Back to Hawk build while NSR getting some love

MATPOC · Post by **MATPOC** » Wed Dec 22, 2010 3:59 am

I think the stock muffler was $5K at least, they had a parts price list laminated and mounted in front of the bike, I assume to discourage patrons from sitting on the bike, it works better than "DO NOT SIT ON THIS BIKE" or even "this bike cost more than your house, fairing alone more than your car so get you dumb ass away from it!"

MATPOC · Post by **MATPOC** » Wed Dec 22, 2010 3:41 pm

Got the VFR carbs in, now I can get back to original task...

then

<param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/VkOTpCSKHUs?version=3"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowScriptAccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/VkOTpCSKHUs?version=3" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowfullscreen="true" allowScriptAccess="always" width="640" height="390"></object>

and now

<param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/w5qoYl1ESvw?version=3"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowScriptAccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/w5qoYl1ESvw?version=3" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowfullscreen="true" allowScriptAccess="always" width="640" height="390"></object>

rc26 · Post by **rc26** » Thu Dec 23, 2010 4:01 am

I haven't checked in on this thread for quite a while. Good progress! Those carbs looked like mine when I pulled them out.

Avoid the RC26 (ADD) syndrome, stay focused. MATPOC, you could try to buff out the paint, then shoot it with clear to see if it will help. I love that Candy Aleutian Blue.

MATPOC · Post by **MATPOC** » Thu Dec 23, 2010 9:04 pm

more tinkering went on... tried on a Ducati tank and realized that I have to ditch the air filters if I want to use it, to close to the carbs, so I guess Honda tank stays for now, someday I might modify the bottom of the Duc tank, but not this one, not now.

I really dig this look

MATPOC · Post by **MATPOC** » Fri Dec 24, 2010 7:06 pm

There has been another development, more delays...

Yeah, I'm a slut... 2 stroke whore... and I'm proud of it!

MATPOC · Post by **MATPOC** » Tue Dec 28, 2010 9:27 am

last week I ordered this product called Metal Rescue to clean the Vifer tank, got a 5 Gallon bucket so I don't have to roll the tank over a bunch of times.

Friday UPS dropped this off

poured entire 5 gallons in the tank Monday and let it sit overnight

suggested temp range is 70+ and my shop was porbably blow 60 overnight so it's not perfect but there is definite improvements

before

and after

rc26 · Post by **rc26** » Tue Dec 28, 2010 12:42 pm

It's not rust. It's patina.

MATPOC · Post by **MATPOC** » Wed Dec 29, 2010 9:32 am

Placed the tank on the shirt dryer and got it up to 77F

24 hours later looks much better, still room to improve, gonna leave it for another 24 hours

Trav · Post by **Trav** » Wed Dec 29, 2010 9:27 pm

good idea with the shirt dryer! That stuff looks like it's working wonders. I just saw a full page ad for sudco in a mag and on of the products was a rust remover jug, though I forget what it was called. I wondered how well it would work.. If it's the same generic type of stuff, looks like it works pretty damn good!

I guess it won't damage anything such as the seals and fuel level electronics etc that need to be installed for the stuff to stay in the tank?

MATPOC · Post by **MATPOC** » Mon Jan 03, 2011 10:20 pm

Tank looks great!

Decided to toss all the rusty hardware in to the liquid, see what happens...

Been browsing the VFR forums and found this, '85 VF1000R

long thread, about 10 month but now it looks like this, I'm inspired!

MATPOC · Post by **MATPOC** » Wed Feb 09, 2011 4:33 pm

Finally after couple month today the parts came, final piece of the 748 puzzle (almost final)
and for a Hawk this, Ducati eccentric with sleeve adapter to fit it in Honda swingarm

Ducati triple with Honda stem pressed in and modified to fit Hawk

This time of year work is just starting to pick up, got few jobs in the pipeline,
all due before the trip to Florida end of this month, spent most of today on the phone and internet taking new orders,
ordering shirts and dealing with a motherfuking Health insurance company, highlight of the day was getting the parts.

I should probably not get to deep in to this right now because of upcoming work and travel, but I don't think I can stay away...

Stay tuned for more pictures from the Cave!

WeAintFoundShit · Post by **WeAintFoundShit** » Thu Feb 10, 2011 1:01 am

Exactly how many bikes and scooters do you own?

Jonny · Post by **Jonny** » Thu Feb 10, 2011 1:43 am

They are Legion.

MATPOC · Post by **MATPOC** » Thu Feb 10, 2011 6:20 pm

Thanks to generous friends and poor impulse control I have a few, more than I need so at least one bike will be up for sale come spring. I decided to sell the Triumph, no reason to have two (or three if you count the Hawk) sport bikes.

Things been happening kinda fast lately, many parts showed up this week, all the special Hawk bits, most of the Duc missing parts except for a stupid dust seal for the headset that is been on order for 3 weeks now. I'm tempted to throw the old damaged one in there just to be able to say it's done and shove it in the corner till spring. Last thing was the infamous "Box-O-Crap" from Goose, I drove to meet up with my friend Josh who owns a transportation company and was kind enough to arrange a pick up in SF and have the box brought here with same care they would give to Monet or Picasso (that's what he transports, priceless art) Box was filled with most wonderful parts, true art IMHO, I could just hang them on the wall and stare at them all day, but they are destined for the Hawk, function and beauty, best of both worlds.

I'm getting busy at work, that was expected, but still spent few minutes on the Hawk, wanted to check the chain line and tire clearance so I dropped in the rear eccentric hub and wheel. Next is the forks, check clearance, modify the steering stops and then take it all apart to clean, lube and final assembly, sounds easy but it might be a month before I can get to it, things are about to get real busy. Plan is to stay away from wrenching tomorrow and catch up on paying jobs before I fall too far behind, will see if it's possible.

Bigshankhank · Post by **Bigshankhank** » Sat Feb 12, 2011 3:50 am

Keep moving forward.

MATPOC · Post by **MATPOC** » Mon Feb 14, 2011 7:56 pm

Getting busy with paying jobs but still managed some wrenching time today.

Removed old F-3 fork installed Duc triple and Showa UDS TiN coated fork and Marchesini front wheel.

Looks good! still miles to go...

MATPOC · Post by **MATPOC** » Wed Feb 16, 2011 6:57 pm

Once again project stalled, partly because work is getting really busy and partly because my new front end is almost 2" shorter! I had installed everything in a hurry and did not take any measurements but it was with bike sitting on blocks it was noticeable that front wheel is now much higher in the air.

when I lined up the new and the old forks using the bottom triple as reference the difference is quite big

At this point I just walked away. I'm not opposed to lowering the bike but was concerned that such a dramatic drop might adversely effect the handling. Before I started this was a well sorted race bike that was good enough to win half the races it was entered in, did not want to mess it up making the mods that improve the looks but ruin the set-up.

After a week of consulting with people who might know, should know or have similar modifications done to their Hawks my old friend Eric Madsen (same one who's sticker is on the fork) called me back and gave me a "nod" to go ahead. He was the one that set up the suspension in the first place and he is confident the changes I'm making will not make it worse. That is a good news after a week of uncertainty, wondering what if this is not gonna work? Where do I go from here?

Now that I have the OK from my suspension sensei the build is back on! Will be couple weeks before I have any real progress, work is kinda crazy right now, couple big jobs with hard deadlines right before I leave to Florida for a week.

Next the bike will come apart, I have to make a decision what to do with a frame, leave it as is, road rash and holes from missing brackets or fill the holes and have it Powder Coated? I'm leaning towards the simpler (cheaper) solution, leave it "au natural" factory clear finish, it will be mostly covered by bodywork anyway, also I'm not making a show bike, just trying to get my old beloved bike back on the road.

Also there is a motor, leave it as it, still good compression and not much blow by, but slightly down on power after I ran it dry (no coolant) for almost an entire race, or should I pull the jugs and have new pistons fitted? Lap the valves in while I'm at it, leave bottom end as is.

Not gonna touch it till I come back form Florida, couple weeks at least to make up my mind.

MATPOC · Post by **MATPOC** » Thu Feb 17, 2011 6:37 pm

I was not gonna do anything till I came back from Florida but as saying goes, plans are made to be broken
bikes are made to come apart

I was waiting for someone at the shop, thought I might try to remove the swingarm...

AZRider · Post by **AZRider** » Thu Feb 17, 2011 8:55 pm

MATPOC wrote: I was waiting for someone at the shop, thought I might try to remove the swingarm...

BWAHAHAHAHA!

MATPOC · Post by **MATPOC** » Fri Feb 18, 2011 11:04 am

scumbag · Post by **scumbag** » Sat Feb 19, 2011 10:15 pm

MATPOC wrote:<iframe title="YouTube video player" width="640" height="390" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/wodcN5-J5n0" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

I like.

Pattio · Post by **Pattio** » Sat Feb 26, 2011 4:43 am

MATPOC · Post by **MATPOC** » Thu Mar 03, 2011 8:32 pm

Picked up my new toy today, it runs but has some issues, not sure the extent of the problem but the idle is high, about 5,000.
Either the carbs adjusted badly/stuck (best case scenario) or motor has an air leak around the carbs or crank seals (worst case requiring complete engine teardown).

I'd like to have it running well by the time warm weather comes around so Hawk is on the back burner again.
Still got to clean the Hawk frame and swingarm today, not sure weather to anodize, powdercoat or leave it factory finish.
I like the original clear anodized brushed aluminum but there is some road rash and holes drilled in the frame I'd like to cover up.
I guess working on the NSR will give me more time to make up my mind about it, leaning towards the simplest solution: leave it as is

tumbler · Post by **tumbler** » Mon Mar 07, 2011 12:54 am

MATPOC wrote:last week I ordered this product called Metal Rescue to clean the Vifer tank, got a 5 Gallon bucket so I don't have to roll the tank over a bunch of times.

Friday UPS dropped this off

So this stuff seemed too good to be true. I have a bad rust problem in my old ninja tank, and thought this would be perfect. I look it up, ready to purchase the jug of liquid amazing... 90 bucks?! holy hell. I'll stick to electrocuting myself with some water and washing soda. lol

MATPOC · Post by **MATPOC** » Mon Mar 07, 2011 4:54 am

$90 for 5 gallons with future use in mind. For $25 you can get 1 gallon, should be enough to do a tank.

I still would do a POR15 or Causwell after using Metal Rescue if this tank didn't have complicated internal plumbing, epoxy will clog the pick up tubes.

WeAintFoundShit · Post by **WeAintFoundShit** » Mon Mar 07, 2011 11:01 pm

MATPOC wrote:more tinkering went on... tried on a Ducati tank and realized that I have to ditch the air filters if I want to use it, to close to the carbs, so I guess Honda tank stays for now, someday I might modify the bottom of the Duc tank, but not this one, not now.

I really dig this look

Heaviest. Trials bike. Evar.

So about your other NSR that still gives me fits of jealousy and remorse...

It's a little rashed up here and there.
The front fairing has been busted and repaired. The one on the bike you already have seems like it's in better shape (as does the tail cone).
The thing is definitely not a princess; it's been ridden.
It is still sitting on the original 18" wheel.
Other than that, I can barely stand to look at it due to the sheer force of my desire, so I haven't taken to digging any deeper into it (it would be sort of like finger banging your friend's hot girlfriend, the one you're in love with, but know that you are never ever going to get to see her naked, let alone fuck her, let alone marry her).

And sorry if I don't return your phone calls.
I'm not avoiding you (or finger banging your girlfriend) I just *really* hate phones.

So any questions ya got, lemme know, and I will get you the answers.

MATPOC · Post by **MATPOC** » Tue Mar 08, 2011 6:58 am

The one that's here not much better, in fact probably worse. Missing both lower fairings, rear shock is blown (and non rebuildable), rear caliper frozen solid so after riding couple laps around parking lot rear wheel locked up and we had to drag it in the shop. Also some shady tree asshole welded the powervalve cable mount rocker on to the shaft with a MIG, weld broke and now it needs whole new assembly. I'm hoping that between two of them there is one complete bike and may be one track bike project. I have a friend in Japan who helped me in the past with RG parts, also hope Johny can work some magic, but first I need to finish something to clear up the space, Hawk is 1000 pieces, VF1000R still taken apart as well and I have my friend's 748 hiding in the corner, 20,000+ miles and never serviced, told him I will help with it since I'm so experienced now

MATPOC · Post by **MATPOC** » Fri Mar 11, 2011 8:35 am

Parts washer is a greatest tool in the shop. At $800/year it's absolutely worth it, I save at least that much in cleaning products. Took about an hour to get all the chain wax off the frame and swingalm.

MATPOC · Post by **MATPOC** » Mon Nov 14, 2011 4:24 pm

just browsing some old pictures came across this, probably 15 year old post...

Here's another awesome BROS special from Denmark. Morten Kristiansen spent over a year putting this Africa Twin powered machine together - time well spent I think. He made the subframe and many other parts himself. While Morten started this project before seeing Phil White's now famous Duhawki (page 6), he credits all of his modifications to what he has seen and read on this and other websites. Cheers Morten.

MATPOC · Post by **MATPOC** » Wed Aug 22, 2012 10:38 pm

The Hawk is still broken down and buried in the corners of my shop but there is some progress, I've been working on NSR which is currently occupying the lift and any available work space that is left in the shop.

I have been looking at it without any progress for nearly 6 month, finally started picking at it, still not sure what to do till today when my friend and restoration expert Gary stopped by. After couple hours of hours I had a clear vision and the plan but I had to split to pick up my son from Day care.

After some father-son bonding grilling meats and then consuming them I was about to plant my ass on the couch, but instead decided to poke my head in to the shop ... 5 hours later I had the swingarm and chain removed, cleaned, polished, greased, reinstalled. Rear-sets VaporBlasted, whatever was not VB'd got painted, rear caliper cleaned and lubed, washed the back of the motor and inside of the frame, polished anything that could be polished...

Now got to do he front end and then who knows I may be riding this bike this year, only had it for 18 month now, about fucking time...

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Back to Hawk build while NSR getting some love