Thumper Club Forum
Club House => Chatter => Topic started by: manxie on March 10, 2016, 05:06:29 PM
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I was googling the MZ Silver Star which I like very much and came across the SWM seen here.....
http://www.motorcycledaily.com/2014/11/swm-and-the-simple-single-more-thoughts/
Very nice indeed, may look better with a more rounded tank IMHO, they also do a nice looking "street scrambler". What`s your thoughts on SWM? I may look into them further and see what p/x I could get on my Fazer ;)
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Evening Steve , i do believe that crazy frog has an mz silver star?? Which I personally had never heard of until I started e mailing him about an engine I was buying off him. I had to google the silver star model...nice, I also like the swm in the pic you've posted...cheers, Michael
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Evening Steve , i do believe that crazy frog has an mz silver star?? Which I personally had never heard of until I started e mailing him about an engine I was buying off him. I had to google the silver star model...nice, I also like the swm in the pic you've posted...cheers, Michael
Hey Michael. I`d never heard of the Silver Star either but remember seeing one for sale a while back so did a search for it....nice!! The SWM`s look a bit expensive though but has anyone had any experience with them? Is it their own engine? Cheers, Steve
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I like the look of the SWM in the profile shot you posted. Never heard of em before.
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Another pic added .... cool 8)
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It appears that Mash motorcycles first copied the Honda CL400, ( you can all google that ), and now a couple of years later, SWM are doing likewise. If you really wanted to take a close look Steve, ( Manxie ), mine will be on the island for this years TT..... and then will more than likely be disposed of..... It is 18 years old and gets invited to be displayed, regularly. Take a look at the real deal, and not a Chinese copy.... Parts have never been a problem.... I wonder if the same can be said of Mash and SYM in 18 years time...? Regards, Tony
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I like the look of the SWM in the profile shot you posted. Never heard of em before.
I used to have a mate back in the very early 80's who had an swm trials bike, think the lad (bloke) lives near you prop, he's called chris gravestock plumber. Pas far as I'm know they are/were an Italian setup that built them. Not sure if it's the same outfit that are producing the single in the pic that Steve (manxie) posted. Anyone know??? ...cheers
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Good question Michael. Sorry Tony, you are losing me a bit here but I am a bit tired ??? From what I can gather, SWM are Italian and have been around for years, I remember SWM trials bikes in the 70`s. Not a Chinese Sym? Is it the CL you are coming over on?? Cheers, Steve. (excuse me if I`m being stupid)
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Silver Stars would occasionally turn up at MZ rallies in days of yore.
Very nice 500 singles, much like the Matchless I always thought.
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Sorry about the typo Steve..! I wrote sym, but I meant SWM... The top end of its engine, and frame looks remarkably similar to the Honda Cl400... ( so does the Mash )... Just to confirm, I will be at the TT , staying at Quarter bridge camp site, ( is that also the rugby club ? ). I will be on the new Italian stallion, a friend will be on my CL400... You are most welcome to cast an eye over it . Regards, Tony
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I see, got you now ;) Not sure about the camp site, I would say it was on the rugby pitch, or behind the QB pub on the NSC grounds?? My money would be on the rugby pitch though! Lets hope it`s dried out now, that was "feet" deep in the floods ???
Don`t worry, it looks dry ;D
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Hi all.....yes, as far as I know the swm company was created in the very early 70's not sure which year tho sorry. I think from memory my mates bike had a rotax based engine in it, but I can't be absolutely sure of that. It was defo a two stroke tho, that I do remember. Cheers...Michael
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This is taken from the link I attached ......
although most of SWM’s models feature liquid-cooled Husqvarna engines (engines used by Husky before KTM’s owner acquired the brand), these air-cooled engines have the same bore and stroke as a “big bore kitted” Honda XR 400 engine (an “XR 440” if you will).....
so, is it a Honda or simply just the same "bore and stroke" as an XR 400 ?? Clear as mud........ :-\
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I like the look of the SWM too, and even if it does use a Chinese engine, I'm not sure I'd let that put me off. After all, the big four subcontract stuff out to China these days and the smaller KTMs are made in China too.
Yes, I have a SilverStar ;D, and it is obviously very similar to a Harris Matchless, but maybe a little bit smaller, and a bit better looking IMHO. SilverStars also have electric start which is good, as I've not managed to start mine on the kickstart yet :-\
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Hey CrazyFrog, sounds good. They look a lovely bike, silver stars that is. Any chance you could post a pic or two of it, it would be good to see it ;) cheers, Steve. :)
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I've not managed to start mine on the kickstart yet :-\
I thought you were adept with the left-foot kickstart? It's one thing that's always put me off those rotax-engined bikes.
As with the Mash (which I tried and quite liked) I suspect it'll be a bit over-priced but I may look at them in a couple of years when they should be some used ones coming on the market at realistic prices.
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I thought you were adept with the left-foot kickstart? It's one thing that's always put me off those rotax-engined bikes.
So did I till I tried this! I don't know if it's the gearing of the kickstart or what, but I just haven't managed it yet. Rotax singles are notoriously difficult to kickstart, but I'll have to master it, because it will bug me if I don't!
I'll see If I can post a couple of piccies on here over the weekend.
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Like the look of those SWMs, and please someone post up some pics of a Silver star :)
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I contacted SWM for my nearest dealer. The tell me Paul Dedman in Ramsey is the agent, who has emailed me to let me know both models I like, GM440 & SV440 will both be in stock early next month. I don`t know any prices yet but will certainly be going in for a look.... I like them but more research is needed I think :-\ ;) I`m liking this ..... VERY MUCH!! :o 8)
http://www.swm-motorcycles.it/en/models/classic-bikes/gran-milano-440/
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Prices and more details here :-
http://www.swmmotorcycles.co.uk/models/sv440-r (http://www.swmmotorcycles.co.uk/models/sv440-r)
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Like the look of those SWMs, and please someone post up some pics of a Silver star :)
The Silver Star was a nice bike ( like all MZ's) - Rotax engine was pretty reliable. If I'm totally honest I do prefer the Harris/Matchless G80 for looks though.
I seem to remember reading somewhere that you could fit the Rotax MX cam to the standard engine for a good preformance boost but I'm not sure that this is correct?
Silver Star
(http://i182.photobucket.com/albums/x297/comanche91/Small1.jpg)
Harris/ Matchless G80
(http://www.motorbikespecs.net/images/Matchless/G80__(L_F_Harris)_87_-_94/G80__(L_F_Harris)_87_-_94_2.jpg)
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Hopefully they will be along soon with a scrambler/adventure bike version.
Or I could look at the Himalaya.
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Hopefully they will be along soon with a scrambler/adventure bike version.
Or I could look at the Himalaya.
I think they do a 600cc adventure bike too? ...... http://www.swmmotorcycles.co.uk/models/super-dual
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Still loving those SWMs. But what is it with all these add on brown satchels :-\ Its a bit like the Von Dutch Mash, way over the top :-\ IMHO, less is more ;)
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Super-Dual is very tempting at 540 cc.
I shall wait for the price to be announced, but it does tick a lot of boxes.
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Super-Dual is very tempting at 540 cc.
I shall wait for the price to be announced, but it does tick a lot of boxes.
Hi Richard, I think 36.6 cu in converts to 599cc which should make it a slightly better bit or kit to haul all that luggage :)
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Even better :-)
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Right, here's a picture of mine, as promised :-
(http://i63.tinypic.com/2afhnk1.jpg)
The good news is that I started it twice off the kickstart yesterday, from cold, and from hot. The secret is to ignore all the guff in the manual about little white dots in windows, and all the bolleaux I've read on the web too. It's just the same as any bike, and why shouldn't it be? Just ease it over TDC, and then a good big swing and off she went. :D
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I like....very much ;) 8)
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Lovely bike, thanks for posting. i'm amazed i've never heard of or seen one before :-\
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Can anyone make sense of the SV440 spec sheet ???
I don't really care less if it has a 7 plate 4 cubit clutch with 3 Mongolian gallon hydraulic tank, which is does tell me, but would really like to know the weight and HP so I can see how it'll go against a Streetwin or Enfield , which it doesn't seem to mention!
Written by ****y top trumps train spotters!
Andy
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Cant find any info myself Andy. I`ll email my local dealership who are getting the SWM`s in (also RE and MG dealership) to see if they can tell me. Should know tomorrow night :-\
Had an email back already saying ........
Hi Steve
From memory talking to Rob from SWM UK it is around 44.
Also further reading leans towards the 440cc motors being Chinese.... dunno if this is a good thing or not.... I think the latter :-\
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Also further reading leans towards the 440cc motors being Chinese.... dunno if this is a good thing or not.... I think the latter :-\
SWM - Speedy Working Motors - owned by Shineway Motorcycles of China and made in Italy.
http://www.gizmag.com/swm-motorcycles-2016-lineup/38250/ (http://www.gizmag.com/swm-motorcycles-2016-lineup/38250/)
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Also further reading leans towards the 440cc motors being Chinese.... dunno if this is a good thing or not.... I think the latter :-\
SWM - Speedy Working Motors - owned by Shineway Motorcycles of China and made in Italy.
http://www.gizmag.com/swm-motorcycles-2016-lineup/38250/ (http://www.gizmag.com/swm-motorcycles-2016-lineup/38250/)
Hmmm? The bigger engines are supposed to be Husky`s though? Shame??
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Lovely bike, thanks for posting. i'm amazed i've never heard of or seen one before :-\
It's not that amazing Timbo, there were only ever 30 brought into the country.
The story is that after re-unification MZ had started to hit hard times in the early nineties coping with the free market and loss of government subsidies. They managed to get a re-financing deal sorted out with the banks, but part of the deal was that they move away from two strokes. This eventually resulted in the sale of the two stroke production line to Kanuni in Turkey, and the release of the Seymore Powell designed Skorpion. However, as a gesture of intent and to prove to the banks that they were in earnest, the factory designed and got into production the Rotax 500 based SilverStar and Country machines in six weeks! As a result the SilverStar which is based on the existing ETZ251 frame and cycle parts feels more like a modern 125 in terms of size and weight, but goes like a 500.
The Country was also a smart looking bike, and I think even rarer in this country than the SilverStar, with only about 20 coming here. :-
(http://i68.tinypic.com/pvdxh.jpg)
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Thanks for all that info. Every days a school day :) The Country looks well good :)
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Yes thanks for the info Pete, like Tim says everyday is a school day. I didn't know half of what you explained....cheers, Michael
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It's just the same as any bike, and why shouldn't it be? Just ease it over TDC, and then a good big swing and off she went. :D
When I first had a Velocette, I was warned that unless I used the proper Velo starting procedure it would never go. I never had that much success with it so reverted to the standard big single drill which worked much better (and indeed I started a Venom last Saturday morning first kick by using it where others had struggled).
Standard procedure (cold start):
1. Close air lever and lightly tickle carb (not till petrol gushes out).
2. Set advance lever to about 1/3 retarded.
3. With the throttle barely cracked open, find compression.
4. Ease over compression with the valve lifter then gently push kickstart to bottom of travel.
5. Repeat 4.
5. Find compression again, ease over with valve lifter and let kickstart return to top.
6. Give a long swinging kick (not a half-hearted stab) keeping the throttle barely cracked open.
4 and 5 make sure you've got a nice cylinder full of decent mixture. 5 makes sure that you have the maximum rotation to build up momentum in the flywheel before the next compression. 6 gives you maximum crankshaft speed again to get over compresion.
If it doesn't start, try again then flood it a bit more. It will often give a cough but not pick up if it needs more flooding.
If a warm engine omit stage 1. It can be harder if it's been running then stood for half an hour or so.
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UPDATE ON SWM HP.......
I received an email today from the future SWM dealership as follows.......
The details I gave you were incorrect. The HP is 35 but the bike only
weighs 144 kg so power to weight is really good.
Just to keep all you guys informed. Cheers
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Thanks Ian. Great tips on starting. So good I've copied and laminated it ;)
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UPDATE ON SWM HP.......
I received an email today from the future SWM dealership as follows.......
The details I gave you were incorrect. The HP is 35 but the bike only
weighs 144 kg so power to weight is really good.
Just to keep all you guys informed. Cheers
Good info, thanks for postings. That's a good set of numbers, more motorway capable than an Enfield but lighter and not far down on the power to weight ratio compared to the 700+ cc twins.
Andy
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Yes, interesting info. A lightweight bike with about 35 - 40 bhp is a recipe for fun in my book.....
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If lightweight and poke interest you have a look at a KTM 390 Duke, take the 'graphics' off, stick an Akrapovič on it and .......... ;D
Toodle pip, Bill
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If lightweight and poke interest you have a look at a KTM 390 Duke, take the 'graphics' off, stick an Akrapovič on it and .......... ;D
Toodle pip, Bill
+1
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+2 (seriously thinking about getting one or a 690duke)
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Id never heard of SWM until this thread started, oh what a sheltered life i lead :-\ Then i bump into someone today who has one of the older rotax engined ones. He was telling me that the Armstrong MT500 was based on the SWM ;)