Tsperez

I rode one of these bikes for a friend that wanted to sell his bike and was really impressed with it. So much so that a few weeks ago I drove about 300 miles to look at and eventually purchased a yellow 1998 VTR1000F. I have been cleaning, maintaining, and modding the bike for a couple of weeks and finally did a longer (out the city) run a few days ago. Details on that ride can be found here Motorcycle Touring: The "Other" Bike

The VTR1000F is the type of bike you love to go out with but don't introduce to your parents.

tsp
My Blog: Motorcycle Touring

Wolverine

Pics or it didn't happen.. ( I ain't clickin' off the forum to see. )

Tsperez

Picture of my 1998 SuperHawk...

tsp

8541Hawk

It does look like someone did a good job painting it. Did they use the factory yellow on it?

Tsperez

The sticker on the rear sub frame under the seat says:
VTR1000FY
Color Y-124P
Code Y124B

What does all this mean? I can't see where it was painted over red. On my friend's bike you can see the original red color wherever the paint is chipped.

tsp

captainchaos

Off the top of my head, Y124B is the paint code for pearl shining yellow. Since the '98 was only made here in R157 italian red, you either have a '99 or a '00, or someone swapped the subframe and the bodywork (the chin was repainted).

7moore7

Nice little blog! You have the right idea with the carbs... if they're running well, don't mess! There's a reason the PO put in the stock stuff and took out the Factory Pro.

And FWIW you can set up the 'Hawk pretty well for touring with some riser bars and a more comfortable seat, but no reason to do that with an RT in the stable.

Look into CCT and R/R replacements to make it reliable (both relatively inexpensive). For real nice suspension work look up Jamie Daugherty on the forum.

8541Hawk

VTR1000FY = 2000 model year whatever its worth

xeris

Aside from the color mystery (the original color, red, being the second fastest color) how did you get your hands on a set of Mig cans????

1971allchaos

Not to correct you, Xeris.. But being that red is the fastest color,, the yellow will peal off soon enough

I am as interested as Xeris in the Migs slip-ons... Could you take some closer photos of your bike....

Tsperez

Thanks for all the feedback. Let me see if I can answer all the questions and post some pictures.
Mr. Chaos & Mr. Hawk - The paint does look like the Pearl Shining Yellow. I also can't see any red on any of the panels but maybe the entire bike was stripped or the panels were replaced as well as the tank. I got the OEM chin fairing in light gray also. The one on the bike was purchased and painted by owner #2. It is not the same kind of paint as the rest of the bike. Btw, besides the frame sticker and it's yellow code the rear plastic fender has a sticker stating that it meets 2000 regulations. Was this normal for a 1998?

Mr. Moore7 - I've run the tank nearly dry because I want to remove it so I can check the air filter. Owner #1 stated that he had a K&N in it. Since it's running so well I'll clean and keep it... if it looks quality. If not, I'll replace with OEM. Also, I'm planning to replace the R&R and CCT very soon. I'm real happy with the suspension. The one thing I would like to change is to move the bars up and back a bit more than the VFR bars do now. But does any bar do that and not hit the fairing? As it is now the VFR clip ons switch the high beam on whenever I turn all the way right. When turning turning left the fairing just slips between the grip and the start/stop switch gear in the 1/3 inch gap between them! So... is there another clip on or bar that fits that does not require cutting the fairing and provides a little more upright position than the VRF clip ons?

Mr. Xeris & Mr. Allchaos (are you related to Captain?) - I got the bike with 2 OEM sets of cans and the MIG system. I got it with the OEM with 2 holes drilled on the rear plate (the other OEM system looks new) but I installed the MIG system and really like the sound. In addition, it weighs a fraction of what the OEM system weighs. Photos attached if I figure it out.

tsp
The Blog: Motorcycle Touring

twist

welcome! Looks like you got a nice VTR and with a nice set of mufflers.
I had a '79 RS that was tuned and set up cafe style but also capable of long road trips in comfort. A fun bike but the VTR is quite a different beast altogether! More pics!!

8541Hawk

Those parts are off of a 2000 not a 1998

Tsperez

I can only post 1 picture per post. Maybe they are too large. I'll try resizing - if not then I will post several times because I took the photos that I was asked to take.

I'll delete this post if I get a solution.

Thanks again,
tsp

Edit: I never was able to post multiple pictures so I'm going to burn some bandwidth and post one large photo per post. Al least you'll be able to see some detail.

Tsperez

This is a picture of the subframe but it gives you a view of the inside seat cowling. Does this look normal for a yellow panel or for a repaint? Notice the color label on the subframe also.

tsp

Tsperez

This is a closeup of the left pipe. As you can see the cans are in very good condition.

tsp

Tsperez

Why in the world would anybody use this color or type of carbon fiber??? But now I like the color. It's funky.

tsp

Tsperez

This is what the bike looked like when we loaded it on a trailer. Notice the "touring" wind screen and OEM cans. I replaced it with the stock screen.

tsp

Tsperez

I think the panels were replaced. Notice the quality of the paint.

tsp

8541Hawk

The panels have been replaced, which isn't that uncommon. What is a bit odd is the sub-frame appears to have been replaced also.

7moore7

Yeah I'd be curious to see the VIN on your motor, and if it matches your frame. The registration VIN follows the frame, so all you have to do is swap one part (frame) and the DMV considers it a different bike.

In other words, you may just have a 1998 frame and a 2000 bike...

This kind of happened with my bike, frame was replaced, motor and most other parts kept from one bike, I replaced the frame and as far as registration and insurance is concerned, I have a different bike, haha!

Tsperez

I got the engine number from the back of the engine but how do I decode it? Whereas the VIN is 17 digits, the engine number is 12 digits.

tsp

7moore7

Haha, I don't know that. Probably have to call Honda or something? I know they don't match, I think you can decode either to find the year of manufacture, though.

Wicky

Example VIN No. JH2SC36A4VM8******

JH2: country of production (JH2=WMI Honda Japan, 1HF=Honda America, ZDC=Honda Italy, VTM=Montesa/Honda Spain)
SC36: type (VTR1000F)
B: early version, B late version
1: control number (1-9 or X)
T: year (T=1996, V=1997, W=1998, X=1999, Y=2000, 1=2001 ... 6=2006)
M: factory (M=Hamamatsu/Japan, K=Kumamoto/Japan, A=Ohio/USA, F=Atessa/Italy, E=Barcelona/Spain
000992: serial number

So mine JH2SC36A4VM8****** was '97 early VTR1000F built in Hamamatsu/Japan.

HRCA#1

The titles on almost all models have the VIN and Engine numbers as supplied by the Manufacturer.

Tsperez

I checked the engine number with Honda USA. The engine is from a 2000 VTR. It appears everything is 2000 except the frame (and user's manual) which is 1998. The VIN matches the title and decodes to a 1998.

The mystery thickens...

tsp
My blog: Motorcycle Touring

oahu hawk

Maybe a victim of a CCT failure, hence the newer engine...

8541Hawk

I would say front end damage which pulled the fairing stay mounts out of the frame.

Nothing wrong with a frame swap, it is just good to know what you really have.

HRCA#1

My point on the Title would be that if the numbers don't match now you will need to get it re-titled in whatever state you live in. This can be an easy or difficult process depending on your state. In some states it can result in in a salvage title or reconstructed, etc.

It is also something that should already have been done and disclosed to you at point of sale.

wsharpman