2 Questions?
 

1)Can the larger gas tank form the later model Superhawks be fitted onto a '98 Hawk?

2) Can the shifter be converted to race pattern, ie 1 up 5 down?

Thanks.

yes and yes

The hawks all had the same size tank I think. It was the firestorms that had a bigger tank.

Drew has it right, it is the European firestorms that have the bigger tanks, we never got it here in the USA. But it does fit if you can find one.

Might check here for a tank.

They show two in inventory.
http://www.m1salvageandbreakers.co.uk/used%20tanks.htm

Those look like a couple I've seen on ebay before. If they're the same, then they're the same size as ours. Worth a check though, if you're willing to hammer 'em out.

I have a VFR conversion with the seat that accomodates the conversion if you're interested. It ain't cheap but I have every confindence that it will work.

About the time I got tired of the stock VTR gas mileage (mine's even worse but I wouldn't change a thing! :mrgreen:) this conversion came available through a member here at the forum.

Shortly after that a '97 VFR came available locally and my mileage problems disappeared. I was also concerned about the handling issues that might be involved in the weight increase.

Thanks all! I bought a '98 Superhawk last night. Will post some pics soon.

Is this the same "floppyhat" that I know from the Greensboro area in NC?

Welcome, Floppy!

Hope you enjoy your Superchicken as mush as I've enjoyed mine...it's the best bike around for the bucks and even puts higher priced bikes to shame;)

Yes, you're right. The Firestorm from 2001 to 2006 has a bigger tank. 19L instead of 16L. But you can't change them like plug and play... The gas switch under the tank is different and the fittings for it aswell. So you'll have to find the 2001+ gas switch or use other fuel pipe fittings. The fuel gauge sensor is the same. You also might get some trouble with the handlebars, cause the 2001+ tank is made for the 2001+ handlebars. They are turned more to the front. ( sorry, no vocabulary...:rolleyes: ) So you might hurt your fingers when turning around the bike...

I have installed 2004 tank on my 1997 Firestorm/Superhawk.
You need 2001+ fuel tap (complete tap, not just a switch) and mounting bracket. And 1 fuel pipe (I think left, but I can check) or just use any heavy duty fuel lines, but deal with fact they will not be pre-bent. And get 10 cm longer vacuum hose (standart common small diameter hose used everywhere in automotive)
Actually clipons were not a problem, fuel lines too, but fuel tap is a must OR you must adapt some aftermarket tap.
Disadvantage - you can not shut off fuel and remove tank WITH the tap. Advantage - I do 200 km to reserve and 45 km on reserve with mixed riding.
Whoever say so, there is NO difference to airboxes - I have 2003 airbox in my garage and it is mm to mm same.
Do not buy fuel tap from Honda in Europe. B...y expensive. You need to search for it on ebay.co.uk, ebay.de, ebay.fr or www.bike-teile.de (collaborative portal of bike dismantlers of Germany). If you will need any advice - let me know, I will help with what I can.

here comes

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/HONDA-VTR-VTR1...QQcmdZViewItem

oops - forgot - you need also that piece with filter that goes into tank, but on one I posted above it is included

Welcome, Floppy... I'm also interested in whether you're in my area...

Hey Hopki!! Yep, same one. Good to hear from you. I'm still in Greensboro. Triad CSBA chapter has been a little slow but look for some new bikes and faces in the new year. I had forgot you have a Hawk and there's another memebr in VA we ride with who has one also. I need someone to have my back because the "Gixxer" guys have thrown me to the wolves since I convert to Big Red :).

If the weather holds we need to ride in January.

Thanks guys, I guess I need to introduce myself. I'm in Greensboro, NC. I'm switching from a GSXR750 to the Hawk. My first bike was a SV650 twin and it was time to come back:cool:

I ride with the Christain Sportbike Association, we have the TriadNC chapter. We try to ride once a month, usually head toward Tuggles Gap/VA area. Be great to get up with some new faces and roll.

Brian

www.csbatriadnc.com
www.christiansportbike.com

I thought that was a pretty unique name for two different sportbike riders to have.

Don't worry about the gixxer crowd. We can take them up to the tight twisties and show them how the Shawk shines.

Now on the way back down the mountain, welllll, I will keep you company.:rolleyes:

Oh yea, as far as a bigger tank goes. I get anywhere from 165-180 miles on a tank. For some reason the 03'-05's seem to get better mileage than the elder siblings. No part #'s changed but members report this data. I searched.;)

that's because between 97 and 2003 power went down a bit (about 2-4 bhp) and torque went down a bit on SHawk (about 3-5 Nm down). Reason? Have no idea, but something to do with emissions... Do not take my word for it - it is proved by dyno tests done by bikemags in 97, 2000 and 2004 on SHawk.
Plus typical element that SHawk consumption VERY sensitive to is how clean is air filter. I am not impying guys have not changed filter since 97 :) but who knows :)

Interesting. The guy I'm getting the bike from says he gets about 130 miles to a tank. Does that seem about right for a '98? The differecne between 130 and 185 miles to a tank seems like quite a lote for only a couple hp differnce.

If you research it, the mileage / tank has huge discrepencies. I have been commuting to work (60 miles) 3 days between fill ups.

The weird thing is that usually the harder I ride the better MPG I get. I once putted around on a tank and got only 40MPG. Hence the 165 miles / tank. I have gotten as much as 47MPG (running pretty hard around the parkway) hence the 180 miles per tank. Typically 45MPG commuting. My drive is 15 miles backroad and then 15 miles highway to work.

wow, that's good milage.. I have run completely out at 120 miles.. If I putter about I get better, but that day I was riding hard.

I totally agree. I was amazed myself.

The part that most will not believe though is that I get better when I am in the throttle hard. The day that I got the best MPG was also the day I lost my chicken strips.

She really likes @90 MPH down the highway. Right over 5K must be a sweetspot in the motor.

A few other things.

-The odometer is correct because I have checked it multiple times in my truck also and they are the same.

- I am probably running lean because of the Jardine pipes.

Well this one has Jardine pipes also, maybe I'll have the same luck.

Laze, what year is yours and what size tank to you have? I'm reading a lot of discrepencies about tank sizes. Are all US tanks 3.5 or are the later ones 4.5?

Also, just read the whole thread about CCT replacement. Have you guys had any problem with this?

All US are 4.2 gallon as far as I know.

Post 2001 european VTR have Pair system.
Probably this is the reason for the slight power loss.
Bye

Hello Floppyhat and others in the area. I live within 1/2 mile of Greensboro city limit. My friends and I usually do a new years ride sometime near the first, depending on the weather. My hawk is nearly finished, just fender, tail and chin from the paint shop and button up. I would like to include you all if you like, I'll be back in town new years day.
Merry Christmas and Happy new year to everyone! Rob

Hey North Carolina guys. I'm from the Siler City area. Just wanted to let you know of www.ncsportbikes.com I'm not heavily involved with them but they seem like a good group of members. They're very active with members all across NC. I'd like to get up with some fellow hawk riders and ride sometime.

Any of you ever been rode Old Liberty Rd. that runs from liberty to asheboro? It's probably one of the curvest roads i've found in the area.