Those strut connector thingies are usually pretty hard to get off unless they are seriously stressed in an abnormal direction.... is that what's happening when the seat 'dips left & right'??
Still, if it's worked fine for a few months & only now is starting to disconnect, is there anything else under there that's changed recently?? Have you checked to see if you've broken or lost one or more of the rubber bumpers that the seat sits on? Or maybe the bolts holding the hinges at the back have come loose/dropped out??
I checked the seat. The rear bolts are there. The bumpers seem to be there. I haven't changed anything either.
I did notice that the strut seems to sit a little offset at the ball joint connection when the seat rests open. At least I think it's offset. (I took a couple of pics.) I never paid attention to how the old strut set when the seat was open.
Don
Last edited by dwade; 06-23-2018 at 09:00 PM.
Reason: fix wording
2015 RTSS Limited, red/white, Lamonster NVB highway bars, Ultimate midrider seat with backrest, Show Chrome passenger armrests .................................................. .....
I had the same problem and found out the strut rod was upside down, changed it and have had no problems since. I don't know if you have the same problem but it would be worth checking.
IMHO the rod end should be flipped over to the other side of the attachment bracket ....... I removed mine years ago so I can't compare them ...... Mike
If you're referring to the bracket attached to the seat, and moving the strut from the left side to the right side of the bracket, I did try changing that yesterday. The way it is now the strut's lower attachment is on the right side. The upper is on the left side. This makes it look like, to me, the strut is offset at an angle.
When I flipped the upper one, the seat will not close due to the seat's shape. The seat underside has a "u" shape. When it's on the left side (of the bracket attachment) the strut fits under the seat when closed. Move it to the right side and the seat material is too low (deep) and won't close.
I was going to try to switch the lower attachment from right to left, but there isn't enough room due to the plastic base (or whatever you call it) that sits around the attachment area. ( Did any of that make sense? My bike terminology is pretty bad.)
Didn't get a chance to ride today to see if the upside down strut suggestion worked. Will try tomorrow.
Don
Last edited by dwade; 06-24-2018 at 05:58 PM.
Reason: clarification
2015 RTSS Limited, red/white, Lamonster NVB highway bars, Ultimate midrider seat with backrest, Show Chrome passenger armrests .................................................. .....
IMHO the rod end should be flipped over to the other side of the attachment bracket ....... I removed mine years ago so I can't compare them ...... Mike
Shouldnt the ball ends be on the same side from top to bottom? Others have mentioned this too.
Did you remove the ball ends?
I did try changing that yesterday. The strut's lower attachment is on the right side. The upper is on the left side. This makes it look like, to me, the strut is offset at an angle.
When I flipped the upper one (moved the ball joint to the right side), the seat will not close due to the seat's shape. The seat underside has a "u" shape. When it's on the left side (of the bracket attachment) the strut fits under the seat when closed. Move it to the right side and the seat material is too low (deep) and won't close.
I was going to try to switch the lower attachment from right to left, but there isn't enough room due to the plastic base (or whatever you call it) that sits around the attachment area. ( Did any of that make sense? My bike terminology is pretty bad.)
Here are a couple pics of the underside of the seat and the strut (which I switched from upside down to right side up today) This is an Ultimate seat.
Don
2015 RTSS Limited, red/white, Lamonster NVB highway bars, Ultimate midrider seat with backrest, Show Chrome passenger armrests .................................................. .....
Put the shock back like your first pictures then check the shock retaining clips or a bind. Mine is just like yours in the first set of pictures. Been using that same strut for a while now with no problems
Last edited by trikermutha; 06-25-2018 at 06:24 AM.
Put the shock back like your first pictures then check the shock retaining clips or a bind. Mine is just like yours in the first set of pictures. Been using that same strut for a while now with no problems
I did check the clips. They seem to be fine on both ends.
I took a short 20 mile ride yesterday. I had the strut in the 'thicker part up' position. It stayed on the entire time. I'll try it like that for a couple rides.
If it starts popping off again I'll switch it back to the original position and repost.
Thanks for all the advice everyone.
Don
2015 RTSS Limited, red/white, Lamonster NVB highway bars, Ultimate midrider seat with backrest, Show Chrome passenger armrests .................................................. .....
Just checked my aftermarket strut. The thin end is to the top and has been OK for a couple of years.
Glad I looked though, cause the socket round the ball at the top end seems to be cracking .. Further inspection when the garage is below 120 degrees !