-
Active Member
Lazer Adjustment - What exactly are we aligning
I have meaning to ask this for 3 years and always forget to post the question
Willie
-
Ozzie Ozzie Ozzie
Wheels.
2013 RT Ltd Pearl White
Ryde More, Worry Less!
-
Yes wheels...
Actually, first the belt is aligned if needed. Then the front wheel toe in is set or aligned as it is often called.
Spyders are pretty primitive in the front suspension / steering design. No adjustments to correct caster or camber angles, only true adjustment is toe in. However, altering front ride height does alter camber slightly, but technically is not adjustable.
-
Very Active Member
The best substitute for brains & knowledge is....................silence.
-
Ozzie Ozzie Ozzie
Yes!
2013 RT Ltd Pearl White
Ryde More, Worry Less!
-
Originally Posted by Fjrwillie
I have meaning to ask this for 3 years and always forget to post the question
Willie
If you were looking from above your Spyder, the adjustment is how much the front of the wheels angle in or out from being parallel. If they're closer together at the front that is referred to as toe-in and if they're further apart at the front it's referred to as toe-out. Toe-in is considered negative and toe-out is positive. It's often set as a distance, say 3mm toe-in but it can also be given as an angle, say -0.1 degrees. In this example the 3mm refers to the distance between the wheels being 3mm closer together at the front than at the rear of the wheel. The exact point of measurement at the wheel is normally given in the service manual, but not in BRP's case (Why am I not surprised!?) I use the edge of the wheel rim as a datum distance and 3mm toe-in is what I set.
For info, I use two lasers to set the toe-in, one on each side, rather than move the Spyder, which is prone to serious error, I move the target.
I hope this was useful to you Fjrwillie.
-
Very Active Member
Ann and Joe will also center the handlebars if necessary.
Lew L
Kaos----- Gone but not forgotten.
2014 RTS in Circuit Yellow, farkle-ing addiction down to once every few months. ECU FLASH IS GREAT.
-
Eckhard
Spyder RT Ltd, 2011
-
Well...
As stated above.... you are aligning, rear wheel, the toe in/out along with setting the handlebars to center and re-setting the steering sensor with the buds program. Seems prior systems used the frame as the alignment point but this does not take into consideration the difference in the rear wheel...
2012 RS sm5 , 998cc V-Twin 106hp DIY brake and park brake Classic Black
-
Originally Posted by Chupaca
As stated above.... you are aligning, rear wheel, the toe in/out along with setting the handlebars to center and re-setting the steering sensor with the buds program. Seems prior systems used the frame as the alignment point but this does not take into consideration the difference in the rear wheel...
We've come a long way from the days when we would sprinkle a little flour on the garage floor, spread it around with a broom, before rolling the front wheels through it to take our measurements from.
-
Originally Posted by Jeriatric
We've come a long way from the days when we would sprinkle a little flour on the garage floor, spread it around with a broom, before rolling the front wheels through it to take our measurements from.
I think there are still some dealers using that method!
2017 F3T-SM6 Squared Away Mirror Wedgies & Alignment
2014 RTS-SM6 123,600 miles Sold 11/2017
2014 RTL-SE6 8,600 miles
2011 RTS-SM5 5,000 miles
2013 RTS-SM5 burned up with 13,200 miles in 13 weeks
2010 RTS-SM5 59,148 miles
2010 RT- 622
-
Originally Posted by SpyderAnn01
I think there are still some dealers using that method!
Little doubt. Or at least some antiquated form. But hey, that's not bad for business
-
Very Active Member
Are we also aligning the tracking of the rear wheel to the toe in of the front wheels? What I mean is, if the rear wheel must point slightly to to left or right for a proper belt alignment, do the front wheels and handlebar compensate for that?
2011 RTS (Sold to a very nice lady)
1998 Honda Valkyrie
2006 Mustang GT. Varooooom!
US Navy Veteran
SC Law Enforcement Boat Captain
CNC Machine Service Technician
President: Rolling Thunder SC1
Member: Disabled American Veterans, Rock Hill, SC
Member: American Legion
Experience is recognizing the same mistake every time you make it!
-
Originally Posted by Grandpot
Are we also aligning the tracking of the rear wheel to the toe in of the front wheels? What I mean is, if the rear wheel must point slightly to to left or right for a proper belt alignment, do the front wheels and handlebar compensate for that?
I don't think that's possible. The bike can be set up to feel correct, bars central etc, but if the rear wheel is not parallel to the frame, the bike will travel slightly sideways though the wheels will be parallel. It's just a function of the design and an out of alignment rear steers the bike, the bars are turned to compensate until the front wheels are parallel with the rear wheel then the bike follows a straight course but is slightly sideways.
A better design would have the wheels properly aligned and the engine adjusted for correct belt tracking. IMHO, of course.
-
Originally Posted by Spyderlass
I don't think that's possible. The bike can be set up to feel correct, bars central etc, but if the rear wheel is not parallel to the frame, the bike will travel slightly sideways though the wheels will be parallel. It's just a function of the design and an out of alignment rear steers the bike, the bars are turned to compensate until the front wheels are parallel with the rear wheel then the bike follows a straight course but is slightly sideways.
A better design would have the wheels properly aligned and the engine adjusted for correct belt tracking. IMHO, of course.
Excellent point, and it wouldn't be as difficult to engineer as it may sound. imo
-
Very Active Member
Originally Posted by Spyderlass
I don't think that's possible. The bike can be set up to feel correct, bars central etc, but if the rear wheel is not parallel to the frame, the bike will travel slightly sideways though the wheels will be parallel. It's just a function of the design and an out of alignment rear steers the bike, the bars are turned to compensate until the front wheels are parallel with the rear wheel then the bike follows a straight course but is slightly sideways.
A better design would have the wheels properly aligned and the engine adjusted for correct belt tracking. IMHO, of course.
If the rear wheel was not on centerline and front wheels were aligned straight ahead the handlebars would need to be turned in order to go straight as you said. This would effect the yaw compensation. Oh, this gets deep.
2011 RTS (Sold to a very nice lady)
1998 Honda Valkyrie
2006 Mustang GT. Varooooom!
US Navy Veteran
SC Law Enforcement Boat Captain
CNC Machine Service Technician
President: Rolling Thunder SC1
Member: Disabled American Veterans, Rock Hill, SC
Member: American Legion
Experience is recognizing the same mistake every time you make it!
-
Originally Posted by Grandpot
If the rear wheel was not on centerline and front wheels were aligned straight ahead the handlebars would need to be turned in order to go straight as you said. This would effect the yaw compensation. Oh, this gets deep.
The rider is doing the compensating. Sometimes knowingly - if it's out a lot, and unknowingly if it's just slightly out of align.
-
Originally Posted by Jeriatric
The rider is doing the compensating. Sometimes knowingly - if it's out a lot, and unknowingly if it's just slightly out of align.
Yes I think that's right and it's probably happening all the time we ride on a cambered road whether the bike is set straight or not.
-
Originally Posted by Grandpot
Are we also aligning the tracking of the rear wheel to the toe in of the front wheels? What I mean is, if the rear wheel must point slightly to to left or right for a proper belt alignment, do the front wheels and handlebar compensate for that?
That's been gnawing at me for awhile that the angle of the rear wheel wasn't taken into account. Looks like it doesn't need to be. Not can it be it seems.
Eckhard
Spyder RT Ltd, 2011
-
I actually had my lasers aligned. Well, they're really phasers...for those ******* cagers
-
Ozzie Ozzie Ozzie
Last edited by Peter Aawen; 08-08-2019 at 02:04 AM.
2013 RT Ltd Pearl White
Ryde More, Worry Less!
-
after lazer alignment do you have to put it on bubs for any reason
-
Very Active Member
Originally Posted by flea
after lazer alignment do you have to put it on bubs for any reason
If you mean BUDS, yes to reset the steering sensor.
2016 F3 Limited
2019 Ryker Rally
2014 Suzuki V Strom 650
2020 CSC TT 250
-
Originally Posted by flea
after lazer alignment do you have to put it on buds for any reason
Maybe aye maybe no. If the original alignment was central as it should be, then (even though it had toe-in or toe-out) after correct and equal adjustment of the tie-rods on each side the steering sensor will still be correctly aligned. I guess it depends on how much you trust the original set up and how much you trust the person doing the realignment.
-
We put every Spyder on BUDS after we align them. Why would you want to roll the dice and not? Anyone doing alignments should have BUDS.
2017 F3T-SM6 Squared Away Mirror Wedgies & Alignment
2014 RTS-SM6 123,600 miles Sold 11/2017
2014 RTL-SE6 8,600 miles
2011 RTS-SM5 5,000 miles
2013 RTS-SM5 burned up with 13,200 miles in 13 weeks
2010 RTS-SM5 59,148 miles
2010 RT- 622
Posting Permissions
- You may not post new threads
- You may not post replies
- You may not post attachments
- You may not edit your posts
-
Forum Rules
|