Farewell Hawk GT

Two weeks ago yesterday a nice man came and gave me money, and took away my 1990 Honda Hawk GT. I'd listed it for sale about 10 days before, sort of on a whim, and listed the price as high as I thought I could without seeming like a crack smoker.

Here's how I described it in the ad, for the record:

"1990 Honda Hawk GT "RC31". This is a perfect lightweight sportbike for beginning (or advanced) riders. The Hawk GT is somewhat of a "cult" bike that has an enthusiastic following in the USA, even though it was only imported for four model years ('88-'91). The machine features an aluminum beam frame and a remarkable single-sided aluminum swingarm. Power comes from an efficient 647-cc liquid-cooled v-twin engine through a five-speed transmission, chain drive. Claimed dry weight is 383lbs., very lightweight indeed.

 

"This bike has been upgraded with a half-fairing from Honda's superbike of the time, the RC30. It also has adjustable clip-on handlebars to suit. Braided steel brake lines for better stopping and upgraded fork springs by Race Tech complete the front end. Suspension at the back is handled by an adjustable shock from a CBR900RR, a popular upgrade for these bikes. Engine performance is enhanced by a Muzzy slip-on pipe and Dynojet jet kit. Other extras include a solo seat cowl, rearset footpeg plates and fender eliminator, uninstalled. Also included is the stock headlight and mounts to return the bike to "naked" configuration.

"I've owned this bike for about 20 years (!); it was purchased in Virden MB at a powersports dealer there. It's been regularly maintained and shows extremely well, a very good looking motorcycle in remarkable condition and a classic Honda. I would recommend this bike to beginner sportbike riders or advanced riders in search of something different. Always draws looks and favourable comments whenever I have it out for a ride.

"The price is close to that of a used late-model beginner bike such as a CBR250R. But to me this machine is far superior to a new CBR250R or the like; it's more powerful and has far better quality frame and running gear, but is still comfortable and tractable for a beginner. It's won "Best Japanese Bike" at a vintage bike show as well which would be more than you could say for any 250R ;-)

"Also comes with owner's manual and magazine articles. Please email me with any questions or if you'd like more pictures. You can read more about the Hawk GT (and its fanatical owners) at http://hawkgtforum.com/forum/" 

This machine was the first "nice" bike I ever owned and it was a corker. Dead reliable, lightweight, reasonably powerful, and very very pretty, to my eye anyway. I'd done most of the "recommended" Hawk GT mods over the years and each one of them improved the bike. It's been down to Brainerd for the AMA Superbike races many times and I had a lot of fun with it. The Hawk even helped my buddy Andy pass his road test ;-)

Why sell? Well, it wasn't getting ridden; I have another v-twin sportbike already that does what this Hawk does, only 35 horsepower better; and I wanted to make room in the garage for something different. Life is short! But when it came down to it, there was a tear in my eye as the new owner rode off. But I didn't take a penny less for it than the asking price!

Porsche 911 M&K/Fabspeed Exhaust Install

It is finished!

Sooo... for some time now fellow PCA member Andy has been after me to upgrade the exhaust on my 911. I'd wanted to do so as well - I'm into the weight savings, a more mellifluous exhaust note, and better drivability when combined with a Steve Wong chip. So a few months back I placed an ad in the Pelican Parts classified and was contacted by a member there who was selling an M&K one-in two-out muffler and a Fabspeed cat delete... a deal was struck and a box arrived...

So today was the date determined for the installation at Andy's garage. Being a take-charge sort, Andy did most of the actual work while I turned the odd wrench.

First order of business was to remove the stock parts. This mostly went reasonably smoothly - we only needed to use the zip-disc cutter on one recalcitrant rusty bolt.

Tools used: impact wrench, wrenches, socket and ratchet, Kroil, one rye + Diet Coke.

Here's a shot of the underneath with the cat and muffler off. Looks like I have a small oil leak on the left side :-(

We also took off the left rear wheel which eased the task enormously.

Tools used: socket, breaker bar.

The stock catalytic converter (top).
Fabspeed cat delete pipe (bottom).

The weight savings of the aftermarket parts we used turned out to be substantial - over 20 lbs.! Here's how it broke down - stock muffler = 21 lbs.; M&K = 10 lbs. Stock cat = 18 lbs.; Fabspeed cat delete = 9 lbs. Stock heat shield = 2 lbs. Total weight savings 22 lbs.!
 

Of course, installing a two-out system required some cutting of the stock sheetmetal to accommodate the right-side exit. Dale handled the taping and template-making chores...
  

...but steadfastly refused to do the actual cutting, despite having brought the air-powered body cutter tool and being the ONLY ONE OF US WHO HAD EVER EVEN USED IT. So I ended up hacking away at the rear valance while the others cringed and hid their eyes...

Tools used: pencil, painters tape, body cutter, one Heiniken each.

Honestly, this bit was about the worst of the disassembly - it's inside the engine bay - a hot air hose. Some bastard had attached the jubilee clip in such a way that it was practically impossible to get a screwdriver on it! Andy ended up constructing an elaborate Meccano-like arrangement of socket extensions and after much cursing (my favourite one of Andy's was "c*ck and balls!!") it finally came free.

Tools used: standard screwdriver bit, ratchet, three elbow extensions.

Andy then had to cut some brackets off the heater pipe to allow clearance for the muffler to fit.

Tools used: angle grinder.

He also had to faff about a bit bending a bracket under there.

Tools used: comedy-sized 18" crescent wrench (!)

Turned out it wasn't quite enough so I had to gently "clearance" the pipe a bit to allow room for the M&K. A few love taps was all it took.

Tools used: 20-lb sledgehammer (!!)

Andy had to make a few spacers for the muffler bracket as well. He just cut them out of some scrap steel with the grinder and drilled some holes in 'em.

Tools used: grinder, drill press.

Here's the result with the "new exit". Looks not bad for an amateur job I reckon :-)

Then hey presto! it was all back together and time to fire up. I loved the boys' reaction to the glorious wall of noise. (If you don't have flash you can see it on YouTube here)

But honestly, while it sounds wonderful, it might be a bit too loud (I know, I can't believe I'm saying it either). I'm going to email M&K for one of their "stoppers" to block off one of the exit stubs and see if that helps.

And today, the Steve Wong chip just arrived in the mail :-)

GSX-R panels back from the painter (again)

So this weekend the GSX-R1100 resto project took another step forward with the completion of the bodywork. We'd originally had it painted by the "guy who works mainly out of his garage but uses his boss's spray booth occasionally" (you know the sort) and while it turned out OK, he didn't clear over it. Normally this mightn't have been an issue but the decals we used were not uniformly glossy (some were kind of matte in fact) and it just didn't look quite right.

So I contacted the shop that painted the ducktail on my Porsche and they recommended Kevin at Urban Autobody, and I took the panels over a couple weeks ago. Kevin is a top chap and very handy with a spray gun, and so after a fashion I got a call to pick up the panels.

Can hardly wait to get them on the bike!!

The 911 at 50

On July 11, Porsche Centre Winnipeg hosted the unveiling of the special Porsche 911 Carrera "50 Years 911" for members of the Red River chapter and other interested Porsche fans. The Porsche Centre served up some tremendous hospitality along with soft drinks and delicious appetizers.

General Manager Michael Degroseilliers was a gregarious host and we enjoyed talking Porsche with him. But in the end the car was the star and it is a stunner!

The exterior features special Geyser Grey Metallic paint as a nod to the original 901; it's one of three exclusive 50th anniversary colours, the others being Graphite Grey and Black, both non-metallic. The feature car was also equipped with distinctive-looking LED headlights. Front air intakes are chrome and the turnsignals echo the shape of the first-generation "long-hood" 911 units.

Profile is standard 991, which means "classic 911"... anodized window trims also echo the ur-911.

Also exclusive to the 50th anniversary edition are the 20" Fuchs forged alloy wheels. Not sure I am personally smitten with the anodized "petals" but everyone else seemed to like them, and Michael assured me that they could be customized to my taste when I ordered the car. Sold! ;-)

Out back there is more chrome as well as a special "911-50" logo.

The option sheet on the special 50th 911. Some relevant numbers: 430 horsepower; 7 speed manual transmission; 4.2 sec 0-60mph; 303km/h top speed; $152,500.

The outside of the 911 Carrera "50 Years 911" is pretty special, no doubt. But where it gets really gorgeous is inside. The leather seats with houndstooth-check cloth inserts are simply spectacular. This is really as nice as a modern 911 interior gets, I reckon.

Does that not look classy and comfortable? Special 911-50 logo appears on headrests as well.

The dashboard is accented with tasteful brushed-aluminum trim. The 911-50 emblem appears above the glovebox along with the number of the particular car in the series, which is limited to 1,963 examples (get it?)

That beautiful interior deserves one more photo. Ausgezeichnet!

Unfortunately the "engine compartment" delivers all the visual excitement of a hairdryer. The good stuff (3.8 litre flat-six engine) is buried well beneath and produces 430 horsepower :-) (The Carrera S powerkit is standard)

Porsche Centre Winnipeg also treated attendees to some very nice swag: 911 posters reprinted from vintage originals, a fold-out brochure on the 901, a set of commemorative 50th-anniversary 911 postcards, and even a Porsche Centre Winnipeg license plate frame.

My thanks to Michael and the staff at Porsche Centre Winnipeg for their gracious hospitality and their generosity in hosting the event. The new Porsche Centre is a fantastic facility and I strongly encourage a visit if only to have a chat with Michael and ogle some gorgeous new Porsches!

Porsche Parade: Pony and Picnic in the Park

June 30, 2013 was "Porsche Club of America" night at the local Pony Corral cruise night. There was a good showing from the local chapter with about 20 cars coming out. I made sure to be there to get my free drink and giant hamburger - wow was it big.

Chapter president Geoff was there with his new-to-him '79 930. What a cool car, in wonderful preserved condition. The boxed rockers are sure unusual, Geoff says that they were added at the factory.

I brought out my '85 Carrera 3.2 of course.

Next to me was an '89 Carrera 3.2 in Slate Grey, this is a Euro model and a beauty. Cloth upholstery too which is rare to see.

Of course there is always "that guy" and in this case it was Bentley Man (at right, in tan shorts) who appeared to insist on parking right at the entrance. His travelling companion is the lovely lady just to the left of the car.
 

This uniquely customized vehicle is Pontiac Grand Am with the personalized plate "Hot SE". Dale said it reminded him of the Red River Ex on wheels. To me it had a certain Filipino Jeepney-like quality:

But hey, to each his own. That guy would probably think my mostly-stock Porsche is the height of lameness.

Then the following Sunday, the local PCA chapter organized a picnic in Assiniboine Park followed by a drive out to a local drive-in about 17km north of the city.
 

There was a pretty good turn-out of cars from the club.

I had mine there of course, freshly detailed. I think I will take some better pics and write up a post on that.

Anyway, after a fashion we all arrived at the Half-Moon Drive In in Lockport, and basically monopolized the lower parking lot for an impromptu car show.

PCA member Paz and Lisa brought his 2012 Turbo Cabrio. As I said to Pam afterwards, there was evrything out on the drive from $5K (mid-'80s 944s) to $170K (this Turbo). Pretty inclusive club I guess!

 Crowd around Geoff's Turbo.

Andy's '87 Carrera 3.2 with the inferior heavyweight G50 gearbox ;-)