New Hawk, new adventures.

[JerryHawk250]

Originally Posted by Megadan

Oh, here, some yadda yadda updating on my Youtubes.

Glad to see you're getting back to the mods again.

[China Rider 27]

Originally Posted by Megadan

Oh, here, some yadda yadda updating on my Youtubes.

Outstanding! Looking forward to the how to video on the camshaft and piston. One on the wheels be good too.

[Megadan]

Originally Posted by China Rider 27

Outstanding! Looking forward to the how to video on the camshaft and piston. One on the wheels be good too.

The wheels may be further down the road, but I can definitely do some video recording action on them. I am still undecided what route I want to go with said wheels.

[Megadan]

On a much less exciting topic. I have concluded that with the oil cooler and using Rotella T6, the oil life is roughly 700-800 miles(ish) before it starts to have a molecular meltdown on my bike. The color of the oil if you ignore the clutch material is still a darker caramel, so it isn't black. So, yes, the oil cooler does help extend the oil life a decent amount. Even with the cooler and the little bit of added capacity, you can only ask so much from a quart and a half of oil.

On the note of the oil cooler and said Rotella T6, I have discovered simply by curiosity that making my own 10w-40 T6 (mixed a half gal of 5w40 with half a gal of 15w40) has created an ideal oil for the current weather (still in the 50's at night, 70-80 during the day). I think the 15W when it is cooler out just doesn't flow as well through the cooler. Not that it was starving for oil, but I noticed the cooler got warm a lot faster, and as a whole it just felt soother/better.

As a side note, I have also noticed that my bike has consumed a little bit of oil. About 1/4 of a quart every 300-400 miles. I have searched high and low for any evidence of leaks and I can find none. Plug shows no evidence of oil burning either, so it is just a very light amount. Now, to be fair I did notice a decent amount of fine metallic particulate in this last oil change, so my rings have also likely still been seating. Side effect of switching to synthetic oil maybe a tad bit early. Considering my bike has gained a bit more pickup recently, I may have finally got the rings seated in at 1500 miles. I will keep an eye on the oil level in the next two or three weeks just to see if it eats any more, or if the rate decreases.

In any case I guess it is a bit of a moot topic since I am going to be doing a whole new cylinder, piston, and rings with the cam install anyway. I guess this time around I will wait a bit longer before making the switch, which is fine because I have some T4 rotella with a ZDDP additive - roughly 3000ppm - to use up which will be good for the new cam break in period.

[wedooit]

Thank you master of masters, Dan, for the video. Great to see you back, hear your voice, and that big Dan grin!!!

[Megadan]

Originally Posted by wedooit

Thank you master of masters, Dan, for the video. Great to see you back, hear your voice, and that big Dan grin!!!

Thank you. I never really left, just had a hard time being involved very much.

[Megadan]

So, it's been a solid week and change since I did the Brozz swing arm + 280mm fast ace shock combination. I have been riding to work as much as I can, even though the low temps have decided to try and make it winter again (36 degrees on Sunday night)

In that 10 days I have put about 200 miles on the bike, and I have come to the conclusion that, for comfort a 1000lb/in spring is hard to beat even for a heavier guy like me. The caveat to that is that it likely needs to be paired with a good damper. The compression damping valving of the Fast Ace shock is far superior to that of the Keogh's shock. It responds much in the same way my fork valves do, allowing for more travel under low speed compression, such as squatting a little during acceleration, but becoming more controlled and a bit firmer on higher speed hits.

As a testament to how well said shock and spring rate are performing, I managed to catch the slightest of air on a "little" bump on a dual track I sometimes frequent, probably only a couple off inches of the ground with both wheels, and it landed and didn't bottom out. Color me impressed. I did that same jump for the first time with my original Hawk before I did any sort of modifications or upgrades of any kind and basically bottomed out both the forks and the rear shock. That exact bump started me on my quest for better suspension.

One thing I have noticed that now needs attention is my fork valving is now too firm with the center of gravity and rake angle changing as much as they did. Low speed is still ok, but the high speed damping needs to be softened up a hair. some bumps are a bit more jarring than they used to be. I might take a turn out of the fork valves here this weekend as I plan to do a fork oil change (it's looking like swamp water).

Engine performance is as good as ever, still makes all the right growls, snarls, and pops. I definitely think I will need to re-pack the muffler at some point, although I am still debating changing to a different, longer, muffler to try and tone the bike down some without putting a big restriction in the system.

Otherwise, gratuitous Hawk photo!

[CaptainKP]

Nice helmet! I had the C3 Pro in an accident a few years back and I dont think I'm any dumber. They even replaced it at cost if I sent it back to them for research. Now I'm using the E1.

Are you still using the fork support bracket? I can't see it in this photo.

[Megadan]

Originally Posted by CaptainKP

Nice helmet! I had the C3 Pro in an accident a few years back and I dont think I'm any dumber. They even replaced it at cost if I sent it back to them for research. Now I'm using the E1.

Are you still using the fork support bracket? I can't see it in this photo.

I am actually waiting for my new helmet to replace the C3. It's had a hard 4 years and is just worn out. Going with a SNELL rated full face with a transitions face shield for my next one. If it would ever ship...


The fork brace has been removed for a while. I took it off to modify it a little and just haven't gotten around to doing it yet. I was going to drill new mount holes higher up and bring it a little closer to the tire. That's just how I operate sometimes. lol

[JerryHawk250]

Originally Posted by Megadan

I am actually waiting for my new helmet to replace the C3. It's had a hard 4 years and is just worn out. Going with a SNELL rated full face with a transitions face shield for my next one. If it would ever ship...


The fork brace has been removed for a while. I took it off to modify it a little and just haven't gotten around to doing it yet. I was going to drill new mount holes higher up and bring it a little closer to the tire. That's just how I operate sometimes. lol

I've been looking at getting a helmet with a transition face shield. That would be a nice feature to have.

That is one snazzy skid plate you have there. lol

[Megadan]

Originally Posted by JerryHawk250

I've been looking at getting a helmet with a transition face shield. That would be a nice feature to have.

Tat is one snazzy skid plate you have there. lol

I want to try a transition shield at least once. Internal sun visors break eventually, ie my schuberth, I don't want to carry around 2 sets of glasses, and I hate swapping face shields. The shields themselves aren't cheap, but compared to buying multiple shields it isn't too bad.

Yeah, that skid plate is nice. Custom made by a guy I know

[JerryHawk250]

Originally Posted by Megadan

I want to try a transition shield at least once. Internal sun visors break eventually, ie my schuberth, I don't want to carry around 2 sets of glasses, and I hate swapping face shields. The shields themselves aren't cheap, but compared to buying multiple shields it isn't too bad.

Yeah, that skid plate is nice. Custom made by a guy I know

That's my thought also. The internal shield is better than two shields But in the early morning or right at dusk the internal shield can be too dark and clear can be too bright. The gradual darkening or lightening would be much better.

Yeah i hear those are very rare skid plates. only a few made. There's a very rare aluminum one out there too. one of a kind. lol

[China Rider 27]

Yaa I talked to a guy about the PWK 30 I bought and he said they had not seen good performance from the power jet. If you think about it, seems kinda like a gimmick, looks good but can it really add anything? Like you said before you can adjust the main to get all you can out of the air flow so just something else to leak or have a problem.

[Megadan]

Originally Posted by China Rider 27

Yaa I talked to a guy about the PWK 30 I bought and he said they had not seen good performance from the power jet. If you think about it, seems kinda like a gimmick, looks good but can it really add anything? Like you said before you can adjust the main to get all you can out of the air flow so just something else to leak or have a problem.

Power jets are a legit thing, but they don't really help 4 stroke engines much. They were developed for 2 stroke race bikes. Since 2 strokes are ultra sensitive to fueling, it gives the ability to run a leaner main jet for better throttle response in the mid to 3/4 throttle ranges, but then provides extra fuel at near wide open throttle or more to allow better top end power without causing a catastrophic lean engine meltdown.

On a 4 stroke, it's not really needed since they are far more forgiving to fueling variations.

Originally Posted by JerryHawk250

I just received two orders from China and took right at two weeks. So not to bad. Whatever you do don't order anything from Italy. That took right at a month.

you got lucky then. The U.S. Mail is suffering from serious delays and slow downs as well as shipping out of China being very delayed. I haven't seen an update on my flywheel puller in 10 days. It took 8 days to priority mail a package from Omaha to Texas, a trip that would normally take 3.

[duck9191]

I've been waiting for some 3d printer parts that were shipping from around 200 miles from me for a month lol. Another package left Detroit the 23rd and hasn't shown up at the next stop yet so im guessing im not getting that one.