What did you do to your Spyder today?

[mecsw500]

...or you can do what I did and just cut one end off the old one. It comes right out at a safe height then, and you really are not going to save the old one to put back in, are you?

Good point. I presume I just slide the old one to one side and then cut the bar with my angle grinder as close to the channel as possible, then just slide it out? Or do I have to cut both ends out and slide it out through a wheel in the same way I put the new one in? That way I wouldn’t have to take out the channel spacer bolts at least.

How tough is the bar? Does an angle grinder go through it easily or is it made of really tough stuff?

Sorry for so many questions.

 

[mecsw500]

Well my Baja Ron Ultimate Sway Bar arrived today. So did the running light bar.

That’s quick shipping from Slingmods.

The light bar I’ll affix tomorrow. The sway bar I’ll think about how I’m going to get 24” of clearance.

Quality looks good.

 

[Peter Aawen]

Good point. I presume I just slide the old one to one side and then cut the bar with my angle grinder as close to the channel as possible, then just slide it out? Or do I have to cut both ends out and slide it out through a wheel in the same way I put the new one in? That way I wouldn’t have to take out the channel spacer bolts at least.

How tough is the bar? Does an angle grinder go through it easily or is it made of really tough stuff?

Sorry for so many questions.

Thinking back to the last one I did (which was quite a while ago now ) I reckon you'll only need to cut one of the bent ends off (with an angle grinder/metal cutting disc, or even a sawzall type saw & the right blade. ) then the rest of the OEM sway bar will basically just slide straight out, easy peezy!

IIRC, the only reason you need that 24" sorta height is so that you can pull the bar out and drop the free end down in order to manoeuvre the 'bent to about 90° end' out of the hole in the frame... Do away with one of those 'cranked ends', and that need no longer exists; so if you don't mind lying on the ground, you could probably do it without a jack or even lifting a wheel - but it has been a while since I did one!

 

[jdgretz]

Pushed her a bit past 3000 miles today. Made an appointment for her first service and flush the brake fluid (the bike will be two years old in July). The dealer quoted me about $530 for the service and fluid change and add in the magnetic drain plugs. Sounds reasonable (I'd love to have the "A" service on my Mercedes be that inexpensive). They will also mount the twin horns from Spyder Extras, and pull an oil sample that I'll send off to Blackstone Labs. I have an appointment the second week of July to put on the new PPA wheels and Continental/Altimax tires prior to my trip at the end of July. That trip is planned for between 7,000 and 8,000 miles and I don't trust the OEM tires to be good for that long. I think I've got her as dialed in as I can before the first long trip. We'll see how it goes.

jdg

 

[Lctriple]

I took an 80 mile ride, which is a lot due to my back issues. I'm waiting on a new Bell modular helmet that should be here today. I've put 1100 miles on it since Easter so far. I used to put 12,000 to 14,000 miles a year on my Guzzi when my back was somewhat better. Enjoy your day!

 

[McClendons]

Thinking back to the last one I did (which was quite a while ago now ) I reckon you'll only need to cut one of the bent ends off (with an angle grinder/metal cutting disc, or even a sawzall type saw & the right blade. ) then the rest of the OEM sway bar will basically just slide straight out, easy peezy!

IIRC, the only reason you need that 24" sorta height is so that you can pull the bar out and drop the free end down in order to manoeuvre the 'bent to about 90° end' out of the hole in the frame... Do away with one of those 'cranked ends', and that need no longer exists; so if you don't mind lying on the ground, you could probably do it without a jack or even lifting a wheel - but it has been a while since I did one!

I spent about $200 getting special ramps etc, and still had some issues getting the last inch of height. If I were to do it again, your suggestion of cutting the bar end off would be the way to go! The Ultimate bar will slide right in with minimal clearance needed (Not the case for the aftermarket bars with the bent ends/one piece). Great suggestion

 

[Snoking1127]

Thinking back to the last one I did (which was quite a while ago now ) I reckon you'll only need to cut one of the bent ends off (with an angle grinder/metal cutting disc, or even a sawzall type saw & the right blade. ) then the rest of the OEM sway bar will basically just slide straight out, easy peezy!

IIRC, the only reason you need that 24" sorta height is so that you can pull the bar out and drop the free end down in order to manoeuvre the 'bent to about 90° end' out of the hole in the frame... Do away with one of those 'cranked ends', and that need no longer exists; so if you don't mind lying on the ground, you could probably do it without a jack or even lifting a wheel - but it has been a while since I did one!

I have now replaced 6 or 7 sway bars now, drove up ramps on some, four post lift with a center panel remove, floor jack, and the last one as pictured in post #3928 (see that page linked below) which was one of the quickest ways for old bar out, new bar in. Only need my thumb to raise it.

https://www.spyderlovers.com/threads/what-did-you-do-to-your-spyder-today.127194/page-197

 

[mecsw500]

Thinking back to the last one I did (which was quite a while ago now ) I reckon you'll only need to cut one of the bent ends off (with an angle grinder/metal cutting disc, or even a sawzall type saw & the right blade. ) then the rest of the OEM sway bar will basically just slide straight out, easy peezy!

IIRC, the only reason you need that 24" sorta height is so that you can pull the bar out and drop the free end down in order to manoeuvre the 'bent to about 90° end' out of the hole in the frame... Do away with one of those 'cranked ends', and that need no longer exists; so if you don't mind lying on the ground, you could probably do it without a jack or even lifting a wheel - but it has been a while since I did one!

Thanks for the reply. I’ve an angle grinder and a sawzall, I’ll just get a fresh metal cutting disk or blade and have at it on a pair of car ramps.

My age and arthritis be damned, I’m going to have a go at it. Nothing like power tools for fun.

 

[major911]

met up with my new group, US Spyder riders Ocala, FL chapter. Friendly bunch. Was able to take in a short ride.