How to open rear trunk, if won't unlatch with handle.

[AFace]

Does anyone know of any magic trick to open the rear trunk if it won't unlatch using the access handle? I feel some resistance but just won't release the latch. Appreciate any help or suggestions, short of getting a bigger hammer.

2013 RT-S

[Centurion]

There are a few threads on this topic. I would first try having someone push on the lid surface up by where it latches while you attempt to open it.

[AFace]

There are a few threads on this topic. I would first try having someone push on the lid surface up by where it latches while you attempt to open it.

Well tried that with no luck. Any other thoughts?

[Bob Denman]

This is a tough one to crack...
In order to strip down the rear of the bike, the first piece removed is the back panel...
And that's the one that's completely blocked into place, when you can't open that lid!

Can you raise the bike up just enough to get about under the rear tire with a REAL good flashlight, and try to take a peek up her skirts from there? I sort of doubt that it's possible to see all the way up to the latch from there, but what have you got to lose?

[AFace]

This is a tough one to crack...
In order to strip down the rear of the bike, the first piece removed is the back panel...
And that's the one that's completely blocked into place, when you can't open that lid!

Can you raise the bike up just enough to get about under the rear tire with a REAL good flashlight, and try to take a peek up her skirts from there? I sort of doubt that it's possible to see all the way up to the latch from there, but what have you got to lose?

I'm off to the dealer tomorrow... Hopefully they can get it open and make the necessary repair/adjustments.

[Bob Denman]

Good Luck!

Please ask them about a way to crack into this, and let us know what they say!

[AFace]

Good Luck!

Please ask them about a way to crack into this, and let us know what they say!

Will do.... got rained out today. Will be going on Thursday and will post the outcome and how they did it.

[finless]

Good Luck!

Please ask them about a way to crack into this, and let us know what they say!

It's not that hard.

1) Remove the 2 screws on each side of the upper panel (the painted panel just below the trunk lid). These are located inside each saddle bag. Correct you cannot get to to 4 screws inside the trunk for this panel.
2) Carefully flex the panel to pop out the 2 tangs on each side in the saddle bags. These tangs are what those screws went into. This will now allow you to pull the upper panel away enough to get at the trunk mechanism. It will also allow you to get at the 3 screws holding the lower vinyl panel on if you want to remove that for more room.

Now the hard part I cannot help with is how to get up at the latch with a screw driver to work the mechanism which will unlatch the lid. I don't have a picture I can reference right now. But at the bottom of this latch is a flat bar that links the 2 latch hook together. There is a tab or slot you can get on with a screw drive and move it.

Next time I am in this area I will do a video or something.

Bob

[AFace]

It's not that hard.

1) Remove the 2 screws on each side of the upper panel (the painted panel just below the trunk lid). These are located inside each saddle bag. Correct you cannot get to to 4 screws inside the trunk for this panel.
2) Carefully flex the panel to pop out the 2 tangs on each side in the saddle bags. These tangs are what those screws went into. This will now allow you to pull the upper panel away enough to get at the trunk mechanism. It will also allow you to get at the 3 screws holding the lower vinyl panel on if you want to remove that for more room.

Now the hard part I cannot help with is how to get up at the latch with a screw driver to work the mechanism which will unlatch the lid. I don't have a picture I can reference right now. But at the bottom of this latch is a flat bar that links the 2 latch hook together. There is a tab or slot you can get on with a screw drive and move it.

Next time I am in this area I will do a video or something.

Bob

That's pretty much what they explained to me on the phone. I just don't want to take the chance and bend or break the panel and then have to replace that. Worth it to have them do it and maybe even have the cost covered under warrantee. Will let you know. Thanks for the advice.

[Bob Denman]

Finless,
Once again; you show yourself to be the "Real" Bob!
Thanks!

[AFace]

Took them all of about 30 seconds, if that, because the service tech knew what he was doing. (Done under warrantee.)

Lift the LEFT saddle bag opener handle and hold it up. This exposes an opening which is behind that handle. Put a long screwdriver up that opening and you will feel where it stops. Now move the screwdriver so the end that is up inside moves to the RIGHT. You will hear the 'click' which releases the latch.

They found nothing wrong and everything was attached properly and lubricated.

When I got home I tried it myself and it is very easy to release the latch.

Thanks again to CENTRAL FLORIDA POWERSPORTS for their usual excellent customer service. I fully understand that they could have told me anything and charged me accordingly.

[Eagle1]

Good to know, thanks.

[JayBros]

Thank you. Your thread earned a bookmark.

[Pampurrs]

Thank you. Your thread earned a bookmark.

[Bob Denman]

Cool!
Glad to hear that it was MUCH simpler than we thought!

[finless]

Basically what I posted but without pictures or a video hard for people to understand whet they are getting on with the screw driver.

I popped both sides of the rear panel but good to know only the left side is required.

FYI mine got jammed because of the cloth cover I keep in the trunk. A small portion of the cloth got caught in the latch hook and I was unable to release it with the handle.

Next time I am in this area I will make a video on how to do it.

Bob

[cptjam]

Glad it worked out. Thanks for sharing the tip!

[AFace]

Basically what I posted but without pictures or a video hard for people to understand whet they are getting on with the screw driver.

I popped both sides of the rear panel but good to know only the left side is required.

FYI mine got jammed because of the cloth cover I keep in the trunk. A small portion of the cloth got caught in the latch hook and I was unable to release it with the handle.

Next time I am in this area I will make a video on how to do it.

Bob

Not quite the same... No panel has to be removed. If you read my post carefully you will see it says the handle, not the panel. It's much easier than what you explained. So you don't have to remove any panel at all.

[Doc - Riverside]

As I have the back of an RT apart at the moment I took a picture of what is going on when you do the procedure as you described. Using a flashlight shining up thru the hole in the left latch you can see the rod for screwdriver placement if necessary.

[AFace]

As I have the back of an RT apart at the moment I took a picture of what is going on when you do the procedure as you described. Using a flashlight shining up thru the hole in the left latch you can see the rod for screwdriver placement if necessary.

The picture is great and it is not necessary to look up the opening to see. You can do it by feel and when the screwdriver stops move it to the right and you will feel it and hear the click. The tech actually showed me with just a screwdriver and not seeing anything. It's very simple. JMHO...

[Bob Denman]

The "Good Doctor" delivers once again!!

Doc,
We may have to give you a new nickname...

[Doc - Riverside]

The picture is great and it is not necessary to look up the opening to see. You can do it by feel and when the screwdriver stops move it to the right and you will feel it and hear the click. The tech actually showed me with just a screwdriver and not seeing anything. It's very simple. JMHO...

Agree it is quite simple but I mentioned the use of the flashlight for those that need visual reinforcement.

[finless]

Ha great! I guess I did it the hard way by popping the panel from the side. This is good to know.

Thanks Doc!

Bob

[fredsel]

The picture is great and it is not necessary to look up the opening to see. You can do it by feel and when the screwdriver stops move it to the right and you will feel it and hear the click. The tech actually showed me with just a screwdriver and not seeing anything. It's very simple. JMHO...

I rode home from my daughter's home with three leftover hamburgers in the back trunk, it wouldn't open!!! I worked it and worked it and resigned myself to dedicating tomorrow to getting it open, one way or another, then I found your post while on my laptop in bed. Up out of bed, dressed, back out to the Spyder with the screwdriver technique, pop, it opened, no bad dreams to come tonight about rotten hamburger smelling up my ride :-)
Thanks so much for the post,
Fredsel

[wmh9680]

Fantastic, this was going to be one of my next projects. Will be trying it tomorrow. Thanks, Mike