Nude Hawk
#1
Nude Hawk
Hi! been lurking for awhile, finally got my 'hawk roadable, time to show it off~
It's a salvaged 2005 I got in a straight trade for a wr426. I'd ridden a 999 and RC51 before, but this is my first immersive V-twin experience. Overall I'm fairly satisfied-- The engine is fantastic, the ergos are okay, and the looks aren't bad.
On the other hand the geometry is lazy, the fuel economy/range is poor, and the ground clearance is unacceptable. The looks aren't good, either...
I took off the cracked fairing/windscreen and bent stay, and replaced them with a delkevic universal headlight. The idea is that the buffeting will keep me out of heinous speed most of the time, and so far it seems to work. The gauges still aren't sorted, but it hasn't bothered me. I may spring for a trailtech computer.
'Mods' planned-- ground clearance! The pegs aren't really the problem, it's the exhaust that makes me pucker. I'd like to get a high exit exhaust, if it can be had without massive expense. Stock RC would be cool. Geometry is another issue. I'd like to get the head angle and wheelbase more aggressive, and massage the suspension to match. My first temporary move will be throwing some washers under the shock mount to kick the bike up a bit. The brakes seem fine so far with a fresh bleed and HH pads. Cosmetically... I really don't care. I love the old man colors, and the side radiators don't bother me. I like the line of the seat and tail, and if I manage to get the rear end kicked up higher, I kind of want to chop the subframe (or make a new al one) to put the seat back at normal height.
Thanks for reading, and thanks to members who helped me diagnose my breathing problem!
-Ian
It's a salvaged 2005 I got in a straight trade for a wr426. I'd ridden a 999 and RC51 before, but this is my first immersive V-twin experience. Overall I'm fairly satisfied-- The engine is fantastic, the ergos are okay, and the looks aren't bad.
On the other hand the geometry is lazy, the fuel economy/range is poor, and the ground clearance is unacceptable. The looks aren't good, either...
I took off the cracked fairing/windscreen and bent stay, and replaced them with a delkevic universal headlight. The idea is that the buffeting will keep me out of heinous speed most of the time, and so far it seems to work. The gauges still aren't sorted, but it hasn't bothered me. I may spring for a trailtech computer.
'Mods' planned-- ground clearance! The pegs aren't really the problem, it's the exhaust that makes me pucker. I'd like to get a high exit exhaust, if it can be had without massive expense. Stock RC would be cool. Geometry is another issue. I'd like to get the head angle and wheelbase more aggressive, and massage the suspension to match. My first temporary move will be throwing some washers under the shock mount to kick the bike up a bit. The brakes seem fine so far with a fresh bleed and HH pads. Cosmetically... I really don't care. I love the old man colors, and the side radiators don't bother me. I like the line of the seat and tail, and if I manage to get the rear end kicked up higher, I kind of want to chop the subframe (or make a new al one) to put the seat back at normal height.
Thanks for reading, and thanks to members who helped me diagnose my breathing problem!
-Ian
#3
#4
The stock brakes are rather weak. Do a search and you will find a list of calipers & master cylinders the can be installed, with minor modification, that will greatly improve the braking.
#5
#6
I was meaning the opposite about the Streetfighter. I think it looks messy. I understand it's not supposed to be in the same category as the Monster, but the Monster is a much better/cleaner looking bike IMO.
#7
You should actually wait until you have the suspension sorted before you start making geometry changes. After it is set up for your weight you can go up to .25" (or a little over 6mm) in the rear and pull the forks up 10mm in the triple before you start having any stability issues (at least mine worked well like that with no need for a steering damper).
I'm sorry to members who don't like the radiators. I don't know what to tell you-- except that I'm not going through the effort of stuffing one under my seat! Too many other pointless projects...
#9
As far as the radiators go, My first bike was a CX500, modded for canyon racing, and radiators don't get much more obvious than on that bike. It looked like a cut down car radiator.
#10
I'm thinking of actually painting the radiators silver like the earlier years. are the grills over the top black?
#11
Anybody seen a Corbin standard bearing mod?
#12
Senior Member
SuperSport
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: In a van down by the river (I wish!)
Posts: 617
Nice.
My bike looks almost exactly like yours at this point. What are you doing for a speedo? I'm using a Forerunner and am pretty happy so far, but I sorta kinda miss the temp gauge.
My bike looks almost exactly like yours at this point. What are you doing for a speedo? I'm using a Forerunner and am pretty happy so far, but I sorta kinda miss the temp gauge.
#14
Senior Member
SuperSport
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: In a van down by the river (I wish!)
Posts: 617
Man, I get way too paranoid without a speedo! Nice thing about the Garmin is it keeps track of miles, too, so you know when to gas up. Those Vapors are wicked nice, though.
#15
Yeah I think I'll have a look into a GPS, since you mention it. I love going on really long twisty back road rides, and though I have a good sense of direction the GPS could step up my exploration!
#16
Senior Member
SuperSport
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: In a van down by the river (I wish!)
Posts: 617
Here's what I'm using:
http://www.motorcyclejazz.com/Garmin_Forerunner_201.htm
I got the one that recharges. It fits almost right between the handlebar mounts. It's a hell of a lot lighter than the standard clocks.
http://www.motorcyclejazz.com/Garmin_Forerunner_201.htm
I got the one that recharges. It fits almost right between the handlebar mounts. It's a hell of a lot lighter than the standard clocks.
#19
There are a handful of nakeds which leave the radiators stock that don't bother me at all... this is one, Dr. Schmuckenstein's was another... Luis' bike looks fine too. But then, there are some others that just don't look right and I don't know why, can't put my finger on it (as Ween says)...
Anyway, nice bike Imp! Looks good...
Anyway, nice bike Imp! Looks good...
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post