So I’ve been dreaming about owning a 1978 Honda Hawk for years, right? That classic cafe racer look just gets me every time. Finally decided it was now or never, so I dove headfirst into hunting one down. Here’s exactly how I did it, warts and all.
The Hunt Begins
Started scrolling through online listings like a madman every night after work. Thought I struck gold with this one ad showing a shiny Hawk, till I noticed the guy reused the same blurry photo from a 2017 forum post. Total red flag. Tip number one: fresh pics or bust. If they’re using ancient images or won’t send new ones when asked, run.
Road Trip Reality Check
Found what looked like a decent candidate three states over. Drove six hours with cash in hand, only to find a Frankenstein bike. Owner claimed it was “mostly original” but had aftermarket carbs from a Kawasaki and exhaust welded together with duct tape. Tip two: quiz them like a detective. Ask specific questions like “show me the frame VIN stamp” or “when were the tires replaced” before wasting gas.
The Expert Hail Mary
After my road trip disaster, I called up my mechanic buddy Dave who restores vintage Hondas. He knew a guy in Ohio selling a Hawk that wasn’t even listed. Tip three: tap into niche communities. Hit up forums, local bike meets, or old-school shops. The good stuff never hits mainstream sites.
Paperwork Panic
When I found “the one” in Michigan, I almost sent payment until Dave noticed the title had a scribbled-out lien holder signature. Spent two days calling Michigan DMV to verify it wasn’t stolen or salvaged. Tip four: paperwork is sacred. Walk away if titles look doctored, registrations are missing, or VINs don’t match frame and engine.
The Final Handshake
Drove up there with a compression tester and bore scope. Checked for spark plug fouling, poked frame tubes for rust holes, even smelled the oil for gasoline leaks. Negotiated down $800 because the front brake piston was sticking. Tip five: treat test rides like a science experiment. Listen for weird clicks, test every gear, brake hard at low speeds. Paid cash only after seeing it cold-start on first kick.
Now she’s sitting in my garage leaking a tiny bit of oil like any proper 45-year-old Honda should. Was it a pain? Absolutely. Worth the hassle? Hell yes. Just don’t tell my wife what I really paid.