F3T Panel Removal

[TexasMule]

I'm breaking down TxSpyderGirl's new F3T to add some power plugs and
am stuck. I know the F3 is put together like a Lego toy, but I'm hesitant to
pull on this without knowing what's underneath.

144125

Has anybody gone this far on an F3T yet? If so, is this just "snapped" in.

p.s. - am I the only one that thinks Can Am must buy yellow lock tight by the tanker car....:yikes:

[Moosemanj]

It does come off, pull slightly towards the rear of the bike. There is a small plastic lip that holds it in place. Scared me to death as I was pulling on it. Thought I was going to break it.


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[TexasMule]

It does come off, pull slightly towards the rear of the bike. There is a small plastic lip that holds it in place. Scared me to death as I was pulling on it. Thought I was going to break it.


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When you say "little plastic lip" do you mean a "snap" lip, or a slide lip.

I'll pull towards the back of the bike nonetheless.

Thanks for the tip.

The F3 is much easier to work on than her RT, but Can Am still has a ways to go on design and engineering.

[Moosemanj]

Slide lip. I agree, I have both an RT and F3


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[KJWEB]

Pull the front of the piece a little out away from the bike and then pull up hard on the back....it takes a good tug.

[TexasMule]

Pull the front of the piece a little out away from the bike and then pull up hard on the back....it takes a good tug.

I can't tell you how much I dislike doing that. :sour: Plastic snap tabs shouldn't be used to secure motor vehicle parts. :lecturef_smilie:

[H2O]

Before you yank that back tab loose, put some masking tape around the area to help prevent scratching the paint when it pops off.

H2O

[KJWEB]

I can't tell you how much I dislike doing that. :sour: Plastic snap tabs shouldn't be used to secure motor vehicle parts. :lecturef_smilie:


Yes sir, I agree. But once you have it off, you see how the tab fits in the slot.

[Peteoz]

It does make a heck of a noise when you pop it off. I've done it a few times, and still feel nervous doing it, even though it's a pretty tough piece. It does take some force.

[SpyderF3]

Can you post a pic of it when you have it off? I'm curious also to see it

[TexasMule]

Can you post a pic of it when you have it off? I'm curious also to see it

You read my mind.

I was going to do just that.

[TexasMule]

OK, got the right side off, and didn't totally mung up the tab. I need to epoxy the tab to strengthen it,
but it's still on.

I thought I saw grade school engineering on the RT, but this piece of work takes the cake.

Here's the slot the tab goes in - sideways.

https://photos.smugmug.com/Other/General-JPG/n-KrZ8p/i-PjBzWHw/0/XL/i-PjBzWHw-XL.jpg

and here's the tab that slides in the slot and clicks in.

https://photos.smugmug.com/Other/General-JPG/n-KrZ8p/i-hGLZfWx/0/XL/i-hGLZfWx-XL.jpg

What kind of mentally challenged designer makes a tab that you can't get to, and you
have to depress to release. Totally insane. I'm assuming Can Am dealers have a special
tool that can reach up and unlatch the tab.

Under no circumstances PULL UP on the rear of the piece, you will break off the tab.
You need to try to ROTATE IT OUT away from the bike.


This should be in the Dumbest Designs Hall of Fame. :shocked:

[cptjam]

Mildly retarded engineers, of course! That's what kind of engineers design works of art like these! Mouth breathing morons! These tabs, the mirrors, the air valve on the rear wheel, the coolant bottle cap, the 990 air cleaner, the oil filter for the transmission that dribbles oil everywhere, the suck azz drain plug design, the windshield arm........
a comedy of errors! The latest touch of brilliance? Wheels Powdercoated so poorly the coating flakes off and glues the wheel to the hub! Thank you for exporting work to me! I unscrew these gems every week! For the price point of these machines, they should be world class. In every case, every part. I love these things, and the freedom to ride they allow. Step up!

[TexasMule]

Mildly retarded engineers, of course! That's what kind of engineers design works of art like these! Mouth breathing morons! These tabs, the mirrors, the air valve on the rear wheel, the coolant bottle cap, the 990 air cleaner, the oil filter for the transmission that dribbles oil everywhere, the suck azz drain plug design, the windshield arm........
a comedy of errors! The latest touch of brilliance? Wheels Powdercoated so poorly the coating flakes off and glues the wheel to the hub! Thank you for exporting work to me! I unscrew these gems every week! For the price point of these machines, they should be world class. In every case, every part. I love these things, and the freedom to ride they allow. Step up!

Don't want to get into a lengthy discussion with you Capt about form vs. function, but I've worked on motor vehicles for almost 50 years, and if you
have to work on these bikes on a daily basis, you have my sympathy.

For a vehicle approaching $30K, not to have a bluetooth radio is a crime. My budget truck has bluetooth radio, heated seats, air bags, reverse camera, auto dimming mirrors, etc.
and it didn't cost as much as this F3. The GPM on these bikes must be phenomenal, but the same can be said for most bikes.

Got both sides off, now that I know how they come off, I probably won't have to remove them for a while. :pray: