Back on a Hawk after over 25 Years

[Mr. Philadelphia]

I had one in 90s and thought I'd moved on, but here we are: I just finished up with this build. It's like reuniting with your 1st love.

Front F3 internals
Revalved CBR900 Rear Shock
UNI Pods & Stage 3 Jet Kit
2 Bros Exhaust

IMG_E3147-800x600.jpg IMG_3437-800x600.jpg

It was a basket case. Almost ready to get back up on wheels here ...

IMG_E1978-800x600.jpg IMG_2527-800x600.jpg

Just some wiring left including a Mosfet Regulator Rectifier ....
IMG_2892-800x600.jpg

[69Falcon]

Welcome back to the fold!

[jspeed53]

I believe we need more pics of your Hawk ...

[6]

Welcome back! Going through the process of re-valving a 900rr shock isn't something we see all that often.

Nice


I agree with jspeed. We need more pics and info

[Mr. Philadelphia]

Welcome back! Going through the process of re-valving a 900rr shock isn't something we see all that often.

Nice


I agree with jspeed. We need more pics and info

Old school for sure. In the 90s, it was this, a Fox shock, or a revalved stocker from Lindemann Engineering. Jim passed away some years ago, what a loss!

After suffering a spontaneous, mid-apex fork stanchion fracture on my 4th Gen VFR, I was debating between an RC51 and a 4th Gen Speed Triple. But then I saw this Hawk project bike pop up on marketplace, which got me thinking: I'm going to build a bike for when I'm too old and feeble to handle anything heavier and more powerful. Glad I did, the Hawk is more grins per horsepower than anything else on the road.
IMG_1720-800x600.jpg IMG_1722-800x600.jpg IMG_1723-800x600.jpg IMG_0478-800x600.jpg
That VFR may have been my favorite bike to ride, ever -- If you ever have the chance to own a V4, JUST DO IT! I went down right where my coolant reservoir dumped its contents at the double yellows. I had the suspension set up just so. A revalved Sachs rear shock from a Y2K Aprilia RSV was perfect on that thing. I'm guessing that at some point in this bike's life, the forks had been bent and then cold straightened leaving them brittle. Lucky I was only going maybe 45 mph. 10 miles later, and I'd have been roadkill on the highway. I still have my 6th Gen VFR that's good for commuting & touring, but the balance & feel isn't the same as the 4th Gen.

[Captain 80s]

That is purdy. Nice job. And I agree, more pics/info please.

Edit: and, HOLY SHIT !!!!

[Mr. Philadelphia]

IMG_2098-800x600.jpg IMG_2099-800x600.jpg IMG_2105-800x600.jpg IMG_2107-800x600.jpg IMG_2526-800x600.jpg

Edit: and, HOLY SHIT !!!!

I know. Unlike anything I've every experienced -- an instantaneous low side faceplant on the left side. No sliding. Happened just as I was starting to pick the bike up out of the apex.

Here are some photos of the Hawk's progress.

[Mr. Philadelphia]

Carbs were a mess: RTV all over, inside & out. Pleasant surprise is that it already had Factory Pro needles, but one of the the pilot screw plugs had been stuck in there for 30 years. The float hinge pins were corrosion locked in place -- took some gentle persuasion to work them loose.

IMG_2686-800x600.jpg IMG_2687-800x600.jpg IMG_2689-800x600.jpg IMG_2814-800x600.jpg

Valves: Only inboard intake valves were out of spec. but with almost 0 clearance???!!! Just glad the exhaust valves had plenty of clearance.
IMG_2708-800x600.jpg

[Mr. Philadelphia]

TGAI2114-800x600.jpg QOCE9293-800x600.jpg
Other surprises:
The clutch had been replaced but was missing the last Disc B. No wonder it was slipping at WOT in 4th & 5th gears.
The radiator fan spindle was busted after one of the previous lowsides. I replaced the fan blade as the motor remained nice & smooth.

IMG_3190-800x600.jpg IMG_3191-800x600.jpg

[Mr. Philadelphia]

Alright, some more glamour shots: I have a preference for the back shots.

IMG_3222-800x600.jpg IMG_3270-800x600.jpg IMG_E3100-800x600.jpg IMG_E3131-800x600.jpg IMG_2908-800x600.jpg

[Captain 80s]

Nice. Rear 3/4 shots are always my favorite.

[Dienstuhr]

Very nice, welcome back! My own story with the Hawk GT is similar...

[squirrelman]

you have my (rarely given) full approval of your work quality and the choices you made except id never cover up the shiney alloy frame or arm.

[Mr. Philadelphia]

you have my (rarely given) full approval of your work quality and the choices you made except id never cover up the shiney alloy frame or arm.

Thanks, man, I totally get you. Sacrilegious, I know, but that's exactly why I covered up what distinguishes the RC31 from all others. Here's my rational as articulated in a text thread with a friend just after having brought the Hawk home:

Nah, man. Contrast is everything, like counterpoint in music. I have a vintage TBR exhaust with equal length headers. Little twin is gonna be so baddass roaring down the road: "Make way for my BIG ASS BALLS!" Oh ... but then the soft baby blue bodywork .. Frame & swingarm are works of art but will be blacked out & muted so you'd have to know to look for them.

[6]

you have my (rarely given) full approval of your work quality and the choices you made except id never cover up the shiney alloy frame or arm.

Well that's a very rare honor...