My "new" Stock Hawk. Ideas wanted !!
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Squid
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 11
From: Va
My "new" Stock Hawk. Ideas wanted !!
I just bought a 98 vtr1000f superhawk.. I'm excited to say the least. I believe everything on this bike is stock besides maybe the brake and clutch levers. It's been painted maroon, not sure how I feel about that. Its better than (don't hate me) the typical Honda red, in my opinion. I realize I can Modify everything on the bike, but I'd like some aestetically pleasing ideas. I'm going to start by removing the stickers, and reflectors.. I actually like the transformers sticker.. maybe I'll look for a black one for better contrast. Other than that, I have no Idea what else to do..
Tell me what you guys think!!
Basic work I've done already- Check out my album! I removed the front end to replace the fork seals. I bled the back brakes to get them to work.. rigged an off/on switch in the front to compensate for a broken key.. etc. I'm going to replace to oil and air filter, and since i dropped it standing still I'll need a new clutch lever (dammit.. the kickstand was hard to get to in heels.. jk but the bike is pretty heavy!.. ) I guess I like the fairings, although i'd like to get her a new paint job. I also think I need a new front tire.
.. I've gotta give my buddy Chris a shout out since he's taken a lot of time teaching me about it and did some work to it for me! Thanks Chris <3..
Thanks for taking the time to read this!
I appreciate any ideas.
Tell me what you guys think!!Basic work I've done already- Check out my album! I removed the front end to replace the fork seals. I bled the back brakes to get them to work.. rigged an off/on switch in the front to compensate for a broken key.. etc. I'm going to replace to oil and air filter, and since i dropped it standing still I'll need a new clutch lever (dammit.. the kickstand was hard to get to in heels.. jk but the bike is pretty heavy!.. ) I guess I like the fairings, although i'd like to get her a new paint job. I also think I need a new front tire.
.. I've gotta give my buddy Chris a shout out since he's taken a lot of time teaching me about it and did some work to it for me! Thanks Chris <3..
Thanks for taking the time to read this!
I appreciate any ideas.
Senior Member
MotoGP
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 2,934
From: altoona, pa
Keep the aesthetics in line with your riding preferences and you probably be most satisfied with the end product. For example, if you lean towards higher speeds, fairings are going to afford less turbulence, quieter ride and more fuel efficiency.
Have fun!
Oh yeah. you will want to check the steering stem bearings, clean and lube or replace with All *****, and make sure the triples are straight in case you didn't think of it.
Last edited by nath981; Mar 8, 2011 at 02:30 PM.
Senior Member
MotoGP
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 3,132
From: Phoenix, AZ
Well in the appearance department, removing the rear fender & the huge reflectors, putting smaller blinkers and changing the windscreen are all that I think needs to be done.
Optional: lower fairing, high mount exhaust, rear hugger fender etc.
Optional: lower fairing, high mount exhaust, rear hugger fender etc.
Senior Member
SuperSport
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 636
From: Baltimore, Maryland
The maroon doesn't look bad, but they went overboard with it painting everything....but they missed the right footpeg bracket 
or maybe it was replaced sometime.
Id suggest putting all the things they shouldn't have painted back to stock colors, or something to compliment the maroon... pegs, chain guard, wheel, barends, chin spoiler, and go from there
i'm a sucker for highmount exhaust too
or maybe it was replaced sometime.Id suggest putting all the things they shouldn't have painted back to stock colors, or something to compliment the maroon... pegs, chain guard, wheel, barends, chin spoiler, and go from there
i'm a sucker for highmount exhaust too
Senior Member
MotoGP
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 3,871
From: Phoenix, AZ
Yeah, that's a ton of maroon! Most of the things VTRrider pointed out can be powder coated too- get them covered in a black or something to get the plastics to pop more.
Other aesthetic thing to look into: Knockoff Pazzo levers, LED running lights, SS brake lines (more of a performance thing, but often those go hand in hand)
Other aesthetic thing to look into: Knockoff Pazzo levers, LED running lights, SS brake lines (more of a performance thing, but often those go hand in hand)
Senior Member
SuperSport
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 805
From: Delmar NY
+1
Welcome to the Forum. Take a look around at some of the member's albums and I'm sure you'll get lots of ideas. Lots of different tastes too so you'll have to see what does it for you.
I see you mention this is your first bike - have you been riding long? Be carefull out there. The SHawk is a bit more forgiving than most I4's but still has all the torque and power of any liter bike up through 8.5k rpm. She can definately be a handful especially for a newer rider.
Good luck - we all look forward to see what you do to make her your own
Senior Member
MotoGP
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 2,934
From: altoona, pa
Former Superchicken Owner
SuperBike
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 1,607
From: Ft. Worth, TX
While you guys busy yourselves with the appearance I'll stick to the basics;
How many miles on the bike?
Manual or OEM CCT's?
Stock or after market R/R?
Chain and sprockets in good shape?
When was the last time a complete fluid change was performed?
Forks and rear shock set up for your weight?
Condition of brakes?
Carb settings, i.e. jetting stock or OEM? Noticed the Aks on it.
Tires in good shape?
And now for the more mundane stuff:
First bike?
How many years riding experience?
Good set of riding gear?
I ask these questions for a variety of reasons that include your riding level, current maintenance level of the bike and what you expect it to do. There is a buttload of information on this forum and you should use the resources available to you. Check off each question to yourself and if you don't know then you should look around the forum to find the answer or ask. A pretty bike is cool (red is best) but if it doesn't get you from point A to point B safely and reliably then it isn't worth much now is it?
How many miles on the bike?
Manual or OEM CCT's?
Stock or after market R/R?
Chain and sprockets in good shape?
When was the last time a complete fluid change was performed?
Forks and rear shock set up for your weight?
Condition of brakes?
Carb settings, i.e. jetting stock or OEM? Noticed the Aks on it.
Tires in good shape?
And now for the more mundane stuff:
First bike?
How many years riding experience?
Good set of riding gear?
I ask these questions for a variety of reasons that include your riding level, current maintenance level of the bike and what you expect it to do. There is a buttload of information on this forum and you should use the resources available to you. Check off each question to yourself and if you don't know then you should look around the forum to find the answer or ask. A pretty bike is cool (red is best) but if it doesn't get you from point A to point B safely and reliably then it isn't worth much now is it?
Senior Member
Superstock
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 416
From: North Central Indiana
Welcome. Personalization will come to you with time. You'll come up with ideas probably every time you look at it. I agree with the posts above about looking at peoples albums on here. Everything from show to go... You'll be amazed at what a little imagination and elbow grease will do. Good luck.
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Squid
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 11
From: Va
While you guys busy yourselves with the appearance I'll stick to the basics;
How many miles on the bike?
Manual or OEM CCT's?
Stock or after market R/R?
Chain and sprockets in good shape?
When was the last time a complete fluid change was performed?
Forks and rear shock set up for your weight?
Condition of brakes?
Carb settings, i.e. jetting stock or OEM? Noticed the Aks on it.
Tires in good shape?
And now for the more mundane stuff:
First bike?
How many years riding experience?
Good set of riding gear??
How many miles on the bike?
Manual or OEM CCT's?
Stock or after market R/R?
Chain and sprockets in good shape?
When was the last time a complete fluid change was performed?
Forks and rear shock set up for your weight?
Condition of brakes?
Carb settings, i.e. jetting stock or OEM? Noticed the Aks on it.
Tires in good shape?
And now for the more mundane stuff:
First bike?
How many years riding experience?
Good set of riding gear??
I have no idea. Rear tire, awesome. Front Tire, on the list but good for now.its my first bike. one year of solo riding experience, several years of dirtbike experience (i like to think they're interchangeable, or at least similar) My gear cost me 800 dollars, so it damn well better be good!
Isn't it more fun to call it a Her?? Especially when you talk about stripping her down and tying her up... I guess when I work on it I'll call it a her, and when I ride it, Him seems appropriate
Sorry for the innuendos if you guys can't handle it.. 
Out of my mind, back in 5
MotoGP
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 6,109
From: Skurup, Sweden
To Answer your many questionss... 14000 miles. Manual CCT's I suspect, since everything on the bike is stock, I doubt they only got around to that. I have no Idea what R/R means. CHains and sprockets are good, Lube is in order though. Fluid change is progressive as I get to each aspect of the bike before she's ready. Forks and rear shocks should be good, I'm 5'8 and 128lbs. Brake pads are new, fluid is flushed and properly bled. Carb settings I have no idea. Rear tire, awesome. Front Tire, on the list but good for now.
its my first bike. one year of solo riding experience, several years of dirtbike experience (i like to think they're interchangeable, or at least similar) My gear cost me 800 dollars, so it damn well better be good!
Isn't it more fun to call it a Her?? Especially when you talk about stripping her down and tying her up... I guess when I work on it I'll call it a her, and when I ride it, Him seems appropriate Sorry for the innuendos if you guys can't handle it..
I have no idea. Rear tire, awesome. Front Tire, on the list but good for now.its my first bike. one year of solo riding experience, several years of dirtbike experience (i like to think they're interchangeable, or at least similar) My gear cost me 800 dollars, so it damn well better be good!
Isn't it more fun to call it a Her?? Especially when you talk about stripping her down and tying her up... I guess when I work on it I'll call it a her, and when I ride it, Him seems appropriate
Sorry for the innuendos if you guys can't handle it.. 
R/R = Regulator/Rectifier... A little black thing sitting underneath the tail fairing on the right side and responsible for charging the battery... If it's stock it's prone to spontaneous malfunctions...
CCT's... If they are left untouched they are NOT manual... Ie they are supposed to be self adjusting... Those are prone to catastrophic failure without prior warning... There are a bunch of factors, but the short story is, if you don't know the condition of the CCT's on the bike now, replace them ASAP, since the cost of repairs is high if they decide to implode... New items from Honda is fine, but most opt for manuals to rule out future failures...
..relative..
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Squid
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 11
From: Va
R/R = Regulator/Rectifier... A little black thing sitting underneath the tail fairing on the right side and responsible for charging the battery... If it's stock it's prone to spontaneous malfunctions...
CCT's... If they are left untouched they are NOT manual... Ie they are supposed to be self adjusting... Those are prone to catastrophic failure without prior warning... There are a bunch of factors, but the short story is, if you don't know the condition of the CCT's on the bike now, replace them ASAP, since the cost of repairs is high if they decide to implode... New items from Honda is fine, but most opt for manuals to rule out future failures...
Thank you!!
