Jay's Hawk mods, including plug and play exhaust!

[OneLeggedRider]

Yes folks you read that right, Pro Tork makes a CRF performance exhaust system that's fully compatible with the Hawk. The exhaust manifold flange is slotted to fit both bikes. There's a half inch of clearance for the airbox and more room above the clutch arm. It fits in the frame perfectly and the muffler bolts right on. You can literally install the system in 5 minutes without any modification. And the short fat can has a sharp snappy sound, nothing like the "other" performance pipe sounds. And it's the same price.

We also installed another stock cluster and slightly better halogen headlight, greased the rear axle bearings, and installed a "new" chain (more about the chain later ).

Then we shortened the brake pedal 1.25" so Jay's dainty little feet can reach it while standing on the pegs. 😅 Wasn't the best fab work I've ever done, but considering I was sitting in a wheelchair wearing shorts out on the porch, and it was so cold out I was shivering, I think it came out pretty good. And I got good penetration, alot better than the 2 factory tack welds that snapped right off when he laid it down.

We also discovered his footpegs are wider and have bigger teeth than the previous years. 🤔 A much needed improvement.

More to come tomorrow..

[JerryHawk250]

Came out nice. I was considering ordering just the header pipe from them. Glad somebody finally did it right.

[OneLeggedRider]

Thanks Jerry! And yes, I couldn't believe the amount of clearance around the airbox and clutch arm, it's truly made for a Hawk. Here's the link.

https://www.amazon.com/Full-Slip-Exh...7&sr=8-1-fkmr1

[JerryHawk250]

I already had that on my wish list and just the header pipe. https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07CM45V1H...v_ov_lig_dp_it

[McFailbutter]

Must say, that is was the easiest exhaust to put on. Didn't know it could be done without inventing new cuz words. And I do love the sound.

[Megadan]

Now get some header wrap around that head pipe near the cylinder and carburetor. Your leg will thank me later.

The exhaust I fitted to my bike actually required zero MC Hammer modifications as well, but did require slotting the header flange, which I honestly don't mind. I only hacked my airbox because I planned on a pod filter from the start and wanted a place to mount electronic stuff.

[OneLeggedRider]

Sorry Dan, not a fan of header wrap, we burn our legs like men!

Tuning for the new exhaust now, think we got it right with a 25 pilot, 1.5 turns on the screw, needle clip middle position, and a 110 main. That's our first attempt and Jay says it's running amazingly well. The idle certainly is steady now, actually had to adjust it down within minutes of the easy start. He's taking it for a longer test ride now. It's stupid how easy the Mikuni clone is to tune. Here's my $7 "stash" baggie.

[Megadan]

Originally Posted by OneLeggedRider

Tuning for the new exhaust now, think we got it right with a 25 pilot, 1.5 turns on the screw, needle clip middle position, and a 110 main.

Funny thing is, if you dig enough and look for my jetting suggestions with an exhaust on a Hawk, it is exactly what you just stated right there.

As far as the leg burning... it also helps reduce radiant heat soaking the carb bowl and heating up the cylinder when sitting still or at low speeds. That's my excuse at least lol. If you look under my titanium header wrap you will find a part of my right pant leg.

[OneLeggedRider]

Originally Posted by Megadan

Funny thing is, if you dig enough and look for my jetting suggestions with an exhaust on a Hawk, it is exactly what you just stated right there.

As far as the leg burning... it also helps reduce radiant heat soaking the carb bowl and heating up the cylinder when sitting still or at low speeds. That's my excuse at least lol. If you look under my titanium header wrap you will find a part of my right pant leg.

Dan it is more than possible that I gleaned that information from you, there's so much information about tuning the fakuni clone and I've killed so many brain cells it's hard to remember. But it's a testament to how easy it is to tune. First try stock was spot on, and first try after mods spot on.

Jay just brought it back to eat an Italian sandwich before heading back out and claims it runs as good as my Hawk. No lag, no popping on deceleration, and starts and idles beautifully. I'm gonna have him pull the plug when he gets back this time. Not as good as an actual "plug reading", but it will clue me in to where we're at. 🙂

[OneLeggedRider]

IE exhaust wrap.

The pipe has always been an accurate diagnostic tool for me. Even on my 400cc Scrambler I removed the plastic cover. The expansion chamber is 2" from my leg and it will burn the s#it out of you, but to me it's way more accurate than a temp gauge, especially on a 2 smoke.

As long as you're flying the temp on the Scrambler is never an issue, but being a full on race bike it doesn't fair well on organized trail rides where you have 75 people starting and stopping at 3mph. Have to blast ahead of them and shut it down so the bike has time to cool in between.

[JerryHawk250]

Now that the temperature have dropped into the upper 50's and 60's I need to richen mine back up. Lots of popping on deceleration and you can hear the higher pitch exhaust on WOT. I need to put the 39 pilot jet back in and order a 127.5 main. A 130 is a little on the rich side.

[emptypockets]

This is interesting, I've thought about doing an exhaust upgrade. Does it have a USFS certified spark arrestor? I've been hassled about the non-certified stock one by the forest service a few times now. They've even shined their flashlight into it to make sure I haven't drilled it out.

[McFailbutter]

After 107 hawkometers worth o riding today. Must say, seems like that carb was almost insta-tuned. And ty to everyone who has done the former legwork of figuring out the formulas on the mikuni's. The tbr in comparison was a nightmare. On/off 18-20 times.
Love.the new exhuast, it sounds very "snappy". Extremely improved the sound of the hawk. Would recommend to anyone.
Got the 17 tooth on with original rear, so it seems like all I get done is shifting. So next project I'm saving up for is probly going to be 520 chain and proper gearing.
And still, yet another great big THANK YOU! To everyone for helping me get another bike. Great community, y'all are awesome.

[Megadan]

There is a reason the Fakuni clones were a popular "upgrade" over the stock carb. If somebody offered a pumper version of it I would call that the perfect upgrade.

[Beorn]

Originally Posted by OneLeggedRider

Yes folks you read that right, Pro Tork makes a CRF performance exhaust system that's fully compatible with the Hawk. The exhaust manifold flange is slotted to fit both bikes. There's a half inch of clearance for the airbox and more room above the clutch arm. It fits in the frame perfectly and the muffler bolts right on. You can literally install the system in 5 minutes without any modification. And the short fat can has a sharp snappy sound, nothing like the "other" performance pipe sounds. And it's the same price.

We also installed another stock cluster and slightly better halogen headlight, greased the rear axle bearings, and installed a "new" chain (more about the chain later ).

Then we shortened the brake pedal 1.25" so Jay's dainty little feet can reach it while standing on the pegs. 😅 Wasn't the best fab work I've ever done, but considering I was sitting in a wheelchair wearing shorts out on the porch, and it was so cold out I was shivering, I think it came out pretty good. And I got good penetration, alot better than the 2 factory tack welds that snapped right off when he laid it down.

We also discovered his footpegs are wider and have bigger teeth than the previous years. 🤔 A much needed improvement.

More to come tomorrow..

Man, that is so much better than trying to drill out the Ebay exhaust and looks better too!!!