ThrillBilly

hello and greetings from TN

ive been riding honda V4s and VFRs for over over 20 years
I even had a hawk-650 many moons ago for a couple of years
nice little bike, but I hated those d@mn “turbine” wheels

ive wanted a RC-51 for so long, but will never hit my price point as the “other bike”
so... I started thinking that maybe a SH could scratch that itch for a sporty big twin
I think it should give 90% of the RC-51 fun and will actually be a better STREET bike

not many SH around here locally, and would not buy a bike I could not put my butt on first
right after I picked up a little dual sport last spring (KLX-250S), a 98 SH popped up local
went and looked, great shape, priced right with a few tasty bits installed, nice owner
hes not urgent to sell, so I kept in touch over the winter, called last week- bike still avail
went a rode it, all OK, and he sweetened the deal even better, so I bit and brought her home



its a red 98 with 20k miles, same owner since one year old when he got it with 5k miles
all stock except a full Yosh RS-3 system with the CF cans and jets, and SS brake lines
nearly perfect except the typical rock chips and boot rubs, and tire change rim marks
ive always said you should be able to buy a great bike for $3000, and I got it for $2500

ive already done a pretty good maint shakedown, just trying to decide what rubber to use

things to address-
1- make sure the bike is charging (ive been putting R/Rs in VFRs for 20 years!)
2- start thinking about getting some CCTs
3- learn how to set a TPS
4- find a SH guy locally who has already learned how to sync those monster carbs
5- number 4 reminds me to start looking for more gas stops on my usual routes!
6- start saving some $ for a Jamie-D shock (already have one on the VFR)
7- ask santa for a sargent seat

its been 20 years since ive had a street bike without a center stand. No CS sucks !!!
so I picked up a F&R set of stands off CL last WE, not great, but not bad for $50
maybe im being a wimp, but im not sure I can get the rear up without an xtra body

im picking up a set of 41mm adjustable clipons tomorrow for $45
I HOPE to use those on the VFR, and see how my 5th gen OEM set feel on the SH

my VFR is a great bike, and perfect for those longer days, and multi-day outings,
but...
im in knoxville, and can be on the dragon in under an hour, same for blue ridge pkwy
I think the SH is gonna be a great bike for the more sporty local riding
the only downside I can see right now for the SH is buying fuel and rear rubber!



any SH guys, gals or aliens near knoxville? TN, NC, GA, etc?

ThrillBilly

pics are in the album, dont know not showing without click, sorry

smokinjoe73

So that is awesome. You finally got a Vee Honda that has soul. More of a rip-snorting bull than a whirring gyroscope machine.

Don't get me wrong the VFR is a brilliant bike, but just lacks the Hawks charisma and punch.

Best of luck, welcome on here.

thedeatons

Convert your ccts to manual for about $15.

Use sport touring tires on the rear.

Build a two bottle carb sync gauge out of glass iced tea bottles.

Find any Mosfet r/r on ebay that will fit.

There... I've solved nearly all your problems

Welcome to the forum.

James

ThrillBilly

went for a shakedown run today to dial-in the suspenders a little better
and make sure my rear end maint was good on setting the chain slack

this is about 25 miles from from house, the start of the dragon is only 15 more miles



boy- the front end sure is light the VFR dont wanna do that

gonna throw in some new plugs and remove and burn the pair crap very soon

tires- ive be running conti motions on the VFR with great success
$175 a set, $50/set for mount/bal. better than me for street use
anybody here used those on their SH?
i get 10K miles from 2 rears and one front on the VFR pretty easy
but im guessing the SH will pretty much eat any rear in less than 5K miles

mcg

Yup, Capital T torque! And rymes with Trouble! Grin, Love that "light front end"....just watch for 5-O!!

ThrillBilly

just like on the VFR, the DE-pair eliminated 95% of the decel popping
threw in some new plugs, plugs boots = alotta stiction after 10 years
as forest gump said about shrimping- "its tough"

cleaned up the PO's partial PVLIR (vent/drain line on bottom of petcock)
vac line from carb was correct
tank vent was unconnected. i put a approx 3" piece of open tube on it
tank drain had 4" piece of tube. left as is for now
bottom of petcock had a vac tube going to a tee to drain and ATM (removed)

runs like a champ

i did experience the "engine dies" on rolling clutched while at speed one time
i was trying to "bed in" a new set of F pads with some xtra hard stops
kinda freaked me out for a second until i remembered about reading it here

probably spoon on the fresh rubber in the next week or two
and then i can see what what ive really gotten myself into

but so far, i gotta say that im digging the SH

PS- its kinda embarrassing asking someone to look at my oil level

scottiemann

just get a good grip on the clipon, balance and squat and hope your being is in balance lol

happy to hear your loving the SH, IMHO the best rideability mod, besides the endless/expensive suspension mods, is to gear it for your riding style. From the factory its setup somewhere in the middle of street and highway but its leaning more towards highway.

Happy riding

Wolverine

Welcome TB. I'm very jealous of all you guys that live so close to all the great roads in that area. I've had the pleasure of spending a few days there and it makes me want to move closer!
I started out on a set of conti's when I first bought my Hawk. It ate 'em up pretty darn quick! Been through Metzeler and now loving the Stones! The 016 is a great front tire!