Why 17/45 Sprockets on Hawk 250?

[Ariel Red Hunter]

Originally Posted by JerryHawk250

I ride mine the same way. I pull the chain off after a day of off road riding and clean it in kerosene then put it in a container of 90 weight gear oil to soak for an hour. It's just a piece of usless fact that really doesn't affect most of us.

I may be able to help you with your chain maintanence program. Next time, after you clean the chain in kerosene, let it dry, then submerge it in parrafin wax that you have heated until it is liquid. After it has cooked for an hour or too, hook the chain out on one end with a bent wire coat hanger, and hang it up so the excess parrafin wax runs back in the coffee can. After it stops dripping, I wipe it down with an old towel while it is still hanging. I use a double boiler idea to do this. In effect, I use an old coffee can to put the wax in, and place that can in a pot of boiling water. If you are married, do yourself a favor and do this outside! You can buy canning wax at the supermarket, or Wal-Mart. Then, when you are done riding, just put the bike on the center stand, and clean the outside of the chain with a paint brush dipped in kerosene, and you are done.

[JerryHawk250]

Originally Posted by Ariel Red Hunter

I may be able to help you with your chain maintanence program. Next time, after you clean the chain in kerosene, let it dry, then submerge it in parrafin wax that you have heated until it is liquid. After it has cooked for an hour or too, hook the chain out on one end with a bent wire coat hanger, and hang it up so the excess parrafin wax runs back in the coffee can. After it stops dripping, I wipe it down with an old towel while it is still hanging. I use a double boiler idea to do this. In effect, I use an old coffee can to put the wax in, and place that can in a pot of boiling water. If you are married, do yourself a favor and do this outside! You can buy canning wax at the supermarket, or Wal-Mart. Then, when you are done riding, just put the bike on the center stand, and clean the outside of the chain with a paint brush dipped in kerosene, and you are done.

Not a bad idea. Once I get the o ring chain I won't have to worry about cleaning and lubricating the internal components of the chain and can just clean it on the bike.

[jdiggyd]

I know a useful tool for chain link number / sprocket needs is -

http://www.gearingcommander.com

I'm not sure if the Hawk or TT250 is in there but any bike can be added to the community. You just have to know the specs.

[JerryHawk250]

Originally Posted by jdiggyd

I know a useful tool for chain link number / sprocket needs is -

http://www.gearingcommander.com

I'm not sure if the Hawk or TT250 is in there but any bike can be added to the community. You just have to know the specs.

Yes I have used that site and a simpler version is http://www.sprocketcalculator.com/

[Ariel Red Hunter]

Originally Posted by JerryHawk250

Not a bad idea. Once I get the o ring chain I won't have to worry about cleaning and lubricating the internal components of the chain and can just clean it on the bike.

It has worked for me for many years. I usually only had to do the wax routine once a year. I learned about that method from a transplanted English bike mechanic working at my favorite AJS - Matchless shop. Now-a-days, I like Uni-Bear chain you can buy on the internet. It is miles better than what comes on the bike from the factory.

[95C1500]

Originally Posted by JerryHawk250

Thanks, I'll check that one out. Christmas list to myself.
My first trip out I clock it at 74 on my GPS. I took it out Sunday and got up to 72 before I backed off the throttle.

Worth the investment I think. I use it for youtube. It actually does decent for the price (compared o a go pro).

What as your stock top speed? I swear I read your whole thread, but I don't remember off the top of my head haha

[BlackBike]

Originally Posted by Ariel Red Hunter

I may be able to help you with your chain maintanence program. Next time, after you clean the chain in kerosene, let it dry, then submerge it in parrafin wax that you have heated until it is liquid. After it has cooked for an hour or too, hook the chain out on one end with a bent wire coat hanger, and hang it up so the excess parrafin wax runs back in the coffee can. After it stops dripping, I wipe it down with an old towel while it is still hanging. I use a double boiler idea to do this. In effect, I use an old coffee can to put the wax in, and place that can in a pot of boiling water. If you are married, do yourself a favor and do this outside! You can buy canning wax at the supermarket, or Wal-Mart. Then, when you are done riding, just put the bike on the center stand, and clean the outside of the chain with a paint brush dipped in kerosene, and you are done.

Funny how great minds think alike. Hot plate cost $9 at walmart . Had rear wheel off so just put the pan of hot wax under the bike and gave it a trip thru the wax. I also did this to the chain out of box. Regular shots of spray chain wax too. Mutch cleaner than grease. May not work for hardcore Mx but good enough for my purposes.

[JerryHawk250]

Originally Posted by 95C1500

What as your stock top speed? I swear I read your whole thread, but I don't remember off the top of my head haha

63 mph

[Ghenghis]

I just installed the 17t front sprocket, the bike already has the 45t rear. I like it far better this way, I even had the ol Hawk guessometer bouncing around the 72-73mph mark at one point. Driving into a brisk headwind gave me about 63-65mph at best.

I had previously used my phone's GPS to see how accurate the guessometer is and surprisingly it was within 2mph. The odometer/tripometer is a different story, there's no way it's correct, I'm sure it's recording in kilometers.

I'm currently tuning the carb so who knows where I'll end up. As I said, it's much better, now you're not fighting to shift as fast as you can while fumbling to turn off the turn signal hoping the cars behind you don't run you over.

[JerryHawk250]

Originally Posted by Ghenghis

I just installed the 17t front sprocket, the bike already has the 45t rear. I like it far better this way, I even had the ol Hawk guessometer bouncing around the 72-73mph mark at one point. Driving into a brisk headwind gave me about 63-65mph at best.

I had previously used my phone's GPS to see how accurate the guessometer is and surprisingly it was within 2mph. The odometer/tripometer is a different story, there's no way it's correct, I'm sure it's recording in kilometers.

I'm currently tuning the carb so who knows where I'll end up. As I said, it's much better, now you're not fighting to shift as fast as you can while fumbling to turn off the turn signal hoping the cars behind you don't run you over.

My speedo is 1-2 mph off slower. From what I have read I think it is in kilometers.

[JerryHawk250]

Originally Posted by Ariel Red Hunter

It has worked for me for many years. I usually only had to do the wax routine once a year. I learned about that method from a transplanted English bike mechanic working at my favorite AJS - Matchless shop. Now-a-days, I like Uni-Bear chain you can buy on the internet. It is miles better than what comes on the bike from the factory.

I'm heading out this afternoon for 4 day of camping and off-roading. Going to a place I never been before. here's a link. http://www.towertraxatv.com/index.html 2600 + acres over 40 miles of trails. I'll defiantly have to clean and wax the chain after this trip. I'll try paraffin wax. If I had time I would do it before the trip but spent most of last night just getting everything packed up including the generator due to all there sites with electricity are booked. I'll only need it to charge the batteries for lights. No need for AC this time of year.

[BlackBike]

Originally Posted by JerryHawk250

I'm heading out this afternoon for 4 day of camping and off-roading. Going to a place I never been before. here's a link. http://www.towertraxatv.com/index.html 2600 + acres over 40 miles of trails. I'll defiantly have to clean and wax the chain after this trip. I'll try paraffin wax. If I had time I would do it before the trip but spent most of last night just getting everything packed up including the generator due to all there sites with electricity are booked. I'll only need it to charge the batteries for lights. No need for AC this time of year.

Looks like your going to have a blast. Remember to get threw the whole thing thing ALIVE. I would save the beer for later

[JerryHawk250]

Originally Posted by BlackBike

Looks like your going to have a blast. Remember to get threw the whole thing thing ALIVE. I would save the beer for later

Well the trails should be good and dry. It hasn't really rain in months. To think this place was completely under water back in August with the great flood. The place I went to a few weeks ago was the same way. Dry as a bone including the river yet back in August there was about 12 foot of water. Either way I'll make it through it Alive.

[Ariel Red Hunter]

Originally Posted by JerryHawk250

I'm heading out this afternoon for 4 day of camping and off-roading. Going to a place I never been before. here's a link. http://www.towertraxatv.com/index.html 2600 + acres over 40 miles of trails. I'll defiantly have to clean and wax the chain after this trip. I'll try paraffin wax. If I had time I would do it before the trip but spent most of last night just getting everything packed up including the generator due to all there sites with electricity are booked. I'll only need it to charge the batteries for lights. No need for AC this time of year.

Wow, that's some facility. Some of that water is awful deep. Be careful. When you get home you're going to have to strip the bike to clean and re-grease just about every moving part, not just the chain!

[JerryHawk250]

Originally Posted by Ariel Red Hunter

Wow, that's some facility. Some of that water is awful deep. Be careful. When you get home you're going to have to strip the bike to clean and re-grease just about every moving part, not just the chain!

Not all the trails are like that. Besides it hasn't rain in months so should be dry. I'll stick to the beginners and dirt bike trails I like how they describe there cabins. "Here at Tower Trax, we use the term 'cabin' very loosely. There is nothing cute, charming or precious about them! "