fork tube extension for silver wing

Hi again this is Ramy Gamal from egypt

Has anyone tried to install fork tube extension on a silver wing front fork in order to extend its fork length ?

Thanks a lot for your help my dear friends

Hi Ramy, interesting question.  I've wondered if a different front fork from another motorcycle model could be installed on the Silver Wing.  Personally, I feel I am "sliding forward" on my SWing despite having replaced the OEM seat with a Corbin seat.  It's better than stock but not great.

I'd also like another inch or even two up front in tire height for better steering and road handling.  I realize this may throw the scooter's entire geometry out of whack and due to limited room, it might be difficult, if not impossible, to make a corresponding adjustment to the height of the rear rim/tire assembly.  I'm thinking a 15 or 16" tire up front with perhaps a 14" rear tire.

I see some of the newer scooters are being designed with larger tires. Based on some of the reading I've done on this subject, I couldn't find anyone who tinkered with this issue on their SWing.

Why do you want to extend your forks?

well actually i want to extend my front fork and my rear shock as well and I found on amazon fork tube extender and rear shock extender , I will put both links below, and my reason for the extension is because in Egypt the roads has a lot bumps like deep bumps and high bumps as well, that's why I want to put extensions to protect my bike from under

fork tube extension link

https://www.amazon.com/CycleVisions-41mm-Fork-Extension-CV7100/dp/B00M9ML7R2/ref=sr_1_23?crid=3KYU2GDBUJZF4&keywords=CycleVisions+4%22+41mm+Fork+Tube+Extension&qid=1649844192&sprefix=cyclevisions+4+41mm+fork+tube+extension%2Caps%2C784&sr=8-23


rear shock extension

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07PRQRY3G/ref=ewc_pr_img_1?smid=A2AV9Q5WVREVK0&psc=1

OK.  If these are solid and not part of the dampening system (i.e. not fluid is running through them), I don't think you're going to get the effect you're looking for.  

It appears all these extensions will do will be to raise/extend your suspension by 2" (like a lift kit on a pickup truck).  I don't see how they will help with dampening or lessening the effect of the shocks from  rough roads.  

If your intent is simply to raise your scooter higher above the riding surface, I guess these should do that.  You'll also have a higher seat height and COG to adjust to as well.  No issue if you have long enough legs for the added seat height.

I may be missing something here. 

The extension idea may work on a conventional motorcycle that has upper and lower fork tube clamps, the SW600 only has a single lower clamp setup, typically found in a lot of scooters, but is very robust/strong, relies a lot on the fork tubes for rigidity, any kind of threaded extension will weaken the fork assembly IMO, additionally oem tubes are grooved to accept lower clamp bolt and prevent fork tube from sliding, etc.
I think best idea is to add a longer inner spacer and go to 15-20wt fork fluid. Aftermarket springs are not very available.
One of the features of scooters in general is low center of gravity for more stability, etc. raising/changing this can affect handling !!

In the absence of a proper fork brace, extending the fork tubes would only weaken the fork tubes and increase the risk of the tubes bending IMHO.

Please see this discussion regarding forks bottoming out and zrx212’s excellent fork upgrade and Stefano Bonacasa’s similar fork upgrade using two additional Silverwing rebound springs and washers as posted in the SWCI SW-T facebook forum.

https://www.silverwing600.com/t12150-forks-bottoming-out


Sorry about the poor quality photo. But the picture is self explanatory and Honda part #’s are shown.

zrx212, Cosmic_Jumper

I can see your points here and I believe that we should leave the fork as it is however i can do this upgrade that Stefano did it and will see how it will go.

thanks a lot guys for your kind help.

also I would like to thank sonuvabug for his kind reply and support as well

By the way guys , in USA do you have a Silver Wing group riders as we have here in Egypt?
Is there Facebook page related to this group as we also have here in Egypt?

This is the Facebook group page that is related to our Silver Wing group riders in Egypt

https://www.facebook.com/SilverWingCommunity

What about yours in USA?

Thanks again

I'm not aware of any specific SW600 or Maxi-Scooters specific riding groups, there's some scooter clubs/groups mostly in larger cities or coast/beach areas here in Florida, but mostly small displacement city use types, they usually meet up certain days and ride locally to restaurants, etc.

I am a member of this FB group:

Honda Silverwing Scooters 582cc

https://www.facebook.com/groups/167150373692150

Good peoples but I spend a bit more time on this forum! Cao.

There’s also the Facebook Silverwing 600 group, which is general discussion:
https://m.facebook.com/groups/19098929297/?ref=m_notif&notif_t=group_comment

The Facebook HondaSilverwing Scooters 582cc group seems more oriented towards selling stuff.

sonuvabug wrote:

Hi Ramy, interesting question.  I've wondered if a different front fork from another motorcycle model could be installed on the Silver Wing.  Personally, I feel I am "sliding forward" on my SWing despite having replaced the OEM seat with a Corbin seat.  It's better than stock but not great.

I'd also like another inch or even two up front in tire height for better steering and road handling.  I realize this may throw the scooter's entire geometry out of whack and due to limited room, it might be difficult, if not impossible, to make a corresponding adjustment to the height of the rear rim/tire assembly.  I'm thinking a 15 or 16" tire up front with perhaps a 14" rear tire.

I see some of the newer scooters are being designed with larger tires. Based on some of the reading I've done on this subject, I couldn't find anyone who tinkered with this issue on their SWing.

Why do you want to extend your forks?

You may want to explore Kymco. They generally run bigger wheels on their scooters. I woyld buy this one in a heartbeat if my wife wouldn't kill me. 

It's an 07 500cc Xiciting for $1500. 

https://www.facebook.com/marketplace/item/699466234507604/?ref=facebook_story_share

People turn up their nose at Kymco but they are quality machines. Even my 200cc People had 16's front and back. And least we forget Kymco engines power BMW scooters.

If I was going to buy a NEW scoot today, given limited US options, I would likely opt for this one.

https://kymcousa.com/2021-scooters/2022-ak-550/

Dry weight is 462 and tires are 15 front and back.

the method cosmic jumper linked is easiest way to achieve additional front height and additional travel. it would allow front to sit higher. less sliding forward feel. the cost will be a stiffer ride. the stock fork setup allows a second method . the stock tube is over 1/2 inch proud of its mount. meaning it sticks out above the brace. adding a groove to tube the tube can be sunk into mount about 5/8 inch. this would in effect make fork tube extended in length by 5/8 in.

jerry-d wrote:

the method cosmic jumper linked is easiest way to achieve additional front height and additional travel. it would allow front to sit higher. less sliding forward feel. the cost will be a stiffer ride. the stock fork setup allows a second method . the stock tube is over 1/2 inch proud of its mount. meaning it sticks out above the brace. adding a groove to tube the tube can be sunk into mount about 5/8 inch. this would in effect make fork tube extended in length by 5/8 in.

I disagree that last bit of tube at top has threads in there for the cap and thinner metal. Modifying it would weaken it and could break it. SW has a unique fork clamp much different then most motorcycles only has one steering stem lower.

The other answer is what the makers of custom bikes do and have some over-length stanchions fabricated.
It isn't going to be a cheap option. Then it's just a matter of fixing the chopper like handling....