Looking at buying a 1998 Superhawk. 59000 km, red, aftermarket high mount slip on cans (Delkevic I think), Corbin seat. Rest appears to be stock. Bike looks clean but i haven't seen it yet. Would like some comments from the group on the general reliability of these old Superhawks and any items I need to look for when I see it. Obviously I'll inspect the tires, chain/sprocket, fork seals, brakes, etc). I am aware that the auto CCT's on these bike are prone to failure and need to be changed to manual CCT's. Also aware that the R/R's are prone to failure (replace with Mosfet R/R ?). Anything else?

I'll ask about when the valve clearances were checked last but too many owners are clueless about this, so I'm not expecting much of an answer.

Looking forward to your comments.

 

You've covered the big ticket items. The rest is just standard stuff you'd look for in any motorcycle. I always tried to feel the steering head bearings for loose adjustment and/or worn races.

 

I'd also maybe put a flashlight in the tank to inspect for rust and check the airbox to see what state of goo the breather filters are in.

 

I am new to the VTR, have just bought a 2001 model here in NZ.

For anyone interested, I have just received 2 x 14520-MBB-013 cam chain tensioners for about $49 USD each delivered to NZ, pinky / flesh coloured paint dot on them, should be the latest incarnation of the dreaded auto cct.
Company is partsouq.com
And as an adder to the email I have dam well pulled the thin spring set key out of one of them...hopefully I can re-set this unit to closed piston position.... I should learn not to f--k with things.

 

So you are replacing the auto CCTs with some other auto CCT's??? Why not replace them with manual CCT's ? I believe manual CCT's is the accepted fix for the issue of the auto tensioner failing.

 

yes indeed, its how Mr Honda made it. My oldschool mechanic for over 40 years says thats how they should be, and manuals can be quite hard to set according to him.

 

Get a new mechanic..... .

 

If you are willing and or believe this is the way, there is this alternative to the manual vs auto compromise. I did the mod more than a year ago. So far I haven't found myself on the side of the road wonder what happen to the engine. As always YMMV.
CCT (Cam Chain Tensioner) Fail Safe Mod. (aka Stopper Mod) - VTR1000.ORG

 

Well I didn't buy the bike. Mechanically it was fine, as far as I could tell. But the fairings were in bad shape, all scuffed up, several cracks, and held together with tie wraps through holes that one of the owners had drilled. I didn't expect the fairings to be in prestine condition, but they were just in too bad a shape for my liking. I would have to purchase a complete fairing kit (and decal kit) for the bike. I passed.

 

Sounds like a smart decision. Can you find any on your local FBMP?

 

There are a couple others for sale on local FBMP, but sellers are asking too much. This would be a second motorbike for me, something I like to have but really don't need. My old SRAD 750 is still a blast to ride. So I can afford to be patient.

 

Don't kid yourself, you need a SuperHawk.

 

Haha, sure I do. Hopefully someday I'll pick one up. But the SRAD will always stay.

 

I did that CCT fix what "xeris" did. And think it is really quit clever. I thought about doing a video...but everybody seems to like the Manual CCT....so I did not bother. I have checked the adjustment to make sure it is good....so far.
It should be fail safe...just if the adjustment fails, the chain will be noisy....and you will need to fix the spring adjustor. I am paranoid about over tightening the manual CCT's. I prefer the auto-adjust idea. IMO.

 

The Superhawks are reliable if well maintained, but you have already spotted the sensitive points: CCT and R /R. Also check the valves and the condition of the tank (rust). If everything looks clean, it could be a nice find!

 

I ended up passing on the Superhawk. As I mentioned in my previous post, the fairings were in terrible shape, all cracked, held together with tie wraps and tape. I'd still like to buy a Superhawk at some point if one comes along that is in my price range. Haven't found it yet...

 

Blah, blah, blah. You need a SuperHawk.