RS rear fender brackets

[pierrelogic]

After a lot of miles, my rear fender brackets are finally giving out. Seen this on a few other RS's and was watching mine closely. This weekend they started to give out. here are a few pictures and a video. You see the damage was a lot worse than it looked when the fender was taken off. :gaah:

http://www.spyderlovers.com/forums/picture.php?albumid=901&pictureid=15466

http://www.spyderlovers.com/forums/picture.php?albumid=901&pictureid=15467

http://www.spyderlovers.com/forums/picture.php?albumid=901&pictureid=15468

http://www.spyderlovers.com/forums/picture.php?albumid=901&pictureid=15469

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rH6jUZ98bZo

[WackyDan]

What about the plate under the fender itself? Have you also checked that for the cracking that others have had there?

[pierrelogic]

What about the plate under the fender itself? Have you also checked that for the cracking that others have had there?

Affirmative...it's fine.

[groundeffect]

Most have heard of the fender rendering cracks in that area with a good few miles on them, but I haven't seen many threads with detailed photos and video illustrating it. Want to thank you for sharing. :thumbup: Are you still under factory or BEST warranty? Wondering if this would be covered?

Interestingly enough, just last week I checked my fenders for cracks again and just now starting to see the beginnings of one on either side.


Cheers and hopefully you can get sorted out, soon.

[arntufun]

You guys don't need those stinking fenders. Take them off and leave them off. IMO the Spyder looks better without a rear fender anyway. Cost to do the mod is $10.00 + shipping for a aftermarket plate mount with light. Link below.

http://cgi.ebay.com/UNIVERSAL-MOTORCYCLE-LICENSE-PLATE-BRACKET-W-LED-LIGHT-/150595397251?pt=Motorcycles_Parts_Accessories&hash=item23102f6683

[groundeffect]

You guys don't need those stinking fenders. Take them off and leave them off. IMO the Spyder looks better without a rear fender anyway. Cost to do the mod is $10.00 + shipping for a aftermarket plate mount with light. Link below.

http://cgi.ebay.com/UNIVERSAL-MOTORCYCLE-LICENSE-PLATE-BRACKET-W-LED-LIGHT-/150595397251?pt=Motorcycles_Parts_Accessories&hash=item23102f6683


Neat idea - but not having one installed may not keep road water off the rider/passenger.:dontknow:

[arntufun]

Neat idea - but not having one installed may not keep road water off the rider/passenger.:dontknow:



It's really not as bad as you would think. Barely any water gets on the backrest and even less on the seat. The rooster tail of water off the tire looks so cool in the mirror. :2thumbs:

[pierrelogic]

You guys don't need those stinking fenders. Take them off and leave them off. IMO the Spyder looks better without a rear fender anyway. Cost to do the mod is $10.00 + shipping for a aftermarket plate mount with light. Link below.

http://cgi.ebay.com/UNIVERSAL-MOTORCYCLE-LICENSE-PLATE-BRACKET-W-LED-LIGHT-/150595397251?pt=Motorcycles_Parts_Accessories&hash=item23102f6683

Excellent idea. However I ride year round and feel a certain responsibility to be "a number" that increases the data pool of those who have the same problems with brackets.

It's being covered under warranty, but I spoke with the dealer taking on the warranty work and discussed JB Weld as a short term solution until they get the parts in from BRP. Jury is still out on if that would work. In all honesty, it would be an oxymoron for BRP to even consider this a wear item. This is an integral structural extension of the frame, not like tire wear. Also, it is the original design of the Spyder and nothing has been modded to affect it. If this rises to the level of being a design flaw because a large number of RS owners have reported this problem then in the end everyone benefits.

Besides, if it gets worse this week I can always go borrow a set of brackets that are collecting dust from a friend who took their fender off. :thumbup: Those should last me another 20K+ like these did.

[The Breeze]

Excellent idea. However I ride year round and feel a certain responsibility to be "a number" that increases the data pool of those who have the same problems with brackets.

It's being covered under warranty, but I spoke with the dealer taking on the warranty work and discussed JB Weld as a short term solution until they get the parts in from BRP. Jury is still out on if that would work. In all honesty, it would be an oxymoron for BRP to even consider this a wear item. This is an integral structural extension of the frame, not like tire wear. Also, it is the original design of the Spyder and nothing has been modded to affect it. If this rises to the level of being a design flaw because a large number of RS owners have reported this problem then in the end everyone benefits.

Besides, if it gets worse this week I can always go borrow a set of brackets that are collecting dust from a friend who took their fender off. :thumbup: Those should last me another 20K+ like these did.


You're lucky. Mine completely 'snapped' on one side and had only one screw left holding it on the other side after only 9,500 miles.

[Roger]

You guys don't need those stinking fenders. Take them off and leave them off. IMO the Spyder looks better without a rear fender anyway. Cost to do the mod is $10.00 + shipping for a aftermarket plate mount with light. Link below.

http://cgi.ebay.com/UNIVERSAL-MOTORCYCLE-LICENSE-PLATE-BRACKET-W-LED-LIGHT-/150595397251?pt=Motorcycles_Parts_Accessories&hash=item23102f6683

Yes i like mine without the fender too.

[3tracs]

Does the frame twist that much to crack the rear fender supports?

[pierrelogic]

Does the frame twist that much to crack the rear fender supports?

I'm not a metal expert, but I have an opinion...

Both brackets are under a little stress when the fender is put on at the factory by design. It clearly makes everything more solid. However, the curve in the brackets that the cracks are appearing is the weak point. Through normal operation those weak points take all vibrations and impacts from running on the road (potholes, uneven pavement speed bumps, etc.), even highway speed and the air forced onto the fender doesn't help matters. Over time (inconsistent at best), those weak points just give way.

If there was a solution it would likley revolve around reinforcing those curves that are the weak points. Perhaps just an extra bead of welding might do the trick?

I have applied some JB Weld (putty) to both sides, inside and out of the cracks. Let's hope it holds until BRP can ship out new ones. :pray:

http://www.spyderlovers.com/forums/picture.php?albumid=901&pictureid=15524

http://www.spyderlovers.com/forums/picture.php?albumid=901&pictureid=15525

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4ICPYtF1mdY

[pierrelogic]

Been an update...

BRP is about to issue a service bulletin on this rear fender bracket situation. # 200-2011-7

Torque specks are fairly high for the size of the bolts. Somewhere in the mid 60's lbs. Generally the problem is being attributed to improper installation. :dontknow:

Bulletin is dated May 2011...should hit the dealers by early July 2011

[bone crusher]

Been an update...

BRP is about to issue a service bulletin on this rear fender bracket situation. # 200-2011-7

Torque specks are fairly high for the size of the bolts. Somewhere in the mid 60's lbs. Generally the problem is being attributed to improper installation. :dontknow:

Bulletin is dated May 2011...should hit the dealers by early July 2011

Does this mean that the next time we're at the dealer, the techs should be doing something to the f'ender tension'? What is it with these bikes and tension issues...first the belt, now the fender? Do we really think that changing the bolt torque specks is gonna make a change? hmmmm...:gaah:

[bone crusher]

hello anyone here? Can I just loosen the four bolts myself and achieve the same result of decreasing risk of rear bracket failure?

[pierrelogic]

hello anyone here? Can I just loosen the four bolts myself and achieve the same result of decreasing risk of rear bracket failure?

Talk to your dealer. They should have the bulletin handy and make recommendations.

[wyliec]

If someone has talked to the dealer, could you pass on the info like Doc and others have in the past?

Right now I'm not having any problems with the fender and don't want to tie up the service mgr. with a phone call.

[bone crusher]

If someone has talked to the dealer, could you pass on the info like Doc and others have in the past?

Right now I'm not having any problems with the fender and don't want to tie up the service mgr. up with a phone call.

I'm with ya...if we can simply reduce the torque on the bolts, we can do that ourselves...I'm not worried about the torque number, I just want to not have a problem...

Then again, if the fix requires new parts, bolts, etc...that's another issue...

[pierrelogic]

If someone has talked to the dealer, could you pass on the info like Doc and others have in the past?

Right now I'm not having any problems with the fender and don't want to tie up the service mgr. with a phone call.

I saw the official service bulletin hot off the presses with my own eyes at a local dealership. It's legit...feel free to disseminate as needed. :D

Service bulletin...no need to rush to the dealership like the DPS recall. Just the next time service is performed...that should be one of the ad hoc checks performed. Especially with the BRP number above for reference. ;) Again, just talk to your dealer.

[bone crusher]

I saw the official service bulletin hot off the presses with my own eyes at a local dealership. It's legit...feel free to disseminate as needed. :D

Service bulletin...no need to rush to the dealership like the DPS recall. Just the next time service is performed...that should be one of the ad hoc checks performed. Especially with the BRP number above for reference. ;) Again, just talk to your dealer.

Can you please tell us what it says in regards to the fix? Just wondering if we can do on our own? thx...

[wyliec]

Can you please tell us what it says in regards to the fix? Just wondering if we can do on our own? thx...

I asked my dealer today when I was there. There is a specific torque sequence to follow as explained in the bulletin; the actually torque hasn't changed.

I didn't pursue the actual sequence or whether it is covered under warranty.

[groundeffect]

I asked my dealer today when I was there. There is a specific torque sequence to follow as explained in the bulletin; the actually torque hasn't changed.

I didn't pursue the actual sequence or whether it is covered under warranty.
Thanks for sharing. My rear bracket supports have failed - big crack on both sides - biggest crack in on the right side:
http://www.spyderlovers.com/forums/showthread.php?t=30126



BRP (Thank you) is replacing the supports under factory Warranty, but have said that they will not be replaced under B.E.S.T. Warranty once factory warranty runs out. I wonder why?




Does anyone have a copy of the service bulletin to share? It would be great to have on hand and for records.

Thanks again for sharing.

[Raptor]

Thanks for sharing. My rear bracket supports have failed - big crack on both sides - biggest crack in on the right side:
http://www.spyderlovers.com/forums/showthread.php?t=30126



BRP (Thank you) is replacing the supports under factory Warranty, but have said that they will not be replaced under B.E.S.T. Warranty once factory warranty runs out. I wonder why?




Does anyone have a copy of the service bulletin to share? It would be great to have on hand and for records.

Thanks again for sharing.

I guess they know that the design is bad and will give you one free swap and no more! What else could it be? At least they are giving you one free one. I'm still debating whether or not to just pull the darned thing and be done with it...

[arntufun]

I guess they know that the design is bad and will give you one free swap and no more! What else could it be? At least they are giving you one free one. I'm still debating whether or not to just pull the darned thing and be done with it...



DO IT !!!

[groundeffect]

Either pull it off and get a kit to hold the plate, or find a good way to re-enforce and strengthen the supports.