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OK, Now What?
Posted: Wed May 20, 2009 9:21 am
by shanepeeler
Hello, I posted earlier asking if I should buy a 64 superhawk that was very cheap, but had some missing parts. Everyone thought I should buy it and I did. The bike had sat for 28 years inside in a barn. I ordered the restoration guides and manuals from the website. In the meantime, I cleaned up the carbs, cleaned up the points, ran a jumper wire from positive terminal to hot side of the coils and got her started, seems to run ok and holds an idle. My question is this... the restoration guides paint the engine as a fragile piece and make me think I should do the teardown and freshen it up first. Until then, my plan was to replace the frozen up cables and try the bike out...riding it a little bit (2 or 3 miles) to get an impression on how it works and what areas I need to concentrate on or pay special attention to. What do you guys think? Thanks Shane Strong
Fragile?
Posted: Wed May 20, 2009 11:03 am
by Loudo
Shane, I've been doing the same thing and have endeavored to do everything BUT mess with the engine internals. Others may have a different opinion and I wouldn't argue with them but if it's not broke, don't fix it. If you know of or suspect a specific problem, that would be a different story. If you want to take it apart just to educate yourself and don't mind spending a little more money and aren't worried about the downtime or have another bike to ride or something, then yeah. But I can tell you the bike is more fun to ride than to work on. And I LIKE working on it!
Posted: Wed May 20, 2009 2:35 pm
by slopokecr
I agree with Loudo. Just start doing short rides and shake it down.
Posted: Thu Jun 25, 2009 12:48 am
by jensen
Hi,
There are two things what you could do to the engine without much risc, and that's cleaning out the oil filter, and replace the oil. After a few long rides you could repeat that. After that, just as Bill's manuals says, chance oil after 1000 miles every time.
have fun riding,
Jensen
Posted: Fri Jun 26, 2009 1:03 am
by Gunner_CAF
I didn't tear into my engine except for the side covers and minor work like cleaning the filter. It sat since the 80s in various garages and sheds. It runs like a champ. It is a blast to ride. If it aint broke, don't fix it.
Gunner