Just joined - from London

Hi All,

Having had scooters since I moved to London in the early 90s I'm not a new convert; always loved them and always found them the best option in the city. This Silverwing is about 10th scooter in line following predecessors such as a Yamaha Jog, Yamaha Bwizz, Benelli Velvet (125, then a 250 and finally a 400 which was brilliant!), Piaggio Typhoon, Aprilia Atlantic (500 - a very good scooter as long as you fix the thermostat problem). Despite a long addiction to racing and sports bikes I use the Silverwing for most things; nipping around town, commuting my daughter to school and getting down to the coast to indulge my other vice, sailing.

The scooter was given to me by a generous friend I re-introduced to bikes years ago and he consumes Silverwings like a chain smoker, getting through one every 5 or so years and replacing it with a new one.

So, I have an '08 24,000 miler with topbox and heated grips. New Bridgestones were fitted straight away and the 24gm Dr. Pulley weights and a kevlar belt are on order. We call it "The Flying Armchair" and it's a great tool but the handling is woeful; it goes into a wobble that'll become a tank slapper when coming down from any speed if you relax your hold on the bars, it understeers like nothing I've ridden before and the torsional flex in the front end should be illegal. I'm pretty sure the head bearings need adjusting and that'll be done same time as the belt & weights but I'm not sure what to do about the understeer (longer rear shocks, perhaps) and the flex can't be helped.

I have solved one issue - the gas strut spring for the seat. I had a supplier make up a batch for me with a slightly higher spring rate and longer throw so it now opens itself after an initial lift, opens further and stays up so no more banging heads and scuffed helmets.

Thanks for the info on the forums - been useful.

        

Welcome. A free Silver Wing! That's a great friend.

You will find tons of useful info here for your Silver Wing upgrades. I recommend addressing that handling issue by ensuring the stem bearings are snug enough, and then a Hyperpro fork kit. The Hyperpro kit transforms completely the scooter's handling. I would not own a Silver Wing if I could not upgrade the front forks. Hate it without the Hyperpro kit, love it afterward.

Hello and welcome from me too.

What part of London? I was born and brought up in Whetstone (N20) and didn't leave until I was 59 so know the place quite well!

Greetings from Texas. This is a great place for everything SilverWing. Quite a few members are from your side of the globe too. Good luck with your upgrades and fixes.

New here too but a Hi form the state of New Jersey  

   

Thanks for responses - I'm in W.Norwood, SE London. You see quite a few Silver Wings here; they're viewed as the sensible alternative to the T-Max.

I understand the limitations of such a long/heavy bike with small wheels and I'm sure I ask too much of it but it would be great if I could at least get it to hold a line in fast corners and stop with a little more confidence. I should have mentioned it has been knocked over about a dozen times and possibly run over so I'm pretty certain the front end is not quite straight.

All will be sorted out in August once the family holiday and sailing is out of the way.

Welcome to the site Gallery.

Hi @galley skulker!

Greetings from West Yorkshire in a couple of days. Still waiting for my grey Swing to be shipped from Bucharest along with other bike equipment. Wanted to ask for some help regarding the seat gas strut spring. I'm quite desperate for one. Any idea how could i get one like yours?
Also very bothered with the massive torsional flex. But being a fan of everything else the Swing is all about and also for small leaning angles even when commuting i'll do my best to help it handle better until spring. Any success with yours by now?

Welcome from Dallas. Great site.

scr3wdriv3r wrote:

Also very bothered with the massive torsional flex.

Hello mate, I've had my Silver Wing for 4 years now and I haven't a clue what "massive torsional flex" is, so should I be bothered too?    

Meldrew wrote:

scr3wdriv3r wrote:

Also very bothered with the massive torsional flex.

Hello mate, I've had my Silver Wing for 4 years now and I haven't a clue what "massive torsional flex" is, so should I be bothered too?    

Must admit that one got me a bit too I've noticed it on some BM's and the ST1300 but can't quite figure it on a Silverwing, also small lean angles? Mine leans over quite a lot.

Hello Skulker, from Oregon. I totally agree, I use my maxi scooter for a lot of around the town errand running. My K1100LT is a fun ride but when it comes down to day to day running it's the scoot. I don't currently have a SW but have had two in the past and think you'll enjoy yours.

Welcome and pls keep us posted on your upgrades...