Bought my first 88 hawk

[Hadfield]

Hello forum members. Have been wanting a hawk for years ever since they came out new and I was working at a Honda dealership. Finally came across a really nice 1988 hawk and bought it. Pretty much stock except the aftermarket two bros. pipe. Looking forward to riding it and enjoying staring at it. I would seriously park it in the house if the wife would allow lol. Any advice you can provide would be greatly appreciated.
cheers

[69Falcon]

Welcome aboard! Basic maintenance is usually all they need. But at 35 years old, check the Cush rubbers, fuel lines, brake lines, basically all the rubber bits that wear out. And post pics!

[Captain 80s]

Congrats. I was in the exact same boat, always wanting one since working in a dealership (starting in the early 90's). Always thought one would come along. Then they got relatively "expensive" for good ones. I didn't want a stock one and the right starter kit finally came along last year... a 1988.

Have fun! I sure have been.

Pics!!

[Hadfield]

I pick it up in a couple days and will definitely post some pics. Thanks hawk community

[6]

Congrats on the hawk.

hawk is a good thing to have. If you want to get the most out of that bike there are a million mods you can do, almost all documented here. The big three,

Suspension. Rear shock replacement, front fork rebuild with springs and emulators.
Brakes. Most can get away with fresh fluid, new pads and braided lines.
Power. Pipe, pods, jet kit.

You already ahve a pipe, may want to see whats under that gas tank.


Welcome!

[Hadfield]

Yes fork seemed pretty spongy and soft. First I will change oil and filter, brake fluid, coolant change, air filter, carb clean, brake pads front and back, new rubber. Any recommendations for stock rubber and options/brands that work well. Also is it advisable to run full synthetic oil in this thing or just Dino oil. Thinking same weight oil as I run in my Africa twin?

[6]

Dino oil. Thinking same weight oil as I run in my Africa twin?

Yup... This.

IMO modern tires are so good about anything, even the budget tires are more than capable for even aggressive street riding. Racetrack is a different story. A few years back you had to swap to a 3.5" front and 5" or 5.5" rear wheel to get good tires. With a lot of the newer lightweight bikes out there it seams more manufactures are making tires that work with the hawks stock wheels. ,.


Braided line/s with the brake pads make a HUGE difference. Stock hawk brakes with some good pads, fresh fluid and a braided line are really decent if you only have one person on the bike. Add that second body and you start to wish for more (there are 462 million brake swap options around here).

[69Falcon]

You can get a lot of the consumables and suspension stuff at Hordpower.com the proprietor JD Hord is a member here.

[Superdukerider]

Congrats. I was in the exact same boat, always wanting one since working in a dealership (starting in the early 90's). Always thought one would come along. Then they got got "relatively" expensive for good ones. I didn't want a stock one and the right starter kit finally came along last year... a 1988.

Have fun! I sure have been.

Pics!!

You are not the one told me to go away when I asked about that RC30 sitting in the showroom at the cycle barn are you?

[Captain 80s]

You are not the one told me to go away when I asked about that RC30 sitting in the showroom at the cycle barn are you?

Hah! Nope, didn't work at "Psycho" Barn.

They actually just tore down the original building on the corner (I weirdly work across the street right now). And that was just a week after going to Jeanette Boltz's memorial, who she and her husband Jim started the Cycle Barn "empire".

1107113201521709557.jpg

[Hadfield]

Thanks guys the input I’m receiving on this forum so far is awesome and will go a long way to building up this bike. I have numerous 70’s cb Honda’s and this will join these as a keeper for life. Thanks again

[Maritime]

Thanks guys the input I’m receiving on this forum so far is awesome and will go a long way to building up this bike. I have numerous 70’s cb Honda’s and this will join these as a keeper for life. Thanks again

Welcome. We have my 79 GL1000 "Never Sell" bike then added the 88 Hawk and it has been added to the "Never Sell" list as well

[Henway]

I'm in the minority when I say just update the suspension and tires. The stock intake, motor, and pipe are quiet, legal, absolutely predictable, and enough for anyone on the street. My stock carbs were too rich for my entire stock system, so a professional jetting helps everyone.

[Captain 80s]

and enough for me on the street.

Fixed it for ya.

[jspeed53]

Glad you’re here!