How I Start a 1970s Honda Motorcycle - 1978 Honda Hawk

Come along as I start up one of my 1970s Honda motorcycles that has been sitting for more than a year. You'll love this 1978 Honda Hawk. I'll also give you a sneak peak at the other bikes in my vintage motorcycle collection.
MOTORCYCLES SEEN IN THIS VIDEO:
1978 Honda Hawk
1971 Triumph Bonneville
1976 Honda CB 750
1977 Honda CB 750
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[@WildBill1120]

I bought that same exact Honda Hawk 400 in 1978 when I was in college. My high school bike was a Honda 125 Scrambler. Loved both bikes. Took my girlfriend riding on the Hawk. She must have liked it because she married me! Celebrating 41 years today! 😎👍🏼👍🏼

[@OldSchoolMillennial]

Thats awesome! Happy Anniversary, Bill!

[@saucytoon3452]

Sweet!

[@stevetaylor8698]

I love the young child's accent.

[@whommee]

Brings back good memories, I love that Hawk exhaust note. Bought a brand new one in high-school worked all summer to pay for it in the tenth grade! Loved that bike, most dependable bike I ever had. Wish I had kept her ! She was cold natured and had to keep her chocked for a few minutes after starting her up. Thanks for posting this video!

[@marcusbrown7817]

I got one for sale 1978 Honda Hawk

[@garydunn3037]

These bikes were set to run lean, to beat US exhaust emmisions. and so needed a little
choke on cold start up.

[@wisdom9644]

My dude..... pull the choke all the way is step #1 for a cold start. (not after trying to crank it ~10 times). Awesome bike collection!

[@kiplindsay8413]

I had the same Hawk as my first bike back in the ‘70’s. Fun little bike.

[@OldSchoolMillennial]

That is so cool! These bikes are a lot of fun.

[@garydunn3037]

I had the 250 version of this bike in 78 known here as the "Dream" and physically it
was the same as the 400 version, but with sleeved down barrels to make it a 250.
It felt like a big bike, and I loved the sound from the exhaust. It was silky smooth
to ride, and I went on to buy the Super Dream version, and the US Custom version.
All Great bikes. Best days of my life. I'm 65 now.

[@OldSchoolMillennial]

That is awesome, Gary! I have some fond memories myself driving this bike with my wife.

[@garydunn3037]

@@OldSchoolMillennial Here in the UK the Bike was known as "Dream" rather than
"Hawk" I think, on reflection the bike sounded better as "Hawk" But that's another
story. As I said in my previous comment, the 250 version was basically a sleeved
down 400. And if felt like a Big Bike, me being just over 6 feet tall, it suited me well,
even two up it pulled really strong, thanks to the 360 degree crank, where both
pistons were pulling in unison. Thanks to a chain driven counter balance system.
Which, incidentally needs to be adjusted regularly, or the chain tends to slacken,
and the engine begins to sound noisy. Later models, like SuperHawk, had a screw
out plug just forward of the kickstart lever, and all was needed was to take this
plug out, gently slacken the nut inside, and then tighten it up. The automatic
adjuster then took up any slack in the chain. I did this routinely, when I did an oil
change every 1000 miles. The same with the cam chain, with engine off, located
behind the cylinders in the center of the engine. If you do these simple jobs, then
the engine will run smooth and quiet for years. Oh, and don't forget to change the
oil filter every oil change.

[@weissbrau100]

I purchased for $1200 in 1978. At the start of 12th grade. Rode for almost 2 years.

[@rodneysweetnam8653]

Hi Glen - it's Big Rodders in Ireland. Over here the Honda 250 was called the Dream and was a top seller in the 70s until driver licensing laws changed and beginners were restricted to 125cc. I bought a CB250 new in 1972 and enjoyed it though in hindsight it was heavy for its capacity as the original design was for a 400cc I believe. A few suggestions for you - I always drain carbs when laying up engines, particularly now with ethanol gas, and trickle charge my battery every month. A mate used to heat up the crankcase of his CX500 with an electric fan heater for an hour before starting the engine after a long lay off and the warm thinned oil took less effort to fire it up.

[@aaronlanphear6516]

I got one of these bikes from a customer of mine it's a beauty

[@OldSchoolMillennial]

Sweet deal! These are so much fun.

[@truthbknown4957]

Nice kids!

[@tombenson5957]

I went on a 3 month camping trip with a buddy with dual Honda Hawks. Small but bulletproof.

[@OldSchoolMillennial]

That's awesome, Tom!

[@adventurerhoades]

Cool old bike. I'm a harley guy but I've had Triumph, kawasaki. Love my long hauls on motorcycle harley touring. Stay safe

[@OldSchoolMillennial]

Thanks!

[@uthrus]

I bought a red 78 Honda Hawk in 1979. They gave me even a sweeter deal because it was a showroom holdover. I think I paid $1,600 for it and loved it.

[@EscapeVelo]

This is what Im looking for. A 70s (or early 80s) CB350 or CB400 Twin.

[@Chevy4x4dawg]

Great video!! Thanks for sharing your other hobby. Not a bike bike person but I can appreciate anything with a motor. My vote for next video is of the Deere mower haha

[@OldSchoolMillennial]

Thanks man! Just one of many hobbies I've enjoyed over the years. I do need to get my John Deere mower out sometime to give it some exercise.

[@caseyweed3657]

Awesome collection of bikes

[@OldSchoolMillennial]

Thank you!

[@Paul.Gascoyneuk]

Love the Honda Hawk or as we call them here in England the Honda Dream , great video Cheers 👍

[@jlacc1]

Very good looking Stock 400T. I have a 77 CB400t. Its a good bullet proof bike.

[@OldSchoolMillennial]

Thanks, I love this bike!

[@giuseppe4909]

That is a real Triumph…I can tell from the giant oil slick under it..🤣🤣🤣

[@markdavisson6219]

I have a 1978 Honda Hulk also .

[@OldSchoolMillennial]

Awesome! I love this bike for cruising.

[@xstiffx]

Cool story bro

[@GunCollector007]

Very enjoyable video. Thanks

[@OldSchoolMillennial]

Thanks! I appreciate that.

[@nathanlovern5283]

I’ve had a few of the CM400’s and on most the CDI box was bad. Had a CM400A once it was cool

[@1RevMatt]

My 2nd bike was one of those!

[@OldSchoolMillennial]

Great bike!

[@trcpilot]

I had that exact same bike... I wish I still had it

[@OldSchoolMillennial]

It's a great bike. I sold some bikes a while back that I feel the same way about. I guess we're all just making the best decisions we can at the time we make them!

[@SimonIngall]

That red Triumph though!

[@OldSchoolMillennial]

I know! I love that bike. I need to give it some TLC and get it running again.

[@lesn9125]

I had an orange one…love em. Was wondering if you would be interested in selling it

[@dibspicer554]

i got an 82 nighthawk if you got any advice or knowledge on them id love to know some xD but beautiful bike this nighthawk is also my first ever bike ever

[@js92css]

What front tire(size, brand, model) is on that 78' hawk?

[@ke6bnl]

got to get my Honda 125 running with original tires and about 1200 miles the carb slide is stuck. has not run in 15 years.

[@Sparks690]

Do you know why there're so few 79 halls around?

[@attilagyebnar485]

Hi!What is the tyre size and brand on the bike?Thanks

[@lopimartinez5468]

DESDE ARGENTINA UN ABRAZO TENGO UNA IGUAL TRATANDO DE RESTAURAR NO CONSIGP CARBURADORES

[@markdavisson6219]

Woops spelled hawk wrong !

[@samborambobo]

Is this the automatic or the standard version question mark

[@andimuhammadradit4550]

400 or 450??

[@OldSchoolMillennial]

400!