2nd Time Around

[zipster]

Hi, I'm Sten and I just picked up my second Blue 88 Hawk today - an exact match for the one I bought as a student 30 years ago then proceeded to ride it coast to coast, rode the wheels off of it for several years, sold it when I moved to NYC, and regretted it ever since. A whole series of ever faster and bigger bikes followed, but never completely scratched the itch, so here I am. This one is in really good, completely stock condition, with just under 10K miles. I was able to ride it a bit, and besides a bit of carb tuning, everything looks and felt pretty good. It'll definitely need a thorough going through and probably replacement of everything rubber, but it's worth it, and this one won't be getting away...

I live on Long Island, and hope to have it on the road regularly by summer!

[Fastmongrel]

Looks great almost brand new.

[69Falcon]

Welcome back to the fold! You should come up for the rally weekend!

[zipster]

What's the story? when/where/what do you guys do on a rally weekend?

[The Cheese]

Oh my. Stock turn signals.

Looks great. Congrats on the purchase.

[Ziggy]

That is a beautiful bike. Although I have a restomod Hawk at heart I am a purist and appreciate low mile stock Hawks.
I will get push back for this statement but don't do anything to that beautiful bike that can't be easily returned to stock.
Great find and congrats.

[zipster]

Absolutely. No plans to significantly mod this one, and nothing permanent - braided brake lines, maybe a slip on/jet kit, possibly slightly smaller turn signals if they start bugging me, but that's about it - Oh, and less hideous mirrors - the mirrors just look wrong. I did a fair number of mods on my first one, and frankly, realized that the more I changed it, the less I liked it!

[jspeed53]

Hello Zipster!

The Blue Hawks are the prettiest!

[Ziggy]

Absolutely. No plans to significantly mod this one, and nothing permanent - braided brake lines, maybe a slip on/jet kit, possibly slightly smaller turn signals if they start bugging me, but that's about it - Oh, and less hideous mirrors - the mirrors just look wrong. I did a fair number of mods on my first one, and frankly, realized that the more I changed it, the less I liked it!

The mirrors on your bike are not stock.
Not nit picking.

[zipster]

Thanks & Hi to you guys as well!

Yeah, funny thing on the mirrors - the bike came with "a box of parts" - which included exactly one pair of brake pads, and 3 random extra sets of mirrors! (none original!, but none any better looking either!))

[BillnOroville]

Welcome aboard. Very nice looking Blue Hawk. Should be close to showroom with a little polishing. Many things can be done that will improve it but still let you keep it pretty close to stock appearance if that is what you wish.

I changed air intake to pods and put in a jet kit along with a Short Fuel slip on muffler setup. I imagine tires are old so good tires help. I really like the Michelin Pilot power 2CT's on my blue Hawk. More expensive changes that do not detract from stock are GVE and Racetec springs in the forks and a new rear shock. I added a small screen that helps keep the wind off your chest when freeway riding. The red bike has looked like this for many years since 2016 when I got it. Both have stock turn signals. Oh, they both have a tail tidy thing done. I do have a stock seat saved too. I only changed the radiators because I ride in 100+ days where I live (not really needed but I feel better about it).

Have fun with you new Hawk.



IMG_6580.jpg SEPT2019..jpg

[jspeed53]

zipster - In the summer months (June-Sept) I will be in Hampton Bays, maybe get together for a ride? Have you heard or read about the “Woodstock” of Hawk events known as CTHR? It is camping (optional), wrenching (optional), Brazilian BBQ(mandatory), bench racing and beer ... yeah there’s some riding too! Hawkers from all over the country will be there. Look for the CTHR thread in Announcements section of the Forum.

[6]

What's the story? when/where/what do you guys do on a rally weekend?

Bikes, beer, BBQ, and more bikes, at Chuck's house end of July beginning of August.

He has a basement full of bunk beds and then they fill, a yard great for camping. Plus he lives on a pretty fun few like loop if you need to test out some recently done work.

We hang out, work on bikes, talk about bikes, ride bikes, and eat. That's about it for two days.

Up in Elmira by the pa/ny border.

[harpo]

zipster , welcome. Very nice Hawk! I like the Blue Hawks as well. Really good find.

[zipster]

Hello Zipster!

The Blue Hawks are the prettiest!

Thanks & I completely agree on Blue!