Hawk/Storm with Stock Carb

Sport Rider · 05-20-2016, 10:30 PM

who is still running the stock carb on their Hawk or Storm? many of us have taken the "popular" route of the Mikuni knockoffs. I'm curious who is running the stock carb and what kind of jets and settings are you running.

I still have my stock carb and may try tinkering with it and swapping out to see if I can determine which works better for me.

thanks!

pcspecialist · 05-20-2016, 10:50 PM

I have the stock Hawk carb with the needle shimmed and a 110 large round main jet. I see no reason to swap it for a questionable Mikuni knockoff.

lefty · 05-20-2016, 10:56 PM

I am at 2 turns out on idle jet and main needle i have shimed with a plastic washer; at cold startup needs 1/2 choke and a twist plus on idle screw, drop choke soon then back off idle in a bit. Elevation 500 to 900 ft above sea level, no mods to air flow, but NGK plug 45 degree mornings 55 mph top indicated stock gauges. stock 15/50 gearing seems to work ok but I have not asked too much of it as yet.

Best,
Lefty

2015 Hawk 250
1972 Honda CT70
Lost along the way;
1982 GS1100L
1983 Honda 185s 2ea.
1974 Puch 175mx
Right Arm

NightHawk82 · 05-20-2016, 10:58 PM

I've had very little luck with the stock carb even with the correct jetting they just aren't on par, I would go ahead & get the (Mikuni) you won't be disappointed the quality is just way better & so is the tune-ability. I've always put Mikuni carbs on all my bikes & they haven't failed me yet.

Sport Rider · 05-20-2016, 11:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NightHawk82

I've had very little luck with the stock carb even with the correct jetting they just aren't on par, I would go ahead & get the (Mikuni) you won't be disappointed the quality is just way better & so is the tune-ability. I've always put Mikuni carbs on all my bikes & they haven't failed me yet.

I got the mikuni and put it on mine too. I'm not really questioning which is better. just wanting to know from those who are running stockers how they have them set up.

I haven't even drilled the caps out of the stock carb yet. one of these days my project list will get small enough for it to make it to the top.

Johnp · 05-21-2016, 01:46 AM

With all of about 55 miles on my Hawk, I'm still running the stock carb. Though I already bought a Mikuni that I plan on swapping eventually. I'm just waiting to get 500 miles on the bike before doing so.

The stock is actually working fine for me with one notable exception. My bike will absolutely not idle when cold without constantly applying throttle. No matter if I choke it or not. And this is in Texas when it's like 80 degrees out, so it shouldn't even need choke.

I'm sure there is probably an adjustment I could make, but I think I'll have to remove the carb to do it, and that isn't worth it unless I'm going to swap it for the new one. So I'm living with it for now, because after a couple minutes of warming up it idles just fine.

I also need to check the valve adjustment. But haven't gotten around to it yet. I know a lot of people reported that the bike came way too tight from the factory, so I'm worried about it and need to pull the top off and see. But this will be my first valve adjustment and I'm a little apprehensive about it. But that's for another thread...

pcspecialist · 05-21-2016, 02:35 AM

valve adjustment couldn't be any easier on the Hawk. You really shouldn't put it off any longer.

Sport Rider · 05-21-2016, 09:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Johnp

With all of about 55 miles on my Hawk, I'm still running the stock carb. Though I already bought a Mikuni that I plan on swapping eventually. I'm just waiting to get 500 miles on the bike before doing so.

The stock is actually working fine for me with one notable exception. My bike will absolutely not idle when cold without constantly applying throttle. No matter if I choke it or not. And this is in Texas when it's like 80 degrees out, so it shouldn't even need choke.

I'm sure there is probably an adjustment I could make, but I think I'll have to remove the carb to do it, and that isn't worth it unless I'm going to swap it for the new one. So I'm living with it for now, because after a couple minutes of warming up it idles just fine.

I also need to check the valve adjustment. But haven't gotten around to it yet. I know a lot of people reported that the bike came way too tight from the factory, so I'm worried about it and need to pull the top off and see. But this will be my first valve adjustment and I'm a little apprehensive about it. But that's for another thread...

as stated....valve adj is easy...don't put it off. as for the idle....have you adjusted your pilot screw at all? do you know what it's set at?

w0ss · 05-21-2016, 10:45 AM

I never did a valve adjustment either and the toughest part I found was there was absolutely zero gap from the factory. I had to use a pair of pliers to loosen the adjustment screw. My bike idles much better now.

culcune · 05-21-2016, 09:17 PM

I am curious to see if anyone has kept their carb bone stock for a significant length of time. When I had my TMEC 200, I changed the rear sprocket (the counter-sprocket was already a street-friendly-ish 17 tooth), and kept the carb stock. I rode the bike for about 10k miles without ever touching the carb or the valves. It had suffered a SUV/TMEC accident (I suffered, too) with about 3000 miles, so the last 7000 were miles in which things that were banged up in the accident got worse and worse, and things started falling apart or off. However the engine kept going and going, and will probably still start!

If I purchase a Hawk for commuting, as well as a couple thousand mile detour through Baja with member 'Wolftrax' on his Hawk as he makes his way to Argentina, I would be curious if it is really a bike from a box like my TMEC (changing both sprockets, however, vs. just the rear on the TMEC), or will it need the carb (I already assume the valve job)?

pcspecialist · 05-28-2016, 11:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NightHawk82

I've had very little luck with the stock carb even with the correct jetting they just aren't on par, I would go ahead & get the (Mikuni) you won't be disappointed the quality is just way better & so is the tune-ability. I've always put Mikuni carbs on all my bikes & they haven't failed me yet.

Where did you get your "Mikuni" and what jets?

05-20-2016, 10:30 PM	#1
Sport Rider Join Date: Jan 2016 Location: Mooresville NC Posts: 2,038	Hawk/Storm with Stock Carb who is still running the stock carb on their Hawk or Storm? many of us have taken the "popular" route of the Mikuni knockoffs. I'm curious who is running the stock carb and what kind of jets and settings are you running. I still have my stock carb and may try tinkering with it and swapping out to see if I can determine which works better for me. thanks!
	0

05-21-2016, 01:46 AM	#6
Johnp Join Date: Apr 2016 Location: Dallas, TX Posts: 65	With all of about 55 miles on my Hawk, I'm still running the stock carb. Though I already bought a Mikuni that I plan on swapping eventually. I'm just waiting to get 500 miles on the bike before doing so. The stock is actually working fine for me with one notable exception. My bike will absolutely not idle when cold without constantly applying throttle. No matter if I choke it or not. And this is in Texas when it's like 80 degrees out, so it shouldn't even need choke. I'm sure there is probably an adjustment I could make, but I think I'll have to remove the carb to do it, and that isn't worth it unless I'm going to swap it for the new one. So I'm living with it for now, because after a couple minutes of warming up it idles just fine. I also need to check the valve adjustment. But haven't gotten around to it yet. I know a lot of people reported that the bike came way too tight from the factory, so I'm worried about it and need to pull the top off and see. But this will be my first valve adjustment and I'm a little apprehensive about it. But that's for another thread... __________________ John P. 2016 Hawk 250 - Black All my mods are documented on my Blog! My Blog \| Google+ \| Twitter \| Facebook
	0

05-21-2016, 09:17 PM	#10
culcune Join Date: May 2006 Location: Yuma, Arizona Posts: 9,035	I am curious to see if anyone has kept their carb bone stock for a significant length of time. When I had my TMEC 200, I changed the rear sprocket (the counter-sprocket was already a street-friendly-ish 17 tooth), and kept the carb stock. I rode the bike for about 10k miles without ever touching the carb or the valves. It had suffered a SUV/TMEC accident (I suffered, too) with about 3000 miles, so the last 7000 were miles in which things that were banged up in the accident got worse and worse, and things started falling apart or off. However the engine kept going and going, and will probably still start! If I purchase a Hawk for commuting, as well as a couple thousand mile detour through Baja with member 'Wolftrax' on his Hawk as he makes his way to Argentina, I would be curious if it is really a bike from a box like my TMEC (changing both sprockets, however, vs. just the rear on the TMEC), or will it need the carb (I already assume the valve job)? __________________ "They say that life's a carousel, spinning fast you got to ride it well..." TGB Delivery Scooter 150 TMEC 200 Enduro--carcass is sadly rotting in the backyard
	0

05-20-2016, 10:50 PM	#2
pcspecialist Join Date: May 2016 Posts: 583	I have the stock Hawk carb with the needle shimmed and a 110 large round main jet. I see no reason to swap it for a questionable Mikuni knockoff.
	1

05-20-2016, 10:56 PM	#3
lefty Join Date: Apr 2016 Location: New Hampshire Posts: 46	I am at 2 turns out on idle jet and main needle i have shimed with a plastic washer; at cold startup needs 1/2 choke and a twist plus on idle screw, drop choke soon then back off idle in a bit. Elevation 500 to 900 ft above sea level, no mods to air flow, but NGK plug 45 degree mornings 55 mph top indicated stock gauges. stock 15/50 gearing seems to work ok but I have not asked too much of it as yet. Best, Lefty 2015 Hawk 250 1972 Honda CT70 Lost along the way; 1982 GS1100L 1983 Honda 185s 2ea. 1974 Puch 175mx Right Arm
	0

05-21-2016, 02:35 AM	#7
pcspecialist Join Date: May 2016 Posts: 583	valve adjustment couldn't be any easier on the Hawk. You really shouldn't put it off any longer.
	0

05-21-2016, 10:45 AM	#9
w0ss Join Date: May 2016 Posts: 231	I never did a valve adjustment either and the toughest part I found was there was absolutely zero gap from the factory. I had to use a pair of pliers to loosen the adjustment screw. My bike idles much better now.
	0