Old Guitar Pickin' Biker/Silverwing Noob in Oklahoma

Retired Network Administrator & active Guitar Picker. I bought a 2002 Silverwing (non-ABS)
w/Gigi Top Case & Light Kit. It had 11k miles when I bought it.
in Sept 2016. Also have a 2001 Shadow Spirit 1100 but the Wifee won't ride on the 6 inch wide
passenger seat (I wouldn't either!). She likes the back seat on the S-Wing.

First things I'm looking for; GPS Mount & more storage.

I absolutely LOVE the way these suckers handle & accelerate! BUT......when me & Mama took
a short day ride last fall going west on a narrow 2 lane, the south crosswind & 18 wheelers
about blew us off the road! (Not nearly that bad on my Shadow)Anyone know how to diminish
the crosswind problem?

Also, my S-Wing is 15 years old with 11k miles & as far as I know, the original drive belt.
Any recommendations for the best, longest lasting drive belt?

Thanks.

Hi Mike, Welcome aboard.

Per email:

Sorry, I stopped making accessories a few years ago. There are a few members here that dabble in manufacturing. Do a search.

Welcome to the forum, Picker. Dunno how you can diminish crosswind and tractor-trailer wind buffeting. It's just something you need to anticipate and come to terms with.

The best & longest lasting drive belt is the OEM Honda belt. Partzilla.com is your friend.

Tim

Welcome from o-HI-o Picker. Having ridden in Okl more than once you learn the correct angle after a while, as I remember 45 deg. about did it

Welcome

Drive belts=only OEM, changed every 16,000 miles period. I leave everything in drive train stock

Older bike, tires----first SilverWings came with Bridgestone Hoop, Last ones have IRC----I have matched set of IRC on my left over 2013 right now.

Carrying: Givi Rack and box. Windshield: I find only Givi adjustable windshield works for some riding comfort---look over.

Cross winds----do not hold bars so tight, relax, slow down,look ahead. I pass this on as rider for 62 years---over 80,000 miles on 2 new SilverWings, riding them as scooter.

Welcome to the best SWing site on the net Superpicker.

Amazon has Ram Mounts for mounting a GPS etc. I put one on my SWing that screws into one of the handlebar screws. I also put a double ball holder for a gps mount. I use one of my old cell phones for gps plus I have my tunes on it which Bluetooth to a receiver in in my top box for tunes while I'm riding. It works really well.

Let me try this again. The first time didn't work too well and I deleted it. But here goes once again.
The bottom photo looks a bit screwy. I tried to rotate it but that didn't work. I added some flat washers under the mount to bring it up so it wouldn't crack the tupperware but was able to screw it down tight enough to hold well. Let's see how this works once on the site.

Ram also makes a double ball clamp that I use. It's about 4" long and holds my cell phone and with the double clamp it can swivel enough to move it out of the way of the gauges etc.

Thanks for all your input fellers. I'll check the RAM mounts Dale. And I'll stay stock on the drivebelt John. And I just went to Partzilla; thanks Cosmic_Jumper. Is there an easy way to check if the drivebelt was replaced recently? Without removing too many cases/covers? Even with only 11k original miles, the previous owner must have replaced the original 15 year old belt? If not, I
don't want to get a surprise on the highway.

Thanks

Superpicker removing those covers are they way to go. I decided even at a mere 8,000 miles and 10 years on mine if I'm going in to look I'm going in to replace. Former owners didn't have a lick of maintenance information with the scoot, just a gasoline usage and two oil changes in a small note book. I changed all fluids, air filter, the belt, sanded cleaned took pictures along the way and reassembled.

15000 miles is average wear on the belt.  I don't see it breaking due to age.  If you are going to take a long trip, then change the belt before you go.

You tube videos of how it is done.

I use ram mounts that come off the brake handles. Simple add on.

Welcome from Texas!

When I picked up my 08 SWing from my sister in FL it had been sitting under a tarp for two years. The tires were weather cracked so I trailered it home to MN. The belt looked good but I figured that if the tires were cracked, of course the sit in the sun, the belt might not be in the best of shape either. It looked great but I changed it anyway along with 26gr Sliders. I figure it's better to be safe than sorry. I don't like to do maintenance on the side of the road. New tires, New battery, Oil and Filter. It had a 1/2 tank of gas and while waiting for the battery to arrive I jumped it with my pickup. Not running just used the battery. It turned over about 3 times and fired off and purred like a kitten. When the battery came, which was the last thing to make it road worthy, I dumped about 1/4 can of SeaFoam into the tank. I filled it to the brim at the gas station and rode it around my little town for about an hour to see how it would handle and run. Then went on the highway and put about 100 miles on it. Came back. Filled it up again and haven't had a problem since. Love my SWing!