New here, new SuperHawk
04-22-2012, 05:20 AM
#1
Older and Slower
Squid
Thread Starter
Join Date: Apr 2012
Location: Western Massachusetts
Posts: 23
New here, new SuperHawk
Hi,
I just found this forum and signed up. Looking forward to learning more about this bike.
Yesterday I became the proud new owner of a MINT 98 Superhawk. 1163 miles, looks like it just came off the showroom floor. Stone stock except for a set of Staintune pipes. Bike came from a 30 bike collection after the owner passed away. I just happened to stop at a local dealer's open house and this gem was sitting among the used hardware. After confirming the mileage and a bit of dickering it was loaded on the back of my truck. Managed 50 miles on it yesterday and put my old FJ1100 up for sale this morning! Sweet ride, love the sound of the V Twin (former cruiser rider).
So this is just a note of introduction and to say Hi.
Wayne
I just found this forum and signed up. Looking forward to learning more about this bike.
Yesterday I became the proud new owner of a MINT 98 Superhawk. 1163 miles, looks like it just came off the showroom floor. Stone stock except for a set of Staintune pipes. Bike came from a 30 bike collection after the owner passed away. I just happened to stop at a local dealer's open house and this gem was sitting among the used hardware. After confirming the mileage and a bit of dickering it was loaded on the back of my truck. Managed 50 miles on it yesterday and put my old FJ1100 up for sale this morning! Sweet ride, love the sound of the V Twin (former cruiser rider).
So this is just a note of introduction and to say Hi.
Wayne
example? 
04-22-2012, 08:01 AM
#7
Old and dangerous
SuperSport
SuperSport
Join Date: Jan 2012
Location: DFW Texas
Posts: 604
Welcome Wayne, to both the forum, and the group of us with '98s.
HRCA, Well, he didn't say it was a deal, lol. And he did get it from a stealership, so I bet he paid nicely for it. Nonetheless, it's an awesome bike. I got my '98 with 2000 miles on it 12/30/2011, and have put 3400 more miles on it so far. My R/R blew at around 5100 miles, so if you plan to ride yours, be sure to replace your R/R soon. I ride very hard, and high revs do the old R/R in, so if you never go above 5k rpm, you may not have problems as soon as I did. Also, be sure to research this forum about the CCT failures to be concerned about, then order and install a set of MCCT's as soon as you can. Then leave it alone and put 100,000 miles on it.
HRCA, Well, he didn't say it was a deal, lol. And he did get it from a stealership, so I bet he paid nicely for it. Nonetheless, it's an awesome bike. I got my '98 with 2000 miles on it 12/30/2011, and have put 3400 more miles on it so far. My R/R blew at around 5100 miles, so if you plan to ride yours, be sure to replace your R/R soon. I ride very hard, and high revs do the old R/R in, so if you never go above 5k rpm, you may not have problems as soon as I did. Also, be sure to research this forum about the CCT failures to be concerned about, then order and install a set of MCCT's as soon as you can. Then leave it alone and put 100,000 miles on it.
04-22-2012, 08:24 AM
#8
Older and Slower
Squid
Thread Starter
Join Date: Apr 2012
Location: Western Massachusetts
Posts: 23
Thanks everyone for the warm welcome. 97wolverine, They were asking $4700 USD for the bike. After a bit of sweet talking I got it for $4000 plus doc fees. Not to bad a deal for such a sweet ride. I couldn't even find any bugs in the radiators lol. I'll get some pics asap, got a few things going on that are taking up most of my time these days. rz racer 69, I don't ride it that hard although I will pick up a RR as soon as possible. With only 1200 miles on it do you really think the CCT will be an issue? I figured after reading some of the posts here that it would probably be ok for the summer (probably 3-4000 miles) and be a good project for the off season to put a set of manual CCTs in it.
VTRsurfer, I had never heard of the Staintunes until I got this bike. My neighbor was commenting on how nice it sounded so I checked the pipes and found the name stamped in them. Not from Oz, northeastern US.
VTRsurfer, I had never heard of the Staintunes until I got this bike. My neighbor was commenting on how nice it sounded so I checked the pipes and found the name stamped in them. Not from Oz, northeastern US.
04-22-2012, 08:39 AM
#9
Moderator
MotoGP
Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: Gettysburg, Pa
Posts: 5,072
Mine see's plenty of use above 5k and I'm still on the OE R/R! Although I do live in a cooler climate than some. Where are you located?
Sounds like a good deal considering it still has that fresh minty smell.
CCT's are a crap shoot. If one pops on you, we'll ALL say we warned you...
Last edited by Wolverine; 04-22-2012 at 08:47 AM.
04-22-2012, 08:48 AM
#10
Old and dangerous
SuperSport
SuperSport
Join Date: Jan 2012
Location: DFW Texas
Posts: 604
Yes, chances are good that it will make it too the next down season, but there is still a chance that it won't. Don't know what the lowest recorded mileage is for failure, but I have been warned that low mileage bikes that sat for long periods of time can ultimately weaken the CCT, causing it to be functionally older than the rest of the bike. Assuming it is not already damaged, you can reduce the risk by not running the bike on it's side-stand. This position apparently starves the front CCT from oil supply, and that is the one that usually fails. Don't be afraid to rev these bikes, they do so well, but be prudent with your throttle control above 9k rpm as WOT to closed, at that range, puts a big strain on the cam chain and thus the CCT, causing wear. All this I have picked up by chatting on this here forum, so put some time in reading, use the search, and Google's site search, and you will learn a lot about these fine bikes.
04-22-2012, 08:53 AM
#11
Old and dangerous
SuperSport
SuperSport
Join Date: Jan 2012
Location: DFW Texas
Posts: 604
I guess that's the advantage of the overly lean stock jetting.*
04-22-2012, 10:48 AM
#14
Older and Slower
Squid
Thread Starter
Join Date: Apr 2012
Location: Western Massachusetts
Posts: 23
Wow, what a great welcome. Here's a couple of pics of the bike. I tried to get a closeup so you could see how clean this thing really is. Any dirt etc is from the 50 miles I put on it yesterday. I plan on using it as my daily ride since I typically commute about 120 miles a day and fuel prices being what they are..... The bike literally looked like it just rolled out of the showroom when I picked it up yesterday. I had no intention of buying another bike but after I saw this and heard it run I was hooked. The motor sounds sweet and the valve train is super quiet so I'm not to concerned re. the CCTs. As a mechanic I am very in tune to motor sounds (especially on my stuff) and at the first sign of noise the CCTs will be replaced. I tend to be much more conservative in my riding style than in my younger days and the bike will not be thrashed, babied is probably a better description. What a fun bike to ride though! I was considering going back to a cruiser but this thing hooked me good!
As for me , I live in western Massachusetts.
As for me , I live in western Massachusetts.
Last edited by wayne; 04-22-2012 at 11:09 AM.
04-22-2012, 12:39 PM
#15
the boss
SuperBike
Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: largo,fl
Posts: 1,182
welcome to the forum,very nice and good find.
i say,just do the cct's,its better that way,the bike sat more than being used.
you are suppose to change them at a certain amount of miles,but,time trumps that.
dont take the chance,not worth it,thats a gem of a find.
curious,whats your production number on the bike?
i say,just do the cct's,its better that way,the bike sat more than being used.
you are suppose to change them at a certain amount of miles,but,time trumps that.
dont take the chance,not worth it,thats a gem of a find.
curious,whats your production number on the bike?
04-22-2012, 01:33 PM
#16
Senior Member
SuperBike
Join Date: Jul 2011
Location: South of Live Free or Die & North of Family Guy
Posts: 1,456
So, these are the slipons type, great pipes. The bike doe's look like a show room bike, very clean.
Congrats and welcome on board! Maybe we can meet up for a ride together
Congrats and welcome on board! Maybe we can meet up for a ride together
04-22-2012, 02:07 PM
#17
Older and Slower
Squid
Thread Starter
Join Date: Apr 2012
Location: Western Massachusetts
Posts: 23
Thanks saige. I probably will go ahead and order up the cct's as soon as my FJ sells. You've all got me worried now! To nice a bike to take any chances with. I'll check the number and get back to you, if memory serves it's like 1798 or similar.
NHSH, where in MA you from, out on the east end where they keep all my money, lol. I see a dirt bike in your avatar. I've got an 04 KX250 that's kept me busy the last few years. Been sticking mostly with MX tracks for the fun of it. To old to go fast, to tired to wrestle that beast in the woods! A couple of times a year at Southwick (tough track) a few at a nice little track up in New Hampshire and a little on small local tracks when they are available. Not many places left to ride thanks to the politicians in Boston.
NHSH, where in MA you from, out on the east end where they keep all my money, lol. I see a dirt bike in your avatar. I've got an 04 KX250 that's kept me busy the last few years. Been sticking mostly with MX tracks for the fun of it. To old to go fast, to tired to wrestle that beast in the woods! A couple of times a year at Southwick (tough track) a few at a nice little track up in New Hampshire and a little on small local tracks when they are available. Not many places left to ride thanks to the politicians in Boston.
04-22-2012, 05:05 PM
#18
Older and Slower
Squid
Thread Starter
Join Date: Apr 2012
Location: Western Massachusetts
Posts: 23
I'll have to go out and clean that spot off! Dang I shouldn't have taken it out this morning after last nights rain.
But kidding aside I look at the bike and still can't believe it's 14 years old! I was questioning the tires myself. The dealer didn't mention that they were replaced and there is some wear on them. No sign of checking or age but it's probably better to be safe. I've had a front tire go flat on a bike before and it's no picnic to keep it upright and get it stopped. Any advice on what works well on these bikes. It was my understanding that Honda advised direct replacement with the stock factory tires. Something about the tire being integral to the design and handling of the bike.
Open to suggestions.
But kidding aside I look at the bike and still can't believe it's 14 years old! I was questioning the tires myself. The dealer didn't mention that they were replaced and there is some wear on them. No sign of checking or age but it's probably better to be safe. I've had a front tire go flat on a bike before and it's no picnic to keep it upright and get it stopped. Any advice on what works well on these bikes. It was my understanding that Honda advised direct replacement with the stock factory tires. Something about the tire being integral to the design and handling of the bike.
Open to suggestions.
04-22-2012, 05:06 PM
#19
Senior Member
SuperBike
Join Date: Jul 2011
Location: South of Live Free or Die & North of Family Guy
Posts: 1,456
Thanks saige. I probably will go ahead and order up the cct's as soon as my FJ sells. You've all got me worried now! To nice a bike to take any chances with. I'll check the number and get back to you, if memory serves it's like 1798 or similar.
NHSH, where in MA you from, out on the east end where they keep all my money, lol. I see a dirt bike in your avatar. I've got an 04 KX250 that's kept me busy the last few years. Been sticking mostly with MX tracks for the fun of it. To old to go fast, to tired to wrestle that beast in the woods! A couple of times a year at Southwick (tough track) a few at a nice little track up in New Hampshire and a little on small local tracks when they are available. Not many places left to ride thanks to the politicians in Boston.
NHSH, where in MA you from, out on the east end where they keep all my money, lol. I see a dirt bike in your avatar. I've got an 04 KX250 that's kept me busy the last few years. Been sticking mostly with MX tracks for the fun of it. To old to go fast, to tired to wrestle that beast in the woods! A couple of times a year at Southwick (tough track) a few at a nice little track up in New Hampshire and a little on small local tracks when they are available. Not many places left to ride thanks to the politicians in Boston.
(check your mailbox)
04-23-2012, 09:17 AM
#21
Banned
MotoGP
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: Lake View Terrace, CA
Posts: 5,942
The dealer didn't mention that they were replaced and there is some wear on them. No sign of checking or age but it's probably better to be safe. I've had a front tire go flat on a bike before and it's no picnic to keep it upright and get it stopped. Any advice on what works well on these bikes. It was my understanding that Honda advised direct replacement with the stock factory tires. Something about the tire being integral to the design and handling of the bike.
Open to suggestions.
Open to suggestions.
As for the tires you have now,The fresher the rubber, the better.
Always look for the 4 digit manufacture date code on the sidewall.
This tire was made in the 29th week of 2010.
I pass on new tires 3 years old and older.
04-23-2012, 10:02 AM
#22
Out of my mind, back in 5
MotoGP
Join Date: Nov 2006
Location: Skurup, Sweden
Posts: 6,109
Well... If he should find it to be prior to 2000, I guess the numbers are rather unimportant really, as that makes it 12+ years, and really ought to go in the bin...
04-23-2012, 04:05 PM
#25
Old and dangerous
SuperSport
SuperSport
Join Date: Jan 2012
Location: DFW Texas
Posts: 604
The Michelin Pilot Powers are also a good choice. The just feel great on mine. You can get the original Pilot Powers a bit cheaper then the Pilot Power CT2's too, but the middle will likely wear a bit faster, like the Qualifiers vs. the Q2's (I think). All good tires. The Bridgestone BT-16's and BT-20's are another good choice and well liked. There are more mileage oriented versions of all those too if you want to give up a bit of traction to let them last longer.
06-01-2012, 06:29 PM
#26
Older and Slower
Squid
Thread Starter
Join Date: Apr 2012
Location: Western Massachusetts
Posts: 23
06-02-2012, 04:52 AM
#28
Moderator
MotoGP
Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: Gettysburg, Pa
Posts: 5,072
06-02-2012, 05:06 AM
#29
Older and Slower
Squid
Thread Starter
Join Date: Apr 2012
Location: Western Massachusetts
Posts: 23
Yup, more fun than...... As for mods, I've already got the Kreiger CCTs waiting to go in, picked up a Sargent seat off ebay (instead of the stock torture device) and just sent a pmt for a used lower fairing. Would really like to do something with the bars but the heli's are just not in the budget right now. The only thing is, it almost seems blasphemous to put a wrench to this thing as it's so pristine!
Last edited by wayne; 06-02-2012 at 05:11 AM. Reason: Added photo
06-02-2012, 05:13 AM
#30
Retired- but not tired!
SuperBike
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: Pittsburgh
Posts: 1,478
I'm now debating what to do with my bars too. On my list of options are the Heli's you mention but also Apex adjustable clipons , and some plain old used VFR bars from ebay. You might want to consider all those too as they cost less. The Spiegler conversion kit for Superbike bars is the most elegant IMHO but also the most costly.
