Does anyone know if the hawkeye is supposed to have a break-in valve adjustment? Most brand say at around 20 hours the valves should be adjusted but the manual I have for the hawkeye states every 100 hundred hours. Seems like a long time before the intial valve adjustment to me. I called the dealer and of course all they would say is you should bring it in and let us check it out at around 20 hours or so. They could not tell me specifically if the valves needed adjusting or not at that time.

 

I have a hawkeye and I have 700 miles and about 55 hours on it. Still running strong.
I think the time would be related to the typr of driving you do.
I plan on doing my adjustment at the 100 hour mark unless something happens before then.
It would be great if someone who has done the adjustment talks about how they did it.

Iggy in Arizona

 

It's a simple thing to do. I decided to set mine at .005 in an attempt to quiet the motor ticking sound down. Didn't do a thing, the Hawkeye motor is just a noisey engine.

Remove the cam cover on top of the engine. There are the two rocker arms that have an adjustment stud, and a locknut on them. Loosen the locknut and screw the stud in or out depending on what's needed to set them at .006. That is the factory spec. Then while holding the stud so it can't turn, tighten the locking nut down. I think it takes an 5mm and 6mm wrench, but don't hold me to that. Then replace the cam cover.

Of course make sure the piston is a TDC before setting the valve clearance. Like I said it is real easy to do.

 

When I did mine at 100 hours, the clearances were only .001 tighter than spec. I'd say wait until the 100 hours, or do it at 50 hours if that makes you feel better. But not 20, just do an oil and filter change at 20 hours.

 

Did you have to replace the valve cover gasket?
Thanks
Iggy

 

Did you adjust those hot or cold............thanks, DJB.

 

I did not have to replace the gasket and the procedure is performed with the engine cold.

 

Boy am I ****. I have about 35-38 hours on mine and I've changed the oil 4 times. After riding all day in 90*+ temps with only 2 quarts of oil in the crankcase, I change it. I've even changed the front drive fluid, and transmission fluid.

Slightly off subject but, after all the metal I found stuck to the front drive drain plug magnet, you'd all be better off changing it out. I see no wear, and it funtions properly, just break in crap. But there was plenty of it.