My new/used Silverwing and Modifications so far!

Hi All,

As you all know, I’ve been doing some repairs and modifications to my new/used ’06 Silverwing I bought off Ebay. Thought I would share some of things that happened over the last few weeks.

The last owner told me that he just replaced the battery with a new one. When I did the over all inspection, the next day after receiving the scooter in, I found liquid dripping from under the left rear side cover…Pulled that new battery. It was leaking! The battery had “NON-SPILLABLE” printed on it. The brand was PARTS UNLIMITED #2113-0091. The Parts Unlimited application book said this is for the Honda Silverwing (Evidently they did not figure that the battery gets installed on its side). Cleaned everything up and replaced with original Honda factory battery, a YUASA.

I repaired all the damage on the bottom of the scooter by replacing both skirts and radiator grill.

Block sanded the rear spoiler and repainted it. Looks like new and installed a flag mount.

Replaced both tires. The old tires were both Honda original factory tires. The front had cracks in the side walls and the rear was so badly cupped it…well it was bad and also needed replacing. Installed a Pirelli on the front and a Metzeler on the back. When I did the front tire, I added a pair of fork boots over the top legs. Works good this will help in the long run.

Did more cleaning and paint touch-up…

While I had all the Tupperware off the scooter I added all the accessory wires for: new relay, power outlets (3), driving lights, flasher and drive lights LED indicators, GPS, and emergency flasher lights system. Also added wiring for voltage meter and lights for a new RITCHIES SPORT COMPASS (all black so it matches the bike) #X10B-M.

Removed the stock Honda horn and took it up to the auto parts store and asked if they have something louder. They did. Bought a WOLO DISC horn # 300-2T. Bolts right in the same place as the Honda horn. Much louder with a lower tone. I didn’t stop there…I relocated the stock Honda horn and now have 2 horns. Much, much better and all for under $11.00 for the new horn.

More to come and pictures to follow…

DennisB wrote:

While I had all the Tupperware off the scooter I added all the accessory wires for: new relay, power outlets (3), driving lights, flasher and drive lights LED indicators, GPS, and emergency flasher lights system. Also added wiring for voltage meter and lights for a new RITCHIES SPORT COMPASS (all black so it matches the bike) #X10B-M.

Dennis: When you mention "LED indicators", did you replace the turn signals with LED's or are these accessory/additional indicators? I'm curious because I replaced all of my signals with LED's and, of course, I have the hyper-flash issue. I am in the process of making a bypass harness to go around the factory flasher circuit in the instrument cluster, so I can use an external flasher module. I could use load resistors, but that's defeating the advantage (however small) of the lower current draw of the LED's.

DennisB wrote:

Also added wiring for voltage meter and lights for a new RITCHIES SPORT COMPASS (all black so it matches the bike) #X10B-M.

I really like the look of that compass... I'm looking forward to your pics. How good is the built-in lighting? Is it bright enough at night to see at a glance without refocusing or straining to see it?

Hi Aaron,

The lighting on the compass sucked so I called the manufacturer and told them their product was going on a motorcycle and the LED light that came with it was not good enough for that use. They sent me a little 12 volt light bulb to install in the top to replace the LED. It installed easy and now I can see it very well at night. When I installed the bracket to hold the compass I also installed a very bright BLUE LED in the bracket just behind the compass that reflects off my windshield. The purpose of this LED was an indicator light to tell me when my driving lights were on. Yes, I can see it in the day time also. I'll take some pictures at night and post them.

Dennis,
I'm curious as to why you installed both a compass and wiring for a GPS.
Once the GPS is operable, won't that give you what you need?
It's not as if your Silverwing can fly or navigate the ocean...

Dan

Hi Dan,

Yes, I like both the GPS and the Compass. Allot of the time I leave the GPS at home. With the GPS it lets me know (the roads) were I'm going. I can look at the compass and get my bearings faster.

I was a map maker in the ARMY... Maybe I'm just an old fashion guy.

Here are some pictures...I'll add more tonight.







That's right, late model glove box lids on a early dash. What do you think?

Looks great Dennis...

Thanks Gary!

Here are 2 more night time pictures of the compass lighted and the Blue driving light indicator LED.

Jay is looking good!

Man, that looks nice Dennis. I always thought the non silver painted SWings were the nicest. Mine is silver, and I really like it, but it is kind of a boring color to me.

Agreed, that looks really slick, Dennis! That's a clean addition to the dash... I think I'll do the same to mine. I agree with the compass plus GPS idea, too. I don't always take my GPS with me and it would be nice to have a standard compass for reference sometimes.

Looking good Dennis.

Dennis,
Looks really good.
I didn't know you could add new dash lids to old dash.
I thought you had to do the complete upgrade. (That's what I did.)
Good creative work. Exactly what we've come to expect from you.
Congrats.

Dan

noice

Hi Dan,

Yes, it was a gamble.

I really love the deep Delta Blue of this 2006 Silverwing and I also liked the positive glove box lid latches on my 2008.

I started to do a part number comparison and found that a bunch of the numbers were the same from year to year. The new black glove box lids look great with the surrounding color. I think it would look good with all the Honda colors.

The right glove box is just a drop in unit, while the left box is a bit more complicated. There are six parts on the left box lid assembly that can be transferred over to the new lid assembly, they are: The metal lock latch and the screws (2) that attach it to the bottom of the new lid, the lid main spring, and the pivot and screw.

The cost was about $120.00 USD and I purchased the parts from PowersportsPlus.com (They screw up so check your parts when you get them) They are good about making things right and are very friendly.

I invite you to consider putting a parts list with part numbers for the conversion in the mod section.

Thanks Dan,

I'll do that next week.

OK, just one more picture:

Dennis, your bike looks great. Those glove box covers really look good on there and I love the compass!

Dennis,

When you did the horn swap-out, did you have to use a heavier relay or was this a plug and play swap?

Thanks (and your scoot looks nice)!!!

Hi Ed,

This is a Plug and Play Mod. I just daisy chained the wires to the next horn. No need for another relay on this set up.

aaronb wrote:

Dennis:>>> replaced all of my signals with LED's and, of course, I have the hyper-flash issue. I am in the process of making a bypass harness to go around the factory flasher circuit in the instrument cluster, so I can use an external flasher module.<<<

AAron: Please post some info about the OEM Flasher bypass circuit you're planning. A wiring diagram of your circuit would be nice...or the OEM wiring color codes you are tapping into / bypassing would help too.

BTW: A Tridon (Novita Tech Inc) EP36 Flasher relay is a 3 terminal solid state turn signal flasher and will work on LEDs as well as standard bulbs. About $12 from Auto Zone or other retailers and Amazon & eBay too.

Tim

Cosmic_Jumper wrote:

AAron: Please post some info about the OEM Flasher bypass circuit you're planning. A wiring diagram of your circuit would be nice...or the OEM wiring color codes you are tapping into / bypassing would help too.

Tim

I don't want to hijack Dennis's thread, so maybe we should split this to another conversation.

I started another thread and put the details there:
https://www.silverwing600.com/t4647-oem-flasher-bypass-harness

More pictures!

Man that looks nice Dennis. How many miles do you have on it now? I really like the color blue of your bike.

Hi All,

The modifications, some expensive and time consuming, and others that were cheap and fast, were done to make my scooter mine. Adding my personal touches to show my Silverwing brothers and sisters new things that can be done to make your ride stand out from the others and make the road a little easier and more fun.

Thank you all for your welcomed comments and for your encouragement. Please ask any questions you might have about the modifications shown in these topic.

Thank you,

Information on the 'tool-bag', please, Dennis: source (you'll have selected the best for the job, I bet) and how it's attached.

Can't wait for the next installment.

Hi Mike,

The bag is made by a company called 'RIVER ROAD #107729 Handlebar/Windshield Bag'. Amazon is where I purchased it. I see the price has gone up a little since I made my purchase.

Bag dimensions are: 8"W x 4"H x 2-1/2"D

http://www.amazon.com/gp/offer-listing/B000GZJH44/ref=dp_olp_new/181-1621138-5601969?ie=UTF8&condition=new

Do a little looking around for a better deal on this nice braided bag. This bag also comes in plain and studded. I thought the braided bag looked a bit more artistic.

Installed with 2 large O.D. SS finder washers and 1/2"(13mm) long sheet metal screws. The Location of the holes is the center of the little snap plug and 2" (50mm) to each side for hole location. A total of 4"(100mm) apart. Punch 2 holes to match in the back of the bag.

I had this setup on my 2008 and really liked it.

x

Thanks, Dennis.
I remember seeing the bag on your other Silverwing and liked it.

I think I shall follow your lead.

I used to carry a leathery looking old bag on the rear seat of my BMW, we split up many years ago.

Meldrew wrote:

I used to carry a leathery looking old bag on the rear seat of my BMW, we split up many years ago.

lol

I noticed a power outlet under the toolbag. Is that standard on that model or is that a Dennis B mod? I like it!

Non-standard - it's a DB mod.

Hello Regio,

I wanted a power outlet that matched the Silverwing and would stand up to being mounted on the out side of the scooter, so I bought one of these off ebay.

Mounted it in this location for heated garments on cold days.

Wired right to my battery, via a fused wire. Then it goes to my power outlet in the left glove box.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/12-volt-Merit-Type-Mini-Socket-Outlet-motorcycle-auto-car-boat-DIY-RV-workshop-/180817121512?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_100&hash=item2a198a50e8#ht_1101wt_840

Nice work Dennis. I like what you've done.
R

If you take the side kick panel off there is a solid sub-frame you could weld or drill and tap. In this link you can see a crude job But, with some refinement, it looks like it could work.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JtYkEA3HK-4&feature=youtu.be
Hope this helps.