Hawk 250 excessive ticking

swanpuppy · 02-27-2022, 03:25 PM

Hello All, im a new member here, I currently have 2 hawk250s. The first one I adjusted the valves when I got it (at 300 miles) and it runs quietly, light tapping. I just picked up a second one which has a title (at 1300 miles). Test drive went great however on the second day of ownership I noticed it was ticking very very loudly.

I checked the valves, they were super tight. I set them to .003 and .005 (intake exhaust). .002 and .003, .003 each, etc, and the noise is super loud compared to my other bike and there is no change in noise. I have it lined up on the T mark and verified TDC by the finger over the spark plug hole method, by watching the valves (after intake moves its compression stroke), and the results are all the same.

Here is a video showing my first bike versus the second and the noise difference. Am I missing something? Or is this motor bad? I know these bikes tick, but this seems excessive? Or is the first bike in the video TOO quite.

Michigan Sportsman · 02-27-2022, 04:41 PM

The first thing that comes to mind is this YouTube video… “2020 Hawk DLX 250cc Motorcycle Engine Rattle FIXED”, check it out.

Oldenslow · 02-27-2022, 05:03 PM

Sorry, no help here. To my ears it's Engine #1 that sounds like something's about to break...

swanpuppy · 02-28-2022, 08:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Oldenslow

Sorry, no help here. To my ears it's Engine #1 that sounds like something's about to break...

Engine 1 is completely stock with stock carb and it was cold. It was struggling to fire up cold. My main concern is the vastly different noise levels. I will check the clutch cover and see if that changes anything, how loud SHOULD these motors be?

**JerryHawk250** · 02-28-2022, 09:35 AM

I would check the valves again and make sure you were on the compression stroke. Believe me, I've adjusted the valves on several bikes many times and I still managed to do it on the wrong stroke once. I swore up and down I did it right. lol

swanpuppy · 02-28-2022, 09:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JerryHawk250

I would check the valves again and make sure you were on the compression stroke. Believe me, I've adjusted the valves on several bikes many times and I still managed to do it on the wrong stroke once. I swore up and down I did it right. lol

Am I correct in my procedure for setting the valves:. 1. pressure out the spark plug hole and/or after the intake valve opens shows compression stroke.
2. line up the "T" line (not the F or double lines). Adjust to valve settings (currently .002 and .003 intake/exhaust).
3. rotate by hand a few times, recheck settings.

Anything else im missing? I should also note, when I set the valves they are loose and I can move them up/down by hand. Which should indicate compression stroke as well.

TxTaoRider · 02-28-2022, 01:57 PM

Sounds like a leaking exhaust gasket.

swanpuppy · 02-28-2022, 02:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TxTaoRider

Sounds like a leaking exhaust gasket.

thats interesting... this does have an aftermarket exhaust. Ill check that.

swanpuppy · 02-28-2022, 03:39 PM

I loosened then fully tightened down the exhaust after checking the valves one more time. currently at .003 intake and .0035 roughly exhaust. Noise is still there, its 'slightly' quieter but it could be in my head. bike starts up and revs great. I do not believe its the clutch gear being loose, that would sound more like a spinning/grinding noise. This is definitely a tack tack tack sound.

Im going to pull the cover one last time to check the valves and tighten it all down, then I guess ill just run it and hope for the best. If anyone else has suggestions please let me know.

**JerryHawk250** · 02-28-2022, 03:50 PM

It's very possible that the exhaust gasket is leaking as TxTaoRider stated. Tightening the nuts won't help if it has been smashed down to many times. Especially if it still has the stock gasket or a gasket at all left. I would replace the gasket. After listening to the video again it does sound more like an exhaust leak.

swanpuppy · 02-28-2022, 03:58 PM

Great! Ill order one right away and see if it helps. thanks!

swanpuppy · 03-01-2022, 08:32 AM

Just FYI, for the leaking exhaust theory, that second motor does have an aftermarket exhaust on it which gives that lower sound. Im going to swap the gasket regardless this weekend, recheck valves one more time.

TxTaoRider · 03-01-2022, 09:42 AM

Let us know if that fixes it.

swanpuppy · 03-03-2022, 09:50 PM

Alright update time. The exhaust gasket was absolute garbage, so im glad I did replace that. After doing so I rechecked valve lash, .003 intake, .004 exhaust. started it up and the below video was the result: . Exact same noise and consistency. I checked lash after the intake valve went up/down, then on the T line. Intake is carb side, exhaust is exhaust side. I tried pushing on different parts of the motor while running, not sure if just my glove was muffling it or not, tried tightening some bolts down in case it was the frame etc. but the noise follows the revs.

To me it sounds like valves, is there any issue with them this loud or could it be something like rod knock, loose crank shaft? Or should I just run it? I just do not want to blow this thing up so if I can find the issue now, perfect. Its hard to isolate the noise, but it sounds like its on the higher end of the motor on the intake side is more prevalent. Please let me know if anyone has any other ideas. Thanks for the help so far!

China Rider 27 · 03-03-2022, 11:08 PM

Something in that valve train. Initially sounds like loose valve but there spots hear it hit something harder like the valve cover. Look everywhere around the moving parts to see if any sign of clearance issue or wear mark. Peer down inside where the pushrods go anything fall down. Valve spring keepers not deformed or fitting oddly.

02-27-2022, 04:41 PM	#2
Michigan Sportsman Join Date: Feb 2022 Location: Avoca, Michigan Posts: 32	The first thing that comes to mind is this YouTube video… “2020 Hawk DLX 250cc Motorcycle Engine Rattle FIXED”, check it out. __________________ 2021 Hawk DLX 250 2015 Super Hornet 150 2008 Honda VTX1300R 1982 Kawasaki KD80 - (Sold)
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02-28-2022, 09:35 AM	#5
JerryHawk250 Moderator Join Date: Oct 2016 Location: Houma, La. Posts: 11,561	I would check the valves again and make sure you were on the compression stroke. Believe me, I've adjusted the valves on several bikes many times and I still managed to do it on the wrong stroke once. I swore up and down I did it right. lol __________________ 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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02-28-2022, 01:57 PM	#7
TxTaoRider Join Date: Oct 2020 Location: Flower Mound Texas Posts: 904	Sounds like a leaking exhaust gasket. __________________ 2021 Tao Tbr7 - "Lucille" Mods so far- Brozz swingarm, 21" front rim (Bridgestone Tw302 rear/Dunlop D606 front tires), Digital gauge cluster, pz30b pumper carb, after market hand guards, aftermarket brake and clutch levers, round fold away mirrors, Fly handlebars shortened slightly, 13t front sprocket 2009 Q-link Legacy 250 1982 Suzuki GS1100ES - "Jolene"
	1

02-28-2022, 03:50 PM	#10
JerryHawk250 Moderator Join Date: Oct 2016 Location: Houma, La. Posts: 11,561	It's very possible that the exhaust gasket is leaking as TxTaoRider stated. Tightening the nuts won't help if it has been smashed down to many times. Especially if it still has the stock gasket or a gasket at all left. I would replace the gasket. After listening to the video again it does sound more like an exhaust leak. __________________ 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
	0

03-01-2022, 09:42 AM	#13
TxTaoRider Join Date: Oct 2020 Location: Flower Mound Texas Posts: 904	Let us know if that fixes it. __________________ 2021 Tao Tbr7 - "Lucille" Mods so far- Brozz swingarm, 21" front rim (Bridgestone Tw302 rear/Dunlop D606 front tires), Digital gauge cluster, pz30b pumper carb, after market hand guards, aftermarket brake and clutch levers, round fold away mirrors, Fly handlebars shortened slightly, 13t front sprocket 2009 Q-link Legacy 250 1982 Suzuki GS1100ES - "Jolene"
	0

02-27-2022, 03:25 PM	#1
swanpuppy Join Date: Nov 2021 Posts: 17	Hawk 250 excessive ticking Hello All, im a new member here, I currently have 2 hawk250s. The first one I adjusted the valves when I got it (at 300 miles) and it runs quietly, light tapping. I just picked up a second one which has a title (at 1300 miles). Test drive went great however on the second day of ownership I noticed it was ticking very very loudly. I checked the valves, they were super tight. I set them to .003 and .005 (intake exhaust). .002 and .003, .003 each, etc, and the noise is super loud compared to my other bike and there is no change in noise. I have it lined up on the T mark and verified TDC by the finger over the spark plug hole method, by watching the valves (after intake moves its compression stroke), and the results are all the same. Here is a video showing my first bike versus the second and the noise difference. Am I missing something? Or is this motor bad? I know these bikes tick, but this seems excessive? Or is the first bike in the video TOO quite. Last edited by swanpuppy; 02-27-2022 at 04:02 PM.
	0

02-27-2022, 05:03 PM	#3
Oldenslow Join Date: Mar 2020 Posts: 153	Sorry, no help here. To my ears it's Engine #1 that sounds like something's about to break...
	0

02-28-2022, 03:39 PM	#9
swanpuppy Join Date: Nov 2021 Posts: 17	I loosened then fully tightened down the exhaust after checking the valves one more time. currently at .003 intake and .0035 roughly exhaust. Noise is still there, its 'slightly' quieter but it could be in my head. bike starts up and revs great. I do not believe its the clutch gear being loose, that would sound more like a spinning/grinding noise. This is definitely a tack tack tack sound. Im going to pull the cover one last time to check the valves and tighten it all down, then I guess ill just run it and hope for the best. If anyone else has suggestions please let me know.
	0

02-28-2022, 03:58 PM	#11
swanpuppy Join Date: Nov 2021 Posts: 17	Great! Ill order one right away and see if it helps. thanks!
	1

03-01-2022, 08:32 AM	#12
swanpuppy Join Date: Nov 2021 Posts: 17	Just FYI, for the leaking exhaust theory, that second motor does have an aftermarket exhaust on it which gives that lower sound. Im going to swap the gasket regardless this weekend, recheck valves one more time.
	0

03-03-2022, 09:50 PM	#14
swanpuppy Join Date: Nov 2021 Posts: 17	Alright update time. The exhaust gasket was absolute garbage, so im glad I did replace that. After doing so I rechecked valve lash, .003 intake, .004 exhaust. started it up and the below video was the result: . Exact same noise and consistency. I checked lash after the intake valve went up/down, then on the T line. Intake is carb side, exhaust is exhaust side. I tried pushing on different parts of the motor while running, not sure if just my glove was muffling it or not, tried tightening some bolts down in case it was the frame etc. but the noise follows the revs. To me it sounds like valves, is there any issue with them this loud or could it be something like rod knock, loose crank shaft? Or should I just run it? I just do not want to blow this thing up so if I can find the issue now, perfect. Its hard to isolate the noise, but it sounds like its on the higher end of the motor on the intake side is more prevalent. Please let me know if anyone has any other ideas. Thanks for the help so far!
	0

03-03-2022, 11:08 PM	#15
China Rider 27 Join Date: Dec 2018 Location: PNW Posts: 982	Something in that valve train. Initially sounds like loose valve but there spots hear it hit something harder like the valve cover. Look everywhere around the moving parts to see if any sign of clearance issue or wear mark. Peer down inside where the pushrods go anything fall down. Valve spring keepers not deformed or fitting oddly.
	0