). so I can't upload multiple images in the same post, sorry guys.

[Ntech25]

My friends red version

[Ntech25]

The blue version, putting on the finishing touches before our first ride.

[TXDSRIDER]

Me and I belive a lot of other guys run shell rotella t5 15w40 wal mart carries it for $13 ish a gallon. I have a mikuni carb I chose this because I was too lazy to drill the stock carb bolts to open it and because yamaha carries the jets. I also have a jt front sprocket 17 tooth and stock rear seems fine to mee but I have never pushed the bike past 55 on the stock knobbies so I don't know if that will change when I get a less aggressive dual sport tire. Imo the number one thing it needs is the front sprocket and any kind of rejet stock or mikuni. On a side note check your breather tube from the motor to the airbox mine was cracked along the seam within a day or two, I just replaced it with a breather filter and have a unipod style filter and use my airbox as a toolbox.

[Torgo]

It's common for 15W-40 to be stocked separately for diesel engines away from the conventional oil. You're more likely to find it with the gear oil and heavier viscosity stuff.

I bought some at Advanced Auto when I put mine together to change out the original stuff and had to look around a bit to find it.

[Ntech25]

Thanks for the replies. So you would recommend the 15w-40 over the 10-40w for these bikes?

[Torgo]

The owner's manual calls out 15W-40 as recommended, but 10W-40 is also listed. I don't think it actually matters that much. The viscosity will be the same at operating temperature.

The 10W will be a little thinner cold, and it's actually shown down to 15F. Where you are, 10W-40 sounds like a theoretically better choice, but it's really a minor difference IMO. Either one should be fine.

If you like riding in sub-freezing temperatures, I'd lean really slightly towards 10W-40.

[TXDSRIDER]

Originally Posted by Torgo

The owner's manual calls out 15W-40 as recommended, but 10W-40 is also listed. I don't think it actually matters that much. The viscosity will be the same at operating temperature.

The 10W will be a little thinner cold, and it's actually shown down to 15F. Where you are, 10W-40 sounds like a theoretically better choice, but it's really a minor difference IMO. Either one should be fine.

If you like riding in sub-freezing temperatures, I'd lean really slightly towards 10W-40.

I agree the rotella is cheap and easy to find and also has a higher zinc content and added detergents and no friction modifiers which is important for a wet clutch.

[Ntech25]

Thanks again for all the info. I did see the rotella at Walmart last night. I was learning towards the 10-40 due to the lower outside tempt but I doubt I will be riding when it's in the 20s . 30s to 40 deg I might go out if I'm feeling strong lol. Spring is so far away and we just got these bikes last week. So we are itching to ride. I'm about 60 miles on the bike.

Do you recommend me switching that carb? I'm not sure what all that stuff means about jets and your elevation. My elevation is 570 feet.

Could anyone link me to a eBay listing or website selling the sprockets that I should buy for this bike.

I would also like to get a tach for make sure my idle is at the right rpm.

I saw on eBay some gear indicator switches. Do those work for these bikes?

We mostly ride on the street around my area because you can go miles without seeing any cars and it's great and there are places to go off roading also. I know the tires that come with these bikes are not the best for street. I would like a street tire but also to have potential to go offering a bit. Would be nice to get 2 sets of rims for easy switching for street and off road lol.

Thanks again guys. Any other tips you might have it will be appreciated.

[wilserchinarider]

the sprockets are below, the front is an easy swap. I would use the 15-40, a tach is not all that useful IMO, these simple engines rev pretty well and it is rather obvious when they are running out of breath IME. At 570 elevation, I think you are still low enough for it not to be much of a concern. A gear indicator is kinda handy, but not really needed IMO...personally i wouldn't bother with it, JMO.

Originally Posted by wilserchinarider

Ebay is your friend for china bike parts....once you know what your looking for....

http://www.ebay.com/itm/JT-Sprockets...item4aefbf8bc6

http://www.ebay.com/itm/JT-Sprockets...item33a4f0d266

The front is a JTF259.XX and the rear is a JTR269.XX. The "XX" indicating the number of teeth. Search those part numbers on ebay and you will have many choices. I put a 17t on the front and am quite pleased, I also purchased a 45t for the rear and haven't installed it yet. The front is a very easy swap, I'd start there.

Hint....the chain may be a little short, and teh 17t a bit large, so changing the front you may need to put the chain on the sprocket and slide it on the output shaft with the chain already on the sprocket.

[hnu13]

Originally Posted by wilserchinarider

the sprockets are below, the front is an easy swap. I would use the 15-40, a tach is not all that useful IMO, these simple engines rev pretty well and it is rather obvious when they are running out of breath IME. At 570 elevation, I think you are still low enough for it not to be much of a concern. A gear indicator is kinda handy, but not really needed IMO...personally i wouldn't bother with it, JMO.

I tried to install a 17t on my hawk, and I couldn't get the cover back on... How did you work around this???

[TXDSRIDER]

Originally Posted by hnu13

I tried to install a 17t on my hawk, and I couldn't get the cover back on... How did you work around this???

I had no issue with putting the cover back on.... other than stripping one of the holes by over tightening the bolt

[Ntech25]

Just got the bike registered today and insurance.

Doing my oil change tomorrow. I got the 15-40.

What spark plug do you guys recommend I replace on this bike?

[Ntech25]

Sorry for so many questions .

The 2 eBay links for the sprockets. It's asking me to select a make and model. Do unjust select anything? Are they all the same?

Is this the carb to get for me 2015 rps hawk 250?
http://www.ebay.com/itm/30MM-MIKUNI-...ab812e&vxp=mtr


Thanks again