Maintenance

Some thoughts:

On second new SilverWing, left over 2013, now approaching 30,000 miles on this one.

1. Nice to have factory shop manual.

2. I change oil every 60 days or 2,000 miles which ever comes first. WalMart 10-40

3. Belt change every 20,000 miles. OEM only. No mods to drive line. Check rear drive oil at belt change.

4. Tires---Michelin Power Pure---cheap, last 10,000 miles on rear. Think IRC on front feels better than Michelin. Rather than balance on balance stand, I use "Ride On" which works fine and may seal small leaks, puncture. I do own tire work---get to look at brakes, etc at same time. Based on good luck with Kenda motorcycle tires, may look for Kenda replacement at 30,000 miles.

5. Valves----unless I hear noise, or have loss of performance (tight valve) I don't bother.

6. Spark Plugs---On first day of service, pulled them out, checked gap, put Never Seize on threads. Hope originals will last the 50,000 mile max I intend to keep/ride machine. So far so good.

7. Air Cleaner----unless I notice drop in gas mileage, I will leave original in.

8. I ride everyday/all weathers, do not use power car washes, keep pivots such as stands well oiled, look at coolant level now and then, use Lemon Pledge on body panels and windshield, use black finger nail polish as touch up paint if required. Am sure no battery trouble in the time I keep bike as it is run all the time.

Hope this is helpful for some.

Note: I ride this as scooter, find as I age next birthday 77, motorcycle is safer for me---as with hand operated clutch I have better forward control----auto can be somewhat goofy at slow speeds, and linked brakes not best idea for ideal slow speed/balance control. With GIVI top box, stopped has top heavy feeling. Gas---cheapest regular, in Chattanooga use pure gas, trips every 1,000 miles maybe a tank of Super Shell --wonder if it works as cleaner? But bike runs fine this way.

John,

Great advice, thanks.

Do you change the oil filter at each 2000 mile oil change?  

I have used Mobil1 synthetic in my cars for years and put in Mobil1 Moto Synthetic once I purchased my SW used and I think I will go to a 3000 mile interval with both oil and filter,

I change oil filter every other oil change. 500,000 mile history of using WalMart oil and filters every other oil change---except Helix. which has no spin on filter.

Curiosity has me asking why anyone changes oil and or filter any earlier than the MFG recommendations? My 05 states every 8,000 miles for both and with new and better oils compared to many years ago that seems reasonable. I will change it earlier say once a year if I know it's going to be sitting for the winter if not I'll ride when I can and change it in the spring.

If you ride enough----30,000 or mile a year to wear things out---oil is cheap insurance. Just talk and do not ride----following Honda recommendation ok.....as the miles will not pile up long term.

Used to do that, thousands of miles but still used the MFG schedule, why not running them is better than short trips. Contamination is the enemy the shorter the trip the fewer the miles the more contamination.

I average ten thousand miles a year and keep to Honda's maintainance schedule. So I basically get to cover all the jobs once a year. I get about eight thousand miles out of the rear tyre and eleven out of the front so, again all things covered in one year period. Every two years I change the final drive oil and brake fluid. As for coolant three years.

I'm with Old Limey, follow the manufacturer's maintainence schedule & you won't go far wrong.

There are not enough hours in most peoples leisure time to do 30,000 miles a year John, even if there were regular maintenence is simply that ..... regular maintainence