<There are many others that have had more motorcycles than they currently have hair on the top of their heads -- Joey>
I resemble that remark (yer a riot, Alice!) +1 to everything said so far, adding: I suspect the air leak is a result of faulty tire changing, probly a pinched inner tube or misaligned valve during installation of the new tire, since it occurred shortly after that event. Best solution is to take wheel off and take it to an automotive tire shop where they can submerge it in a big tank of soapy water to pinpoint where the leak is (unless you can find a motorcycle shop so equipped). Fix is a new inner tube. I wouldn't allow the air-it-up-when-it-gets-low scenario to continue much longer. You never know when a slight leak will become a bigger one -- and you might be riding at speed and/or out in the boonies when that happens. Removing the rear wheel is relatively straight forward, but probly intimidating the first time you do it. A center stand is invaluable if your bike is so equipped. I'd recommend buying one and installing it, if not. Even more invaluable is a service manual for your specific model. Clymer is a good start (about $30, maybe cheaper on ebay), but I'd add the Honda factory one (good for exploded views and step-by-step disassemble/assemble instructions), and eventually the Honda Common Service manual (background on the whys and wherefores of all of Honda's various motorsports systems). All three will help you become a half-fast mechanic, like us. Finally, the "spanner" Allen mentioned for adjusting rear shock preload, is the flat, funny-looking, half-moon shaped wrench in the tool kit that came with your bike. Good luck with it and welcome to the group. On Feb 18, 1:37 pm, Christy Deering <[email protected]> wrote: > Hi folks! > > I just stumbled on this forum, and thought I'd ask a few questions while > I'm at it. Correct me if I should make separate posts about these three > issues I've been having. :) > > 1. First off, I'm riding a 2007 Nighthawk 250. I noticed a slow rear tire > leak shortly after I had the tire replaced about 8 or 9 months ago. I took > it in to the shop that replaced the tire, they exhaustively searched for a > leak, but couldn't find one. They told me the tire was safe to ride on, and > that I should just keep an eye on the pressure. Ideally, what should I be > keeping the tire pressure at? I feel like that's a dumb girl question, but > let me explain - is it better to overfill the tire a bit so I can go longer > in between trips to the air pump, or is that a terrible idea as far as > traction/handling? > > 2. I'm 5'9", and I feel too tall for my Nighthawk, as much as I love it. > The whole bike has always felt rather "squishy" under me, and I don't > really trust it in the corners not to slip out from under me to some > extent, even on dry, happy pavement. Is this something that could be > adjusted, or am I stuck on a bike I don't fully trust because I'm too > *gasp* big for it? My self esteem is doin just fine, feel free to give it > to me straight if you have any input. :) > > 3. Gladys (the Nighthawk) has been backfiring lately. Could this be a dirty > carb issue? Should I attempt to clean things/do this on my own, or would > you recommend a trip to the shop? I've never done anything to a bike other > than change the oil, though I would love to learn more as I go. Being > self-sufficient with bike repair is my ultimate goal, I just haven't had a > lot of chances in the year I've owned the Nighthawk. Which is probably a > good thing, ultimately. > > Thanks, fellas! > - Christy -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "Nighthawk Motorcycle Lovers!" group. To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an email to [email protected]. To post to this group, send email to [email protected]. Visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/nighthawk_lovers?hl=en-US. For more options, visit https://groups.google.com/groups/opt_out.
