Ok, my "new" used 98 had one significant running issue. It had bad stumbles, slight surging, and carb spitbacks while running at low speeds between 2000-3000 rpm. No problems rolling through it rapidly.

Well looking around the net, including this site, revealed two cheap fixes (my favorite kind):

TPS output settings and shimming the carb needles.

I also tried a carb sync first (path of least resistance). My TPS setting (did you get that memo about those TPS reports?) was WAY OFF at .850 ohms. But by far the biggest bang for the buck was the $1.99 radio shack washer trick of shimming the carb needles 20 thousands.

I heartily recommend trying these before spending $$$ for a jet kit if you're having rideability issues. If you're looking for HP, I don't think these help in that department and a jet kit is the way to go.

My 2cents ($1.99 actually)

Doug

 

The TPS mod did wonders for my throttle response. I strongly reccomend the mod for any SH rider.

 

Yeah, my TPS was so far out of whack (tech term) that I couldn't get it back to normal range with the built-in adjustment slots. I found that I could push out the brass ringlets in the screw holes to give me enough leeway without resorting to drilling or other methods.

Doug.

 

I had to do the same thing. I gotta wonder what kind of Q/A Honda does, that they haven't noticed this "flaw" in nearly every SH.

 

Here's a follow up to this mod after about 300 miles.

My bike began running very ragged after running it very hard through the gears which included hitting the rev limiter pretty hard in second gear. It felt like it was running out of gas and after firing through the exhaust on closed throttle. The engine itself sounded fine and even idled OK.

It turned out the front carb slide was stuck open. I followed the instructions on the website a little too literally and used the recommend diaelectric grease which, it turns out, dries out pretty quickly in gas environment.

Cleaned and lubed with honda silicon spray and all is well. FYI.