What did you do with your SuperHawk today?
Senior Member
SuperBike
Joined: Mar 2012
Posts: 1,544
From: New South Wales Australia
Post some detailed pics when your done.
I didn't like the weird goldy coloured engine cases on mine, they looked crap, that's why I polished them.
The red and black will contrast nicely I think.
Cheers.
I didn't like the weird goldy coloured engine cases on mine, they looked crap, that's why I polished them.
The red and black will contrast nicely I think.
Cheers.
Senior Member
SuperBike
Joined: Mar 2012
Posts: 1,544
From: New South Wales Australia
On another note,
I went for a ride over my favourite mountain today with a couple of friends who ride Moto Guzzis.
The pace was rapid on the way back home, the road is a steep climb with plenty of nice smooth 35-60KPH corners.
One of the folks is a guy I went to school with and things got a bit spirited when my mate got the jump on me by doing something a bit naughty regarding double yellow lines.
I wasn't having a bar of it and at the first legal opportunity I was after him, right up his clacker as we say here in Oz.
We were fast approaching a hairpin bend at a rapid rate and I was starting to wonder if he was going to slow down when I grapped a handful of front brake trying to wash off speed for the approaching bend .By this stage I was right on his tail and he ran wide . I saw a van approaching in the opposite direction . I thought "****" he's gonna hit it, but I watched as he dropped his shoulder and just made it past. I reckon there was less than an inch in it.
A pleasant afternoon ride that was very close to going pear shaped due to two silly old farts carrying on like teenagers.
Wish I had of had my camera on so that I could of showed him how close it was .When I questioned him about it he said he knew it was close but no harm done.
I am too scared to check my Reg Grundies (Undies or underwear)after that .
I went for a ride over my favourite mountain today with a couple of friends who ride Moto Guzzis.
The pace was rapid on the way back home, the road is a steep climb with plenty of nice smooth 35-60KPH corners.
One of the folks is a guy I went to school with and things got a bit spirited when my mate got the jump on me by doing something a bit naughty regarding double yellow lines.
I wasn't having a bar of it and at the first legal opportunity I was after him, right up his clacker as we say here in Oz.
We were fast approaching a hairpin bend at a rapid rate and I was starting to wonder if he was going to slow down when I grapped a handful of front brake trying to wash off speed for the approaching bend .By this stage I was right on his tail and he ran wide . I saw a van approaching in the opposite direction . I thought "****" he's gonna hit it, but I watched as he dropped his shoulder and just made it past. I reckon there was less than an inch in it.
A pleasant afternoon ride that was very close to going pear shaped due to two silly old farts carrying on like teenagers.
Wish I had of had my camera on so that I could of showed him how close it was .When I questioned him about it he said he knew it was close but no harm done.
I am too scared to check my Reg Grundies (Undies or underwear)after that .
VTR virgin
Superstock
Joined: Mar 2015
Posts: 447
From: Auckland, New Zealand
Today was a great day to test whether I was successful replacing the coolant hoses. I was! Went out for my current favourite 220 km loop:
A magical warm summer's day was enjoyed by all!
A magical warm summer's day was enjoyed by all!
Senior Member
SuperSport
Joined: Apr 2014
Posts: 932
From: Auckland, new Zealand
Was must have almost bumped into each other. We went to Kaiaua for Fush and Chups. We were there about mid day.
Senior Member
SuperSport
Joined: Apr 2014
Posts: 932
From: Auckland, new Zealand
VTR virgin
Superstock
Joined: Mar 2015
Posts: 447
From: Auckland, New Zealand
For you snow-bound Northern hemisphere dwellers, here's a short clip from onboard my VTR a few days ago.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7L0X...ature=youtu.be
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7L0X...ature=youtu.be
Senior Member
Superstock
Joined: Mar 2015
Posts: 409
From: Central CA
That video plays "inside out" or backwards I think. It looks like you are driving on the wrong side of the road.
Certainly nice looking weather for a ride. But I would likely die from a "head on" in a memory lapse or moment of confusion.
Certainly nice looking weather for a ride. But I would likely die from a "head on" in a memory lapse or moment of confusion.
VTR virgin
Superstock
Joined: Mar 2015
Posts: 447
From: Auckland, New Zealand
I drove my family 2000 miles around CA last Christmas and was determined not to be "that guy" that drove on the wrong side and wiped out his family. Certainly keeps one focussed.
Last edited by Cadbury64; Jan 8, 2016 at 04:52 PM.
Senior Member
Back Marker
Joined: Oct 2014
Posts: 189
Re-packed my carbon fiber TBR mufflers. A bit of a pain, but not too bad. Original packing was a little bit black and roached, but at least still there after 6,000 miles. New packing softened the exhaust tone slightly - at least that's what I'm telling myself.
Also checked valve clearances - 16,000 miles - rear cylinder was perfect, front intakes perfect, front exhausts were both at 0.011", so I left them alone for next winter.
After all that, went for a nice 85 mile ride around the local back roads with a friend who rides a 98 vfr - good stuff!
Also checked valve clearances - 16,000 miles - rear cylinder was perfect, front intakes perfect, front exhausts were both at 0.011", so I left them alone for next winter.
After all that, went for a nice 85 mile ride around the local back roads with a friend who rides a 98 vfr - good stuff!
Senior Member
Back Marker
Joined: Oct 2014
Posts: 189
I re-packed them with the TBR packing kits - they were about $22 each, and you need two. Well, you need about 1 1/2, so I'll use the leftover packing material in the dirt bikes. Total cost with shipping was just under $50.
Member
Squid
Joined: Jul 2015
Posts: 32
From: Richmond, VA
Both my ignition switch and my turn signal switch decided to stop working last night( as I was out riding). So graphite powder into the key hole, and disassembly/cleaning of the turn signal switch today. The grease that was in the turn switch was like glue, it's surprising that it didn't stop working long ago. They both seem to be functioning as they should now.
Senior Member
Superstock
Joined: Aug 2013
Posts: 295
From: Everett, Washington
January rides
We had some nice sunny mild days last weekend. High temps were in the 50 degree F range. Got to ride the Hawk for two days in a row. This weekend looks like its back to cold and rainy again. Found a nice Joe Rocket Blaster jacket on Ebay for $50.00. I've had pretty good luck getting used gear on there.
Senior Member
SuperBike
Joined: Mar 2012
Posts: 1,544
From: New South Wales Australia
Replacing steering stem bearings with tapers.
Bloody ignition lock bolts a pain to get out!
Felt clunking in the front end under brakes, lifted front wheel of the ground and clunk clunk clunk at the steering stem. This may explain the erratic behaviour of the front end lately.
Haven't pulled the stem yet , however I'm sure the bearings will be unserviceable.
Will post pics.
Bloody ignition lock bolts a pain to get out!
Felt clunking in the front end under brakes, lifted front wheel of the ground and clunk clunk clunk at the steering stem. This may explain the erratic behaviour of the front end lately.
Haven't pulled the stem yet , however I'm sure the bearings will be unserviceable.
Will post pics.
Senior Member
SuperBike
Joined: Mar 2012
Posts: 1,544
From: New South Wales Australia
Well surprise surprise the bearings and shells look o.k, still had plenty of grease in them.
Here is how I got the ignition bolts out.
Used my dremmel with a cutting wheel and the biggest flat blade screwdriver with a square shaft that I used an adjustable wrench on to turn.
[URL=http://s1000.photobucket.com/user/kbarr2/media/2016-01/3C6A3A33-AB7F-40FF-8031-F5C2BC2982EE_zpsmp02nl79.jpg.html]
[/URL
removed the bearing outer races(Cups) using an old very long extension bar and a big hammer. Honda have made this easy by having an area that exposes the outer race on the front inner and rear inner of the steering housing of the frame for both top and bottom outer races. Good work Honda.
Now to figure out how to get the lower inner race of the steering stem without damaging the stem. We have a bearing press in the workshop where I work but the shop is closed.
Time to do a search I think!
I might grind it off!
Here is how I got the ignition bolts out.
Used my dremmel with a cutting wheel and the biggest flat blade screwdriver with a square shaft that I used an adjustable wrench on to turn.
[URL=http://s1000.photobucket.com/user/kbarr2/media/2016-01/3C6A3A33-AB7F-40FF-8031-F5C2BC2982EE_zpsmp02nl79.jpg.html]
[/URLremoved the bearing outer races(Cups) using an old very long extension bar and a big hammer. Honda have made this easy by having an area that exposes the outer race on the front inner and rear inner of the steering housing of the frame for both top and bottom outer races. Good work Honda.
Now to figure out how to get the lower inner race of the steering stem without damaging the stem. We have a bearing press in the workshop where I work but the shop is closed.
Time to do a search I think!
I might grind it off!
Senior Member
SuperBike
Joined: Mar 2012
Posts: 1,544
From: New South Wales Australia
Well I ground it off and used it to seat the new outer bearing she'll in the lower steering tube. Used a piece of pipe to drive the new race onto the steering stem.
Back together, tension set .
Now to fit the top yoke and set tension on the steering yolk nut.
I fully expect to have to reset the tension after riding as I'm not sure if the bottom bearing outer race is seated fully.
Not as bad a job as I thought, now to reset the fork height and reassemble everything.
I also fitted Allen bolts to the ignition lock as I don't want to go through the grinding bolt exercise again if I ever have to remove the lock again.
During this mod I noticed that I will need new front pads for the F4i calipers soon, any recommendations appreciated.
Back together, tension set .
Now to fit the top yoke and set tension on the steering yolk nut.
I fully expect to have to reset the tension after riding as I'm not sure if the bottom bearing outer race is seated fully.
Not as bad a job as I thought, now to reset the fork height and reassemble everything.
I also fitted Allen bolts to the ignition lock as I don't want to go through the grinding bolt exercise again if I ever have to remove the lock again.
During this mod I noticed that I will need new front pads for the F4i calipers soon, any recommendations appreciated.
Senior Member
SuperSport
Joined: Apr 2014
Posts: 932
From: Auckland, new Zealand
Went for a nice long ride with my partner. Stopped at Kaiaua for a picnic then on to the Waikato for a few hours of nice roads.
Also proposed to my beloved and got the right response. Happy Days.
Also proposed to my beloved and got the right response. Happy Days.
Senior Member
SuperSport
Joined: Apr 2014
Posts: 932
From: Auckland, new Zealand
She is, thats how we meet. Then she had a wee off in Mungatangi. Took almost 3 years to get back strong enough to ride again. She started out back on a 650 Hyosung which was rubbish. Then we got her this little 600 Hornet which she loves. Had a custom shock made for it and highway pegs as she is still caring injuries.
Senior Member
SuperBike
Joined: Mar 2012
Posts: 1,544
From: New South Wales Australia
Well,
Went for a short shakedown ride today after fitting the tapered steering head bearings.
What a revelation!
Everything works fine and served to show just how knackered the old ones were.
Can actually ride through the bumps now and feel the suspension doing what it is meant to do.
Wondering how long it will be before I have to retention everything but for now it feels the best it ever has to ride.
The real test will be my favourite bit of mountain road. For now I am happy to recheck my handiwork and ensure that everything is as it should be.
Next job after that is new front pads for the F4i front calipers. Any suggestions appreciated.
Went for a short shakedown ride today after fitting the tapered steering head bearings.
What a revelation!
Everything works fine and served to show just how knackered the old ones were.
Can actually ride through the bumps now and feel the suspension doing what it is meant to do.
Wondering how long it will be before I have to retention everything but for now it feels the best it ever has to ride.
The real test will be my favourite bit of mountain road. For now I am happy to recheck my handiwork and ensure that everything is as it should be.
Next job after that is new front pads for the F4i front calipers. Any suggestions appreciated.
Senior Member
Back Marker
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 219
From: Prague - Czech
Senior Member
SuperSport
Joined: Apr 2014
Posts: 932
From: Auckland, new Zealand
DP HH+. Stunning pads. Huge power and no fade on the track. True 1 finger stopping. All my bike has is stock apart from braided lines and good fluid. Best brakes I have had on a motorcycle.
