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  1. #1
    Very Active Member irvin48's Avatar
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    Default first stupid ? of the week[alignment]

    when talking to the dealer the other day , i told them i had it laser aligned recently
    [squuaaared away] . he said that since the axle bolt has to come out and rear loosened,
    when everything is reset i would lose the alignment and belt tightness. seems to me
    i had read there was a way NOT to lose all this. this dealers service guys are pretty knowledgeable so i said nothing . im here to consult with the gurus. i do want to drop
    the belt tension down between 7-800. i know this has been hashed before. but whats
    the latest alignment and belt specs i should throw at them.because of me the bought the
    rolo system last year and should be comfy with it by now.
    have to catch up w/joe and ann somewhere again.
    thanks 4 putting up with me and all the help you guys and
    gals have been since joining.---irv toms---
    2015 rts-white pearl- mods- '16 F3 fat 6 chrome wheels,
    and some little stuff. setback utopia backrest, baja ron
    sway bar, oem adj. air deflectors, marlin gps compass,
    lamonster fbb foot pegs[modified brackets], lamonts
    vibration damper, rock guard, and side case stiffener kit,
    . brp comfort seat. , fomozas and
    altimax, magic mirror mts, and wide mirrors.
    [joyce & irvin toms]

  2. #2
    Active Member Kredab's Avatar
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    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by irvin48 View Post
    when talking to the dealer the other day , i told them i had it laser aligned recently
    [squuaaared away] . he said that since the axle bolt has to come out and rear loosened,
    when everything is reset i would lose the alignment and belt tightness. seems to me
    i had read there was a way NOT to lose all this. this dealers service guys are pretty knowledgeable so i said nothing . im here to consult with the gurus. i do want to drop
    the belt tension down between 7-800. i know this has been hashed before. but whats
    the latest alignment and belt specs i should throw at them.because of me the bought the
    rolo system last year and should be comfy with it by now.
    have to catch up w/joe and ann somewhere again.
    thanks 4 putting up with me and all the help you guys and
    gals have been since joining.---irv toms---
    Squared away will be at Spyder fever in Council Bluffs, Iowa on aug 18-20

    2016 RT-S Pearl White

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    2016 RT-S , white

  3. #3
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    So your dealership is worried about the rear wheel...

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    2010 RT A&C, RT-L, RT-L , Orbital Blue, Cognac, Jet Black

  4. #4
    Very Active Member Highwayman2013's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by irvin48 View Post
    when talking to the dealer the other day , i told them i had it laser aligned recently
    [squuaaared away] . he said that since the axle bolt has to come out and rear loosened,
    when everything is reset i would lose the alignment and belt tightness. seems to me
    i had read there was a way NOT to lose all this. this dealers service guys are pretty knowledgeable so i said nothing . im here to consult with the gurus. i do want to drop
    the belt tension down between 7-800. i know this has been hashed before. but whats
    the latest alignment and belt specs i should throw at them.because of me the bought the
    rolo system last year and should be comfy with it by now.
    have to catch up w/joe and ann somewhere again.
    thanks 4 putting up with me and all the help you guys and
    gals have been since joining.---irv toms---
    Or they could take out the lower shock bolt and not touch the adjusters.https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MWtbQPdKd8w&t=301s
    Last edited by Highwayman2013; 08-07-2017 at 08:56 AM.
    2016 F3 Limited
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  5. #5
    Very Active Member irvin48's Avatar
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    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by Kredab View Post
    Squared away will be at Spyder fever in Council Bluffs, Iowa on aug 18-20
    wish we could. too far. will probly run up to johnson creek saturday for
    the rendezvous.
    2015 rts-white pearl- mods- '16 F3 fat 6 chrome wheels,
    and some little stuff. setback utopia backrest, baja ron
    sway bar, oem adj. air deflectors, marlin gps compass,
    lamonster fbb foot pegs[modified brackets], lamonts
    vibration damper, rock guard, and side case stiffener kit,
    . brp comfort seat. , fomozas and
    altimax, magic mirror mts, and wide mirrors.
    [joyce & irvin toms]

  6. #6
    Very Active Member jcthorne's Avatar
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    If the drive belt is aligned and running correct before tension adjustment and after, the alignment of the rear wheel to the bike will not have changed. It takes VERY little change in wheel alignment to effect the running position of the belt.

    The net result is the laser alignment is done, then a rear tire is changed or belt tension adjustment done, the laser alignment is unaffected. Checking the belt running correctly and thus properly aligned BEFORE doing the laser alignment for the FRONT wheels is one of the steps in setting up the laser alignment. Its the front wheels that get aligned to the rear wheel position. The rear wheel is not aligned to anything other than the belt.

    Blue Flame Spyder F3-S
    2015 F3S , Blue Flame

  7. #7
    Very Active Member irvin48's Avatar
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    Default

    belt runs where it is supposed to. i also just looked at the altimax im putting on and it has
    no markings or dot to indicate a low spot or where to index to the vale stem. guess
    i nver worried about that on 4 wheel vehicle when i mounted mt own. sku tag is all that
    is on the tire.
    maybe im worried to much because its mine . just arming w/info.
    2015 rts-white pearl- mods- '16 F3 fat 6 chrome wheels,
    and some little stuff. setback utopia backrest, baja ron
    sway bar, oem adj. air deflectors, marlin gps compass,
    lamonster fbb foot pegs[modified brackets], lamonts
    vibration damper, rock guard, and side case stiffener kit,
    . brp comfort seat. , fomozas and
    altimax, magic mirror mts, and wide mirrors.
    [joyce & irvin toms]

  8. #8
    Very Active Member jcthorne's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by irvin48 View Post
    belt runs where it is supposed to. i also just looked at the altimax im putting on and it has
    no markings or dot to indicate a low spot or where to index to the vale stem. guess
    i nver worried about that on 4 wheel vehicle when i mounted mt own. sku tag is all that
    is on the tire.
    maybe im worried to much because its mine . just arming w/info.
    Its usually only speed rated and performance oriented tires that bother marking the heavy point on the tire to align with the valve stem. Simple passenger car or station wagon tires don't bother, price is a more overriding concern.

    Blue Flame Spyder F3-S
    2015 F3S , Blue Flame

  9. #9
    Very Active Member BLUEKNIGHT911's Avatar
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    Default ALIGNMENT

    Quote Originally Posted by jcthorne View Post
    If the drive belt is aligned and running correct before tension adjustment and after, the alignment of the rear wheel to the bike will not have changed. It takes VERY little change in wheel alignment to effect the running position of the belt.

    The net result is the laser alignment is done, then a rear tire is changed or belt tension adjustment done, the laser alignment is unaffected. Checking the belt running correctly and thus properly aligned BEFORE doing the laser alignment for the FRONT wheels is one of the steps in setting up the laser alignment. Its the front wheels that get aligned to the rear wheel position. The rear wheel is not aligned to anything other than the belt.
    ...with JC & Bob D on this one ....... I wouldn't bother with it ....... annnnnnnnnd I'll bet the dealer is going to charge you a lot more than $ 100.00 and MAYBE they won't even touch it .......JMHO ... Mike

  10. #10
    Very Active Member IGETAROUND's Avatar
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    Default first ? of the week

    Quote Originally Posted by irvin48 View Post
    belt runs where it is supposed to. i also just looked at the altimax im putting on and it has
    no markings or dot to indicate a low spot or where to index to the vale stem. guess
    i nver worried about that on 4 wheel vehicle when i mounted mt own. sku tag is all that
    is on the tire.
    maybe im worried to much because its mine . just arming w/info.

    Do you have a cricket gauge?? If so take a readings with your tire on the ground and then loosen axle bolt and loosen adjusters 1/4 turn @ a time until you get to the desired reduction that you're attempting to obtain. Then elevate tire and rotate 10+ full rotations forward and back to check that you have maintained belt alignment. When you have it where you want it to be tighten the rear axle, recheck alignment and go enjoy.
    All the great movements in the world began with a cup of coffee!

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    My mods: Can am Trailer hitch, USB and 12 volt power outlets, Gustason windshield, Bead rider seat cushion, battery harness for electric gear and battery tender, Time out trailer.
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  11. #11
    Very Active Member pegasus1300's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by irvin48 View Post
    when talking to the dealer the other day , i told them i had it laser aligned recently
    [squuaaared away] . he said that since the axle bolt has to come out and rear loosened,
    when everything is reset i would lose the alignment and belt tightness. seems to me
    i had read there was a way NOT to lose all this. this dealers service guys are pretty knowledgeable so i said nothing . im here to consult with the gurus. i do want to drop
    the belt tension down between 7-800. i know this has been hashed before. but whats
    the latest alignment and belt specs i should throw at them.because of me the bought the
    rolo system last year and should be comfy with it by now.
    have to catch up w/joe and ann somewhere again.
    thanks 4 putting up with me and all the help you guys and
    gals have been since joining.---irv toms---
    You seem like you have some knowledge and mechanical ability,why are you having your dealer do this? With the video ( . ) you can demount the wheel yourself,not disturb the tension or belt alignment and have a tire shop mount your tire for 20-25 bucks mount balance and old tire disposal. Then if you get a cricket you can set your own tension. They are pretty cheap(BajaRon)

    Happy TRAils/NSD
    Paul

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  12. #12
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    Ask them to put a piece of tape across each of the axle adjusters from the top of the swing arm to the bottom so they won't fall off during the tire change.

    2017 F3T-SM6 Squared Away Mirror Wedgies & Alignment
    2014 RTS-SM6 123,600 miles Sold 11/2017
    2014 RTL-SE6 8,600 miles
    2011 RTS-SM5 5,000 miles
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  13. #13
    Very Active Member Chupaca's Avatar
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    Default Happy note....

    Squared Away will check it and your good it will be at no charge...after all they are..
    Gene and Ilana De Laney
    Mt. Helix, California

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  14. #14
    Very Active Member Wildrice's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by pegasus1300 View Post
    You seem like you have some knowledge and mechanical ability,why are you having your dealer do this? With the video ( . ) you can demount the wheel yourself,not disturb the tension or belt alignment and have a tire shop mount your tire for 20-25 bucks mount balance and old tire disposal. Then if you get a cricket you can set your own tension. They are pretty cheap(BajaRon)
    The wear on your rear tire indicates your rear tire is considerably Over Inflated--you may want to drop the rear tire pressure by several psi.
    Darrell
    2015 F3's , two 12 volt power outlets Orange & Black

  15. #15
    Very Active Member Wildrice's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by pegasus1300 View Post
    You seem like you have some knowledge and mechanical ability,why are you having your dealer do this? With the video ( . ) you can demount the wheel yourself,not disturb the tension or belt alignment and have a tire shop mount your tire for 20-25 bucks mount balance and old tire disposal. Then if you get a cricket you can set your own tension. They are pretty cheap(BajaRon)
    The wear on your rear tire indicates your rear tire is considerably Over Inflated--you may want to drop the rear tire pressure by several psi.
    Darrell
    2015 F3's , two 12 volt power outlets Orange & Black

  16. #16
    Very Active Member Grandpot's Avatar
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    Find another dealer.
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  17. #17
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    Quote Originally Posted by Wildrice View Post
    The wear on your rear tire indicates your rear tire is considerably Over Inflated--you may want to drop the rear tire pressure by several psi.
    Darrell
    Dsrrell, I believe the video was inserted in the post to show the OP how to change a tire. This is not his bike.

    2017 F3T-SM6 Squared Away Mirror Wedgies & Alignment
    2014 RTS-SM6 123,600 miles Sold 11/2017
    2014 RTL-SE6 8,600 miles
    2011 RTS-SM5 5,000 miles
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  18. #18
    Very Active Member irvin48's Avatar
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    had 28# in the tire all its life. in answer to the changing?, there are certain things that scare the crap out of me on this vehicle.this is one.up until the victory i always had shaft drive bikes.
    no alignment worries. so far all maintenance and accessory installs have been self inflicted.
    maybe im overthinking it , but there are a couple of spyder friends who had their rears
    done by my dealer,so for now i will let them. in another post someone mentioned pulling
    the shock bolt and lowering the swing arm farther to take the belt off. viable alternative ?
    with so much $'s invested in this multi computered and sophisticated money pit,
    i want to be extra careful w/certain things. thats why all these pain in the a-s ?'s.
    THANKS ALL! for your patience and help so far these 2 seasons.--irv
    2015 rts-white pearl- mods- '16 F3 fat 6 chrome wheels,
    and some little stuff. setback utopia backrest, baja ron
    sway bar, oem adj. air deflectors, marlin gps compass,
    lamonster fbb foot pegs[modified brackets], lamonts
    vibration damper, rock guard, and side case stiffener kit,
    . brp comfort seat. , fomozas and
    altimax, magic mirror mts, and wide mirrors.
    [joyce & irvin toms]

  19. #19
    Very Active Member BoilerAnimal's Avatar
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    If you are reasonably mechanically inclined this is doable, especially if you have a motorcycle jack. You will need metric tools and a 1/2" drive torque wrench.

    If you have any doubts or are unsure of your ability, by all means, have your shop do it for you. Nothing at all wrong with that.
    On the road again...........and forever young!

    2013 RT-S SE 5



    Yesterday is a cancelled check.
    Tomorrow is a promissory note.
    Today is cash.......spend it wisely.

  20. #20
    Very Active Member pegasus1300's Avatar
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    Irwin spend some time on YouTube. It really is your friend. There are lots of videos on how to do things. I came to the Spyder after 35+ years with shaft drive. It's not that hard,it may be time consuming( most things are on the Spyder) but if you take your time, watch the videos you will be OK. Go on, you know you want to

    Happy TRAils/NSD
    Paul

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