QuestionQUESTION: I just got this bike (16,000 mi- non Calif. model), it runs well but I know they leaned these out to meet EPA regs at the time. It is cold natured on start-up as they all are- I have an '82 Ascot that I went up a coupla jet sizes on and it is a completely different motorcycle as a result of-- what do you recommend on a rejet for the Nighthawk? I live in East Texas- Altitude 500 ft.? Thanks, Terry
ANSWER: Terry, often the best way to solve the off-throttle leanness is to get to the idle mixture screws and richen them up about 1/4 turn or so. Otherwise, a jet kit would offer a way to raise the needles a little and maybe increase the main jet size a step. Depends a lot whether you have modified the intake or exhaust system.
I had the same experience with my Ascot FT500 and it did make a big difference in how it ran...
Bill Silver
---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------
QUESTION: Howdy Bill, Thanks for your response- I forgot to give you all the info, didn't I? The bike has the stock intake and exhaust system in place. Would you suggest two sizes up on the slow jet and main jet? Don't remember what I did on the Ascot FT500- whatever Geo on Yahoo Ascot Owner's Group recommended- that guy is sharp on Ascots! Is there a good Nighthawk forum out there? Are there any Nighthawk quirks or weaknesses I should know about? Thanks again for your time, Terry.
AnswerTerry, with stock OEM intake/exhaust, you really don't want to put a lot of big jetting in it. Just some subtle tweaks will do just fine. Lift the needle with a shim, richen up the idle mixture screws. I don't think bigger mains will probably be beneficial, as it is. Honda wouldn't jet it so lean that it would burn up when you were on full throttle for extended periods, anyway. A run on a dyno would be helpful, using air/fuel ratio monitoring to see what it needs.
http://www.nighthawk-forums.com/
Bill Silver
