FW Kent State Park on the Nighthawk

[Iahawk]

went for my (sadly) longest ride of the season, yesterday, on the Nighthawk. 55 miles in the late morning before the temps hit the low 90's F (33-34 C) with very high humidity. I did what I rarely do, got off the bike and took a pic! I went through my local gem of a state park, FW Kent. I believe it began as a hilltop patch of native prairie grass and has been expanded through the years with more prairie, native wildflower and tree plantings.

(the state where I live, Iowa, has the most altered % of landscape of all 50 states, from its original state before white settlers moved in almost 200 years ago. Prairie, wetlands and forest, all plowed under and drained to plant corn and soybeans)

The pic shows a far side of the park with native prairie grass...I wish I'd turned 180 degress to take a pic of the forested interior!

Beautiful ride and fun opening up the old Nighthawks 4 cylinder on the highway!

[Stig / Major Tom]

Nice Hawk!
You must be pretty confident in that bike and your wrenching skills to ride off 50+ miles🙂!
You know, it's not like we have to pay to get our film developed.... sooo. Shoot pix, then shoot some more! *
Ride safe buddy!
Stig

I take an embarrassingly large number of photos every time I ride!
no, tell a lie. not embarrassed at all. Photography is a hobby, too.

[Iahawk]

funny you mention my confidence in the bike...the one thing I have honestly never tried is shutting it off and restarting it on a ride. I leave my garage, go for a ride and return home...never shutting it off. I left it on for this pic. Only because it can sometimes be a little tricky to start when cold...I would hate to turn it off mid ride and find I can't restart it! I suppose the easy thing to do would be to come home after a ride, shut it off and then restart it for peace of mind. I will need to try that at some point....

[Iahawk]

(just saw your beading raindrops pic...I'm a sucker for shiny paint, I love to see water beading!)

[Neil955i]

(just saw your beading raindrops pic...I'm a sucker for shiny paint, I love to see water beading!)

Does beat the ubiquitous matte finish into a cocked hat doesn't it?  Ace pic Stig.

[monkeybongos]

Surprised you could stop after 55 miles Hawk, as “the hawk” was probably just warming up.
My Rebel runs better after 20 miles, and I swear better still after 40.

[Iahawk]

Surprised you could stop after 55 miles

the high temps combined with 'not in full riding shape neck muscles' helped my decision to head home. I can always tell when I've been on the highway for a while as I'll first start to feel it in my neck. No wind protection means I'm working harder to keep my head up! This is usually an early season problem that solves itself as the season goes on but I've done such little highway riding this season that I'm still not in full riding shape.

[Stig / Major Tom]

Does beat the ubiquitous matte finish into a cocked hat doesn't it?  Ace pic Stig.

Thanks Neil,
I noted once again the silver paint I applied to 'mask' at the top of the headlight proper.
The LIKE had two faults when it rolled off the line in China.
The seat was something from the Hanoi/Hilton and the top of the headlight glared in the eyes of the rider at night. Well, it did if you were handsomely tall, like moi.

Stig

[Stig / Major Tom]

funny you mention my confidence in the bike...the one thing I have honestly never tried is shutting it off and restarting it on a ride. I leave my garage, go for a ride and return home...never shutting it off. I left it on for this pic. Only because it can sometimes be a little tricky to start when cold...I would hate to turn it off mid ride and find I can't restart it! I suppose the easy thing to do would be to come home after a ride, shut it off and then restart it for peace of mind. I will need to try that at some point....

I've mentioned the 'concerns' I always have had about restarts when miles from home on a frigid day. And after one of my goofy wet rides.
Now, unlike you - I've taken my scooters from new - yet the worry is back there in my head, "touch the start button and hope..."
I was blessed to buy a LIKE200i - as any 1st gen. LIKE owner will tell you, it has an amazingly reassuring start - all temps, no matter how long sitting. The darn thing lights  before you can get your thumb off the button. It truly is instantaneous!...and settles quickly into a smooth idle.

I went from the stock 8Ah battery to a YUASA 14Ah battery ....and keep it on a tender jr. and try not to think bad thoughts! I do NOT shut it off while dismounting to take photos out on some lonely country road in 18°F temps in the dark!
Besides - I wouldn't anyway - as I prefer night shots of the scooter with all the lights on.

and if they ever do fail to start for me....I'm either in my driveway, or Yellow Springs. So I'll go have a coffee with friends or family - and call someone.

I've not the right temperament for riding into the boonies on anything I've built from near-scratch - as you have;-)
Youi are impressive!

Stig

[Neil955i]

Thanks Neil,
I noted once again the silver paint I applied to 'mask' at the top of the headlight proper.

If you hadn't have pointed it out...

[Iahawk]

If you hadn't have pointed it out...

I hadn't noticed this, either! I recall blue painter's tape on there...maybe many years ago?? The silver paint looks like it came from the factory.