Wheels, tyres, fork springs, brakes, handguards, just done.

My 2006 Swing tyres were worn out as the odometer read 11k miles. I bought a pair of Metzeler Feel Free Wintecs tyres but the wheels needed repainting before fitting. Initially, I was going to paint them myself with 2 pack paint.

I found out that you can now get a mirror chrome finish with powder coating. I made enquiries and was quoted £60 per wheel. Considering the process has to be done twice, one for chrome effect and one for clear, it didn't seem too bad.

Below is a pic of my front wheel. I think it looks great - more like polished alloy than chrome maybe.

I've also fitted a Givi Airflow 214 screen and a pair of handguards from ebay uk. As winter approaches, I'm looking at fitting leg wind deflectors next. They might also hide a few scratches the previous owner left for me!

I fitted new brake pads all round and cleaned, painted, re-furbed associated bits and pieces as I went along - eg., the small oval exhaust heat shield was tarnished so I tried to unbolt it but both bolts snapped. I fitted a new type over the top - again ebay uk.

I made a front mudflap out of builders plastic damp proof course and glued it with "Serious Glue" made by Bostik or Evo Stik?

Last but not least, I plumped for Hyper Pro progressive front fork springs after the pits and pot holes were shaking me up so badly. I now have a supple ride that firms up nicely when cornering and doesn't feel as if it's going to snap the steering head off.

More pics of the recent work is on this site under my personal album.Flyingpanman's Album

" />

Fantastic finish on those wheels!

Looks good, very good.

Flyingpanman........The wheels look great. Nice finish. Hope they stand up to bad weather and salt corrosion. You've now made me jealous of the Hyperpro springs It's something I'd like to do but my Swing is still under warranty until the end of the year so can't mess around with it too much. Maybe next year

Den

That wheel looks better than new.

I really like the wheels. Where did you get them done ?

bikerboy wrote:

I really like the wheels.  Where did you get them done ?

Not too far from you. Fast Line coatings Ltd., Preston PR1 8SZ. Ask for Steve. I've no affiliation, just a pleased customer.

I was in two minds because the wheels on any scooter, particularly the rear, are difficult to see. I wondered if it was worth £60 per wheel. Then I thought I'd get it done to see how good it can be and how well it lasts. I'm pleased with the look but time will tell on durability. Other coatings can be cheaper, of course.

While I was there, I did see some crash bars and fog light cases in the same finish. They really looked very good - an alternative to chrome plating.

Steve will give you a tour of the workshop and there's a glut of different finishes available - hundreds of colours, candy finishes, chrome and gold plate effect. I used to think powder coating was just basic colours, but not any more.

The last time I was there was to have some chrome spotlights powder coated black to match my ST1100, much the reverse of what I want today !

What do you think of the Metzeler Wintecs?
JB

Old Limey is the bloke to ask about Metzeler Wintec tyres, he went through a set of them on his previous Silver Wing before going back to running on Bridgestone Hoops. Another UK member that's running on all season tyres is The Bern (hi bud!), he had them on his Silver Wing when we were at the Muppets Duxford meeting last summer.

The powder coat ought to hold up well. I had the struts and fuselage tubing on my homebuilt Avid Flyer airplane powder coated to protect them from salt water spray. The looked just as good as new when I sold the floats four years later. Three years after that the fuselage and tail feather tubing still was completely rust and corrosion free. This was on an aircraft that was stored without a hanger on a ramp in salt water in SE Alaska which is noted for it's unending rain.
Ketchikan has and average of 145" of rain per year. Makes you guys in the UK look like you're living in a desert.

This thread on the Singapore website has details on how to do handguards:

http://www.singaporebikes.com/forums/showthread.php/325894-lt-Info-gt-Silverwing-400cc-600cc-Tech-Corner?p=7529595&viewfull=1#post7529595

exavid wrote:

Ketchikan has and average of 145" of rain per year. Makes you guys in the UK look like you're living in a desert.

In my local desert, the centre of York was badly flooded at the end of last year around Christmas time, and homes and businesses are still recovering from the damage caused. Further North in Cumbria where I used to live also suffered serious flooding at the end of last year. For many homeowners, shops, and businesses in places like Carlisle, and Cockermouth it was the second time in ten years it's happened.

In both Nork Yorkshire and the Cumbria floods, road bridges collapsed causing months of disruption and long detours. There's a little hamlet called Seathwaite in the Lake District that regularly gets between 136" to 140" of rainfall a year, they should maybe twin the place with Ketchikan.

Let's not forget we're not the ones put off by a bit of precipitation, and rain suits not baseball caps and shorts are normal riding gear to us. It's November tomorrow, we're moving into winter and already suiting up for the colder weather, our "riding season" carries on.

looks nice FPM, can I ask what handguard you put on and how easy/hard it was?

On riding in weather (of all sorts) I often dream of not being soggy during the winter and have bought many different waterproofs over the years - inevitably the 'damp crotch scenario' will occur.

The thread below is where I posted a link to my handguards. Further down the thread, someone has posted better pics and fitting details.

https://www.silverwing600.com/t4387-handguards#95112

thanks FPM