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Nov. 10, 2018 -
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How I got this bike Looking at Facebook Marketplace as another source of used bikes, I found a blue 1988 Honda Hawk 650 with just 6,700 miles for a fair price. I contacted the owner but didn't follow up. Then I see this red beauty for an even better price in Johnstown/Ephratah. Owner is in his 80's with several bikes but unable to ride. The bike is in extremely nice condition, all original. The chain is clean and lubed. I don't hesitate to make a deal with his step-son and trailer it home on a cold November day. Paperwork for the bike shows two shop visits, the last in Dec. 2013;
I'm the fourth owner. Purchased by the prior owner in 2007 but probably not ridden in 10 years since he never registered or titled it. |
 Nov. 28, 2018 Upper Union St. Garage
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The bike is cold-blooded on start-up but the battery is ok and it idles well on choke which has to be kept on for a while in cold weather. It's quite narrow and has a light feel, just as described in write-ups. All the controls work perfectly as do the lights, brakes and switches, so I'm pleased with this deal. |
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9,511 Miles and 29 years old |
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2019 First ride: Battery in April 2 to ride it back from winter storage. It takes a few cranks to fire up but starts readily. Seat latch is a pull-down lever behind the helmet lock and hard to locate at first. The engine does well when revved over 4k. Tire pressue gets set to 33 front and 36 rear per the owner's manual. Vacuum shutoff for the fuel petcock. |
 April 2, 2019 |
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I
replace the front brake pads right away (9,550 mi.) with EBC FA142HH sintered pads
and clean the rotor. The front pads were not worn down but were damp
with brake fluid. Then I bleed front and rear at 9,575 on April 11 and
replace
the rear pads
(VBP032HH). Big
improvement for the brakes, especially the front.
Oil and filter (2.6 qts. GN4 Honda oil and the same filter as used in the Honda Blackbird KN 303, PH6017A ). |
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National
Cycle Mohawk tinted windshield installed May 10. It's small but looks
good and is mounted firmly using longer headlight bolts and vertical struts
with EZ Pass velcro tabs to reduce chaffing/vibration against the gages. Race Tech 1.00 kg/mm springs, fork seals and covers installed June 2019. The ride is greatly improved with a steadier track over bumps. Firm without front end dive on braking. Cost about $300. The handling, light feel and narrowness make for a pleasing bike to ride, though the power and sharpness are less than I expected. |
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Tomhannock Reservoir - June 27, 2019 |
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Since the tires that came with the bike were old (more than
10 years), I put on new ones at 10,982 miles. Avons: 110x17 Front (34 psi) 150x17 Rear (36 psi) $400 including mounting First ride with new tires is noticeably softer with better feel/grip. End of season at 11,070 miles. |
 Twin Bridges Sept. 2019 |
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2020 The first ride of the season is on this bike (Feb. 24th). It's the earliest start to the riding season in 50+ years either in NYC or the Capital district. 56F and sunny. Snow everywhere but not on the roads. New battery installed. 50 mile ride and 11,117 miles at the end of the day. |
 Putnam Road - Feb. 24, 2020 |
| Oil changed May 26th at 11,370 miles after a 90 degree day ride to the Helderburgs and Thacher Park (10W-40 non-synthetic).ay 26th. |
 Thacher Park - May 26, 2020 |
| Battery out Oct. 25th at 12,141 miles. |
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2021 The battery installed last year failed and was replaced before the first ride. |
 Lock 8 - 12,176 mi. |
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Chain adjusted in Sept. Pinch bolt and concentric adjuster
is different than any other bike I've owned. Definite reduction in lash. Battery out Nov. 3. 12,650 miles. |
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2022 Battery in, oil and filter on March 25th and first ride for this bike this season. Spark plugs (4) at 12,720 mi. (DPREA9 .031 - .035 in. 18mm thin-wall socket tool from the toolkit used to access the plugs that are hard to reach). Listed for sale in mid-July. I accepted a PayPal deposit to hold the bike. The pickup by Paul from Watertown CT was on Aug. 6, 2022. Final mileage, 12,889. |
Last Edited Aug. 6, 2022
