Here is a step by step process of installing the 1997-98 F3 tail section on your 1991-96 F2/F3.

I repeatedly read questions asking how difficult the 1997-98 tail conversion is to perform. If you have any skills at all it will be easy to complete in short order.

If you are starting with a complete bike and need to disassemble your original tail section just start at the bottom of this post and work backwards.

Obviously you need to gather all of the parts needed to complete the conversion. It may sound silly but it will save time and a lot of frustration having everything ready to go and at your disposal before you get started.
Here is a parts list of everything you will need to aquire:


1.) 1997-98 rear fender (undertail)










2.) 1995-98 license plate mount/light (same part for all 1995-98 F3s so you can re-use your original one)
I decided not to re-install this piece because I wanted to move my license plate up under the tail light and trim the rear fender just below the blinkers.






3.) 1997-98 Tail light/tail light harness/tail light bracket




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4.) 1997-98 left & right rear turn signals (blinkers)








5.) 1997-98 left & right side covers (tail fairings)






6.) 1997-98 center seat cowl (center tail fairing)






7.) 1997-98 seat




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Just as important is making sure you have all the proper tools you will need to complete the tasks.

Here is a short list of the tools that you'll need (just what I can remember):

10mm socket (shallow or deep well)
12mm socket (shallow or deep well)
Ratchet (same size drive as your sockets)
3" extension (same size drive as your sockets & ratchet; 3"-9" will work just fine)
12mm wrench (open or box end)
#3 Philips screwdriver (a large/wide flathead screwdriver will also work)

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Now comes the fun stuff: Assembly.

The first step is to bolt the rear fender into place.
There is one bolt on each side in the rear (rearmost bolt on the frame) and one bolt centered in the front that holds it on.







Step 2 is to bolt on the blinkers.
I started with the right one.





Make sure you have the metal washer/bracket inserted into the hole so it is flush mounted.
Route the wires through the passage in the rear fender and plug them in the appropriate connectors.





Simply perform the same procedure for the other blinker.

 

Step 3 would be to install the license plate bracket & light onto the rear fender.
I decided not to install this piece as I am mounting my license plate just below the tail light so I can trim the rear fender up a bit.
Make sure you route the wires through the passage in the rear fender and plug them in to the appropriate connectors.

*Make sure you test the license plate light & blinkers for correct function. It'll be a lot easier to check them now and correct any mistakes rather than pulling off your seat & plastics later if something got hooked up backwards/incorrectly.



Step 4 consists of installing the rear tail light.





Step 5 is installing the center tail fairing.





The 1997-98 center tail fairing requires two small bolts to help hold it in alignment that the 1991-96 does not have.
You will have to source these from a local hardware/auto parts store.
This shows where they install (just above tail light).







Step 6 is to install the seat.

 

Step 7 is installation of the side covers.
I installed the left side cover first.





Then install the right side cover.





Step 8 is to check and recheck everything over to make sure all the bolts are snugged to the correct tightness, all the fairings are in proper alignment with even gaps, and the rear fender is "straight" so the blinkers are level (perpendicular to the road).

 

Step 9 is to step back and enjoy the look of your updated F3!
Take some photos to post online to show everyone here and then get on it and go rack up some miles!

I am still updating these posts as needed.

I hope this will lessen the confusion around the 1997-98 tail section swap.


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Daniel, i had everything required for the swap, but it did not come out like yours.

everything fit together well, but there is a HUGE gap between the fairings and the seat



do you know what i did wrong?

 

looks good...im in the process of converting the entire bike to 98 plastics...just waiting on recieving them from the paint shop

 

are you sure the undertail from the 96 wont work with the 97-98 plastics?