So I have had two Hawks in my life. The first one was when my GF (now fiancee) was looking for something to replace her problematic CB360 that was driving us both crazy. We both wrench and ride and while we thought that 360 was a good buy, it turned out to be a real mess. She ended up finding a repainted Hawk listed as "motorcycle" and when she was looking into it, I knew what it was and realized it would be a great buy, even if it needed attention. It did, but the things it did need were no big deal. It was her main ride for several years until she bought a Vstrom that was more inline with her style of riding (distance and she needed something with good panniers).
Around that time I also found a Blue '88 listed for sale with no title but it was a storage locker find and had its keys. It was in beautiful shape despite sitting. I lived in Michigan at the time and re-titling a bike is challenging, but not impossible. So I went through the motions. I had intended to keep it but a good friend of mine was looking for a nice motorcycle to ride with her husband and so I offered it to her and she bought it.
That was about 6 years ago. I had since moved for work but kept in touch with her and her husband (all of us pals through vintage mopeds) regularly via Discord and gaming. She was looking to upgrade to a Rebel 500, something a bit more relaxed and better geared to her style of riding. The Hawk was a good choice, but a cruiser would be better...it was just there were no good cruisers her size and taste until the 500 came along. So she talked about selling it...I immediately told her I would buy it back! And I did. I'm so stoked. My own riding has changed, I don't do distance riding anymore really and I have had several liter-bike sport tourers up to my current BMW R1100RT but I'm just not using it for what it is meant for. It's not as fun. So this timing was perfect.
I got it home and looked it over. It needs a little attention and a bath. I was surprised at the condition of the tires, large age cracking. Its so bad, I decided not to ride it until I put on new rubber. Otherwise just some dustiness from being stored in a garage and not ridden a whole lot. But starting it up, it sounded great. I'm really looking forward to riding it once again! I'm not going to make the same mistake twice, this one is staying in the stable! My fiance is stoked as well, she really didn't want to sell her Hawk but she wasn't riding it. Of course I'll let her ride this one! Once in a while...
PS the CB550 belonged to my uncle and was one of those "get around to it" projects but he wisely realized he would not and was more interested in bicycles anyway. Its in crazy good "barn find" shape. It will need the regular wear things but besides a good tune up and carb cleaning I think it will not need much at all. He just let me have it, with the caveat that if I ever sell it, he gets some of the profit. Sorry Uncle, this one is also staying! It just made sense to pick this up while I was getting the Hawk back.
Around that time I also found a Blue '88 listed for sale with no title but it was a storage locker find and had its keys. It was in beautiful shape despite sitting. I lived in Michigan at the time and re-titling a bike is challenging, but not impossible. So I went through the motions. I had intended to keep it but a good friend of mine was looking for a nice motorcycle to ride with her husband and so I offered it to her and she bought it.
That was about 6 years ago. I had since moved for work but kept in touch with her and her husband (all of us pals through vintage mopeds) regularly via Discord and gaming. She was looking to upgrade to a Rebel 500, something a bit more relaxed and better geared to her style of riding. The Hawk was a good choice, but a cruiser would be better...it was just there were no good cruisers her size and taste until the 500 came along. So she talked about selling it...I immediately told her I would buy it back! And I did. I'm so stoked. My own riding has changed, I don't do distance riding anymore really and I have had several liter-bike sport tourers up to my current BMW R1100RT but I'm just not using it for what it is meant for. It's not as fun. So this timing was perfect.
I got it home and looked it over. It needs a little attention and a bath. I was surprised at the condition of the tires, large age cracking. Its so bad, I decided not to ride it until I put on new rubber. Otherwise just some dustiness from being stored in a garage and not ridden a whole lot. But starting it up, it sounded great. I'm really looking forward to riding it once again! I'm not going to make the same mistake twice, this one is staying in the stable! My fiance is stoked as well, she really didn't want to sell her Hawk but she wasn't riding it. Of course I'll let her ride this one! Once in a while...
PS the CB550 belonged to my uncle and was one of those "get around to it" projects but he wisely realized he would not and was more interested in bicycles anyway. Its in crazy good "barn find" shape. It will need the regular wear things but besides a good tune up and carb cleaning I think it will not need much at all. He just let me have it, with the caveat that if I ever sell it, he gets some of the profit. Sorry Uncle, this one is also staying! It just made sense to pick this up while I was getting the Hawk back.
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