Hey everyone,

I just got a 1998 Super Hawk as a project bike. I was wondering if it would be possible to put a 2005 wiring harness on a 1998 Super Hawk frame with a 2005 gauge cluster. Will everything fit and work if I did that?

The engine is a 2002, if that’s info you need.

Thank you for your time!

 

It'll fit for sure but what I learned accidentally is that the cdi location is different from the 05. I'm not sure what the cutoff is but I found some subtle differences under the seat that were a little bit of a pain to deal with. Look at the schematics in the manual if you have one. Or check the online parts fiche.

AV

 

1997-2000
2001-2005

 

From MY experience, off the top of my head I can think of differences obviously with the instruments (you already said you had the newer style gauges) and also both the ignition control module (CDI) and converter unit (the male/female plugs are unique and only work with each's respective wiring harness). So if you're using the later harness you need to get the later style CDI and converter boxes. Also I once used an earlier tank with a later bike and had to bend up a tank float to make the fuel gauge work so I don't know what you may run into with that. I've parted a few bikes out and sold a few engines to people and never heard of any other wiring issues besides that. I've also put a couple wrecked/project bikes back together as well. May be something else but that's all I can think off right now.

Not intended to be a sales pitch but I still have a few boxes of spare stuff left over from a part out of two if you need anything. I know odds and ends especially can add up fast so feel free to hit me up if you need anything and I'll be happy to check and see what I have. Good luck.

 

Oh and I'm also not sure if the ignition switches are interchangeable either and I know there was a change there as well and they're different part #'s.

 

I have the bike tore down completely to the frame, so hopefully it’ll be a little easier to get to!

Thanks for the advice! And if I do end up needing something I’ll give you a shout. Thanks for the offer.

 

I initially attempted to convert a 1998 VTR1000F to a VTR that uses a 2001-2005 harness, electronics, and sensors, but, since everything else is refurbished on SuperChicken IV (a 1998 VTR), I decided instead to use a slightly used, low-milage 2000 harness from a friend's bike that was crashed (with only 10K miles) while SuperChicken IV was being tricked-out. During the process, I nonethelss learned what it takes to accomplish the conversion. The conversion to a 2001-2005 harness can be done, but there are several changes required to incorporate the 2001-2005 electronics, sensors, and wire harness.

First, you will need to buy a used 2001-2005 speedometer/instrument cluster. (It is no longer available through Honda, Partzilla, or Adept Powersports.) Fortunately, on eBay, there is currently a 2001-2005 instrument cluster in phenomenal condition: 2001-2005 VTR Instrument Cluster/Speedometer (PayPal Credit is available, so you can take six months to pay for it.)
(There is also a damaged one with schmutz all over the display and cracks in the case--i.e. junk. I wouldn't buy that one: there is a reason that they call it "Evil-Bay.")

Of course, you will need a 2001-2005 wire harness, and the good news is that I currently have one listed on eBay for only $40 plus $15 shipping (including a newer-style, finned rectifier/regulator): 2001-2005 VTR1000F Wire Harness and R/R

You will also need both CDI units for the 2001-2005 VTR1000F. These are still available through Honda, Partzilla, or Adept PowerSports, but they are way too expensive to buy anywhere but at a salvage yard or on eBay--or from a friend who totaled his VTR at a track day. The good news is that there is currently a CDI ECU listed on eBay for $99.95: 2001-2005 VTR1000F CDI ECU

In fact, eBay now also lists a 2001-2005 US VTR1000F CDI Converter Unit on eBay for $127.64 with free shipping.

Usually, the eBay price the CDI Converter is in the ballpark of $100--sometimes less. (I've seen them as low as $55 on eBay, since many salvage yards don't know that these units are mondo-expensive through Honda and their wholesalers.) If the CDI Convertor at the above link sells before you see this edited posting, you could also perform a nationwide check of motorcycle salvage-yard databases and also check the Classified section of this Forum. By the way, as with 2001-2005 Ignition Control Module (CDI), the connector on the 2001-2005 CDI Converter Unit is different than the 1998-2000 connector, and it is located on the side of the box, instead of on the top, as with the 1998-2000 VTR. The case is also silver and gets kind of funky-looking when it ages (hence the low eBay prices). Both cushions for the 2001-2005 CDI boxes are different than the cushions for the 1998-2000 CDI boxes, but eBay sellers and salvage yards usually include these updated cushions with the sale. Both cushions are also still available at Partzilla in the 2005 VTR "Wire Harness" Page.

Colorado and Florida motorcycle salvage yards are rich hunting grounds for the CDI Converter, since there are no street-legal salvage titles available in either state. And, since SuperHawks are now at least 16 years-old in the US, insurance companies often total VTR's if they fall over and break the ABS plastics, which are now not only out-of-stock, but were quite expensive to begin with.
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Further, you will also need to buy a digital temperature sensor that screws into the standard 1998-2005 thermostat case and thus enables the LCD-temperature-read-out on the digital dash.This digital sensor is also not available through Honda, Partzilla, or Adept PowerSports. However, it is readily available on eBay for $17.62 (with free shipping): Digital temperature sensor for VTR1000F, et. al

Lastly, unless you are into huffing gas fumes while opening the gas cap and visually checking fuel-level every 90-120 miles, you will definitely need a digital fuel-level float/sending unit for the 2001-2005 VTR: There is currently one available on eBay for only $39.99 plus shipping: VTR1000F Digital Fuel-Level Sending Unit

You can also buy a new one through Partzilla for $64.42 plus shipping, via an aftermarket company whose new part number is 37080-MBB-A20

That's it.

cheers,
--Professor Chaos