Hello from Sussex Co. NJ

Hello from northern NJ, new owner of a 2002 Swing, with about 5300 miles.

This is my first scooter, prior to this I had a 82 GL1200 Aspencade and before that a CB350, so its safe to say I like Honda's.

The bike seems to be in very good condition, and I'm surprised at how little use it has seen in 13 years.  

I have only rode it a couple of miles so far, since we still have snow on the ground here. I came back from that short ride grinning from ear to ear.

The tires were original, IRC's and showing some dry rot so I have a pair of Diablo's ready to put on.

I've changed all the fluids and opened up the belt case to have a look around inside. All seemed to be in good shape.

The PO had added audio system in the trunk with chrome speakers on the handlebars, but they have since been removed.

I've been lurking a bit since before I bought the bike, lots of very good information here, its been a big help in knowing what to look out for.

Thanks

Bill

Bill,

Welcome and congrats on your new SWing. I would really think about changing the belt if it is original though. If it is original it is pretty old and you don't want that to break. The Swing is a nice ride and much more power than some think since it is a scooter. Tell us when you get to take a longer ride and how you like it.

Bill welcome to the best Silverwing forum on the web. I would agree with Jeff on replacing the belt.
 I see that you been lurking a bit but just in case you haven't looked through them, here are some links(3 below in blue)that will help you learn a lot about your Silverwing. If you can't find what you need in the links below the search on this forum works good, and if you still need help just ask and someone will do what they can to answer your questions.

Maintenance, Tips and Hints
Maintenance "Pictorials"
Accessories-Modifications

Thanks for the welcome!

I had thought about replacing the belt but it seemed to be in spec as far as width goes. If it were not for you guys here I wouldn't have even know how to measure it.

Has anyone used a belt sold by ETI, Erlandson technology? Amazon carries it and at $78 its a bit cheaper then the OEM Honda belt.

Here is a link: http://www.amazon.com/Erlandson-Technology-Scooter-Kevlar-DBHOMCT/dp/B00DX8AVP0

It's American made, but I have never heard of them before.

Thanks again.

Welcome to this site billaquino. I wouldn't replace the belt with anything other than an OEM belt but that's just my opinion. I bought a used 08 SWing from my sister last April and trailered it home to MN from FL. The belt what changed at 17,700 miles before I bought it but it had sat under a tarp for 2 years. It now has just over 19,000. I replaced tires, battery, changed the fluids and rode it on shorter trips last summer. I have since changed the belt with an OEM belt just because it sat for that long. I also replaced the rollers with 26 gram Dr. Sliders this winter. The belt looked and measured perfect and I will keep it as a spare but don't like the idea of it breaking while away from home a few hundred miles. Better to be safe than sorry I always say. Other belts might be cheaper but cheaper doesn't always just mean less expensive, in my opinion.

I tried the Mitshubishi Kevlar belt once and it lasted but a couple of members had theirs shred. Other than that belt I always stuck with the OEM since you just don't really hear about problems with them. You can keep your old belt as a spare like Dale said above. If it breaks when you are traveling it can take days to get a new belt shipped to you.

Welcome Bill, I bought a 02 SW a couple of months ago, and I changed my belt soon after I got it. I figured being that old that it would have dry rot and didn't want to take a chance. I did keep the belt for a spare since it only had 3800mi on it. Plus it's nice to tear it down, get it cleaned up and see what makes it tick.

Hey, Bill. Welcome; great crowd here, lots of good info and the cumulative knowledge of the SWing is tremendous. A lot of the earlier SWings were carted around by RV owners to use once they got the RV parked, and that's the reason for the low mileage. My 2005 had 2200 miles when I got it 2 summers ago. You are doing the right things, looking into all the nooks and crannies. Don't forget the air cleaner which is under the rear right panel. It is an easy item to check out. Some folks recycle the filter by repacking the guts with oiled foam and they claim it works just as good as new. It is an expensive item to replace so I kept my old one to "modify" when the time comes.

Hey Bill, Essex county here. Welcome to the site brotha man. Make sure you got that battery tender hocked up cold will definitely take it's toll on the battery. Let's see how Sunday to Monday fares out for us as far as weather. Saying over a foot.

- Denis

Thank you all for the warm welcome!

I had the drive belt off to measure and inspect it, and it looked fine so I put it back on. I will probably ride with it for the season and replace it next year. I'm not planning on any long trips, just tooling around Sussex Co. I did pull the variator off and put a set of 26gm Dr. Pulley sliders in after reading all the reviews on this site. The belt climbed all the way to the top of the variator with the sliders, something it didn't do with the rollers.

Today I took both wheels off and am looking for a shop to mount my new Diablo's. So far I had two quotes to mount and  balance, one for $70 and one for $75. Do most shops static or spin balance?

Hey Denis, where abouts in Essex Co. do you call home?  I do some service work in Newark and Hillside occasionally. Also graduated from NJIT many moons ago so Newark and I go way back.

I do have a battery tender hooked up, and the previous owner had just replaced the battery so I think I'm good to go.

Its killing me with all this snow on the ground now, and it looks like we may get more white stuff this weekend.  

Stay Warm

Bill

Bloomfield for the next month anyway. Sold the house and looking for another one somewhere in Essex Co. The Swing will finally have a garage to call home!! Current house does not have one. Rent my neighbors. As far as snow, looks more like like rain and snow instead of the white stuff Sunday into Monday. Can't wait for Spring.

Just got back from the Motorcycle Mall a few minutes ago. Thinking about getting a Can Am Spyder shortly after we move to a new location.

Be safe

Denis