Bike is ready to ride
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Squid
Joined: Feb 2017
Posts: 18
Bike is ready to ride
Hello a few months ago began my journey here and with my new bike. When I was thinking of getting it I asked here for advice and ultimately decided to buy a 2003 wrecked Superhawk for a grand. It had also been left outside for over a year without a cover. it started and ran and the engine and gears seemed strong. After delving into it I discovered two things. There was a fairing stay that had broken off and left a hole in the frame. Also the bike needed ALOT of little things. Here is a list of all the things I have done so far.
-both fork seals and new fork oil.
-plugs
-cam clearance and timing
-Manual CCT, Had to do the timing because my cam chain slipped.
-new grips, throttle sleeve, mirrors, brake lever was bent.
-Changed out the headlight
-changed the R/R for a mosfet from a CBR1000
-changed out the integrated blinker tail light because it didnt integrate no more.
-changed out the thermostat and temp sensor (gauge still doesnt work on the dash, although I did ground the gauge for a second and it does work)
-Cleaned the carbs, put some easy access vacuum hoses for carb balancing, didn't even need to balance the carbs.
-trimmed the tail area
-re routed the seat release, you dont have to use the key there is a small pull lever underneath the seat now. My key was getting bent.
-Minor body work, the tank dent got bondoed and painted but I used a different shade, gotta fix tat.
-cleaned chain, still good.
-new fluids.
-cleaned a little rust
-needs brakes and a few other small things
The thing runs good now and I wanted to thank you all for your help. I havent decided what to do about the hole in the front but I cant really sell it without taking a huge loss or spend $300-$900 swapping the frame or finding a welder. Im gonna ride it for now. It has been an adventure and I couldn't not have done it without referencing this forum, so much good info here. Thanks!
I did this as cheaply as possible, I still spent around 500 bucks to get it to this state. By no means a show bike, just an every day ride!
My bike as it sits
Before I bought it
-both fork seals and new fork oil.
-plugs
-cam clearance and timing
-Manual CCT, Had to do the timing because my cam chain slipped.
-new grips, throttle sleeve, mirrors, brake lever was bent.
-Changed out the headlight
-changed the R/R for a mosfet from a CBR1000
-changed out the integrated blinker tail light because it didnt integrate no more.
-changed out the thermostat and temp sensor (gauge still doesnt work on the dash, although I did ground the gauge for a second and it does work)
-Cleaned the carbs, put some easy access vacuum hoses for carb balancing, didn't even need to balance the carbs.
-trimmed the tail area
-re routed the seat release, you dont have to use the key there is a small pull lever underneath the seat now. My key was getting bent.
-Minor body work, the tank dent got bondoed and painted but I used a different shade, gotta fix tat.
-cleaned chain, still good.
-new fluids.
-cleaned a little rust
-needs brakes and a few other small things
The thing runs good now and I wanted to thank you all for your help. I havent decided what to do about the hole in the front but I cant really sell it without taking a huge loss or spend $300-$900 swapping the frame or finding a welder. Im gonna ride it for now. It has been an adventure and I couldn't not have done it without referencing this forum, so much good info here. Thanks!
I did this as cheaply as possible, I still spent around 500 bucks to get it to this state. By no means a show bike, just an every day ride!
My bike as it sits
Before I bought it
Last edited by 2wheel; May 7, 2017 at 10:59 PM. Reason: things
Senior Member
Superstock
Joined: Nov 2014
Posts: 416
From: Middletown, CT
Well done. If you can fine someone with a twisted frame to can cut out the part that broken on yours then you just need a talented welder to tig it back in place. Mind you the steering head bearings will then need to be changed. For now I recommend some gaff or duct tape and cover the hole as the back side of the bearing are susceptible to dirt entering through the opening...
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Squid
Joined: Feb 2017
Posts: 18
This bike is great, I love it. The torque is so nice for city riding and that's the majority of my riding. I love this bike!! The clip ons are too low for my liking though. The handling is great and it so skinny! My first bike was a Suzuki VX800 and that was a great albeit underpowered bike but I loved the low end and skinniness. The superhawk is like it's big better looking brother. My previous bike was a FZ1 and while it handled ok and the top end was screaming I just appreciate the superhawk so much more. I have found a bike that I want to keep for a long time.
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Squid
Joined: Feb 2017
Posts: 18
Well done. If you can fine someone with a twisted frame to can cut out the part that broken on yours then you just need a talented welder to tig it back in place. Mind you the steering head bearings will then need to be changed. For now I recommend some gaff or duct tape and cover the hole as the back side of the bearing are susceptible to dirt entering through the opening...
Senior Member
SuperBike
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 1,987
From: Bisbee, AZ
Hmmm. Apparently the hole left by crashing the faring stay is somewhat common. I would not have thought that.
https://www.superhawkforum.com/forum...sh-lever-5145/
https://www.superhawkforum.com/forum...sh-lever-5145/
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Squid
Joined: Feb 2017
Posts: 18
Hmmm. Apparently the hole left by crashing the faring stay is somewhat common. I would not have thought that.
https://www.superhawkforum.com/forum...sh-lever-5145/
https://www.superhawkforum.com/forum...sh-lever-5145/
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
