I have a 2003. It only as 4,600 miles. It always starts up. Now I go to sell it because the simple fact is that I don't have time to ride it. I need some help guys. I had an oil change done in April. I take it out every 3 weeks for 10 minutes just to warm it up so it does move not like it sat for 3 years. This is what happened. I had a guy come by to look/buy it. I figured I better warm it up. Which is typically no big deal - Not this time. I opened the choke let it warm up for a few minutes. Then took off and pushed the choke in. It was backfiring and lurching for about 2 miles (never happen). Eveytime I would come to a light it would die. The gas had been in for a few months only about 1/2 gallon. So I put a full tank of premium. Still bucking along. Have to restart it if I wan't throttling (battery is a year old). Eventually it wet dead and I had to jump it. So talked to a few folks. I bought seafoam swished it around. Still issues. I emptied the tank and burned through a can of seafoam to clean it - still issues. Always guessing that the carbs were gumed up and that my clean it up?? Still would not run w/o the choke open. I'd rev it up to 5000rpm - backfire. Talked to few folks. They said the plug may be fowled? I don't think it has ever been changed. I am trying to do that it has been very difficult to it and get it out. Again I am sellng this so I don't want to dump $400 into i for a carb cleaning. I am not handy at all. I want some advice to see what the issue is?? It was in mint condition and easy sell. I don't understand why it won't run? HELP !

 

Sounds like you need a thorough carb cleaning.

 

Look a the small hoses that run to the carb. I had a buddy with a vacuum leak from a vacuum hose plug that was cracked. Little thing like that will make the bike run poorly.

 

All correct - good carb cleaning and it's running smooth. Now its back up for sale.
I'm a bad Hawk parent so its time to sell it. Obviously I don't have time to ride it...

 

I have a 98' Hawk w/13k miles, high mount R1 Jardine's. When I roll off or down shift it burps, farts like no other, is this normal? I actually like the sounds!

 

Do a search for "popping on decel". You will find your answer.

 

anyone else thinking failed CCT, cam chain jumped a tooth? I was one tooth off when I did my cct's and it ran just like you describe above..
if it is failed cct, don't run the engin, until it's checked.

 

Not likely that the chain would jump one tooth and stay in place with a failed tensioner. That and he would be asking about a loud chain slap.