2008 Spyder GS SM5 Restoration

[supersuk]

Hello All! New to the spyder thing, but have been around motorcycles for about 20 years or so. Thought i'd share my newly purchased poor condition 2008 spyder that I bought for $750 not running. She's originally a silver and black painted spyder, which was spray bombed black. Unless she really is a phantom that has silver paint beneath the flat black painted areas? Can anyone confirm? The spyder currently has about 30,000 miles of which 17,000 miles were put on by the previous owner. The bike was parked about 7 months ago because it started to run really rough and "dumping fuel" from what the previous owner told me. She also mentioned that the parking brake doesn't work, the master cylinder reservoir leaks (i'll get back to this one), and the fuel pump was broken. Well, I purchased it with the intent of restoring her to better than new. Here is what she looks like after I brought her home.

20180128_145738.jpg

I started to slowly diagnose what the problem was with the bike. First step was to purchase a new battery since it was completely dead. Installed the battery and tried to start her up, no dice. Did some fuel and spark testing and found that the spark was really weak. Read the resistance on the plug wires and found that it was extremely high and sometimes wasn't continuous. Took out the spark plugs and those looked good. Bought new wires and plugs from that Baja Ron guy and installed those. Started her up and Bam! She's running pretty good. I let her warm up and went for a quick ride. She runs really well, but the brakes suck. Bought it back from the test run and started to dig into the brakes. Remember that I said the master cylinder reservoir was leaking, well there was no brake fluid in the reservoir closest to the tail light. Seems to be a crack somewhere dumping it all out. I purchased a new one and am waiting for it to arrive in Hawaii. In the mean time, took the torn seat to get it locally reupholstered. I also started to disassemble the entire body to prep it for some paint. BTW, I have experience painting cars and bikes. With the body off, I found out where all the leaking brake fluid was going. The entire rear portion of the frame, battery cage, and swing arm coating was all wrinkled and peeling off. Looks like this leak was happening for some time and the previous owner was just topping it off. Oh well, looks like i'll be taking apart the whole bike to recoat the frame and swing arm! With the body off, I decided to pressure wash the entire trike since there seemed to be a massive oil leak from the valve covers? Oil covered the entire engine and the lower pan area. This is where I currently am on the build. I just purchased a service manual to help guide me in this journey.

20180201_162332.jpg

Sorry I didn't grab much pictures, but from now on I will take more. I'll periodically post on here to log my trials and tribulations with this trike. Hopefully there will be a lot of success too. If there isn't much interest in this post, i'll prolly just lay off on posting more.

[asp125]

subscribed. Interesting project. If you really can sort it out you've bought a diamond in the rough.

[SpyderAnn01]

The Phantom was different panels in the matte black, sounds like yours was just painted over. Have fun with your project, I’m betting you made a good investment

[Big Arm]

The original '08's were either silver or yellow, red followed the next year. Please keep us posted on your progress. It sounds like so far your on the right track by purchasing a service manual. You definitely got your work cut out for you, but it will all pay off in the end. You will love the spyder. This is the place to ask any questions you may have. Post more pics as you go along.
Best of luck from another '08 GS owner.

[Big Arm]

I also noticed the the front wheel rims are not '08

[ARtraveler]

I will follow your re-build also.

[BajaRon]

Unless you are sure the oil is coming from the valve covers. It may be coming from the air box. It was not uncommon for a lot of oil to migrate to the air box through the less than well designed crank case breather/vent system. This oil would then find the weep hole and drip all over the top of the engine.

Good luck with your project!

[BLUEKNIGHT911]

Unless you are sure the oil is coming from the valve covers. It may be coming from the air box. It was not uncommon for a lot of oil to migrate to the air box through the less than well designed crank case breather/vent system. This oil would then find the weep hole and drip all over the top of the engine.

Good luck with your project!

.... and this has usually fixed the issue ..... cut the breather line and add any small Fuel filter into the line, you might have to drain the filter once a year but this stop the problem .......... Mike

[Yazz]

You got a great deal there. Congrats!

The Phantoms were made in '09 with matt black plastic skins. It was the forerunner of the RSSs. Nothing fancy under the skins, just a different look.

The rear brake fluid reservoir - The two caps must to have the 'ridge' pointing to the rear or it will puke fluid. Had my rear frame repainted too.

A SM5 a good thing. The emergency brake on mine needs to be tightened every so often. It's a pain. I park the Spyder in first gear and remember to pull in the clutch when starting it.

One more thing... Your GS has an awesome engine!

Looking forward to your trials, tribulations and successes.

There are many knowledgable people here who can help if you need it...

[oldgoat]

You have an upgraded muffler. The original '08 standard one was not like that one. BajaRon could well be on the mark with the oil coming out of the front right of the airbox. .

Good luck & enjoy yourself.

[Freddy]

You have an upgraded muffler. The original '08 standard one was not like that one. BajaRon could well be on the mark with the oil coming out of the front right of the airbox.

Good luck & enjoy yourself.

Many of us fitted an oil-catch can in that hose to the air box. A search will give examples thereof.

[Chupaca]

You got yourself a great deal. You seem to have talent and experience and will love to see the final machine. Good luck with your project it will be fun...

[Motorcycledave]

I will be on the Big island for 3 weeks, if you are there maybe I can help you as I also
have the same year Spyder and have done a bunch of modifications to it.
give me a call
209-887-3283
Dave

Hello All! New to the spyder thing, but have been around motorcycles for about 20 years or so. Thought i'd share my newly purchased poor condition 2008 spyder that I bought for $750 not running. She's originally a silver and black painted spyder, which was spray bombed black. Unless she really is a phantom that has silver paint beneath the flat black painted areas? Can anyone confirm? The spyder currently has about 30,000 miles of which 17,000 miles were put on by the previous owner. The bike was parked about 7 months ago because it started to run really rough and "dumping fuel" from what the previous owner told me. She also mentioned that the parking brake doesn't work, the master cylinder reservoir leaks (i'll get back to this one), and the fuel pump was broken. Well, I purchased it with the intent of restoring her to better than new. Here is what she looks like after I brought her home.

20180128_145738.jpg

I started to slowly diagnose what the problem was with the bike. First step was to purchase a new battery since it was completely dead. Installed the battery and tried to start her up, no dice. Did some fuel and spark testing and found that the spark was really weak. Read the resistance on the plug wires and found that it was extremely high and sometimes wasn't continuous. Took out the spark plugs and those looked good. Bought new wires and plugs from that Baja Ron guy and installed those. Started her up and Bam! She's running pretty good. I let her warm up and went for a quick ride. She runs really well, but the brakes suck. Bought it back from the test run and started to dig into the brakes. Remember that I said the master cylinder reservoir was leaking, well there was no brake fluid in the reservoir closest to the tail light. Seems to be a crack somewhere dumping it all out. I purchased a new one and am waiting for it to arrive in Hawaii. In the mean time, took the torn seat to get it locally reupholstered. I also started to disassemble the entire body to prep it for some paint. BTW, I have experience painting cars and bikes. With the body off, I found out where all the leaking brake fluid was going. The entire rear portion of the frame, battery cage, and swing arm coating was all wrinkled and peeling off. Looks like this leak was happening for some time and the previous owner was just topping it off. Oh well, looks like i'll be taking apart the whole bike to recoat the frame and swing arm! With the body off, I decided to pressure wash the entire trike since there seemed to be a massive oil leak from the valve covers? Oil covered the entire engine and the lower pan area. This is where I currently am on the build. I just purchased a service manual to help guide me in this journey.

20180201_162332.jpg

Sorry I didn't grab much pictures, but from now on I will take more. I'll periodically post on here to log my trials and tribulations with this trike. Hopefully there will be a lot of success too. If there isn't much interest in this post, i'll prolly just lay off on posting more.

[JerryB]

Hi super,

Re: 2008 Spyder GS SM5 Restoration

As a fellow '08 owner ( black & silver also ), keep us posted.

And as a retired Mech Engr/shade tree mechanic, I love these types of projects.

Jerry Baumchen

[supersuk]

Wow! Honestly didn't think I was going to get this much attention and support. Well i'll be asking all the spyder gurus here for some help along the journey. I didn't do much to the trike this weekend cause of superbowl, but I should be getting on it this week and next.

Dave - I live on Oahu so I guess I won't be getting some help from you. But enjoy your stay on the Big Island. Really nice over there, but we've been having a pretty wet winter so far. Hopefully it'll clear up! If you plan on going snorkeling, just be careful of the currents and listen to the life guards if any. We've had a staggering number of tourist related snorkeling deaths on Maui. Just because the water looks calm doesn't mean there isn't a strong current.

I think i'll have to look into the oil catch can because honestly I have no idea where the oil is coming from. I peeked into the airbox and there was a significant amount of oil in there. Since i'm taking out the motor from the frame, i'll just check the valves and replace the gaskets.

As for the swingarm, i'll have that powder coated too. I think it was powder coated from the factory too because the coating came off in nice thick sheets of plastic type material. I know the VIN sticker is on the swingarm so I have someone lined up to reproduce the VIN sticker for me. Not sure if you guys heard of Bdesigns. They're located in Canada and repops vin stickers and plates.

http://www.bdesigns.ca/Rubber_Samples.htm

Haven't used them before, but will give it a shot.

I've attached more pictures of the trike with some views of the rusted areas.

20180202_172427.jpg20180202_172438.jpg20180202_172416.jpg

[spacetiger]

just curious; what do you think the bike weighs in at with all the bodywork off the bike? Stock weight is 699 lbs(?), so something less than 600 lbs?

[asp125]

Jeebus! I know Hawaii is tropical but I hadn't expected the rust to rot the battery tray quite like that!

Following this thread on your adventures, but can't help noticing that Type 3 Fastback you got there! Looks in great shape, tell me more!

[supersuk]

I'd say the bodywork, including lights, is about 50-60lbs or so. Most of the weight is in the trunk, seat, and light assemblies. I'm more curious to know how much the motor weighs since I'll be removing that soon.

The rust you see in the battery tray is from the brake fluid, I think. I think it just traveled across the frame and wicked up into the painted areas. BTW, I don't think the frame is powder coated. I believe its painted because its pretty easy to scratch it off.

Here's a pic of my 68 fastback that I finished restoring after about 7 years. A lot of metal work and a lot of sourcing out parts.

20170903_084013.jpg

[DGoebel]

Month's later I just wanted to Thank supersuk for bringing us all along on this project. How does the paint look now, out in the sun. (He asks from just snow blowing another couple inches of snow on the feet of snow in his MN yard).

[Big Arm]

Thanks DGoebel for reviving this thread........Congrats to supersuk on a Great job !!!!! This has to be one of the best threads that I followed while he rebuilt his Spyder. Just an amazing journey !!!!!
PS......enjoy your winter......

[the2pid1]

Nice restoration build.

[SpyderN00b]

Wow... I have sooo many questions... My mind is blown at the attention to detail you put into this restoration! I can only imagine the cost had to be pretty extreme! My biggest question was in regards to the gauge cluster (I can NOT figure out how to even access it) but I need to replace mine as well.. I've got most of the body panels off etc, still figuring out how to take the Frunk off and I don't have a jack to take the fender off the wheels so I figured I'd just tape and prep before I paint it. My paint job will not be as fancy as yours but I just wanted a matte black finish. If I had the time, money and resources I'd totally want to strip it down to the frame and go step by step like you! GREAT job btw..

[papaduke187]

How did you fix the brake fluid reservoir from leaking again? Did i miss that?

[Kilatore]

wow Just started a restore of a 2012 rs and now i came across this thread and OMG respect for the job done i will take a example of this ..Great job maybe better than a dealer if you asked them to service it.

[davev1pa]

Referred to this link from another current link...wow what a tremendous job!!