Hawk 250 HP and Highway use

[Snyderc99]

Originally Posted by '16 TT250

Mine topped about 60-62, roughly compensating for the slight speedo error. I'm just shy of 6' and weigh about 175lbs. It's supposed to do quite a bit more according to CSC, mine's not broken in and might improve.

Your endeavor of speed is going to involve more than bolt-on mods, you'd have to get into the motor; cam, compression, displacement... You're best bet would be a different engine. The RX3 250 is supposed to put out 24HP, that would easily get you there. Or maybe an older 2 stroke to keep the weight and complexities down.

You could easily find an older Jap bike for 2k that will have the power.

Thats what I orginally wanted to do but I thought there would be multipal compatibility issues...I know this isnt going to be plug and play thing but how would I figure out how to do it.

Also, I KNOW!!! I would love a jap bike but a honda crf or any other bike cost at least $4000

[BARLOW]

Originally Posted by simonjester

I think the Storm has a counter balanced engine, so perhaps a Bashan Storm may be a better choice to start with than a Hawk for you?

with only a carb and jet change on the storm, 55 is about the best cruising speed i can get ... i suspect the header without the cat would help a bit

[BARLOW]

if that 6th gear trans had a smaller 1st gear, i bet 65 would be doable, letting you go smaller with the rear sprocket ... anyone have a link to that 6 speed trans?

[BlackBike]

Does anyone know about the 2 range bikes of the 70's . I saw something about that , wonder if something lile that could be fitted. don't know how they work

Probably would still lead back to the same ol thing, lack of HP.

[Mudflap]

It would be very difficult to put a dual range sub-transmission on one of these engines. They work great on old Trail 90s but do rob some power from the 7 hp engine. The really old Trail 90s had a 78 tooth sprocket that would fit over the 40 tooth for trail riding. On my Lifan 200 I swap between the stock 17t countershaft sprocket and a 15t for trail riding. Only takes a few minutes.

[hertz9753]

Originally Posted by BlackBike

Does anyone know about the 2 range bikes of the 70's . I saw something about that , wonder if something lile that could be fitted. don't know how they work

Probably would still lead back to the same ol thing, lack of HP.

Pretty sure the Honda Trail CT90 and CT110 used dual rear sprockets.

[Wolftrax]

I had a 1971 Suzuki TC120 with a dual range 3 speed transmission. Had a kick lever for shifting ranges on the fly! Even with the street range it was pushin it at 55mph. I'm pretty happy with my Hawk cruising at 57mph. The Hawk is almost as fast off road as on.

[BlackBike]

Originally Posted by hertz9753

Pretty sure the Honda Trail CT90 and CT110 used dual rear sprockets.

I have no idea

Originally Posted by Wolftrax

I had a 1971 Suzuki TC120 with a dual range 3 speed transmission. Had a kick lever for shifting ranges on the fly! Even with the street range it was pushin it at 55mph. I'm pretty happy with my Hawk cruising at 57mph. The Hawk is almost as fast off road as on.

That it, this is what I'm talking a bought. Is it like a derailer on a bicycle?

OK, now begin the posts why it won't work

[hertz9753]

The old Hondas from the 60's and early 70's I think were stop lock, like old 4x4's.

[Wolftrax]

Originally Posted by BlackBike

I have no idea



That it, this is what I'm talking a bought. Is it like a derailer on a bicycle?

OK, now begin the posts why it won't work

No it was a kick over lever called Posi-Select.

[pete]

Suzuki also had a duel range 185 ... "TC185"
was a TS185 with a Hi/lo box on the side..
gave 10 gears....
built for the farmers to poddle around behind
there heard of cows etc...

came in.
TC100
TC125
TC185


..

[pete]

Originally Posted by hertz9753

Pretty sure the Honda Trail CT90 and CT110 used dual rear sprockets.

early ones did...
later 90 then the 110 had a Hi/Lo box...

[BlackBike]

Thanks for posting up !

[Plainsman]

Well this thread answers a lot of my questions. Thanks guys!

[DohcBikes]

Originally Posted by Johnp

Well, I guess you can call me "John P, crusher of dreams", but there is no way to take one of these cheap Hawks and mod it into a reliable highway machine. PERIOD.

Let me explain. And keep in mind that I've done a s*!%load of stuff to mine, and have more parts and mods that I'll be sharing documentation for in the not too distant future. But all the mods in the world won't turn this bike into a Honda or a KTM.

The engine makes about 14 horsepower. In order to get another 10 (like 66% more!) You would need to bore out the motor and do all kinds of stuff. You aren't just going to bolt on 5 horses with a new carb and pipe. People here have done those mods, and no one has reported a 33% power increase.

These bikes run really, really rough. They do not have counterbalanced engines, so the harder you rev them, the more they shake. When cruising along at 40MPH my bike buzzes like it's going to fall apart. Others here have gone on sustained fishing expeditions to get rid of all the buzzing, without complete success.

These bikes also have very weak brakes, which doesn't matter when you aren't going to fast. But they won't stop these things from 75 in an emergency.

The suspensions are super cheap, and super old school.

The seats are uncomfortable for "sustained" rides.

I could go on, but I'll sum up by saying - I LOVE my Hawk! No one is a bigger fan than me. And I can afford literally any vehicle on the planet, so that's saying a lot. But let's not pretend we can turn it into a refined, powerful and reliable bike. It just can't be done. Even if you spent $4,000, you won't have the equivalent of a new $4,000 Honda.

So my advice is, if $2,500 is your budget, find a nice used KTM, Honda or Yamaha. It'll give you what you want with no work, and you'll have higher end, more reliable components all around.

Again, sorry to burst anyone's bubble.

You can afford any vehicle on the planet, yet cannot fathom a Hawk that cruises at 65mph?

My 229cc pushrod powered 200x would cruise at 60, top out at 70, and it only had 4 speeds. I spent roughly $600 building it. And yes, it was highway legal, I rode it 1300 miles in 5 days.