motovintage Posted October 9, 2008 Report Share Posted October 9, 2008 I am going to look at a swm trials next week, the owner thinks it's a 1981 240, supposed to be all there except the seat, rear shocks, and kick lever, and in decent condition otherwise, what should I be looking for? are these good bikes? I have never rode a swm, I remember when Bernie and Martin were riding them in the 80's, I will probably buy it if the price isn't too high, how is parts availability for them? is there a model identification guide available? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pedronicman Posted October 9, 2008 Report Share Posted October 9, 2008 They are good bikes , solidly built and reliable Engine spares easily available but some cycle parts can be hard to find but a good all round bike I have a 1980 320 and absolutly love it - much more fun to ride than my old 290 Shedco Have a look here at Martin Matthews website- www.motoswm.com Email martin - he will be able to answer all you need to know Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
big john Posted October 9, 2008 Report Share Posted October 9, 2008 Yes I agree, Martin is a solid contact for everything SWM & Gori for that matter. He comes highly recommended. However, the kickstart may be a problem, the lower knuckles are available but the swinging lever part is not. Martin had considered having some made provided he got a fair demand. Big John Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
motovintage Posted October 9, 2008 Author Report Share Posted October 9, 2008 will a can-am kick lever work? do other can am parts inerchange? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
big john Posted October 9, 2008 Report Share Posted October 9, 2008 From memory, the SWM uses the same knuckle as a Can-Am, but the actual pedal is cranked a different way to clear the offside footrest. Big John Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
brian r Posted October 9, 2008 Report Share Posted October 9, 2008 I think I saw some SWM parts on e bay yesterday. I believe there was a seat as well as a tank. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
motovintage Posted October 14, 2008 Author Report Share Posted October 14, 2008 I got the SWM, sadly the piston appears to have melted to the cylinder, it's probably beyond my financial ability to recurect at this time unless I get lucky on some engine parts, it seems a very well made bike, it bears a resemblence to my Beta TR33, is there a tie to the swm and beta '80's bikes? both made in Italy ?? here is a pic, thanks for the help & the link Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
t-shock 250 Posted October 14, 2008 Report Share Posted October 14, 2008 There is a link to Aprilia though, as the design staff went there after the demise of SWM. The rotax powered aprilia twinshocks are very similar. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
martinm Posted October 14, 2008 Report Share Posted October 14, 2008 I got the SWM, sadly the piston appears to have melted to the cylinder, it's probably beyond my financial ability to recurect at this time unless I get lucky on some engine parts, it seems a very well made bike, it bears a resemblence to my Beta TR33, is there a tie to the swm and beta '80's bikes? both made in Italy ?? here is a pic, thanks for the help & the link I think I may be able to help you out with a new piston....see pm. Cheers Martin Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
motovintage Posted October 15, 2008 Author Report Share Posted October 15, 2008 pm sent, thanks everyone for your help Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
motovintage Posted October 20, 2008 Author Report Share Posted October 20, 2008 got the cylinder off and the crank & rod are siezed, looks like a vacum leak may have leaned out the mixture and overheated the piston and rod, and it looks like it may have got moisture in the crank case, if any one locally has a line on a repairable 240 or 320 motor or parts bike, please pass it on thanks, Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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