Hawks in current advertisement

**nt650hawk** · 10-24-12, 11:42 AM

and still looking great! sure beats a purple 1198 P.

**csmutty** · 10-24-12, 11:46 AM

Isn't that the hawk that someone on this site built!?

**nt650hawk** · 10-24-12, 11:57 AM

this Man is good..... Wonding if someone would pick up on it.

**jasnmar** · 10-24-12, 12:00 PM

This one me thinks... http://www.nestreetriders.com/forum/...1262-hawk.html

**jbmass** · 10-24-12, 12:56 PM

nice! always liked that build, i think he sold it on ebay

**nhbubba** · 10-24-12, 01:21 PM

No way.. very cool.

**Yknot** · 10-24-12, 01:40 PM

Damn, can't see my kickstand in that pic...I was almost famous.

Loved the way that build turned out.

**maxim_X** · 10-24-12, 07:14 PM

Damnit. Should have bought that this spring!

**a13x** · 10-25-12, 05:07 PM

Wow. That Hawk looks pissah. Great job to the NESRian that built it. Makes me want to start my project hawk pronto! (need garage first).

xxaarraa · 10-28-12, 01:41 PM

Can someone explain why Hawks are considered cool? Innocent question.

**csmutty** · 10-28-12, 02:02 PM

Originally Posted by xxaarraa

Can someone explain why Hawks are considered cool? Innocent question.

They were way before their time. Great frame and chassis, single sided swingarm, timeless styling, etc. You can take a hawk out and it still looks like it could still be made today.

Plus...Gino rides/races them.

xxaarraa · 10-28-12, 02:04 PM

Before their time for Hondas I assume?

**csmutty** · 10-28-12, 02:07 PM

Originally Posted by xxaarraa

Before their time for Hondas I assume?

Before their time as in your beloved Ducati thought it was such a great idea they did the same thing many years later once they finally figured out how.

xxaarraa · 10-28-12, 02:14 PM

Lol no need to hate on Ducati, I could care less. Pity subsequent Hondas right up to present day are rather forgettably styled.

Thanks for the info, looks like a cool collectors bike now.

**nhbubba** · 10-28-12, 02:22 PM

What's the draw of the single sided swingarm? I agree it looks cool. But really.. does it save that much weight?

xxaarraa · 10-28-12, 02:28 PM

It's actually heavier. It's better for racing applications - makes wheel changes and chain adjustment a breeze. Aesthetics mostly in street bikes.

**jasnmar** · 10-28-12, 02:35 PM

Yep, xara got it. No messing with lining stuff up. No axle to remove / futz with.

Mine comes off just like a car wheel. 5 lug nuts and off.

https://picasaweb.google.com/1128325...29942379414306

**Kurlon** · 10-28-12, 06:59 PM

Originally Posted by csmutty

Before their time as in your beloved Ducati thought it was such a great idea they did the same thing many years later once they finally figured out how.

Er...

How about 1948 for before their time? http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Imme_R100 It has single sided errrrrrythang! I'm sure with a little effort I can find earlier examples.

The Hawk was a gussied up cruiser engine tossed in a VFR derived frame and swingarm setup saddled with cost reduced low spec brakes and forks. It was a parts bin, no-engineering, reuse what you can from the existing product lines machine that just happens to have worked out well instead of being a mismatched dud. Add in a low initial cost, good race results once people figured out what they were dealing in, and low sales numbers when initially launched and you've got the makings of a cult following.

**Doc** · 10-29-12, 12:06 PM

No one bought em when they were new because it sat next to the CBR600 on the showroom floor.

Two Brothers and others did well racing them in the Early 90's and club racers caught on as well. They are an easily modded bike, handle really well and getting 70+ hp in a 300 pound package is pretty good.

Plus passing Ducati's into 1 makes it all worth while.

**markbvt** · 10-29-12, 12:34 PM

Funnily enough, Honda used that engine in the Transalp as well, and that didn't sell well either (over here at least -- in Europe it sold great and kept getting updated until very recently).

--mark

**Doc** · 10-29-12, 12:37 PM

I have an F2 tank and a Ducati tail. Maybe I will do another copy of this style.

**Kurlon** · 10-29-12, 12:59 PM

Originally Posted by Doc

I have an F2 tank and a Ducati tail. Maybe I will do another copy of this style.

That style is already passe, the new style is Gangham Style!

**a13x** · 10-30-12, 07:11 PM

SSSA's aren't the hot ticket for racing. That's why the 999 went to dual. Lighter and better for racing applications. Only reason 1098 went back to SSSA was because the 999 didn't sell and all the coffee drinkers freaked out. Yea SSSA makes changing your rear wheel 'easier' for the average joe in their garage but a pro race team has a rear wheel off a traditional swingarm bike in seconds flat. Also gearing changes are a nightmare with SSSA due to the isometric hub.

Hawks do rule though. Not many 1988 production bikes you can roll up to any bike night, race track, gp parking lot and have people walk by and start talking about your bike.

xxaarraa · 10-30-12, 07:35 PM

Originally Posted by a13x

SSSA's aren't the hot ticket for racing. That's why the 999 went to dual. Lighter and better for racing applications. Only reason 1098 went back to SSSA was because the 999 didn't sell and all the coffee drinkers freaked out. Yea SSSA makes changing your rear wheel 'easier' for the average joe in their garage but a pro race team has a rear wheel off a traditional swingarm bike in seconds flat. Also gearing changes are a nightmare with SSSA due to the isometric hub.

Hawks due rule though. Not many 1988 production bikes you can roll up to any bike night, race track, gp parking lot and have people walk by and start talking about your bike.

Regardless of how many seconds a race team needs to take the wheel off a dual swingarm bike, taking the same wheel off an SSS is faster. And in racing, even miliseconds are worth big big money. Also, a race-prepped bike will have a quick change sprocket carrier, so your point about gearing changes being harder on SSS is not necessarily true.

999 didn't sell because of many reasons. The swingarm isn't one of them.

No offense meant, just pointing out is all.

**CBR929RE** · 10-30-12, 09:16 PM

Originally Posted by xxaarraa

It's actually heavier. It's better for racing applications - makes wheel changes and chain adjustment a breeze. Aesthetics mostly in street bikes.

Originally Posted by xxaarraa

Regardless of how many seconds a race team needs to take the wheel off a dual swingarm bike, taking the same wheel off an SSS is faster. And in racing, even miliseconds are worth big big money. Also, a race-prepped bike will have a quick change sprocket carrier, so your point about gearing changes being harder on SSS is not necessarily true.

999 didn't sell because of many reasons. The swingarm isn't one of them.

No offense meant, just pointing out is all.

you're thinking of endurance racing. Isle of Man they still change a rear wheel in under 30 seconds with only one guy doing it on a double sided swingarm.

regular sprint racing a double sided swingarm is the way to go. its lighter, stronger and more rigid. take a look at every bike on a GP grid, every single one is a prototype chassis and they all have double sided swingarms.

Hawks in current advertisement

Thread Tools