I am fixen to trade out my old burnt up starter switch with a new one. This task looks daunting and I am perplexed as to if I have to take off the gas tank to get to the innards of the bike? Are there some links or tutorials from people who have gone on this journey as I am preparing to? Thank you kindly.

 

Not sure if there are any tutorials. Maybe try searching on youtube.
An F2 service manual will have the procedure in it.

It's not a very difficult job.
The easiest way to do it is to remove the clipon and slip it out of the controls.
Much easier than trying to pull the controls off the clipon.

You will have to remove the front fairing.
The starter housing wires connect somewhere behind the dash/gauges.

You shouldn't have to take the tank off unless you need to replace the throttle cables too.

 

I am replacing my starter switch. I have the front fairings off, got the old starter split in half, wires disconnected, but now cannot figure out how to get the throttle cable disconnected? Any advise would be appreciated. Thank you.

 

ok, this is just off the top of my head.

1. Disconnect the wires (you've done this)
2. Loosen clipon and take it off the top of the fork.
3. Split starter housing in half and slide the clip out from the housing. Your left with housing and throttle tube at this point.
4. Open housing up as wide as possible. You should be able to reach in and disconnect both of the throttle cables.
5. helps if you screw the adjust by the top of the cable all the way closed. This will give you more slack.
6. Twist the throttle tube around as needed. Disconnect the large hole one first. Remove the throttle tube.
7. Loosen both throttle cable nuts at the housing.
8. once loose, one cable should just pull out.
9. spin the housing around on the end of the second cable to get it out.
10. Housing should be free and clear at this point.

 

Oh, for the sweet love of Jesus, I am struggling. can somebody from CBR forum come help me? I live in Northern Az. What size of socket do I need to take off the top of fork? or do I need to take off that huge bolt? Thank you.

 

No, you don't have to take off the top of the fork cap (big bolt on top).
Use a 12mm to loosen the clipon/handler bolt.
Sometimes there is a wire spring clip that sits in a groove just above the clipon. Remove it.
Also remove the brake lever & reservoir (2 8mm bolts).
Then the clipon should slide up and off the top of the fork.

I actually had a road trip planned for this June and was going to be passing through CO & AZ. The 2 places I'm considering moving too.
But thanks to this pandemic, I'll be stuck in MN for this summer.

 

Received my book, back on my project again. I still have not figured out how to get the clipon off. What type of tool do i need to pry off the upper fork tube retainer ring? And there is a super difficult clamp to undo that is close to the electrical connectors behind the head light. Short of taking a hack saw to it, what type of tool do I need here?

 

The retaining ring is very weak. Most of the time you can just pull them off with your fingers and finger nails.
Or use a small screw driver to pry up one end and slide it off.

Not sure which clamp you are referencing. Can you post a picture of it?
Is it an electrical connector or more like a ziptie?

 

This is a clip holding the wires to the frame. I cannot figure out how to take it off to release the wires (from my starter switch).

 

ok, that clamp snaps together.

To take it apart it slides to the side.
So first I'd spray just a bit of something like wd-40 into the join on the clamp.
They tend to get dirt in them and get very sticky. A little bit of something slippery will help.
Then take a pair of needle nose pliers.
Put 1 tip on the upper part of the joint (right side in pic).
put the 2nd tip on the lower part opposite side of the joint.
then twist the pliers clockwise, so it's pushing the 2 halves in opposite direction.
Right side down, left side up. It should then pop open.

2nd method, is to stick a small screw driver into the side of the bottom clamp part.
Twist the screwdriver to spread the clamp a bit. Then push/pull on the top part and it should slide or pop out.