Do it yourself Alignment?

[bikerchris1270]

Anybody out there in Spyderland create their own “ do it yourself alignment kit?”
I’m kindda think’n that it can be done......was wondering if it has been done, the success of accuracy , what did you use to create it?
I not a huge fan of paying someone for something I can do.......I’m not cheap, just kindda want to make sure stuff is performed correctly.......I’m weird.
I have considered strapping straight metal bars to outside of rim, using Magnetic Lasers (Harbor Freight) to attach to bars.......build alignment boards......follow the shop manual. I have BUDS to set center steer.

[fjray]

All you really need is a tape measure and a second person to hold the dumb end. Just measure from the same point front and rear of the front tires and adjust toe in to spec. The trick is to have correct toe in and the wheels aligned with the rear wheel. I used long straight pieces of 1" square tube on each side of the rear wheel and measured off of those for toe in while keeping the bars straight. When I later had it checked with the folks doing the laser alignment they said it was fine so I guess it worked. It also helps to have a large lift so it can all be done standing up instead of crawling on the floor. After everything I still came to my senses and returned to a Wing.

[bikerchris1270]

All you really need is a tape measure and a second person to hold the dumb end. Just measure from the same point front and rear of the front tires and adjust toe in to spec. The trick is to have correct toe in and the wheels aligned with the rear wheel. I used long straight pieces of 1" square tube on each side of the rear wheel and measured off of those for toe in while keeping the bars straight. When I later had it checked with the folks doing the laser alignment they said it was fine so I guess it worked. It also helps to have a large lift so it can all be done standing up instead of crawling on the floor. After everything I still came to my senses and returned to a Wing.

I’ve got my Goldwing too.....best of both worlds.

[spyder01]

While it is possible to get in the basic ballpark with a tape measure type diy alignment ,you could never get close enuf to make the bike handle the way it will with a good laser alignment ,although you could get lucky and be pretty close.

[PMK]

While it is possible to get in the basic ballpark with a tape measure type diy alignment ,you could never get close enuf to make the bike handle the way it will with a good laser alignment ,although you could get lucky and be pretty close.

Absolutely incorrect. The ability to align the vehicle is based on the techs understanding of accomplishing an alignment.

Chris, if you want a simple way, consider buying or building toe sticks. I aligned our Spyder by this method years ago. Actually corrected some laser aligned Spyders that were eating front tires.

Your largest hurdle will be nulling the chassis sensors.

I now have a ROLO alignment setup. Yes it can do a great job but you must be very detailed and know how to accomplish it.

[JayBros]

The last step in aligning a Spyder is resetting the steering alignment sensor; you need B.U.D.S. to do that.

[bikerchris1270]

I have BUDS.

[Peter Aawen]

There's a few different 'homegrown' Laser Alignment systems here in Oz (and as far as I am aware, all are still being used very successfully ) - a couple of kits with full instructions do the rounds of the various Spyder community/groups; sent out by their respective developers to keen Ryders in various States so that a number of Spyder Owners can get their machines aligned properly. The laser ser-ups I've used have 'stand-off' lasers that are either attached to the front wheels/discs with bungy straps or magnetically mounted to the wheel hub thru the wheel centres; the lasers then 'shoot' fore & aft to allow accurate measurements to be taken to determine & ultimately correct the wheel alignment.

As PMK mentions, the key to getting it right is the operator's understanding of what's going on & what's needed to get it right; followed by their ability to then skillfully & accurately accomplish the necessary - but it IS quite possible for a competent 'home spanner-spinner' to do a wheel alignment on a Spyder just so long as they understand what's happening & how to get things right - even without lasers! After all, the lasers are just a tool that helps make it all easier.... easier for the knowledgeable & competent operator to get right; or easier for the less knowledgeable &/or less competent operator to get wrong!!

[spyder01]

What Ive stated is basically correct,while Ive never done a laser alignment on a Spyder, I and my techs have done many cars and large trucks with toe sticks and strings in the old days, and lasers later on.While its very important to have a qualified tech, you will get very accurate and consistent alignments when correctly performing a laser alignment, and it will be aligned to the thrust angle of the rear wheel which is very difficult to do with toe sticks.After all that being said if I were to hit a pothole and tweak the chassis I would first setup my alignment plates(sort of like toe sticks)and get out a tape measure and do a basic alignment and then get it to a dealer with a laser setup.

[bikerchris1270]

There's a few different 'homegrown' Laser Alignment systems here in Oz (and as far as I am aware, all are still being used very successfully ) - a couple of kits with full instructions do the rounds of the various Spyder community/groups; sent out by their respective developers to keen Ryders in various States so that a number of Spyder Owners can get their machines aligned properly. The laser ser-ups I've used have 'stand-off' lasers that are either attached to the front wheels/discs with bungy straps or magnetically mounted to the wheel hub thru the wheel centres; the lasers then 'shoot' fore & aft to allow accurate measurements to be taken to determine & ultimately correct the wheel alignment.

As PMK mentions, the key to getting it right is the operator's understanding of what's going on & what's needed to get it right; followed by their ability to then skillfully & accurately accomplish the necessary - but it IS quite possible for a competent 'home spanner-spinner' to do a wheel alignment on a Spyder just so long as they understand what's happening & how to get things right - even without lasers! After all, the lasers are just a tool that helps make it all easier.... easier for the knowledgeable & competent operator to get right; or easier for the less knowledgeable &/or less competent operator to get wrong!!

Or for the paid tech to get wrong.....it’s only as good as the individual performing the task.

[spyder01]

Absolutely incorrect. The ability to align the vehicle is based on the techs understanding of accomplishing an alignment.

Chris, if you want a simple way, consider buying or building toe sticks. I aligned our Spyder by this method years ago. Actually corrected some laser aligned Spyders that were eating front tires.

Your largest hurdle will be nulling the chassis sensors.

I now have a ROLO alignment setup. Yes it can do a great job but you must be very detailed and know how to accomplish it.

What Ive stated is basically correct,while Ive never done a laser alignment on a Spyder, I and my techs have done many cars and large trucks with toe sticks and strings in the old days, and lasers later on.While its very important to have a qualified tech, you will get very accurate and consistent alignments when correctly performing a laser alignment, and it will be aligned to the thrust angle of the rear wheel which is very difficult to do with toe sticks.After all that being said if I were to hit a pothole and tweak the chassis I would first setup my alignment plates(sort of like toe sticks)and get out a tape measure and do a basic alignment and then get it to a dealer with a laser setup.
2017 RTL ORBITAL BLUE

[Cobwebs]

As Peter Aawen mentioned I copied this guys kit info using the strap on two straight edges to the rims method.Worked out great. Buds wasn't needed on the two F3's I maintain.I searched Youtube for other similar shadetree guys vids of which there are a few which helped to initially get my head around what I was doing.I think from memory Lamonster had a vid of the Rolo system and how to use it, don't know if thats been taken down or not.Check that your lasers are both hitting the same spot over a long distance before you start and your good to go.

http://lindsayroland.com/pdf/Spyder-...gnment-Kit.pdf

[rugercharger]

As Peter Aawen mentioned I copied this guys kit info using the strap on two straight edges to the rims method.Worked out great. Buds wasn't needed on the two F3's I maintain.I searched Youtube for other similar shadetree guys vids of which there are a few which helped to initially get my head around what I was doing.I think from memory Lamonster had a vid of the Rolo system and how to use it, don't know if thats been taken down or not.Check that your lasers are both hitting the same spot over a long distance before you start and your good to go.

http://lindsayroland.com/pdf/Spyder-...gnment-Kit.pdf

i put together a system mentioned by cobwebs following the lindsay roland website instructions. worked very well for me

[bikerchris1270]

As Peter Aawen mentioned I copied this guys kit info using the strap on two straight edges to the rims method.Worked out great. Buds wasn't needed on the two F3's I maintain.I searched Youtube for other similar shadetree guys vids of which there are a few which helped to initially get my head around what I was doing.I think from memory Lamonster had a vid of the Rolo system and how to use it, don't know if thats been taken down or not.Check that your lasers are both hitting the same spot over a long distance before you start and your good to go.

http://lindsayroland.com/pdf/Spyder-...gnment-Kit.pdf

Hey you! Thanks....I forgot about this website.....very good instructions on procedures.....printed out.

[jaherbst]

Anybody out there in Spyderland create their own “ do it yourself alignment kit?”
I’m kindda think’n that it can be done......was wondering if it has been done, the success of accuracy , what did you use to create it?
I not a huge fan of paying someone for something I can do.......I’m not cheap, just kindda want to make sure stuff is performed correctly.......I’m weird.
I have considered strapping straight metal bars to outside of rim, using Magnetic Lasers (Harbor Freight) to attach to bars.......build alignment boards......follow the shop manual. I have BUDS to set center steer.

That's kinda like removing your own appendix. Get it professionally done.WBMA i.e. Squared away

Jack

[Possible]

Aw c'mon, it's not rocket science.

[bikerchris1270]

That's kinda like removing your own appendix. Get it professionally done.WBMA i.e. Squared away

Jack

Reply to prior:
Anybody know how Squared Away started up......was he born a professional?
LaMonster performs alignment......was he born a professional?
My point is that I`m willing to learn to educate myself to be able perform the task at hand. The above individuals all learned from trial and error.....they didn`t always get it right.

[Madison Sully]

That's kinda like removing your own appendix. Get it professionally done.WBMA i.e. Squared away

Jack

..... Anybody know how Squared Away started up......was he born a professional? ....

Truly, were any of us born professionals?

[Cobwebs]

That's kinda like removing your own appendix. Get it professionally done.WBMA i.e. Squared away

Jack

The reason I learnt how to do it was the dealer didn't have the Rolo system.Cost was too great for the amount of bikes he's ever sold was the reason given.
Compared to him I'm the professional now, proven by the fact he enquired if I would be willing to align other customers bikes (which i declined for legal reasons).
It's not really rocket science Jack, point the front wheels inwards square to the back wheel whilst stoking the customers ego, accept payment.
Self reliance is a trait held by fewer and fewer.

[Peter Aawen]

with Cobwebs!

Maybe it's a little different over there in North America where you're never really all that far from 'someone' who's (or claims to be??) a 'professional', but here in Oz not only are our Dealers few & far between and 'good dealers' even fewer and a whole lot further between but also, for many Ozzie Spyder Owners the nearest 'professional' in anything is days of travel away - so many of us learn thru necessity to do many of the things that you lot can get done reasonably easily just down the road!

Besides, when Lindsay & others here in Oz first started looking at how to get their Spyders aligned, there was NOWHERE in this country (which is pretty much the same physical size as your 'lower 48' states ) that they could get it done apart from the few dealers there were back then (2 or 3 maybe?? In the entire country!!) And those few dealers were still using the 'tried & failed abysmally' original BRP approved alignment method!!

So out of necessity, those amongst us who were capable (and btw, some of 'those' out there are VERY capable! ) developed the tools, methods, and skills to achieve the desired results - and while that helped the nearby members of the Spyder community get their Spyders aligned, there was still the rest of the Country... Only going on the road like Squared Away & spreading the joy like that just isn't viable here, simply because many of our 'roads' have a lot of 'wide open spaces' between the populated areas, and the relatively few Spyder/Ryker Ryders scattered amongst all the other riders out there are spread out all over the Country! To get even just 10 Spyders/Rykers together in the one place means that someone (if not everyone) hasta travel, often close to a hundred miles, or even more; and any gatherings of 100 or more Spyders/Rykers generally means that some (many??) will have travelled 1,000 miles or more just to get there!! Today, here in Oz we have maybe 20,000 or so Spyders/Rykers owned by a few of close to 30 million people spread out over about 3 million squ miles vs your what, maybe something close to 100,000 or so Spyders/Rykers owned by some of 300 million people crammed into what's pretty close to the same sized land mass of our whole Country.... (btw, just lookit those numbers for a minute.... it seems we just might have 'more Spyders per capita' than you lot!! )

Anyhoo, while I too feel that self reliance is undeniably a trait held by fewer & fewer (as Cobwebs suggests) at least here in Oz we still do have this of cadre of self reliant 'skilled amateurs' &/or 'semi-professionals' (who are often 'more skilled' & competent than their local 'professionals'! ) who willingly share their knowledge & experience as & when they can - and at times, that even extends to sharing specialist tools, even if they are 'home made'!

[IdahoMtnSpyder]

Aw c'mon, it's not rocket science.

I just let Jack's comments roll off like water on Teflon. Based on reading his comments for the past several years my impression is that he is one of the fortunate folks in our midst for whom dollars are a secondary, or maybe even tertiary, concern. That is contrary to what many of us need to consider when we buy, sell, repair, or whatever. And then of course, there are times when the challenge of accomplishing a project on our own outweighs the pecuniary savings we may, or may not(!), realize. But in any case, Jack's comment deserve consideration.

[PMK]

What Ive stated is basically correct,while Ive never done a laser alignment on a Spyder, I and my techs have done many cars and large trucks with toe sticks and strings in the old days, and lasers later on.While its very important to have a qualified tech, you will get very accurate and consistent alignments when correctly performing a laser alignment, and it will be aligned to the thrust angle of the rear wheel which is very difficult to do with toe sticks.After all that being said if I were to hit a pothole and tweak the chassis I would first setup my alignment plates(sort of like toe sticks)and get out a tape measure and do a basic alignment and then get it to a dealer with a laser setup.
2017 RTL ORBITAL BLUE

Until you accomplish a laser alignment on a Spyder, you will not know the details involved. I have aligned cars, trucks, aircraft and Spyders. Absolutely am not and will not debate your understanding of comparing the Spyder to other vehicles. You have your opinion of correctness, but I retain it remains incorrect.

[joekeys]

Anybody out there in Spyderland create their own “ do it yourself alignment kit?”
I’m kindda think’n that it can be done......was wondering if it has been done, the success of accuracy , what did you use to create it?
I not a huge fan of paying someone for something I can do.......I’m not cheap, just kindda want to make sure stuff is performed correctly.......I’m weird.
I have considered strapping straight metal bars to outside of rim, using Magnetic Lasers (Harbor Freight) to attach to bars.......build alignment boards......follow the shop manual. I have BUDS to set center steer.

I had a laser level. I checked to be sure it was accurate and bungied onto piece of wood long enough to reach the edge of rims. Bungied those to the rims. I could then measure projected light 20' in front and rear and to check toe in. Be sure and check that the wheels are pointed straight ahead by measuring to rear wheel.

[wyliec]

I just let Jack's comments roll off like water on Teflon. Based on reading his comments for the past several years my impression is that he is one of the fortunate folks in our midst for whom dollars are a secondary, or maybe even tertiary, concern. That is contrary to what many of us need to consider when we buy, sell, repair, or whatever. And then of course, there are times when the challenge of accomplishing a project on our own outweighs the pecuniary savings we may, or may not(!), realize. But in any case, Jack's comment deserve consideration.

Idaho,

In the short time I've been on here, that was the first time you've come down on someone. Bad day?

Oh, let me get back on topic. I had my laser alignment done early on, with one of the people that came up with the original kit for Spyders. It was so much better riding. But, he did screw up the Spyder center piece, on both wheels. I guess he still wasn't quite at the professional level yet. I think he charged $75; so, he didn't break the bank.

[jaherbst]

I just let Jack's comments roll off like water on Teflon. Based on reading his comments for the past several years my impression is that he is one of the fortunate folks in our midst for whom dollars are a secondary, or maybe even tertiary, concern. That is contrary to what many of us need to consider when we buy, sell, repair, or whatever. And then of course, there are times when the challenge of accomplishing a project on our own outweighs the pecuniary savings we may, or may not(!), realize. But in any case, Jack's comment deserve consideration.

Ouch! Well anyway I have had considerable experience observing Ann and Joe Meyer, the owners of Squared Away do over 100+ alignments here in Tucson at my Hanger on several occasions. The best thing to watch is the smile and gratitude of those customers after alignment and test run. This includes myself on both of my Spyder's. If I am not mistaken the ROLO System 10 years ago was about $1600 and some BUDS adjustments had to be made or checked. It will be the best $125+ you will ever spend on your ride not to mention you will get more mileage on your tires if the alignment is correct.

Jack