My new Swing

Hi guys.

New member here.  I picked up a 2004 Swing with 38,000 miles recently on Craigslist.  It's a little sun-baked, but it has a new belt and new tires, and it runs great.  I feel like this wedges in neatly between the Helix I owned and the PC800 I owned after that.  I decided to upgrade because my new job is 53 miles round trip, and it would take forever to get there on city streets on my Kymco 125.

Here's a quick picture I took the day I brought it home.



As you can see, it's pretty badly sun faded and weathered.  I've had the flu for a couple of days and was going stir crazy at home, so I popped off the windshield yesterday and went at it with a bottle of Meguiars and a torn up towel.  While it's not perfect, at least I can see through it.

Before:


After:


I also replaced the low beam bulb and battery.  Looking forward to seeing what else you guys are up to with these machines.

Tim

Get some Mother's Back to Black from Walmart or an auto parts store. That will bring the black plastic back nicely after a couple applications. The windshield isn't worth doing a lot to, replace it with a Givi Adjustable. It will make your commute a lot more pleasant.

The Kappa windshield is pretty much the same as the Givi from what some folks here have posted. About half the price.
http://www.motostorm.it/en/accessories/motorcycle-parts/airstream-honda-silver-wing-400600-0109.html?ref=Google¤cy=USD&gclid=CNPw4_LW88oCFdgLgQodnFMB9g

I had the Givi and really liked it. As you can see it's just about the same as the Kappa.
http://www.revzilla.com/motorcycle/givi-af214-airflow-windscreen-honda-silverwing-600-2001-2011

G'day Clev and Welcome to a good forum. Looks like you've picked up a good deal, shame the previous owner was so neglectful but that gives you plenty of room to improve right? Enjoy the minor restoration and the 53 mile commute each day!

Back to Black works, but I prefer to use Armor All. It brings back the original color and threats the plastic.

Hi Clev and welcome. These are great, reliable machines and are easy to maintain and keep in good condition. I'm sure it will not take a lot to make it look fine. Let us know how you get on.

As your 2004 fit's the bill mine does as well, fortunately for me both previous owners kept it inside and at least one of them kept it covered. I bought mine off Craig's list also, a local owner an d am very happy with it.

My 2009 @28000mis. ride had faded black panels . Oreilly employee said his father does restorations and restores faded black panels with Mothers Back to Black. I gave it a try using it liberally and was very impressed even after five months.

Welcome Clev,

I look forward to the pictures after you finish your restorations (it never ends). You will find a wealth of information on this site.

Thanks guys. The windshield definitely needs to be replaced. I can see through it now, but it's still pretty bad.

I assume the paint is a goner. I don't know how these are painted, but if I was looking at a car, I would say the clearcoat has peeled/baked away in most areas. I can only really tell what color is used to be by looking at the panel below the dashboard (sort of a red wine/maroon color.) Am I correct in thinking that that won't buff out?

There is supposed to be a Paint code label under the seat in or near the edge of the luggage box.

If the clearcoat is peeling it will need to be sanded and reshot. Another option is to Plasti-dip it. You can do it yourself and would only cost about $50. Not a permanent solution but would get you by for a while as you decide what to do with it. What you also might try to do it get some clearcoat in a rattle can from the autoparts store and spray the windshield. That will bring back the shine and make it clear. I've done that to many fogged up headlights and it works really well. Here are some before and after of headlights.

I'd go get some McGuires liquid compounds and and wax and try to bring back what you have. Durocolor makes a spray paint for plastic and fabric that works really well so you can respray the tunnel a matte black. Or go Mad Max with it - it's half way there, just needs some torpedoes and things.

Hello to all.
I previously owned a Silverwing gave up riding for awhile and came back but with a Piaggio MP3 250. Well after 2 years with that am now anxious to return to another Silverwing. In the shopping process now but need to sell my MP3 or trade up.
Not sure how to add pictures being new to site and all, but will try. Seems like a real informative site, remember some of the names from a previous Silverwing site.

Hey, sold my MP3 a couple months ago. They are near impossible to sell and have little trade in value. I almost had to give it away. I found the 250 just too small and with little to no dealer network I just grew tired of it. The only saving grace was the Modern Vespa forum is a great place to get advice on Piaggio products.

Welcome Clev, nice pick up you got. Nothing a little elbow grease can't cure on that ride.

I have a Givi Windscreen, worth every penny when you can get around to it.

For faded, "grayed out" black plastic work, try S100 - Engine Brightener. Originally designed to be used on the black bits on HD engines, it works fantastic on all black plastic bits. You will not be disappointed.

Thanks for the words of encouragement, guys. I have some Back to Black that I bought for the car. I had the afternoon off, but it's 92 degrees out (in February!), so I managed to install the new battery in the Swing, return the loaner battery to the Kymco, bathe the Kymco and take a few snaps for Craigslist before being forced to retire to the air conditioned living room.

Saturday is only supposed to be 77, so I plan to sneak in some maintenance time after work.

Clev - I live in Orange County too. Orange County in New York, though. Woke up to 7 below 0 on Sunday. You can handle a little 92.

92 is working on a moto outside weather, with an umbrella or covered parking
Back when I lived in an apartment I'd bring the bike inside to tinker with it once the temp hit, say. 100

Welcome, Clev. I don't have any expertise to share about making your Silverwing beautiful again, but I do appreciate all the suggestions others have supplied.