Fighter project (mostly) done!
Thread Starter
Street Fighter
Squid
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 51
From: Denver, CO
Fighter project (mostly) done!
Well, I finally got my SH in road worthy condition! For those of you following this project (which is none as far as i can tell 
) I got her back from the shop where they put my new sprockets on (-1,+2), installed and dyno-ed a K&N Jet Kit, and shod 'er with new rubber a few weeks ago and since then I'v struggled with a poorly designed aftermarket tail-light and mounting the head light (I know, I'm not the most handy guy!). I ended up putting the OEM taillight back while I disassemble the aftermarket one and re-solder some wires. Next up are an undertail and braided lines for the front, both already purchased. I would love to get some feedback on my hawk from our discerning members!
) I got her back from the shop where they put my new sprockets on (-1,+2), installed and dyno-ed a K&N Jet Kit, and shod 'er with new rubber a few weeks ago and since then I'v struggled with a poorly designed aftermarket tail-light and mounting the head light (I know, I'm not the most handy guy!). I ended up putting the OEM taillight back while I disassemble the aftermarket one and re-solder some wires. Next up are an undertail and braided lines for the front, both already purchased. I would love to get some feedback on my hawk from our discerning members!
geezer
SuperSport
SuperSport
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 556
From: Honolulu
Well, I finally got my SH in road worthy condition! For those of you following this project (which is none as far as i can tell ) I got her back from the shop where they put my new sprockets on (-1,+2), installed and dyno-ed a K&N Jet Kit, and shod 'er with new rubber a few weeks ago and since then I'v struggled with a poorly designed aftermarket tail-light and mounting the head light (I know, I'm not the most handy guy!). I ended up putting the OEM taillight back while I disassemble the aftermarket one and re-solder some wires. Next up are an undertail and braided lines for the front, both already purchased. I would love to get some feedback on my hawk from our discerning members!
) I got her back from the shop where they put my new sprockets on (-1,+2), installed and dyno-ed a K&N Jet Kit, and shod 'er with new rubber a few weeks ago and since then I'v struggled with a poorly designed aftermarket tail-light and mounting the head light (I know, I'm not the most handy guy!). I ended up putting the OEM taillight back while I disassemble the aftermarket one and re-solder some wires. Next up are an undertail and braided lines for the front, both already purchased. I would love to get some feedback on my hawk from our discerning members!I would think feedback would require some pics...
Greenmeansgo!
Back Marker
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 199
Looks pretty cool, very similar to mine, I have a black streetfighter with the cyclops too. How did you mount the acerbis? I have a set of gauges I bought but no place to put them, since I used the rubber straps to mount directly to the forks and there's no room for the gauges.
Also, does your headlight, you know, actually illuminate anything? Mine is subpar.
Also, does your headlight, you know, actually illuminate anything? Mine is subpar.
Thread Starter
Street Fighter
Squid
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 51
From: Denver, CO
Sorry guys, I tried to up-load pics and when I previewed my post i saw them... I must have made a mistake. You can defiantly see pics in my album but i will try to post again. -Reason, As to the head light question, I find my unit to be very bright but my mounting solution is less then desirable. Once I figure out this photo uploading hic-up I will take some close ups and share some other ideas I have.
Senior Member
SuperBike
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 1,033
what happened to my comments in the other thread? There are a few things you can do to totally transform the look, Instead of having it look like you crashed it and half assed got it legal again. Im not saying thats what you did, but thats how most people will see it.
Senior Member
SuperBike
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 1,033
here goes.
Shorten aftermarket cans, you can get them cheap
Smaller tail, possibly pocketbike tail
get rid of the huge gauges, replace with something small like an acewell or veypor
my acewell has a ton more features than the stock gauges, and its about 3"x4"
get a better headlight, those acerbis put out less light than a candle. There are alot of options out there.
Paint your radiators black
Wrap your exhaust.
Thats what I would do. Simple stuff
But its your bike, so you do what you want with it.
Shorten aftermarket cans, you can get them cheap
Smaller tail, possibly pocketbike tail
get rid of the huge gauges, replace with something small like an acewell or veypor
my acewell has a ton more features than the stock gauges, and its about 3"x4"
get a better headlight, those acerbis put out less light than a candle. There are alot of options out there.
Paint your radiators black
Wrap your exhaust.
Thats what I would do. Simple stuff
But its your bike, so you do what you want with it.
Senior Member
SuperBike
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 2,188
From: New Braunfels, Texas
here goes.
Shorten aftermarket cans, you can get them cheap
Smaller tail, possibly pocketbike tail
get rid of the huge gauges, replace with something small like an acewell or veypor
my acewell has a ton more features than the stock gauges, and its about 3"x4"
get a better headlight, those acerbis put out less light than a candle. There are alot of options out there.
Paint your radiators black
Wrap your exhaust.
Thats what I would do. Simple stuff
But its your bike, so you do what you want with it.
Shorten aftermarket cans, you can get them cheap
Smaller tail, possibly pocketbike tail
get rid of the huge gauges, replace with something small like an acewell or veypor
my acewell has a ton more features than the stock gauges, and its about 3"x4"
get a better headlight, those acerbis put out less light than a candle. There are alot of options out there.
Paint your radiators black
Wrap your exhaust.
Thats what I would do. Simple stuff
But its your bike, so you do what you want with it.
+1, The biggest thing for me is the stock tail section and stock exhaust, get rid of those and the street fighter look start to pop!
Thread Starter
Street Fighter
Squid
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 51
From: Denver, CO
Instead of having it look like you crashed it and half assed got it legal again. Im not saying thats what you did, but thats how most people will see it.
. But I do appreciate the pointers!
Wearing the Vtwin grin!
Squid
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 87
From: KnoxVegas Baby!!
Senior Member
Superstock
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 358
dont paint the radiators, and dont wrap the exhast. also i never liked the 'tiny tail' look. and yes shorter cans would look good.
if you really want to do something with the radiators do an underseat mod, or a single front radiator.
if you really want to do something with the radiators do an underseat mod, or a single front radiator.
Thread Starter
Street Fighter
Squid
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 51
From: Denver, CO
I would love another, single, rad position. It's a relatively involved process from threads I'v read, at least at my level of mechanic-ship. Truck and many others love the tiny tail, I like it too but as a matter of practicality (my girl and I love riding two up and I got just this one bike) I'd like to keep it OEM. Eventually I'd even like a corbin unit on. I suppose I could fit another bi-posto from a flashier bike...
. Truck and many others love the tiny tail, I like it too but as a matter of practicality (my girl and I love riding two up and I got just this one bike) I'd like to keep it OEM. Eventually I'd even like a corbin unit on. I suppose I could fit another bi-posto from a flashier bike...
Senior Member
SuperBike
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 1,033
putting a rad up front is not that hard trust me. Swapping a tail is a little involved, but can be done with the stock subframe. Ill look around and see if I can find a bi posto unit that will match the tank.
Thread Starter
Street Fighter
Squid
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 51
From: Denver, CO
putting a rad up front is not that hard trust me. Swapping a tail is a little involved, but can be done with the stock subframe. Ill look around and see if I can find a bi posto unit that will match the tank.
. Is there a thread with the pros/cons of wrapping headers? This is a suggestion you made that I have been considering (CHEAP!) but I have heard that tape keeps the inside of the exhaust hotter to detrimental effect/ Thoughts anyone? I like the look allot and although i don't get hot-leg on my SH like some bikes I do like the DIY approach and I'm not the polish or chrome type but even a cheap bastard like me could do without the rusted headers
!.
Senior Member
SuperBike
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 1,033
there probably is A thread with pros and cons.
I just did mine. You should seal up the exhaust with a good high heat paint before you wrap the exhaust. Since our exhaust is stainless its more corrosion resistant than other exhaust.
Id guess it may take a year of two off the long lifespan of the exhaust. Im not really worried about it.
and you can find the wrap on ebay pretty cheap.
I just did mine. You should seal up the exhaust with a good high heat paint before you wrap the exhaust. Since our exhaust is stainless its more corrosion resistant than other exhaust.
Id guess it may take a year of two off the long lifespan of the exhaust. Im not really worried about it.
and you can find the wrap on ebay pretty cheap.
Member
Squid
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 84
From: Boca Raton FL
Sorry guys, I tried to up-load pics and when I previewed my post i saw them... I must have made a mistake. You can defiantly see pics in my album but i will try to post again. -Reason, As to the head light question, I find my unit to be very bright but my mounting solution is less then desirable. Once I figure out this photo uploading hic-up I will take some close ups and share some other ideas I have.
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