Greetings from a New Owner

Hello from Dallas, Texas. I have recently (a month ago) purchased a Hoonda Silver Wing, a 2008 model, which I have had the opportunity to actually ride only twice (the weather here has not been cooperative). I discovered this forum and thought it could be useful. I have a few queestions that you may be able to answer, but first, I just wanted to say hello. My user name is CorpJuris, and I look forward to making good friends here.

CorpJuris,

Welcome to the forum - enjoy the ride.

Thanks. I have one initial question. Is there a way to start the Silver Wing without the use of the power starter, such as a kick-start or something like that? Can it be started if the battery runs down for some reason?

There is not alternate method of starting that I know of.

The light under the seat can be a bug-a-boo. Do not leave the seat open unless you have removed the bulb or have installed a switchable light assembly.

The only course of action for starting if the battery has run down is to jump start or get a boost from another battery source.

Thanks, Dale. By the way, I'm Victor. That's exactly what I did, I got a boost from a car, the bike started right up, and I was off again. I think that it ran down because the bike cuts off when you put down the kickstand, and I forgot to turn off the switch. I've fully charged the battery now. To your knowledge, is there a way to allow the kickstand to be lowered without the bike cutting off? This is my 3rd scooter, but by far the largest, so it takes getting used to.

Welcome to the friendliest Silverwing forum. Please add yourselves (or post to be added) to the Silverwing600 Google Map https://www.silverwing600.com/t3322-silverwing600-google-map#30262

CorpJuris wrote:

... To your knowledge, is there a way to allow the kickstand to be lowered without the bike cutting off? This is my 3rd scooter, but by far the largest, so it takes getting used to.

Funny you should ask. The erstwhile "bigbird" who is a guru on this site created a pictorial for doing just such a thing.

https://www.silverwing600.com/t2124-disabling-the-side-stand-safety-switch?highlight=side+stand

I used the search function and used the words "side stand" to get this result.

but read the full thread as bigbird has re-enabled the safety the switch for a reason...

x

Hi there Victor. As your finding, good advice and some seriously knowledgeable folk on here.

I have both my under seat light removed and the side stand micro-switch by passed. So far, in two years I haven't suffered as a result. Nor have I had a battery problem. (That may be due to my regime of always hooking the beast up to a battery conditioner when not in use.)

Look forward to hearing of your experiences. Any questions - just ask. Someone will point you in the right direction.

CorpJuris wrote:

TI think that it ran down because the bike cuts off when you put down the kickstand, and I forgot to turn off the switch.

I never "turn off the switch" ... I just put the kickstand down.

Welcome Victor. As bigbird said, the search function at the top of the forum is your friend. Also the pictorials and the maintenance tips and; oh the whole forum is helpful. I'm in Garland and there are a number of S'Wing riders in this area. Enjoy the ride.

I appreciate you all. For now, I think I'll leave the kickstand cutoff in place until I am comfortable with the bike and and can remember to put the lickstand up without the "reminder". I havee finally discovered where the seat light is, but when I removed the cover, there was nothing there. It looks like a fuse connection, but I'm sure there is a special light bulb that's needed. Anyone know what bulb I should be looking for, and where, in the Dallas area, I might find one? This is a 2008 Silver Wing 600. Thanks to all of you, I'm delighted IO found this site.

By the way, I've gone into Google and set my location on the map. Now I'm official!

CorpJuris wrote:

I havee finally discovered where the seat light is, but when I removed the cover, there was nothing there. It looks like a fuse connection, but I'm sure there is a special light bulb that's needed. Anyone know what bulb I should be looking for, and where, in the Dallas area, I might find one? This is a 2008 Silver Wing 600. Thanks to all of you, I'm delighted IO found this site.

The lamp is a bullet shaped thing, it has been so long since I removed it I cannot even remember the width of the thing!!!

The owners manual has a list of bulb numbers if I remember correctly. If you plan on doing any of your own maintenance, a shop manual would be very useful as well.

Welcome to the forum!

x

Festoon lamp, thats the name i couldn't remember!!!

Thanks Terry

x

bigbird wrote:

Waspie wrote:

Festoon lamp, thats the name i couldn't remember!!!

Thanks Terry

Maybe tattoo it on your arm, Doug?
Or elsewhere?

It's just age Terry!

I suspect I would have remembered around 3am.

x

Right now it's a very worn 59 yo brain.

Way too much thinking in the past.

Thank you, all. I have ordered the light, although now that you have advised me, I will be VERY careful about ensuring that the seat is fully closed and secured so that the light doesn't drain the battery. I'm also going to keep the battery hooked up to a trickle charge when not in use. We'll see how it works. Good to see seasoned veterans on this forum. Its nice to know that I'm not the only almost senior using this bike. A 57 year old brain is not substantially different from a 59 year old one. Thanks, guys.

Welcome from Seattle!

Victor, Congrats on your new Swing.
A couple of thoughts;
1.) I replaced the trunk light fixture with an "on/off" switchable one (which is an Acura Car part). I don't have the part # but I think the whole unit is less that $30 U.S. The original fixture just "pops out" and the replacement "snaps in" to the trunk. Easy to do.
2.) I keep my Swing attached to a Battery Tender Jr. in my garage. It is always a pleasure to know it is charged whenever I am ready to ride. I use the "plug in" accessory attached to my battery posts (comes with the tender) to have an external port to plug into for power...so I don't have to open the trunk to hook it up!!
3.) A set of mirror extensions were also one of my best additions. They are very inexpensive (under $15) and allow you great rearward and sideward viewability. I strongly recommend then.
Enjoy your Swing in the coming New Year....billc.