4K mile maintenance questions

I am performing the scheduled 4000 mile maintenance on my '06. I cannot find anything on the 'Brake Lock Operation'. It may be referring to the parking brake, but I really have no idea.

Also can I perform the clutch shoes wear myself? Is there a tutorial around on this? I have done the rest of it with help at times from your posts here on the forum. What a great resource!

I have 34,000 miles on my SWing and haven't touched the clutch pads yet. The SWing goes a long time with some things and I think the clutch pads are one of those. It may not mean much to you but I would just change the oil and the final drive oil if I were you, and just check the fluids. I haven't even had my valves checked yet and it runs so smooth. Maybe others can chime in on what they did but the Swing doesn't really need too much IMO.

texasswing
Welcome to the best S/Wing site on the web.

JeffR_ wrote:

I have 34,000 miles on my SWing and haven't touched the clutch pads yet. The SWing goes a long time with some things and I think the clutch pads are one of those. It may not mean much to you but I would just change the oil and the final drive oil if I were you, and just check the fluids. I haven't even had my valves checked yet and it runs so smooth. Maybe others can chime in on what they did but the Swing doesn't really need too much IMO.

+ 1 on that only I have 26,000 instead of 34,000.
Belt,rollers,tires,oil,plugs I think that's all I've had to do.

Maintenance needs on these machines are minimal. Don't waste your time looking at the clutch - nobody seems to wear them out. Same for the parking brake shoes. It is possible that your brake pads will wear out, but probably not possible at 4,000 miles.

Change the oil and the drive oil (pictorials available on this site, Thank JeffR), check for anything loose and have fun!

At 4,000 miles on a 4 year old bike----I would look to changing brake fluid, coolant, hose inspection, tire aging. Belt? age? Clutch will make plenty of noise if bad.

As John said, fluids and rubber parts do age and are worth looking at. My scoot was 6 years old when I got it (4000 miles). I just rode it with no problems. I only replaced the belt, brake fluid, radiator fluid this year. The belt still looks fine (16,000 miles) and its in the garage as a spare, and I can't tell any difference in the brakes or cooling (both worked fine before and after change).

My tires had some tiny cracking, but I had to squint to see it. I wore them out pretty quick anyhow. However, that is a safety issue and you may decide differently than I did.

Thanks for the responses. I bet there are more to come and I will consider all! I am going to change the brake fluid. The oil was changed at 1050 with synthetic and the tires were looked at by a dealer a few weeks back and he said drive them until they are worn, (no sign of cracking).

We are planning a trip to the Texas Hill Country in November to ride the twisted sisters, etc. and I just want to be sure that it will hang in there with the other three riding Harleys.

I ride with them (Harley riders) pretty much weekly in East Texas, and two up I still take it easy on them on the starts from stop!

One that note, how can I expect the scooter to act on fairly steep downgrades without being able to downshift?

texasswing wrote:

We are planning a trip to the Texas Hill Country in November to ride the twisted sisters, etc.

Been there multiple times

texasswing wrote:

One that note, how can I expect the scooter to act on fairly steep downgrades without being able to downshift?

If you travel below 15 MPH the clutch will disengage with no engine braking. If you blip the throttle the clutch will reengage and the engine braking will continue.

If you have the clutch engage for the engine braking .. you will not have any problems with the steep grades.

Texas,

The engine braking is pretty significant. I have done a number of steep downhill switchbacks with no problem. The CVT transmission will adjust as you slow down, keeping the compression braking going. If you slow much below 15mph, the clutches will release and you will start to freewheel forward. Once you get above 15, just give it a bit of throttle, and they will re-engage and continue to provide braking. Once you do it once or twice, it will become second nature. There were a number of relatively steep sections (posted as 10%), where I actually had to keep some throttle on to keep from slowing down too much.

Enjoy the ride!!

My throttle control responds very well when I reduce speed. I try to move through the twists without brakes. Of course that my not be always possible but sweeping through corners in in my mind the joy of riding.