So... I bought a Hawk off Craigslist

mdyates · 02-11-2017, 02:08 PM

I've been eyeing a new Hawk for a while! Snatched one off Craigslist for $500 - doesn't run. Intentions are to dismantle and go thru. It's 2015 (Black wheels) and rough shape. Missing rear brake lever, and doesn't run. Never dropped and will clean up, however.

Question: It has spark, it's getting fuel (wet plug) - but won't fire! Not even with starter fluid in combustion chamber or in carb. Am I missing anything? Are the valves so out of adjustment? Seems to have good compression and vacuum based on carb inhaling air whilst starting.

Thank you in advance for any advice.

ben2go · 02-11-2017, 02:28 PM

Yes, the valves could be tight and now it's not able to start.

Ariel Red Hunter · 02-11-2017, 03:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mdyates

I've been eyeing a new Hawk for a while! Snatched one off Craigslist for $500 - doesn't run. Intentions are to dismantle and go thru. It's 2015 (Black wheels) and rough shape. Missing rear brake lever, and doesn't run. Never dropped and will clean up, however.

Question: It has spark, it's getting fuel (wet plug) - but won't fire! Not even with starter fluid in combustion chamber or in carb. Am I missing anything? Are the valves so out of adjustment? Seems to have good compression and vacuum based on carb inhaling air whilst starting.

Thank you in advance for any advice.

Check for spark at the plug - could be a defective CDI unit.

mdyates · 02-11-2017, 03:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ariel Red Hunter

Check for spark at the plug - could be a defective CDI unit.

Thanks, but Yes, getting a nice blue spark on new NGK plug.

Mudflap · 02-11-2017, 03:30 PM

Spark at the right time, compression, fuel and air at a more or less proper mix, and it should run.

Weldangrind · 02-11-2017, 03:32 PM

Welcome! Start with the valves. Even if that doesn't solve it, you'll have that part out of the way for awhile.

Azhule · 02-11-2017, 03:47 PM

Wet spark plug? I would check the valve clearances and then take apart the carb to make sure the float is set correctly and or not stuck, might be getting too much fuel in the carb bowl, enough to 'flood the jets/engine' but not enough to leak out the overflow ?

pete · 02-12-2017, 03:03 AM

turn the fuel off drain the carb... then try the starter spray...
if it fires you then know it's the carb ..

...

mdyates · 02-13-2017, 12:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pete

turn the fuel off drain the carb... then try the starter spray...
if it fires you then know it's the carb ..

...

Awesome advice, thank you!

Huck369 · 02-14-2017, 05:43 AM

Also drain the tank and refill with fresh fuel, this new gas can go bad to the point of not igniting when it's old....I had that happen before....just a thought

bogieboy · 02-14-2017, 07:24 AM

as others have said, fresh gas, check valve clearances, and i am going to add, try a compression test.... My roketa had everything but compression when i got it... the previous owner left the fish oil in the crank case, and the rings stuck in the piston, ala no compression (well... 30 psi, when it should be 150+)

letsride · 02-14-2017, 07:53 AM

All great advice, and I will add. Change the oil NOW! I have seen so many bike with what I call GASOIL. Its where a bike will sit for long periods of time with the fuel petcock on and then the needle and seat (float valve) in the carb fails and allows the cylinder to be flooded. Then the gas will get by the piston rings and right down in the crank case with the oil. The gas will dilute the oil to a point where no lubrication exists. Check Battery, check compression ( screw in tester, hold throttle wide open and turn engine over until the needle stops rising, thats your reading) clean out tank, fill with fresh ethanol free fuel, new spark plug, clean carb, check float to make sure it "floats", check float height, check timing, adjust valves, and it should run.

jet321 · 02-15-2017, 09:26 PM

Best of luck! I acquired mine similarly, I got mine for $750 on craigslist and it had a ton of issues. I basically touched everything on the bike. Follow the recommended upgrades that everyone suggests!

mdyates · 02-16-2017, 09:56 AM

Great advice, thank you guys. Getting frustrated though... New Mikuni VM26, nice spark - getting fuel. Valve clearances are in spec yet NO combustion!!! Not sure how this is possible. I've had countless dirtbikes, go karts atvs over the years never seen something that won't fire/combust with starter fluid etc...

Merlin · 02-16-2017, 10:59 AM

Have you checked the compression yet?

02-11-2017, 02:08 PM	#1
mdyates Join Date: Feb 2017 Posts: 22	So... I bought a Hawk off Craigslist I've been eyeing a new Hawk for a while! Snatched one off Craigslist for $500 - doesn't run. Intentions are to dismantle and go thru. It's 2015 (Black wheels) and rough shape. Missing rear brake lever, and doesn't run. Never dropped and will clean up, however. Question: It has spark, it's getting fuel (wet plug) - but won't fire! Not even with starter fluid in combustion chamber or in carb. Am I missing anything? Are the valves so out of adjustment? Seems to have good compression and vacuum based on carb inhaling air whilst starting. Thank you in advance for any advice.
	0

02-11-2017, 03:32 PM	#6
Weldangrind Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Sardis, BC, Canada Posts: 25,977	Welcome! Start with the valves. Even if that doesn't solve it, you'll have that part out of the way for awhile. __________________ Weldangrind "I figure I'm well-prepared for coping with a bike that comes from the factory with unresolved issues and that rewards the self-reliant owner." - Buccaneer
	0

02-11-2017, 03:47 PM	#7
Azhule Join Date: Dec 2015 Location: CO Posts: 1,525	Wet spark plug? I would check the valve clearances and then take apart the carb to make sure the float is set correctly and or not stuck, might be getting too much fuel in the carb bowl, enough to 'flood the jets/engine' but not enough to leak out the overflow ? __________________ "Think as you like... but this self proclaimed Professor is always right" - Buckshot "You never know what someone is hiding beneath their smile..." - NinjaTom - R.I.P.
	0

02-12-2017, 03:03 AM	#8
pete Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: ChCh , NZ Posts: 2,261	turn the fuel off drain the carb... then try the starter spray... if it fires you then know it's the carb .. ... __________________ 09 XT660R ... 06 TTR250 ... 80 Montesa H6 125 Enduro... 77 Montesa Cota 348 MRR "Malcom Rathnell Replica"... Current resto projects.. 81 Honda CT110... 80 Kawasaki KL250A1... 11 Husaburg TE125 enduro... "sold" along with another 31... Lifan 125 Pitbike.. "stolen" ... KIWI BIKER FORUM...... http://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/content.php All the best offroad rides in NZ... http://www.remotemoto.com/ E-mail... xtpete1@gmail.com
	1

02-14-2017, 05:43 AM	#10
Huck369 Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Somerset, KY Posts: 686	Also drain the tank and refill with fresh fuel, this new gas can go bad to the point of not igniting when it's old....I had that happen before....just a thought __________________ Huck 2013 Honda NC700X 2013 Moto Guzzi V7 Stone 2016 AJP PR4 2022 Templar X 250 2021 Sondors Metacycle AMA Life Member
	0

02-11-2017, 02:28 PM	#2
ben2go Join Date: Jun 2011 Posts: 1,335	Yes, the valves could be tight and now it's not able to start.
	0

02-11-2017, 03:30 PM	#5
Mudflap Join Date: Sep 2014 Posts: 1,880	Spark at the right time, compression, fuel and air at a more or less proper mix, and it should run.
	0

02-14-2017, 07:24 AM	#11
bogieboy Join Date: May 2013 Location: finger lakes NY Posts: 2,046	as others have said, fresh gas, check valve clearances, and i am going to add, try a compression test.... My roketa had everything but compression when i got it... the previous owner left the fish oil in the crank case, and the rings stuck in the piston, ala no compression (well... 30 psi, when it should be 150+)
	0

02-14-2017, 07:53 AM	#12
letsride Join Date: Oct 2013 Location: Leesville SC Posts: 835	All great advice, and I will add. Change the oil NOW! I have seen so many bike with what I call GASOIL. Its where a bike will sit for long periods of time with the fuel petcock on and then the needle and seat (float valve) in the carb fails and allows the cylinder to be flooded. Then the gas will get by the piston rings and right down in the crank case with the oil. The gas will dilute the oil to a point where no lubrication exists. Check Battery, check compression ( screw in tester, hold throttle wide open and turn engine over until the needle stops rising, thats your reading) clean out tank, fill with fresh ethanol free fuel, new spark plug, clean carb, check float to make sure it "floats", check float height, check timing, adjust valves, and it should run. __________________ My Stable- 2022 Lifan KPX250 , 2023 Royal Enfield Himalayan, 1992 Honda GL1500 Goldwing, SSR 70 Auto, Kymco Mongoose 90, Honda Four Trax 300
	1

02-15-2017, 09:26 PM	#13
jet321 Join Date: Apr 2016 Posts: 100	Best of luck! I acquired mine similarly, I got mine for $750 on craigslist and it had a ton of issues. I basically touched everything on the bike. Follow the recommended upgrades that everyone suggests! __________________ 2015 Hawk 250 ~ Aftermarket Exhaust/K&N/LED everything/16/44T/Shinko 705's
	0

02-16-2017, 09:56 AM	#14
mdyates Join Date: Feb 2017 Posts: 22	Great advice, thank you guys. Getting frustrated though... New Mikuni VM26, nice spark - getting fuel. Valve clearances are in spec yet NO combustion!!! Not sure how this is possible. I've had countless dirtbikes, go karts atvs over the years never seen something that won't fire/combust with starter fluid etc...
	0

02-16-2017, 10:59 AM	#15
Merlin Join Date: Jun 2016 Location: Colorado Posts: 1,107	Have you checked the compression yet? __________________ Bashan Blaze Mods: Alloy Rim's, Muffler, Mukuni VM26 Carb, Foam Filter, Tachometer, Volt Meter,LED Headlight, LED Blinkers
	2