For a while i've been getting around this by keeping the RPM's up, but after reading everyone say you should be able to get the wheel up at 5k RPM by letting off and rollin on hard ( I can't), I think it's time I get some work done on the hawk.

I called up my local honda place, and they said with the knock/tick, the valves should be serviced. I then mentioned how the previous owner let it sitting since july ~ march when I bought it, so the carbs should probably be cleaned. Getting both done is $450, and I don't think I want to do that. I just wanted to get everyone's opinion before I do the work.

Oh yea, its a '98 with ~11k miles, two bros carbon fiber exhaust, rejetted by shop with previous owner.

 

sounds a little early for the valves to be out, but who knows. it can't hurt to get stuff done, and it'll give you piece of mind. remember tho that the carb slides do clack a little at low rpms. so if you get all this done, and there is still this sound, it might be that.

 

Does this cause the power to be even too as it "clacks"?

Edit: Also he said the valves need to be adjusted not replaced

 

Clean the carbs with Seafoam. Buy a bottle and pour 1/3 of it in each time over three fill ups. That will clean everything out nicely. When you store the bike for the winter, be sure to winterize it with fuel stabilizer too! My Hawk has under 5k miles and makes all kinds of noise! Its just the nature of this beast IMO. Of course, peice of mind is also priceless. Oh and download or buy a manual!!

 

When he used the term "out" he meant out of spec. not replace.

 

I just ran a half bottle of Gumout through my last tank and got noticeably better low RPM pickup just from that one tank. I assume the Seafoam stuff is similar. Definitely worth trying this route before spending money at the shop.

 

wow, I've been searching the web readin about this seafoam stuff, and I'm picking up a bottle first chance I get, and riding the crap out the bike so I can maybe cancel my friday appointment with the honda dealer.

 

Seafoam recommends putting it in your oil and directly in the carbs. Do you guys just put it in the tank and run it or do you do all three methods?

 

I WOULD REMOVE THE GAS TANK AND AIR FILTER AND JUST SPRAY ABOUT A HALF CAN OF CARB CLEANING IN THE THROTTLE BODY!! THEN USE SOME GUM OUT IN THE TANK FOR THE NEXT 4 FILL UPS IT SHOULD FIX THE PROBLEM IT DID FOR ME MY BIKE SET FOR A 2 YEARS.

 

so whats the consensus on the sea foam? put it in your gas? in your oil? in everything? antifreeze? pump up the tires with it? how is it officially applied?

 

I've been putting it in my gas, and haven't had any problems, but I was wondering if I should put it in before or after i fill up with a tank??

 

I haven't tried it... But I imagine if you pour it in and then fill up it will mix nicely... It's a bit hard to pick the bike up and shake it like a drink mixer...

 

So I've been using the seafoam in the tank for my past couple fill ups, and today I noticed I could actually do some power wheelies in first gear(couldn't before). I still get the clack sound so I'm guessing it might be the carb slides. Is this something I should get chcked out??