Some SilverWing Maint. experiences

Having ridden two new SilverWings to about 50,000 miles each, when they were traded in:

Tires: rear Michelin Power Pure SC worked best for me, handling well, lasting to at least 10,000 miles ( unable to find new tire on long trip stretched one to near 15,000 miles) Front=no favorites, but IRC lasted longtime.

Valves: never bothered to adjust

Air Cleaners: first SilverWing never changed, second did at 40,000 but not really necessary.

Spark Plugs: first never changed, second at 40,000 but not necessary

Oil: WalMart 10-40, tried to change at 2,000 mile intervals, Filters Fram at every other oil change. Never had to add oil between changes.

Battery: first original lasted life of bike, second I killed battery using plug in compressor, bought new OEM

Brake Pads: Both bikes still had originals at trade time and plenty of wear left.

Drive Belts: Always changed at Honda intervals with OEM belts, never had trouble or walked.

Second bike only went to shop once---ABS Lite would not go out--$80 got it fixed. First never.

Second bike: last days, rear axle nut coming loose, probably nut replacement would have fixed.


I think most people worry too much about Maint or make mods that cause trouble. I never monkeyed with clutch weights, added nothing other than electric socket for heated bib...later took off.

So SilverWings, new, worked well for me. Lemon Pledge on body work and windshield.

Used fork gators on front forks=never seal problem.

Brake fluid, fork oil never changed.

No trickle charger in my garage, ran Honda recommended tire pressure.

I enjoy seeing how and what others do on their rides and then comparing to what others and myself have done. My brother and I bought 2 '04 SW.
Similar experience to the above. We used Scheffears oil though and what ever filter was available while changing at every 10k miles. Pulling trailers about 40% of the time. Joe Wolfe made some fantastic hitches!

Now I have this sudden desire to research fork gators........could just be gas.

Now I have this sudden desire to research fork gators........could just be gas.<<>>
They were one of the first things I bought for my scoot, easy on off, great protection for the seal area. I found mine in the off road / trail bike area at Iron Pony.

Gaiters... "gators" are something completely different

John, this is very comforting to hear in that I am a recent new owner of a Swing. Thanks for the info. Reasonable minimal maintenance and then twist and go!

cliffyk wrote:

Gaiters... "gators" are something completely different

LOL yep just depends on the bite

cliffyk wrote:

Gaiters... "gators" are something completely different

Listed as both: https://www.amazon.com/PME-Motorcycle-Gaiters-Gators-Harley/dp/B014KB1T7W?psc=1&SubscriptionId=AKIAILSHYYTFIVPWUY6Q&tag=duckduckgo-d-20&linkCode=xm2&camp=2025&creative=165953&creativeASIN=B014KB1T7W

Could it be that 'gators' is considered the slang or is it one of those depending on which side of the pond, or another cause?

It's because sellers know that malapropisms are common.

"Malapropism" - don't see that word often but it occurs frequently on the internet.

Mrs. Berry, a very serious educator brought this to us in 8th grade literature--Mrs. Malaprop in Richard Sheridan's The Rivals...