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2020 RTL Seat strut barely holds the seat open - ideas?
Has anyone replaced the gas strut on their '20 or '21 RTL? Mine barely holds the seat open with nothing on it. I have a Butt Buffer and have to take it off everytime I fuel.
The original strut was shot when I got home with the Spyder brand new. How the dealership missed this is beyond me, as the tank was full. I didn't write down the info on the replacement strut or take measurements, but if no one has info on a stronger strut I'll start removing Tupperware.
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I would look for a automotive strut. One that holds up a hood or rear door. Should be strong enough. Found at a good auto parts store.
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Very Active Member
if you can take off one end or the other, should be a sticker on it with part #, to look up and match it
2015 Spyder RT Ltd- bUrp - only add the "U", 2010 Honda NT700V-red,2010 Honda NT700V-silver retired @201,111 miles, 1997 Honda PC800, 1996 Honda PC800, Honda CT500, Honda Shadow 500, 1978 Suzuki GS550, 1973 Suzuki TC125, other assorted smaller bikes, Suzuki TM400
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Very Active Member
Originally Posted by Iceman47
Has anyone replaced the gas strut on their '20 or '21 RTL? Mine barely holds the seat open with nothing on it. I have a Butt Buffer and have to take it off everytime I fuel.
The original strut was shot when I got home with the Spyder brand new. How the dealership missed this is beyond me, as the tank was full. I didn't write down the info on the replacement strut or take measurements, but if no one has info on a stronger strut I'll start removing Tupperware.
I re-placed my seat strut ( for a different reason ) with a stiff rod .... works everytime, and will never fail .... I didn't have to drill the frame , there was / are two pushpins that can be re-moved and replaced with 5 (?) inch 1/4 dis. bolt .... then add the rod ..... good luck .... Mike
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Very Active Member
Harrington, Australia
2021 RT Limited
Setup for Tall & Big.... 200cm/6'7", 140kg/300lbs, 37"inleg.
HeliBars Handlebars
Brake rubber removed to lower pedal for easier long leg/Size 15 EEEEW boot access.
Ikon (Aussie) shocks all round.
Russell Daylong seat 2” taller than stock (in Sunbrella for Aussie heat & water resistance)
Goodyear Duragrip 165/60 fronts (18psi) - provides extra 1/2” ground clearance.
Kenda Kanine rear.
2021 RT Limited , Brake pedal rubber removed for ease of accessing pedal with size 15 boots. Red
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Very Active Member
Originally Posted by Peteoz
Yeah, I think that will be my solution……. Thanks Mike
Pete
Pete, look in my Album " gas strut " re-placement " if you click on the pic it will enlarge and tell what I did ..... Mike
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Very Active Member
I agree that the stock strut on the 20-21 are not strong enough. I installed one of Dave's gel pads on mine and I now have the same problem. I have not looked into replacing it yet but I do see that happening in the near future.
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Very Active Member
Just be careful to not get one that is too strong. Might damage the plastic seat structure.
"Love 'em all.... Let GOD sort 'em out!"
2021 RTL Dark Chalk Metallic with comfort seat
1978 GL1000 w/'75 engine show bike
1976 RD400c
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I too am using a gel pad in the seat and of course the stock strut didn't support the extra weight. Too bad I didn't know that at the time I put it back together or I would have gone ahead and replaced the strut at the same time since I had it all apart.
I am planning to replace the strut at some piont but haven't had time to get into that yet so I have been using a piece of firm rubber that I wedge in between the left hand seat hinge and the frame crossmember. Works fine for fueling, etc.. The rubber piece that I have been using is big enough that I can store it right there under the seat.
If anyone does replace their strut, please share the new strut part number, where you got it, etc..
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I got one from www.suspaparts.com C16-20651 40lbs. It works great. Will hold seat up even with helmet on the seat.
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Very Active Member
Originally Posted by joekeys
I got one from www.suspaparts.com C16-20651 40lbs. It works great. Will hold seat up even with helmet on the seat.
If this will fit the 2020 and up RTL I found this:
https://www.amazon.com/Camper-Tonnea...5596957&sr=8-5
I'll purchase this and forward the other to whom ever wants to pay half the cost plus postage to you. It's a lot less than what's listed on Suspaparts site. I just want to make sure it fits the 2020+ models. Your half would be $12.10 plus postage to you.
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Very Active Member
Originally Posted by K80Shooter
If this will fit the 2020 and up RTL I found this:
https://www.amazon.com/Camper-Tonnea...5596957&sr=8-5
I'll purchase this and forward the other to whom ever wants to pay half the cost plus postage to you. It's a lot less than what's listed on Suspaparts site. I just want to make sure it fits the 2020+ models. Your half would be $12.10 plus postage to you.
Ok just forget this post, I just looked and this one will not work. What's on mine is a C16-35101 and it's not even listed on their website. I'm guessing that it is a dealer only item. I'll continue to remove mine and post back if I find anything that works for the newer 2020+ models.
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Very Active Member
Some people on here turn me onto McMaster-Carr https://www.mcmaster.com/lift-struts/ All you need is the dimensions of the old one. Made a big difference for my bike, fast turn around also. Good luck
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Very Active Member
I did hear back from Suspa today, it looks like getting anything from them is cost prohibitive. I will post back my findings on the one's that I have on order as soon as they arrive.
Here is the response from Suspa:
Jenny L. Walter <JWalter@us.suspa.com>
9:20 AM (6 hours ago)
to me
We only make that item for in that 18lb. force for BRP. We could make it in a higher force but it would be a new part number so you would need to determine how much higher you would like to move to. I even looked to see if we make that shock in that length with just threaded ends and we do not.
So it would be a one off, custom part. 1 piece = $160.00, 2-5 = $110.00 each
Lead time would be 3-4 weeks to build.
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Very Active Member
Ok the parts that I ordered have came in but I was planning on using the old ends. I don't believe the lower end screws off, I have tried to no avail but also did not want to break it just in case I had to reuse it. So I have more parts on order that will be here sometime on Friday 7-9-21
Also I ordered a 20, 30 & 40 pound strut so I could tell which would work the best.
More to come.
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Very Active Member
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Very Active Member
Ok I have what I think is a suitable work around. Regardless of what Suspa stated in a email to me I did find one that works great. Suspa C16-14870 it is a 30# strut. I also was able to get the bottom and top ends off of the old strut so you can simply just use them if you want to.
I did replace the top link with another one which gave me about a 1/4" more lift at the stud which translated to a good bit of lift at the front of the seat. I like this better as you will have a little more room to fill it with gas.
Here's the best price that I found and as always with them I received them the next day. I'm sure this will vary depending on where you are located. Freight was a little under $8.00 so that also is reasonable.
https://www.mcmaster.com/catalog/127/1374 Part # 9416K14 in 30# You can choose another if you wish but it might break the plastic stud if there's too much pressure on it.
https://www.mcmaster.com/catalog/127/1376 The eyelet end that I used is a 6465K26 it is plastic but works great. You can always use the old one.
Here's on showing the extra length I got with the new eyelet end.
20210709_185620.jpg
Here's one showing the new strut installed.
20210709_185204.jpg
Here's one of just the new eyelet
20210709_185212.jpg
Here's one of the seat lifted
20210709_185329.jpg
Last edited by K80Shooter; 07-09-2021 at 06:54 PM.
Reason: added pics
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Originally Posted by K80Shooter
For some odd reason, that link goes to a "how to" page. I got to the page by entering the part number (9416K14) in their search block.
The other link worked fine.
Thanks for posting this. I will likely order this as well.
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Very Active Member
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Thanks for the info K80. My research had resulted in the same number for the strut from McMaster-Carr. But hadn't thought about the eyelet, as I was going to use the one from the factory strut, but the extra lift will be nice.
For those wishing to replace their strut, the ball end comes off, but with concerted effort. I clamped the end in a vise, wrapped the strut with some tape, them gripped it with a pliers (water pump) and twisted. It will finally break loose.
Total for strut, eyelet, shipping and IL tax came to $27.56. Should receive it this coming Tuesday. I can't wait to see if this works.
P.S. A rather unscientific procedure using a digital bathroom scale showed 16.7 lbs of force needed the close the factory strut.
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Thank you, very valuable information @K80Shooter!
My parts are on order to make this fix.
Happy Thanksgiving!
Huey
Last edited by Peter Aawen; 07-23-2023 at 05:33 PM.
Reason: Moved Post title into text - many only see Thread titles, and post titles mess with Searching! ;-)
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Active Member
Thank you for this thread. I ordered the suggested shock & eye kit for my 2023 S2S.
Last edited by Peter Aawen; 08-28-2023 at 09:54 PM.
Reason: :
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Originally Posted by K80Shooter
Ok I have what I think is a suitable work around. Regardless of what Suspa stated in a email to me I did find one that works great. Suspa C16-14870 it is a 30# strut. I also was able to get the bottom and top ends off of the old strut so you can simply just use them if you want to.
I did replace the top link with another one which gave me about a 1/4" more lift at the stud which translated to a good bit of lift at the front of the seat. I like this better as you will have a little more room to fill it with gas.
Here's the best price that I found and as always with them I received them the next day. I'm sure this will vary depending on where you are located. Freight was a little under $8.00 so that also is reasonable.
https://www.mcmaster.com/catalog/127/1374 Part # 9416K14 in 30# You can choose another if you wish but it might break the plastic stud if there's too much pressure on it.
https://www.mcmaster.com/catalog/127/1376 The eyelet end that I used is a 6465K26 it is plastic but works great. You can always use the old one.
Here's on showing the extra length I got with the new eyelet end.
20210709_185620.jpg
Here's one showing the new strut installed.
20210709_185204.jpg
Here's one of just the new eyelet
20210709_185212.jpg
Here's one of the seat lifted
20210709_185329.jpg
Great news! Does the ball end come on that strut?
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Very Active Member
Originally Posted by K80Shooter
Ok I have what I think is a suitable work around. Regardless of what Suspa stated in a email to me I did find one that works great. Suspa C16-14870 it is a 30# strut. I also was able to get the bottom and top ends off of the old strut so you can simply just use them if you want to.
I did replace the top link with another one which gave me about a 1/4" more lift at the stud which translated to a good bit of lift at the front of the seat. I like this better as you will have a little more room to fill it with gas.
Here's the best price that I found and as always with them I received them the next day. I'm sure this will vary depending on where you are located. Freight was a little under $8.00 so that also is reasonable.
https://www.mcmaster.com/catalog/127/1374 Part # 9416K14 in 30# You can choose another if you wish but it might break the plastic stud if there's too much pressure on it.
https://www.mcmaster.com/catalog/127/1376 The eyelet end that I used is a 6465K26 it is plastic but works great. You can always use the old one.
Here's on showing the extra length I got with the new eyelet end.
20210709_185620.jpg
Here's one showing the new strut installed.
20210709_185204.jpg
Here's one of just the new eyelet
20210709_185212.jpg
Here's one of the seat lifted
20210709_185329.jpg
Hey, Thanks so much for this. I tried the helper spring approach. It worked fine on my trunk, but the minute I added a spring to the seat, the spring started hitting the bodywork.
I just ordered the 30 lb strut.
Again, thank you so very much.
If it ain't broke, don't break it.
IBA #47122
2020 RT Limited Asphalt Grey
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Very Active Member
Sorry for all the pics being sideways.
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