2014 RT Rear Tire replacement

Group

I am getting ready to change out my rear tire on my RT. I have watched Finless Bob's video many of times and I am now comparing parts. He talks about a swing arm sensor and to remove the sensor before removing the bolt for the rear shock. After crawling up under the bike I do not see a swing arm sensor. I see where the bolt would go into it, however there is no sensor. Is there one on the 2014 Spyder RT?

Also, how high do I need to jack up the bike to remove the bolt for the shock? Is the tire suppose to stay on the ground while I release the pressure on the shock to remove the bolt.

Thanks

Tony

The BASE RT does not have the air pump and position sensor.
If you do not have that, ignore it.
Although I thought all RT's above 2014 had it. But I am probably wrong.

Bob

Mr. Finless

I have a Base RT so that may be the case.

Do you lift the tire off the ground to release the tension on the shock?

Thanks

Tony

My 15 base RT is like that, so I don't have that step. I have changed the last couple of rear tires without removing the shock bolt, and been able to roll the belt off to the side of the rear sprocket without releasing the adjuster tension. The belt still has a little tension that would have been released if I had removed the lower shock bolt; your call. Either way, it is a little bit of a balancing act to get the bike jacked to JUST where the tension is off the bolt (or the rear axle shaft if you didn't remove the bolt), where the bolt or shaft can slide out. Tension should be off, when the rear tire is just about to clear the ground...

If, and only if you have it: it would look like this:


If you don't see it: don't worry about it. :thumbup:

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Spyder 10

Mr. Finless

I have a Base RT so that may be the case.

Do you lift the tire off the ground to release the tension on the shock?

Thanks

Tony

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Yes I did lift it to get the weight off the shock bolt. But, as others said, you can do it without removing the shock bolt.

Bob

I had No problem on the GS model BUT on the RT it really helps if you have someone to hold the wheel as you lower the bike down because I had to keep lowering it and then adjusting and raising. It was a pain in the Arm! Some one holding the wheel while you slowly lower the jack to the position of sliding the axle back through. "Nothing is Easy on a Spyder?

Finless, if I use your approach of removing the rear tire. Would this mean that it would not mess up the laser alignment? I need to get a new tire before our ryding season starts. I am looking at the General tire and of course my dealer will not mount that tire. So I will have to take off the tire and find a shop to do it.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by seaweed

Finless, if I use your approach of removing the rear tire. Would this mean that it would not mess up the laser alignment? I need to get a new tire before our ryding season starts. I am looking at the General tire and of course my dealer will not mount that tire. So I will have to take off the tire and find a shop to do it.

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The reason most people remove the shock bolt is because this gives extra slack for the drive belt ..... this allows you to not have to touch the ADJUSTERS ..... so when you re-assemble it should be EXACTLY where it was BEFORE you started ............... Mike :thumbup:

Quote:

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Originally Posted by seaweed

Finless, if I use your approach of removing the rear tire. Would this mean that it would not mess up the laser alignment? I need to get a new tire before our ryding season starts. I am looking at the General tire and of course my dealer will not mount that tire. So I will have to take off the tire and find a shop to do it.

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That is correct as Blueknight said doing it this way ensures the adjusters do not change thus not effecting alignment.

Bob

Thanks Mike and Bob