breathing problem question

[karen]

normally my hawk runs just fine. but riding into really high winds that are hitting the bike from the front at about 1 o'clock when you are sitting on it, the engine tends to cut out at slower speeds. if you keep the speed above 65 mph, there aren't any problems. what is this? is it normal?

for the record, I hate riding in high winds anyway, so it doesn't cause that much of a problem for me. but I'd still like to know.....

[MrDude_1]

umm, no thats not normal.. but i havent the slightest clue what it could be..

[karen]

umm, no thats not normal.. but i havent the slightest clue what it could be..

since it runs fine, except during really high winds at a certain angle, I'd feel a little stupid taking it to a mechanic and asking "what the hell is that?"

I just figured with this many hawk people on one site, surely somebody has run into this, that, or my bike is just possessed. :P

[icycle]

Oddly enough my bike used to hesitate a little when I rode in high winds that hit the bike at an angle like that. I too didn't ride alot in the high winds so it was few and far between when it did happen. I put in a jet kit and uni pods over the winter and haven't had a problem in high winds yet.
Hope that helps a little.

[karen]

Oddly enough my bike used to hesitate a little when I rode in high winds that hit the bike at an angle like that. I too didn't ride alot in the high winds so it was few and far between when it did happen. I put in a jet kit and uni pods over the winter and haven't had a problem in high winds yet.
Hope that helps a little.

THANKS!!! its nice to know I'm not losing it.

[gred11]

Sounds like the higher wind velocity is causing a low pressure around the air intake and starving the bike?

[MrDude_1]

Sounds like the higher wind velocity is causing a low pressure around the air intake and starving the bike?

id like to guess that, with the snorkle inlet being at that 1oclock position... but i just cant see that happening... lol.

id be more inclined to believe a wire shorting out or something like that before jumping to that.

[karen]

if you keep on the throttle, it won't hesitate at higher speeds. its kind like someone pinched off the gas just for an instant, it bogs down, but then comes right back.

so, all I can think of, speaking as someone who's not mechanically inclined, too much air seems to be affecting the gas flow or choking it. sound weird??

[Hordpower]

Hawks are well-known for this. Crosswinds cause a bit of fuel starvation due to the carburetor bowl vent hose location. Either move the bowl vent hose outlet to a new location or remove it completely. It's the black hose that comes from the tops of the carbs and forms a "T".

[karen]

since hawks are few and far between, nobody knew what I was talking about, they'd look at me like I'm nuts, especially since conditions had to be just right for it to happen. its great to have a group this big that are all tuned into the same motorcycle and know its quirks.

[bk94si]

Thanks for that tip and for asking the question. I have been meaning to ask that for a while. I remembered it had something to do with a tube coming from the carbs but I could not remember the details. Mine has had that problem for a LLOONNGG time (I've had it since 1992).

Now, I will have to wait for the wind to blow and see how it does.

[bk94si]

I finally had some wind last week. It run much better. I can't believe I lived with it for 15 year like that. Thanks again.

[squirrelman]

the sidewind problem was noted in original Hawk write-up in Motorcyclist magazine way back in '88.....................

[JR]

Didn't Hawkworks suggest making up some blocking plates to put on the frame to stop the problem?

I can hear the silence and the question now being asked
"Whats Hawkworks "?

[bk94si]

I still have some old copies somewhere.