bmart

I got to ride in NZ for two weeks back in 2005 and tried to move there for years...

Very interesting. My 98 and 00 have the orientation like the first pic, but neither key resembles either of those p/ns. Guess I can't use them!

Interesting. They will work in all 5th gens? I may be interested.

Nice taste in weird music!

I might suggest other brands to try a p/n search variance. Vesrah, Galfer, etc.

My most common post "Did you Google before you posted asking us to Google for you and paste the answer?"

To state the obvious, normal wear in there is normal, but you can break off the posts. I found my similar issue from an oil analysis in one of the track bikes. Normal wear: Less normal! lol

Which connection?

If there is still paint on everything, it isn't brake fluid. Much more likely to be chain lube. Magic can be found here: https://maximausa.com/products/clean-up?srsltid=AfmBOorp42bmCPwlznDXOxB7CfPiHxo7qddlZikeN6D51-VRe15hNBCl

You may not have a lot of luck diagnosing until you get the proper part. Chinese electronics are well known for...sucking.

OEM from eBay or Chinese cheapo?

I'm not sure of this one, but is it just a ring clip and an O-ring?

I don't know the internals, but suspect a traditional spring or a piece of sprung metal. WD-40 will likely get it clean in there. You may need a tool to put some pressure on it to move it back and forth to loosen it if it is just dirty.

No centerstand?

Buy a front stand that goes in the bottom of the triple tree. PitBull is the standard. https://www.pit-bull.com/index.php?route=product%2Fcategory&path=49_132

I'm green with envy about your work space.

My buddy on his 2007 and me on my 1998 swapped back and forth a bit yesterday. I feel the same. I liked some things on the 2007, but the 1998 felt much better to me. More visceral. Better sounds. No VTEC, which while less intrusive than the earlier one I rode, but still hits like a big step when using a lot of throttle. Can't tilt levers on 2007 enough with Helis on both. And on both...why WHY do they put those silly dash buttons in impossible places to use them. Why not put them at the top of the dash!?!?!? Congrats on a good decision!

37k miles is nothing. Ensure all maint is up to date and check all systems...then ride it like you stole it.

Hide?

Caltric makes mostly garbage. Buy a genuine brand or just have your OEM rewound. Many shops still do this. You can always rely on Rick's.

I would ask only...why. Seems like trying to use a hammer on everything.

Watchout for high moisture content in there. I tried that once with a car and it was rust city.

More than that...1 & 2 are engine off. 3 is with connector disconnected.

And really...follow the manual. Stator has multiple check, some at/around specific RPM. (Why I asked)