Something new

[Jeriatric]

So, yesterday we were in having the fuel pump assembly replaced(30K). BIG job, as far as disassembly of the bike goes. Because the fuel tank has to be out of the Spyder for replacement. Anyway, that phase of the job was complete and the technician has now jacked the Spyder's rear wheel up so he can run it through the gears and finish whatever diagnostics needed to be done. It is hooked up to BUDS and I have no idea at this moment why he needed to do it but, I'm sure glad he did. I'm beyond glad I was there watching. Because what I saw blew me away. The rear wheel drive sprocket was wobbling like a spinning dinner plate on the end of a stick! The tire and wheel itself were running quite true.

The Spyder spent the night in the hospital, a friend drove the 100 miles to pick me up.

I've requested they replace all bearings associated with the rear wheel and drive sprocket(repeat of what was done just 11K ago), plus they have my approval to replace anything else they find bad, once torn down. Since it will be apart the rear tire with only 11K on it will be replace too.

Top Tier touring bike my A..

Again, I truly love the Spyder as a platform.

But the maintenance requirements of this particular Spyder, and life span of its parts, is worse than any aircraft I ever worked on.

What next?

[Bob Denman]

The sprocket just sort of "plugs" into the rubber dampers, that hold it to the rim. Could they have been worn, or perhaps they just got knocked around, and un-seated during all of what was going on?

[finless]

The sprocket just sort of "plugs" into the rubber dampers, that hold it to the rim. Could they have been worn, or perhaps they just got knocked around, and un-seated during all of what was going on?

Agree... This is probably the cause since no bolts hold the sprocket on.

Bob

[Jeriatric]

The sprocket just sort of "plugs" into the rubber dampers, that hold it to the rim. Could they have been worn, or perhaps they just got knocked around, and un-seated during all of what was going on?

Agree... This is probably the cause since no bolts hold the sprocket on.

Bob

It's the what next part that makes it very hard to ride it any further than around the block. And, you both know that's not how I roll.

Thanks for your input.

[Bob Denman]

Good luck; I hope that the solution is a quick and easy one to find!
Please let us know...

[Jeriatric]

Good luck; I hope that the solution is a quick and easy one to find!
Please let us know...

Trying to get it ready for a trip the second week of April.

Arizona, New Mexico, Southern Colorado, South Central Utah, Nevada(Valley of Fire), Death Valley, and then over to Bishop, Ca. and finally home. Nine days in total.

This will be the second planned outing on the Spyder that has had to be scrubbed and another bike used. Pretty disheartening.

[Jeriatric]

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[BLUEKNIGHT911]

If the only work you have EVER had done on your Spyder ....has been done by DEALER - Mechanics .....I would have some serious concerns about what has and hasn't been done while they have had it ...... This is not a normal issue..............................jmho ........ Mike

[Jeriatric]

If the only work you have EVER had done on your Spyder ....has been done by DEALER - Mechanics .....I would have some serious concerns about what has and hasn't been done while they have had it ...... This is not a normal issue..............................jmho ........ Mike

Hi Mike,

I agree it's not normal - that said,

I'm fortunate enough to have a dealer that does ride in appointments for me and as can be seen by the photo's, I get to monitor all work that's being done. Has been this way over the five years I have owned the Spyder. While it was under warranty(first 5 years) I had them do the maintenance because I wanted the paper trail. Expensive, but necessary, in light of all the problems I've had. It has made it much easier for them to go to bat for me with BRP.

[2dogs]

If BRP would stop buying their lousy cheap a$$ parts and installing them on their expensive products, I believe we'd all be better off in both the short and the long term. We would all save money, including BRP, and the downtime would all but vanish and we could then enjoy a greater confidence in our machines. I'm just say'n...........that's my opinion an I'm stick'n to it.

[Chupaca]

The sprocket does have two bearings. One ball bearing and one double row bearing. If they did tire change this one thing that should be checked and overlooked by many who do their own wheel removal. Really glad it was caught before you go off into the wild blue yonder... I always have a set on hand though the manuals are less tough on those bearings....you'll be good to go soon enough good to have a friend to drive 100miles to get you....

[BLUEKNIGHT911]

The sprocket does have two bearings. One ball bearing and one double row bearing. If they did tire change this one thing that should be checked and overlooked by many who do their own wheel removal. Really glad it was caught before you go off into the wild blue yonder... I always have a set on hand though the manuals are less tough on those bearings....you'll be good to go soon enough good to have a friend to drive 100miles to get you....

Bearings ???? ......... from the OP's description of events and His observations ....How could the SPROCKET be wobbling ....... and NOT the WHEEL & TIRE ....... if the BEARINGS were the issue ????? ...... The BEARINGS are in the HUB and ALL the above parts are attached to that HUB !!!!!!!! ..... or did I miss something .... Mike

[Chupaca]

Don't know how .... a reassembly mishap or the race seat is a gonner....

Bearings ???? ......... from the OP's description of events and His observations ....How could the SPROCKET be wobbling ....... and NOT the WHEEL & TIRE ....... if the BEARINGS were the issue ????? ...... The BEARINGS are in the HUB and ALL the above parts are attached to that HUB !!!!!!!! ..... or did I miss something .... Mike

[ARtraveler]

Will keep watching. Some machines seem to require more repairs than others. I consider myself very lucky. I am not as patient as you--for sure.

[2dogs]

Will keep watching. Some machines seem to require more repairs than others. I consider myself very lucky. I am not as patient as you--for sure.

Well akspyderman, you just may be on to something here.

[Jeriatric]

Service writer says the rear drive pulley is bent. Go figure! It's beyond me. Last it was off was the last time the tire was replaced and they did that. I know for a fact the Syder hasn't encountered anything that would have, or even could have, been the cause. I'm perplexed.

Something doesn't add up.

[finless]

Something doesn't add up.

I agree, it would take something massive to bend that sprocket!

bob

[Jeriatric]

Under 20,000 miles on the clock


Ball joints - replaced


Front wheel bearings - replaced


Radiator fitting broke during service (known problem) - replaced Radiator


Water pump leaking - replaced


Fuel lines at the fuel pump all leaking at fittings(major leaking) - replaced


Over 25,000 miles on the clock


P0174/0171 lean fuel codes(repeated problem - codes cleared on BUDS - and then return - sometimes in a few hundred miles and once after a thousand miles)


Replaced wiring harness(did not fix), new fuel pump/sending unit being replaced(is this the fix? - won’t know until i’ve gone around the block a few times - not about to leave on an extended trip - not knowing whether it will code out again). Over a $1000.00 dollars into chasing a fix for this problem. Ridiculous for sure.


Bent rear wheel drive pulley. (no frigging idea how it could have happened - unless something happened when the dealer last replaced the tire). One thing I know for certain. I damn sure didn’t bend it.

[Jeriatric]

I agree, it would take something massive to bend that sprocket!

bob

The only thing I can speculate (speculate, not accuse) is the last time the rear tire was replaced the entire unit fell onto the pulley side and bent it. I cannot think of any other feasible way it could have happened. That said, I'm open to speculation.

[finless]

Watch this video near the end and I show how that pulley goes on.
Hard to believe even dropping it would bend it!



Bob

[Jeriatric]

Watch this video near the end and I show how that pulley goes on.
Hard to believe even dropping it would bend it!



Bob

Thanks Bob.

I'm at a total loss as to how in the heck it could have gotten bent/warped.

[Highwayman2013]

I had a 2012 RT and 3 warranty fixes. First was the instrument cluster, Second was the air compressor and third was the fuel pump/ sending unit. I did my own oil changes and rear tire changes. There was no problem with the warranty doing my own maintenance. Never had to cancel a trip or worry about it. 32,000 miles when I traded it for a 2016 F3 Limited.

[MercerLake]

Thanks Bob.

I'm at a total loss as to how in the heck it could have gotten bent/warped.

I would be suspicious that the Sprocket bearing has either failed or not been installed, that would allow the sprocket to wobble. The sprocket is cast and there is no way you could bend it by riding. The wheel itself is riding on two bearings and you say it was running true so that leaves either a failed sprocket bearing, no bearing installed at tire change, or someone dropped or mistreated the sprocket during tire change. My $.02 .

[Jeriatric]

I would be suspicious that the Sprocket bearing has either failed or not been installed, that would allow the sprocket to wobble. The sprocket is cast and there is no way you could bend it by riding. The wheel itself is riding on two bearings and you say it was running true so that leaves either a failed sprocket bearing, no bearing installed at tire change, or someone dropped or mistreated the sprocket during tire change. My $.02 .

I hear you. All I have to go on at the moment is what the service writer told me over the phone - "the sprocket is bent". The dealer is a hundred miles away, so won't see it for myself until I go in. That said, the service writer is a very competent and trustworthy fellow. Same with the tech.

[Jeriatric]

the ride of choice for the trip has been in the shop for a week(again). Last word from anyone was Friday past. Not going to bug them because that'll not help resolve a thing. They'll be in touch. In the mean time, and because I'd be screwed without back up. The Indian is going in for it's 10K service and it looks like the Spyder will stay home again. Last time the Spyder failed to be trip ready, we took the FJR.

I see a pattern here.

Yes I do.