Hawk 250 basic questions

SeanM76 · 10-02-2017, 06:41 PM

Ok first I'm trying to find out if the hawk 250 stock carborator has a choke? Every page I've looked at on this topic is hijacked to discuss jets and tuning. I know it needs new jets and the mixture has to be played with. But the questions is simple, does it have a choke?

Next, on the left side of the bike (sitting on it) is the fuel cut off switch. It has stamped images around it that don't tell me much. Which position does what? Does this bike have a back up fuel setting like many others? Which position on this switch does what?

Thanks for any input. I just got this bike, has less than a mile on it still. Already changed the spark plug, and oil. I have new sprockets for front and back (17 and 45 I believe) waiting to put them on till the oring chain is back in stock so I can do it all in one swoop. I have new carb jets but I'm gonna break in the motor before changing them out, it was suggested to me, I don't know why. She also has led underbodies to make it stand out more at night, as I intend on it being more of a street bike than off-road. I'd post a photo but I really don't know how...

JeremyC · 10-02-2017, 07:24 PM

Yes, it has a choke.. right on the side of the carb, fuel petcock settings are as follows: lever part swung down, fuel on.. lever part swung up, reserve.. set towards the front of the bike, fuel off.

SeanM76 · 10-02-2017, 09:08 PM

Hmm, wonder if they used different carbs different years then. Mine has a large thumb screw in the middle for adjusting idol speed, but nothing else on it that moves. Was having trouble getting the bike to run, but after charging the battery all day long it snaps right on. Wondering if maybe I should be replacing the battery with a battery tender from amazon.

ughmas · 10-02-2017, 09:27 PM

what brand and model are stamped on the carb you have? did you buy it new and assemble it or buy it from someone that may have swapped the carb?

Megadan · 10-02-2017, 09:30 PM

Choke is on the left side of the carb (if sitti g on the bike). Black plastic handle.right on the side. That thumb screw you see is on the opposite side of the.choke and is the idle speed screw.

timcosby · 10-02-2017, 11:18 PM

might have to shine a flash light up in there to see it. its hell to find while sitting on the bike

pistolclass · 10-03-2017, 07:32 AM

here is the choke lever:

pistolclass · 10-03-2017, 07:33 AM

If the bike is hard to start, adjust the valves. Huge difference. good luck.

Michigan_Misfit · 10-03-2017, 08:30 AM

Yes it has a choke it is accessible from the left side of the bike just line up with the shut off valve then go down 6 inches and in to the carb you will find a big black lever it has 3 positions all the way down is choke off all the way up is choke on and there is a half choke inbetween

SeanM76 · 10-03-2017, 10:10 AM

Found it! That's a horrible place for it. If the motors got you're gonna burn your hand turning that choke back off.

Here's a picture of it on the bike for anyone else who may be looking in the future:

Oh since I figured out how to do pictures, here's my bike with her red underglows on:

**JerryHawk250** · 10-03-2017, 10:13 AM

Bike looks great.

If you have it tuned right it should start without the chock unless it's cold out. I can't remember the last time I used the chock.

SeanM76 · 10-03-2017, 10:34 AM

Good point Jerry. So let's talk tuning.

I'm at 614 foot above sea level. I bought a whole set of jets on amazon, I'm thinking of going with 110/30. What are the thoughts on this? Would I be better off with something else (other than an entire carb change, that's in my list for next spring)?

This is the set I bought, I'll have to buy the 30 separate I believe:

Amazon Link

What size jets have you all found to work out well at an elevation near mine? Also how hard is it to tune the mixture? I've been around car motors my whole life but admittedly I have no experience with carbs. I can change a camshaft with no problem, but clueless when it comes to tuning a carb.

Ariel Red Hunter · 10-03-2017, 11:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SeanM76

Good point Jerry. So let's talk tuning.

I'm at 614 foot above sea level. I bought a whole set of jets on amazon, I'm thinking of going with 110/30. What are the thoughts on this? Would I be better off with something else (other than an entire carb change, that's in my list for next spring)?

This is the set I bought, I'll have to buy the 30 separate I believe:

Amazon Link

What size jets have you all found to work out well at an elevation near mine? Also how hard is it to tune the mixture? I've been around car motors my whole life but admittedly I have no experience with carbs. I can change a camshaft with no problem, but clueless when it comes to tuning a carb.

It is easy to tune, once you know how it works. If you don't know how it works......it is like being married to the wrong woman.....ARH

**JerryHawk250** · 10-03-2017, 11:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SeanM76

Good point Jerry. So let's talk tuning.

I'm at 614 foot above sea level. I bought a whole set of jets on amazon, I'm thinking of going with 110/30. What are the thoughts on this? Would I be better off with something else (other than an entire carb change, that's in my list for next spring)?

This is the set I bought, I'll have to buy the 30 separate I believe:

Amazon Link

What size jets have you all found to work out well at an elevation near mine? Also how hard is it to tune the mixture? I've been around car motors my whole life but admittedly I have no experience with carbs. I can change a camshaft with no problem, but clueless when it comes to tuning a carb.

I'm at 10' above sea level and had no experience in tuning at higher elevations but with stock exhaust a 110 main should be good. a 115 main if you removed the cat or have an after market exhaust. I'm still running the stock pilot with the idle mixture out 1 1/2 turns and shimmed the needle with 2 small washers and runs perfect for me. Others may be able to help out for the higher elevations. The idle mixture screw is a pain to get to. I lucked out and got dead on the 1st try at 1 1/2 turns out.

SeanM76 · 10-03-2017, 11:36 AM

See I'm glad I asked because I wouldn't have guessed the exhaust made a difference to the carb. I plan on changing out the exhaust as well. Although I'm not doing that till next spring when I completely change out the carb as well.

10-02-2017, 06:41 PM	#1
SeanM76 Join Date: Sep 2017 Location: Toledo, Ohio Posts: 19	Hawk 250 basic questions Ok first I'm trying to find out if the hawk 250 stock carborator has a choke? Every page I've looked at on this topic is hijacked to discuss jets and tuning. I know it needs new jets and the mixture has to be played with. But the questions is simple, does it have a choke? Next, on the left side of the bike (sitting on it) is the fuel cut off switch. It has stamped images around it that don't tell me much. Which position does what? Does this bike have a back up fuel setting like many others? Which position on this switch does what? Thanks for any input. I just got this bike, has less than a mile on it still. Already changed the spark plug, and oil. I have new sprockets for front and back (17 and 45 I believe) waiting to put them on till the oring chain is back in stock so I can do it all in one swoop. I have new carb jets but I'm gonna break in the motor before changing them out, it was suggested to me, I don't know why. She also has led underbodies to make it stand out more at night, as I intend on it being more of a street bike than off-road. I'd post a photo but I really don't know how...
	0

10-02-2017, 09:27 PM	#4
ughmas Join Date: Feb 2016 Location: NY Posts: 172	what brand and model are stamped on the carb you have? did you buy it new and assemble it or buy it from someone that may have swapped the carb? __________________ 2005 CBR600RR 2016 CSC TT250 Coming Soon
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10-02-2017, 09:30 PM	#5
Megadan Join Date: Apr 2017 Location: Omaha, NE Posts: 7,976	Choke is on the left side of the carb (if sitti g on the bike). Black plastic handle.right on the side. That thumb screw you see is on the opposite side of the.choke and is the idle speed screw. __________________ Hawk Information and Resource guide: http://www.chinariders.net/showthread.php?t=20331 2018 Hawk 250 - Full Mod list here. http://www.chinariders.net/showpost....62&postcount=1 2024 Royal Enfield Shotgun 650 https://chinariders.net/showthread.php?t=34124
	2

10-02-2017, 11:18 PM	#6
timcosby Join Date: Nov 2016 Location: robertsdale alabama usa Posts: 1,007	might have to shine a flash light up in there to see it. its hell to find while sitting on the bike __________________ 1991 harley heritage softail classic 2016 hawk kaw h1 400 tripple 13' long chopper in progress 2009 johnny pag bar hog 2004 hd electra glide ultra classic shriner edition 1997 harley davidson 1200 sportster 1972 harley davidson amf sx250
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10-03-2017, 10:13 AM	#11
JerryHawk250 Moderator Join Date: Oct 2016 Location: Houma, La. Posts: 11,551	Bike looks great. If you have it tuned right it should start without the chock unless it's cold out. I can't remember the last time I used the chock. __________________ 2023 Lifan Lycan 250 Chopper 2023 Venom Evader 2022 Lifan KPX250 2020 Kawasaki Vulcan S 2004 Honda ST 1300 2016 Black Hawk 250 (sold) Keihin PE30 carb,125 main,38 slow.Pod filter,ported & decked head 10:1 CR,Direct Ignition Coil,15/40Sprockets,NGK DPR8EIX-9,De-Cat,Dual Oil Cooler,Digital Cluster 2016 Cazador180 XL 2014 Coolster150 JerryHawk250.com My YouTube Channel
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10-02-2017, 07:24 PM	#2
JeremyC Join Date: Apr 2017 Location: Southern IL Posts: 132	Yes, it has a choke.. right on the side of the carb, fuel petcock settings are as follows: lever part swung down, fuel on.. lever part swung up, reserve.. set towards the front of the bike, fuel off.
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10-02-2017, 09:08 PM	#3
SeanM76 Join Date: Sep 2017 Location: Toledo, Ohio Posts: 19	Hmm, wonder if they used different carbs different years then. Mine has a large thumb screw in the middle for adjusting idol speed, but nothing else on it that moves. Was having trouble getting the bike to run, but after charging the battery all day long it snaps right on. Wondering if maybe I should be replacing the battery with a battery tender from amazon.
	0

10-03-2017, 07:33 AM	#8
pistolclass Join Date: Oct 2015 Location: connecticut Posts: 978	If the bike is hard to start, adjust the valves. Huge difference. good luck.
	0

10-03-2017, 08:30 AM	#9
Michigan_Misfit Join Date: Sep 2017 Posts: 6	Yes it has a choke it is accessible from the left side of the bike just line up with the shut off valve then go down 6 inches and in to the carb you will find a big black lever it has 3 positions all the way down is choke off all the way up is choke on and there is a half choke inbetween
	1

10-03-2017, 10:10 AM	#10
SeanM76 Join Date: Sep 2017 Location: Toledo, Ohio Posts: 19	Found it! That's a horrible place for it. If the motors got you're gonna burn your hand turning that choke back off. Here's a picture of it on the bike for anyone else who may be looking in the future: Oh since I figured out how to do pictures, here's my bike with her red underglows on:
	2

10-03-2017, 10:34 AM	#12
SeanM76 Join Date: Sep 2017 Location: Toledo, Ohio Posts: 19	Good point Jerry. So let's talk tuning. I'm at 614 foot above sea level. I bought a whole set of jets on amazon, I'm thinking of going with 110/30. What are the thoughts on this? Would I be better off with something else (other than an entire carb change, that's in my list for next spring)? This is the set I bought, I'll have to buy the 30 separate I believe: Amazon Link What size jets have you all found to work out well at an elevation near mine? Also how hard is it to tune the mixture? I've been around car motors my whole life but admittedly I have no experience with carbs. I can change a camshaft with no problem, but clueless when it comes to tuning a carb.
	0

10-03-2017, 11:36 AM	#15
SeanM76 Join Date: Sep 2017 Location: Toledo, Ohio Posts: 19	See I'm glad I asked because I wouldn't have guessed the exhaust made a difference to the carb. I plan on changing out the exhaust as well. Although I'm not doing that till next spring when I completely change out the carb as well.
	0