Dennis, I had one of those 305's - very noisy engine and I could
never keep it running right - loved my little 150 that I owned before
the 305. It aways ran, just had a short engine life, Graham
On Feb 18, 2010, at 10:50 PM, Dennis Hammerl wrote:
I bought a 160 for my first wife. I liked it so much, I rode it
most of the time. After two years, I sold it and made money on it.
I could never raise much interest in the Honda 200 and 250's...
boring. I had an X-6 and that is the standard of 250
performance...to this day. When I met my wife (#2) she had a 250
Rebel. The 305's ? One of the best examples of Italian design /
influence. Both the CB/CL72 and CB/CL77 (250 and 305) were
nightmares of complexity. More chains and bearings than you can
count. Ball bearing cam,crank,, chain drive primary.. NOISY MOTORS.
Fragile four speed.. Eventually Honda got onto the idea that a film
of oil worked better than a bearing... FYI: Honda made more 350's
than anything ever ('68~'73) Was your "scrambler" a CL350 or an
SL350 ? Big difference.
From: stanley/ Randolph <[email protected]>
To: [email protected]
Sent: Thu, February 18, 2010 9:49:43 PM
Subject: Re: [Nighthawk Lovers] Re: Hello from New Mexico!
Well, your comments explain why I was not to keen on my 550's
lacklustre performance. Or how it would flex. I did go over
100mph on it, the only thing I liked about it, other than, as you
said - it was smooth. Still, I didn't like it that much, so I
rented it out and used my 350 most of the time. I also had a 125
that I bought (in PR), just because my dad made me bring back a
classic Bentley 125 I had bought, back in Phoenix. Kind of I can
do what I want now and I will ride a 125. It was fun, but not as
much as the scrambler 350. The 350 Four? Never had much interest
in it because of my experience with the 550, so never rode one. I
repaired a CM200 for a gal, down here a few years back, and rode
it after to test: there again, not too impressed with it. Like
the 250 Nighthawk better.
My buddy in Phoenix had to get a bike when he saw me with my little
step-thru 50. His dad gave him just about anything he wanted, so
he got a 305 Hawk and that wasn't good enough so he had the engine
balanced and blueprinted and put in a cam as well. He soon grew
tired of that and bought a Triumph Bonney I rode it and also rode
on the back one day with him. He didn't see this car coming, and
pulled out in front of him. The guy hit his brakes, Gary went full
throttle, and I held on for dear life. The end result? He pulled
away in time and we were safe, 'cept for the two brown spots on his
seat (lol).
Can you imagine jumping hills with a Bonney? He did, and finally
did the front forks in. I did jump with him, on my 160, which was
more fun, IMO. I didn't take it to the extreme like he did, so
never ruined my bike...
BTW, I could make quick work of a Yamaha 180 with my 160, two up on
each. I took my time breaking it in. It was quick. I can't give
the exact year, but I think it was a '68. I have done what you
say, with the kickstarter, on my 160, on the center stand. That's
how I would start it, to oil my chain; never tried in on the
scrambler, but that wasn't a 350F...
Stanley
From: Dennis Hammerl <[email protected]>
To: [email protected]
Sent: Wed, February 17, 2010 10:14:46 PM
Subject: Re: [Nighthawk Lovers] Re: Hello from New Mexico!
I never thought the old 550 K series were anything to write home
about. Just big, smooth fours. The old 350 twins ran almost as well
and the early twin-cam 450 would make short work of one of those.
For a bike like your 450, I'd use Bridgestones. Top heavy ? Not
really, just more weight in general and, of course, above the axle
center line. Ever ride a 350 four ? Another short lived bike from
Honda. Very collectible now. Only made '73~'74. The CB400F not
nearly as neat as the 350F. (CB400F not made very long either) The
350F was a little jewel. I could pull out the kick starter with the
bike on my lift at full height and start it with my hand.
From: stanley/ Randolph <[email protected]>
To: [email protected]
Sent: Wed, February 17, 2010 2:27:23 PM
Subject: Re: [Nighthawk Lovers] Re: Hello from New Mexico!
Thank you for your input, Dennis. On my 450, I would not put
Kendas. It feels faster than my 550 Four that I owned in Puerto
Rico. At least, acceleration wise, anyway. But then, I am older
and not as quick with the reflexes and inclined to take it more
slowly; but it is, partly, because I am not used to that much
acceleration on two wheels any more.
Heck - I am not used to it on four wheels, what am I talkin' about???
The only thing about this 450 is that it seems a bit top heavy,
unlike my 350 scrambler, which was light and nimble. Am I right
about that? Is its CG a bit high?
Maybe after I ride awhile in the spring, I will become more
familiar with the whole machine and get into it again...
Stanley
From: Dennis Hammerl <[email protected]>
To: [email protected]
Sent: Mon, February 15, 2010 10:42:33 PM
Subject: Re: [Nighthawk Lovers] Re: Hello from New Mexico!
Sorry about your father. We only get one set of parents.
Home buying ? Be very careful. Good time to buy distressed. (they
call it "motivated" )
Kendas on a 250 ? No problem. Not for sport bikes that may be
ridden hard.
From: stanley/ Randolph <[email protected]>
To: [email protected]
Sent: Mon, February 15, 2010 2:36:32 PM
Subject: Re: [Nighthawk Lovers] Re: Hello from New Mexico!
I do understand safety, and will be able to afford the best now,
because of my inheritance. Father died. I have enough to buy a
home (if I do it soon), plus some to live on as well.
The 250 was purely commute. To work and to the store for
groceries, etc.
Last three cars died from under me - transmissions - but now I have
a nice F150, extended cab. Great truck, but IMO, uses too much
gas. Will be hooking up one of my newly revised (fifth
"generation" ) hydrogen generators this week to discover how much
of an improvement it will make.
I think I will probably put it on a Ford analysing machine, to
determine if there are any tuning issues. It has a slight
imbalance at some moments that comes and goes.
Stanley
--- On Sun, 2/14/10, Dennis Hammerl <[email protected]> wrote:
From: Dennis Hammerl <[email protected]>
Subject: Re: [Nighthawk Lovers] Re: Hello from New Mexico!
To: [email protected]
Date: Sunday, February 14, 2010, 9:28 PM
No secret, they are a bargain brand tire that I won't use on any
bike that can be used for anything other than commuting. When
replacing tires, I like to use a better grade than OEM. IMHO Kenda
is not. Plenty that are though. I understand budget concerns but
can't justify sacrificing safety.
From: stanley/ Randolph <[email protected]>
To: [email protected]
Sent: Sun, February 14, 2010 6:26:53 PM
Subject: Re: [Nighthawk Lovers] Re: Hello from New Mexico!
Dennis -
I would like to know - why no Kendas? While I had no trouble with
them, they're not trustworthy if it's been sitting. The Dunlops
that were on it when I bought it were imbalanced and I am sure it
was from sitting in a garage for some nine years. It only had 815
miles on it. So, I would not use any tire that has been sitting
for a few years, regardless of how much tread it has on it.
When I replaced the originals with the Kendas, they made a huge
difference; and they needed replacement some 8,000 miles later.
I replaced them myself both times, with the tools in the OEM kit
and a pry bar.
At the time I had very little money and had just recovered from my
accident enough to go to work part time. It was hard going at
first, being on my legs for that long. I worked at night and the
250 was our main transportation, for the both of us.
Mostly, it was for my wife, though. Now, she won't get on it: go
figure.
We both or each went to work on that bike rain or shine, did all of
the maintenance, and she was faithful to take us everywhere: over
15,000 miles in two years, seldom using the car, because it used
too much gas, even at 31mpg in town. We were starting out anew,
had little, and spent little.
That little Honda 250 Nighthawk performed well, never complaining,
not even in the rain, except once, when a plug went bad: nooo
problema...
When I actually put the 450 on the road in the spring, it will have
new tires(-haven't decided which yet, Metzler or maybe Avon),
rebuilt caliper, and maybe some attention to the carbs, if I still
feel a slight hesitation after running a tank or two with SeaFoam.
Stanley
--- On Sat, 2/13/10, Dennis Hammerl <[email protected]> wrote:
From: Dennis Hammerl <[email protected]>
Subject: Re: [Nighthawk Lovers] Re: Hello from New Mexico!
To: [email protected]
Date: Saturday, February 13, 2010, 9:23 PM
If you say so.. The condition you describe makes me still think a
tire problem. You bought it with these tires on ? Block it up so
the front wheel is free and spin by hand. Look close for the tread
to run true and from the side, for out-of-round. There is usually a
line around a tire that is close to the rim that can be used to
reference the bead. Sometimes your hand is the best instrument to
use. Spin the wheel and let it run through a light grip.
Imperfections can be felt that aren't easily seen. If it meets all
of these criteria, we'll look elsewhere. It slips me for now, what
model is this again ?
# No, Kenda is not a brand I would buy or use. sorry. The official
policy of Honda when pursuing a problem like this is to replace a
tire to determine if that is the cause (when all else checks out
fine) Hidden defects can be resolved this way. Barring that, we'll
get into more chassis detail. You've done a good job of eliminating
most things already. I take very seriously anything that can
compromise safety.
From: NM85NightHawk <[email protected]>
To: Nighthawk Motorcycle Lovers! <[email protected]>
Sent: Sat, February 13, 2010 4:00:45 PM
Subject: [Nighthawk Lovers] Re: Hello from New Mexico!
Hey guys!
I didn't find any flat spots on the tires. They are nearly new and
still have the little nubby's along the extreme outside edges.
The bead looks to be nice and even on both sides. I had a friend
double check just in case I went blind.
The tires are Kenda Cruiser K671 front and rear.
Are these known to be good tires? Or should I look to replacing them
pretty soon?
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