I just bought the clymer through amazon. Wish me luck during the rebuild! Thanks everyone!

 

Honestly, I used both with my F3. A pdf of the service manual and the Haynes service manual. Having both gave me a different perspective when doing a task, especially when it came to pics. Also, I had heard rumors of some inaccuracies with some of the 'aftermarket' manuals. I never found one but regardless of what they may have said, the Honda service manual is always right. Important when checking torque values, diag test results and such.

I'd say go with both if you can. Download the service manual and buy the Clymer's. I don't fully recommend the Haynes manual based on my F3 experience. The organization is kinda funky. All will have you jumping thru several chapters to diag / perform a task. But the Haynes chapter layout didn't follow my logic.

I mean why put removing the fairings towards the back when every serious task will begin with that?

 

^^ When I was looking for manuals, the Haynes was pretty underwhelming. You're right about the validity of OEM manuals though. It feels good to have an official book from the factory ... but IMO they're meant mostly as a reference for Honda technicians, whereas the Clymer specifically states it is designed for the amateur home mechanic. If you wanna rebuild the engine in your garage, there's a step-by-step photographic walk-through in the Clymer.

I think this horse is now long dead, but here's the one I'm talking about, Army:

 

Typical of Honda manuals, like others have said the Service Manual offers procedures that are common to the years listed. The 96-98, though the parts may not be interchangeable, use the same procedures. They changed something pre-96 to update the manual, and the manual might be the copy that was pre-99, so that's why that year isn't there. Sometimes they only updated the cover.

Bottom line, if your bike isn't 96-98, I'd use it as a general reference only.

 

That is the one i purchased. Im just waiting for it to get here. Although im prolly going to start tearing it down tomorrow. I wont need the manual till its time to go back together...lol