I already posted a thread in the transmission category about sprockets and stuff, but now that the hawk is actually living in my garage, I figured I'd do a proper introduction (of me and the bike).
Me
My name is Jeremy Sharp. I'm a commercial photographer living in Dallas, TX. I'm almost 30, married, and I have a 2 month old daughter named Stella, and two miniature schnauzers. I have lots of two wheeled experience, and mechanic experience, but none on a 4 stroke motor. I have been riding and building/maintaining 1960's vespas for 5 years. This is my first "motorcycle" and my first time dealing with multiple carbs, valves and cams.
The Bike
I acquired this from a friend, who bought it under my advice about 18 months ago from another friend. I guess it's the incestuous problem. Either way, my friend bought it with the intention of fixing/riding it, and never got around to it. So I pushed it home the 1.2 miles from his house, and here we are.
I'm unsure of the year, haven't looked at the title yet, but i'm pretty sure it's 66-68. It was running when he bought it, but he never rode it to a lighting problem. He did fix the lighting problem, but it had sat too long, the carbs needed work, and he didn't have time for it.
New Superhawk and official introduction
New Superhawk and official introduction
Last edited by JSharpPhoto on Wed Oct 24, 2012 12:15 am, edited 1 time in total.
sorry to double post, but I have another few images to share. The chain guard is there, at least the top one is, but the bottom one (assuming there is one) is missing. What's the problem with not having the bottom one? or the top one? i'll probably remove it for weight loss if it's not critical.
Hi,
Welcome to the forum and thanks for the introduction. It's a nice bike to start with, almost complete and it was running. It misses some parts, and a few parts are changed, but other then that it's a great bike. For hitting the ton the bike should be in good condition, I suggest you start with the engine first. Personally I'm not a fan of those air filters you got there. It's harder to get the bike jetted properly. I have very good experiences with the original air filters were I replaced the old filter paper for wet filter foam. It's not hard to buy some used originals. Jensen
Last edited by jensey on Wed Oct 24, 2012 12:27 am, edited 1 time in total.
I'd love to start making a list of things it needs. I don't care about it being 100% accurate. I'm going to be ditching the stock mufflers and seat, and a few other parts. What's missing? What's not stock? Hi,
I'm the wrong guy to answer your questions, since I like my bikes (optics) 100 % original. It's not hard to do that, and I like the way the bike came out of the factory, the styling of the bike is more then the sum of all parts, and when you change it, the style is lost, it will be only a bunch of parts, but that's my opinion. The price of these bikes are high, especially when in original condition, everything you change from original will drop the price rapidly. I did a lot of research on the power delivery of these bikes on the dyno, and I strongly suggest you start with the original mufflers if these can be used. The same for the air filters. The standard jetting is a good starting point (with standard mufflers and filters) but needs a little more fuel in the top rpm's. With a standard bike it will be hard to hit the ton, because hitting 9500 rpm in fourth gear is taking a long time, if the bike hits 9500 rpm in fourth gear. Remember it isn't a two-stroke, so chancing the mufflers doesn't change the power delivery so drasticly as with a stroker (smoker). When you want to hit the ton seriously, I suggest you install other valve springs because floating valves is the first thing you will encounter. On ebay you can buy a nice set with titanium parts, it will be worth the money. Next step is flowing / porting the head, and re jetting the carbs, or buy some decent modern mikuni's and go from there. Jensen
I understand the appeal of original bikes. One of my Vespas is all original, one is not.
The bike had been repainted at some point, with what looks like rattlecan. There are some noticeable runs in the paint in the headlight bucket. Any parts that are missing that are needed for the bike to function properly, I'd love if someone pointed them out. The inside of the tank is spotless, which is surprising.
BIKE PARTSGet a parts book. .......lm
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