Laser Alignment

**SpyRyd** · 07-13-2014, 07:58 AM

I owned a 2012 Spyder RT-L for 22 months (26,636 miles at trade in) and am currently the owner of a 2014 Spyder RT-L (over 9300 miles since 20 Mar 14). Both Spyders had a slight drift to the right even on relatively flat super slabs. I even rode in the left lane of a two lane road (no oncoming traffic) and both Spyders tracked straight in the left lane but drifted to the right in the right lane. I had both Spyders laser aligned, twice each. The drift to the right persisted on the 12 model and persists to this day on the 14 model. The drift is so slight that just the weight of my hand on the left grip keeps the Spyder on track with my right hand off the bars. However, a somewhat constant push (more like pressure) on the right grip is required to keep the Spyder on track with my left hand off the bars. I keep the front wheel tire pressure the same in both tires using JT's equal pressure thingy. Also have not noticed any uneven tire wear.

Now having posted the above, let me say that I noticed a marked improvement in the steering after the laser alignments (especially the second ones that were done by independent ROLO techs while the first ones were done at dealers using the ROLO system). I do not regret getting the laser alignments and truly believe it is a good investment. I plan on talking with Mike (ROLO laser alignment inventor) at SpyderQuest about my "drift".

Bottom line...if you have the opportunity to get your Spyder laser aligned by an independent ROLO dealer, do it! You have nothing to lose...most if not all do not charge if you Spyder needs no adjustment, and better handling to gain.

**Highwayman2013** · 07-13-2014, 08:01 AM

I second that, even if you think your spyder handles fine.

**spyderbirds** · 07-13-2014, 08:09 AM

Timely Post, Doing alignments this afternoon in Tampa area...

**OJ UK** · 07-13-2014, 08:10 AM

If you get slight drift on a Spyder which is correctly aligned it's down to the camber of the road.

**PW2013STL** · 07-13-2014, 08:18 AM

Originally Posted by OJ UK

If you get slight drift on a Spyder which is correctly aligned it's down to the camber of the road.

I have noticed this. Some roads more so than others. There have been roads that I can take my hands off the bars and the Spyder tracks straight so that tells me it's the road and not the Spyder.

**SPYD1** · 07-13-2014, 08:30 AM

Alignment and sway bar are must haves!

**Tango** · 07-13-2014, 09:08 AM

Just had the sway bar, links and alignment done yesterday. Ron(rnet), Netzley's Tire and Auto, on this board did a great job.

Alignment was way off.

Next bike after me, another 14 RT was even more off.

Tom

**murphybrown** · 07-13-2014, 09:11 AM

Even after laser alignment...discovered that my right tire was slightly less inflated than left. Used my JT equalizer pressure thingy and no more drift....

**SpyRyd** · 07-13-2014, 09:49 AM

Originally Posted by murphybrown

Even after laser alignment...discovered that my right tire was slightly less inflated than left. Used my JT equalizer pressure thingy and no more drift....

MB, after seeing your original post about how your "drift" was caused by unequal front tire pressures, I bought JT's "equalizer pressure thingy" but I still have the slight drift to the right. Guess my issue is not caused by unequal tire pressure...

**mike3069** · 07-13-2014, 10:25 AM

Are you getting the steering angle and torque sensors reset at the same time as the alignment? Without resetting the sensors (with BUDS) after doing the alignment you can have the effects you guys are describing. Personal experience speaking here.

**vided** · 07-13-2014, 10:33 AM

I'm in Putnam county ny, anybody know where I can get laser align done.
thanks

**SpyRyd** · 07-13-2014, 10:52 AM

Originally Posted by mike3069

Are you getting the steering angle and torque sensors reset at the same time as the alignment? Without resetting the sensors (with BUDS) after doing the alignment you can have the effects you guys are describing. Personal experience speaking here.

Yes, steering sensor was reset to zero via BUDS after each alignment.

**SpyRyd** · 07-13-2014, 10:56 AM

Originally Posted by vided

I'm in Putnam county ny, anybody know where I can get laser align done.
thanks

Check out this link http://www.spydercomfort.com/dealers.htm for both dealers and independents doing the ROLO laser alignment in your area.

**Bob Denman** · 07-13-2014, 11:03 AM

Originally Posted by vided

I'm in Putnam county ny, anybody know where I can get laser align done.
thanks

How far are you from Accord, NY?
Give Ron a call!

**Bob Denman** · 07-13-2014, 11:04 AM

Originally Posted by Tango

Just had the sway bar, links and alignment done yesterday. Ron(rnet), Netzley's Tire and Auto, on this board did a great job.

Alignment was way off.

Next bike after me, another 14 RT was even more off.

Tom

How much was MikeGuyver's off???

**vided** · 07-13-2014, 11:21 AM

Originally Posted by SpyRyd

Check out this link http://www.spydercomfort.com/dealers.htm for both dealers and independents doing the ROLO laser alignment in your area.

Thanks for the info,
looks like there's a place not far from the dealer I brought the spyder from

**Chupaca** · 07-13-2014, 12:55 PM

when doing alignments off the rear wheel,which is not a fixed part, are they checking the alignment of the rear wheel. Belt adjustments can change rear wheel alignment. How would this affect the front end alignment in relation to the rear wheel. If rear wheel is off and front is aligned to it could this give you that slight drift..?? just asking...

**vided** · 07-13-2014, 02:27 PM

Originally Posted by Bob Denman

How far are you from Accord, NY?
Give Ron a call!

That's the one. He's about 65 miles from me.He's a few miles from arctic adventures, the dealer
i got the st from

**spydajohn** · 07-13-2014, 04:56 PM

I made my own wheel aligner about 2. 5years ago long before lasers .it is a peace of tube with adjustable bolts that measures the distance between the rims and you use feeler gauges to get your 2 mill tow in and then I set the steering not to Center but 2degrees to the right because we drive on the left side of the road hear . I have found that buy offsetting the steering my shoulder does not ache on long trips. It mite be old school but it does work well for me bike handles well and front tyre were is down to 1 mil in 30,000 k.

**Pirate looks at --** · 07-13-2014, 05:02 PM

Originally Posted by spydajohn

I made my own wheel aligner about 2. 5years ago long before lasers .it is a peace of tube with adjustable bolts that measures the distance between the rims and you use feeler gauges to get your 2 mill tow in and then I set the steering not to Center but 2degrees to the right because we drive on the left side of the road hear . I have found that buy offsetting the steering my shoulder does not ache on long trips. It mite be old school but it does work well for me bike handles well and front tyre were is down to 1 mil in 30,000 k.

Lasers have been around more than 2 1/2 years

**SNOOPY** · 07-13-2014, 08:43 PM

Originally Posted by spydajohn

I made my own wheel aligner about 2. 5years ago long before lasers .it is a peace of tube with adjustable bolts that measures the distance between the rims and you use feeler gauges to get your 2 mill tow in and then I set the steering not to Center but 2degrees to the right because we drive on the left side of the road hear . I have found that buy offsetting the steering my shoulder does not ache on long trips. It mite be old school but it does work well for me bike handles well and front tyre were is down to 1 mil in 30,000 k.

That is awesome.

Lasers just help at making what you did a touch quicker IMO...although some here think they are the only ones capable of doing so.

.

**Gray Ghost** · 07-13-2014, 09:19 PM

Originally Posted by Chupaca

when doing alignments off the rear wheel,which is not a fixed part, are they checking the alignment of the rear wheel. Belt adjustments can change rear wheel alignment. How would this affect the front end alignment in relation to the rear wheel. If rear wheel is off and front is aligned to it could this give you that slight drift..?? just asking...

You get drift when the front wheels are not aligned to the rear wheel. Suppose that the front wheels are like (\ \) in relation to the rear wheel. The bike is going to drift to the left.

**SpyderAnn01** · 07-13-2014, 09:36 PM

Originally Posted by Chupaca

when doing alignments off the rear wheel,which is not a fixed part, are they checking the alignment of the rear wheel. Belt adjustments can change rear wheel alignment. How would this affect the front end alignment in relation to the rear wheel. If rear wheel is off and front is aligned to it could this give you that slight drift..?? just asking...

We do that.

**finless** · 07-14-2014, 10:32 AM

Originally Posted by SpyderAnn01

We do that.

So that is one question I was wondering about.

If I get aligned and 2000 miles later need to adjust my belt "tracking", the rear axel has now changed in relation to the fronts so my assumtion is the alignment is now off again?

Bob

**Gray Ghost** · 07-14-2014, 03:20 PM

Originally Posted by finless

So that is one question I was wondering about.

If I get aligned and 2000 miles later need to adjust my belt "tracking", the rear axel has now changed in relation to the fronts so my assumtion is the alignment is now off again?

Bob

Anything you do that changes how the rear wheel sits in the swingarm will change the alignment.

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Had the drift to right also

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