o.e.m belt

Was compiling a list of parts to order for bikes today. Noticed oem drive belt for SilverWing has more than doubled in price, Partzilla, Cheap Cycle Parts. Holy Cow! Paul

Those places are not cheap IMO, I only use Ron Ayers, cheapest prices I've found in the US, never had a issue, Honda oem belt is $125.12 , any order over $129 is free shipping !!

https://www.ronayers.com/

Decent prices, I will bookmark this site. Interesting to note the CVT belt for the Forza is 25 dollars USD more than the one for the Silverwing. Strange...

Ron Ayers is 20$ cheaper. Thanks for the tip! Paul

BTW you can contact Ron Ayers with email link on web page to check parts availability, I made a few large orders early this year and already used the front caliper seals, etc.

https://www.silverwing600.com/t12532-squirrel-away-parts-good-bad-idea-opinions

If the OEM belt is still the Mitsuboshi one, they are just under £90 sterling over here. That's about £20 more than I paid not very long ago.

Not cheap these days. I had mine done the other week. Much smoother, but still has the characterful sealion noise.

@mottza

may i ask what was the cost of replacing the drive belt?

Most of us here do our own service and maintenance.* Experience has shown that dealer service here in the US borders on sheer incompetence.

It is simple enough and only requires a few basic tools. And the cost of a Factory Service Manual (FSM) is peanuts compared to what it’s going to cost to have a dealer’s Denny Dickfingers work on your scoot. “I always wanted t’ fix me one a’ them scooter things.”

Ebay usually has FSM’s available.

When in doubt ask a question. We’re all friendly and helpful here.

*Well, Meldrew excepted.

yea....watched a couple videos...looked quite involved to change the rear tire and drive belt.
i'm not very "mechanical" either

Cosmic_Jumper wrote:

Most of us here do our own service and maintenance. Experience has shown that dealer service borders on incompetence.

It only requires a few basic tools, and the cost of a Factory Service Manual (FSM) is peanuts compared to what it’s going to cost to have a dealer’s Denny Dickfingers work on your scoot. “I always wanted t’ fix me one a’ them scooter things.”

Ebay usually has FSM’s available.

That's rather a broad statement Timothy, I can't be the only one who has limited interest in home maintenance, and enjoys riding more than wrenching.

Although at belt change time it's more convenient to let a dealership do the job. Over here changing scooter belts is as routine as servicing to mechanics in motorcycle dealerships. It also means I know the belts service life and don't clutter up valuable under seat storage with spare belts and home made belt changing tools.

As for that FSM, I bought one for my Silver Wing from a US seller more on impulse than necessity. I'd say it was more useful helping out home maintenance types on here that didn't have their own FSM than anything else.

I'm also of the opinion that for every competent home mechanic, there's more of the “I do me own maintenance” chaps who are inept bodgers.



*Admin Edit: I’ve amended my post.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dq4Y2rEJdSw

I used this video to help with my belt/slider change. A friend helped me and luckily he had the variator tool. My opinion is it's a job that can be done by the individual, but I would not say it is particularly easy. Figure a couple of hours to do the job right unless you have done several (I haven't). My 2015 Forza needs a belt change which I will do in May. Based on the video it is MUCH easier than the Silver Wing. And doesn't require special tools. Will keep you posted.

Cosmic_Jumper wrote:

Most of us here do our own service and maintenance.*

*Well, Meldrew excepted.

I'm not that useless Timothy, I donned overalls and a pair of vinyl gloves to change the oil and filter on my Forza a couple of weeks ago.

Nice 12mm steel drain plug, easy to access side mounted oil filter which is the same type as the Silver Wing, fresh fully sythetic Motul 10w30 MB oil, and only 1400 ml of used oil to dispose of responsibly. I got to play with a torque wrench as well.

I can multi task too, I rest the Oil Change Indicator by holding in a couple of Mode switches and switching on the ignition.

That's progress compared to my first maxi scooter the venerable Honda CN250 Helix, back then I had to poke a screwdriver into the red Oil Change Indicator slot on the dash to reset it back to white.

When I bought my SW I figured I was getting a bit old to grovel around on my garage floor so decided to use my nearest dealer to do my maintenance etc.

First off he sheared the oil drain plug. When I eventually got my bike back I noticed a water leak near the oil filter. When I bought my new front wheel, he'd put the tyre on the wrong way round.

That was enough for me. I fixed the water leak myself. I reckon I'm a more adept mechanic than he because I have the time to study the problem, Oh and I have this forum for guidance. Just saying....

As you're obviously into the dirt under the fingernails stuff, do you have the all important Honda Silver Wing FSM for reference too?

Don't like to get into a bandwidth consuming discussion   . But having been a lifelong certified mechanic in several doctrines, worked in all capacities from entry level to manager/owner, I have a few comments on the DIY or Dealer debate.

1. You should expect/demmand near perfect results from a dealer or professional shop, KIM that most mere mortals/consumers basically only know wich end of the vehicle goes down the road first and where to add fuel (there's even new tech. to assist with that ), IOW they don't know enough to determine if repairs where done correctly or at all !! so it's strickly a trust relationship. Nowdays IMO, a very misplaced trust

2. Replacing the drive belt should be a fairly simple tastk for "ANY REAL MECHANIC", otherwise it should only be done by the Avid/experienced diy'er, IOW both would know how/wich tools to use and capable of researching or sourcing the required tech data, how to videos,etc., and discerning what is good or bad info. the video referenced above has both
Is not a job for a person that has to constantly post questions like "silverwing 600 variator bolt torque" that would get almost instant (.38 sec) results on a google search or has to go buy his 1st torque wrench , see # 1.

3. In my case/fortunately, I've only taken my vehicles to a dealer shop for warranty work, other shops, for car tire changes/alignment and a few fender benders . All other work I DIY.

4. I've have never had a "Perfect" experience with a dealer shop, but quite a few with other shops.
Yes, I'm more critical than most, but "Lowering My Expectations" is not in my mechanic DNA !!

5. Do your research on dealer shops, most are $$$ grab, not all

Can't argue with that! Of course I've used dealers when buying a new car because it's under warranty etc. I wouldn't even think of trying to do anything on a vehicle under warranty.

I bought my tired, poor old beloved SW from a girl who let me test ride it before I bought it. There was hardly any air in the front tyre!

Besides, I enjoy doing my own work and it's been a lot easier since I got the Service Manual. That manual is a good study. I wasted a lot of this forums' 'server space' when I first joined it by asking stupid questions. Sometimes I just need confirmation or another opinion before I carry out any work.

It gives me a warm feeling

I'm not qualified in any respect but I do know that there is a difference between Theory and Practice.

" That manual is a good study. I wasted a lot of this forums' 'server space' when I first joined it by asking stupid questions. Sometimes I just need confirmation or another opinion before I carry out any work. "

I was been kinda facetious/sarcastic just to demonstrate a point, in Aviation, a few well used/famous phrases "There's no stu##d questions, the only stu##d question is the one you don't ask" and "Trust, but verify", the last one mostly covers checking work done by another or insuring your tech. data or procedure is correct. On vehicles with wheels on the ground, most failures will just leave you stranded, on those that float or fly is very different.

We have a lot of latitude on the way we work on wheeled vehicles, someone may have a better/easier way of doing a procedure than the manufacturer, that's trying to sell you a $$$ tool, etc. So it's not a bad idea to ask, but if they ask what the "710' cap is , you start to wonder about their abilities.

Your point is valid. "There's no stu##d questions, the only stu##d question is the one you don't ask"

I'm a keen aviation buff but I'm sure we've all read a lot of stories, or seen a documentary of tragedy as a result of not "asking the question".

You're never too old to learn?