Hawk 250 Overland Travel Bike?

[Wolftrax]

Engine work, ported and polished head, inspect clutch, cleaned centrifugal oil filter and last but not least will plane head and lap valves.

[JerryHawk250]

Nice job on the port work. Just curious, how many miles you have on it? How much you take off the head?

[Wolftrax]

Originally Posted by JerryHawk250

Nice job on the port work. Just curious, how many miles you have on it? How much you take off the head?

I've got approx 4500 miles on it. I'm just going to make sure the head isn't warped, even it out.

[Megadan]

Alright, another ported head added to the list! Even without the added compression it will make a nice difference in the upper RPM range and avoid the extra heat and pressure on the bearings as well. Good idea for a long distance overland build.

I saw you were looking at a 520 chain conversion as well. I have the part numbers listed in the link in my signature if you need them.

[Wolftrax]

Originally Posted by Megadan

Alright, another ported head added to the list! Even without the added compression it will make a nice difference in the upper RPM range and avoid the extra heat and pressure on the bearings as well. Good idea for a long distance overland build.

I saw you were looking at a 520 chain conversion as well. I have the part numbers listed in the link in my signature if you need them.

Hey Dan, already been to the link, really appreciate having all the info in the same place.

[Megadan]

Originally Posted by Wolftrax

Hey Dan, already been to the link, really appreciate having all the info in the same place.

It needed to be done. It's far from complete, so if you think you have some info that should be there but you don't see, then let me know.

[Wolftrax]

Waiting on parts. Gasket set, spokes, universal rear fender, chain slider, and bearings. Decided to fab up some side racks for soft bags.

[Wolftrax]

I'd like to share my obsession with why I think the humble Hawk would make a great travel companion in the developing world. On my trip through Central and South America last year the overwhelming majority of motorcycles encountered we're Chinese CG variants, I'm talking a 1000 to every one of everything else. It occurred to me that riding my Honda CRF250L was a good choice due to it's inherent reliability however, if I ever needed a critical part and I wasn't near a large city, I was SOL. On the other hand, taller de motos ( motorcycle shops) for the locals, riding Chinese motos were everywhere. Now given the choice of of spending a couple of days or more waiting on that genuine Honda part or doing a complete engine R and R in a couple of hours at a roadside shop, the value of the Chinese bike increases.
Another thing that is totally unnecessary is big bore high HP Adv bikes. The only advantage they have is collecting speeding tickets. Crusing at 90 kph is all you really need.
Viva el Hawk.

[Wolftrax]

After the porting and valve grind I buttoned her back up and did a compression test. Pretty happy with 165 number. Was thinking aboit at least doing a ring job, bit my cylinder looked really clean, no scoring no nothing. Not bad for a 4500 mile engine��

[Megadan]

Originally Posted by Wolftrax

After the porting and valve grind I buttoned her back up and did a compression test. Pretty happy with 165 number. Was thinking aboit at least doing a ring job, bit my cylinder looked really clean, no scoring no nothing. Not bad for a 4500 mile engine��

That is right around where my hawk floats as far as compression goes. I would call that pretty healthy

[Wolftrax]

Took the frame to the welder today to check the welds and straighten the foot pegs. In the interim I decided to start on the seat.

The stock seat suffers from poor quality foam and the obnoxious hump. I'm also going to make it a bit wider in the hip area.

Phase 1, remove cover, cut stock foam, measure and cut 6lb carpet pad to fit cutout. Glue in place and rough shape with knife. Need a sharpie a serrated edge knife, scissors and spray adhesive.

[rjmorel]

Wolf where do you get the 4 fingered tool for removing/ tightening the slinger nut ? rj

[JerryHawk250]

This will work for the clutch and centrifugal oil filter.
https://www.ebay.com/itm/Honda-Oil-F...lZX~UP&vxp=mtr


https://www.motosport.com/product/?a...segment=badger

You can also take an old socket and grinder and make you own.

[Wolftrax]

Originally Posted by rjmorel

Wolf where do you get the 4 fingered tool for removing/ tightening the slinger nut ? rj

I just use a punch and a 5lb hammer. Been using that method for years and nary a problem.

[Wolftrax]

Got the the tank cleaned up. Also chopped 6" off the seat to make room for an Acerbis auxiliary tank to mount on the frame rails. The seat came out pretty well if I say so myself. It's wider, flatter and firmer.