Shock re-locators

[Mayhem]

Let me throw my 2cents in here, and yes that's all it's worth. I had the relocators put on my 2010RT just prior to Spyderfest. I noticed when we went on a trip to Texas at the end of May that the roadster seemed to want to veer to the left but thought oh it is just me because I had a passenger. Then we went on a 5,000 mile vacation trip to 9 states in late June early July and I could hardly keep the thing on the mountain roads. My hubby was on his Harley and at first I don't think he thought it was as bad as I was trying to explain. Although he later confessed he had noticed it on the trip to Texas(we both drove my spyder). I live in Missouri. When we were in upstate Nebraska a man saw me at a gas station and he was the one that noticed the left tire. It was BALD on the outer edge. He of course scared the #$%@&* out of me and said if the tire blew, the fender would blow. Anyway, we got it back to Missouri ok, and found the alignment was WAY off. My suggestion is, if you are going to get the relocators get an alignment. I was having them put relocators on a 2010 Spyder that probably needed an alignment. However now in our eyes its the relocators that took the spyder out of alignment. So word to the wise. It's a good product and glad I have it but be smart.

I read this last night and today looked at my tires, both fronts are wearing unevenly after only 1000 miles of riding with the relocators. I had heard nothing about getting an alignment when installing these. I like the way the bike handles with them on but I'm going on a trip in a couple of days so off they come tomorrow. The RSS only has four thousand miles on it and in my inspections previously I had observed no uneven wear. I am glad for Shewhoprays post, because I probably would have ruined a set of tires on this trip. After I get back i will see if the dealer is able to align the Spyder with the relocators installed.
Also I have noticed recently that the headlights have been "flashing" the roadsigns a lot, so they most likely need readjustment when the relocators are installed.

 

[BLUEKNIGHT911]

YOUR ISSUES

I read this last night and today looked at my tires, both fronts are wearing unevenly after only 1000 miles of riding with the relocators. I had heard nothing about getting an alignment when installing these. I like the way the bike handles with them on but I'm going on a trip in a couple of days so off they come tomorrow. The RSS only has four thousand miles on it and in my inspections previously I had observed no uneven wear. I am glad for Shewhoprays post, because I probably would have ruined a set of tires on this trip. After I get back i will see if the dealer is able to align the Spyder with the relocators installed.
Also I have noticed recently that the headlights have been "flashing" the roadsigns a lot, so they most likely need readjustment when the relocators are installed.

#1. The re-locators will only effect the toe a very small amount , and in this short amount of mileage I doubt your wear problem is related to the RE-LOCATORS I would bet a bunch that if you have inside tire wear on both front tires you have TOO LITTLE TOE - IN and need to add some...............#2. On the headlite thing the Spyder does not have a conventional HIGH / LOW beam.....it's really all the same..The way BRP did the headlite was to put in a "SHUTTER " and this is what the other drivers are seeing bouncing up and down, and they think you are ...flashing them.....I believe the dealer can adjust how tight the shutter is....Maybe Scotty will chime in here.....Mike :thumbup:

 

[Mayhem]

#1. The re-locators will only effect the toe a very small amount , and in this short amount of mileage I doubt your wear problem is related to the RE-LOCATORS I would bet a bunch that if you have inside tire wear on both front tires you have TOO LITTLE TOE - IN and need to add some...............#2. On the headlite thing the Spyder does not have a conventional HIGH / LOW beam.....it's really all the same..The way BRP did the headlite was to put in a "SHUTTER " and this is what the other drivers are seeing bouncing up and down, and they think you are ...flashing them.....I believe the dealer can adjust how tight the shutter is....Maybe Scotty will chime in here.....Mike :thumbup:

Mike, Thank you for your response, the tires are wearing evenly to the outside. As to the shutter, I really hope I'm not flashing everyone as I find the modulator headlights very irritating. I will find a straight stretch and drop off my better half and see what's up with that. And as always Scotty's as well as your expertise is appreciated.

 

[BLUEKNIGHT911]

REVERSE THE TOE

Mike, Thank you for your response, the tires are wearing evenly to the outside. As to the shutter, I really hope I'm not flashing everyone as I find the modulator headlights very irritating. I will find a straight stretch and drop off my better half and see what's up with that. And as always Scotty's as well as your expertise is appreciated.

The above advice I gave was for the MOST common front tire issue....If you have even tire wear on the outside edge you have TOO MUCH TOE IN....and you need to remove some of the toe ( lessen it ). I recommend you locate a dealer that has the NEW LAZER alignment set-up ( we have had a very long thread about this recently , LaMont even bought one )......annnnnnnnnnnnd you are not FLASHING anyone :roflblack: , it's the way the hi/ low beam is set up on the Spyder. During the daytime when I drive mine I just keep the High Beams on and that LOCKS the shutter.....during the day the highbeams won't bother anyone's vision....:thumbup:....and Thanks for the compliment But the only EXPERT I KNOW HERE IS SCOTTY

 

[NancysToy]

Mike, Thank you for your response, the tires are wearing evenly to the outside. As to the shutter, I really hope I'm not flashing everyone as I find the modulator headlights very irritating. I will find a straight stretch and drop off my better half and see what's up with that. And as always Scotty's as well as your expertise is appreciated.

As the Spyder is loaded, it toes out; as it is raised it toes in. Your symptoms indicate too much toe-in, probably a result of the relocators, front spring preload, or both. Removal of the relocators or realignment is a good idea. The headlights need to be aimed again after suspension modifications. That is why you are flashing the signs. Adjust them lower (or remove the suspension mods) and run with brights on in the daytime.

 

[Bob Denman]

So if you change the ride-height up OR down; it toes out? :shocked:
That seems counter-intuitive to me... But I don't know what I'm talking about anyway!

 

[NancysToy]

So if you change the ride-height up OR down; it toes out? :shocked:
That seems counter-intuitive to me... But I don't know what I'm talking about anyway!

My mistake Bob. I have corrected it. You are a good proof reader...far better than I am.

 

[Bob Denman]

See; that scares me! :shocked: I KNOW how bad my eyeballs are! pps:
I never meant to try and catch you in one; I figured that there'd be some sort of convoluted explanation about the suspension design that made it possible..

 

[lapirow]

What actually changes?

If you have even tire wear on the outside edge you have TOO MUCH TOE IN....and you need to remove some of the toe ( lessen it ).
The front suspension is 2 "A" arms attached to a stub axle. I can understand that the "tilt" of the wheel (I believe this to be camber) may vary throughout the total sweep of suspension movement (up and down) but I don't see how toe-in is clearly affected. I understand toe-in to refer to the degree by which the wheel deviates from "straight ahead". I know I have messed with this on sidecars to balance the tendency of wind load to turn the outfit to the left (remember I am in Oz and we ride on the correct side of the road). If toe-in were significantly affected by an increase in ride height the wheel alignment procedure in the manual would specify setting it with a load on board. My best guess is that as the wheel travels up and down, the tie rods are effectively lengthened and shortened by reason of the change in angle caused by movement of the stub axle being pulled "in" (toe-out) or pushed "out" (toe-in) and the change should be uniform, right & left. With good measuring equipment it should be something that can be quantified and so a judgment can be made of the need for probable adjustment to the wheel alignment .

 

[GeoffCee]

I was having them put relocators on a 2010 Spyder that probably needed an alignment. However now in our eyes its the relocators that took the spyder out of alignment. So word to the wise. It's a good product and glad I have it but be smart.

And we are smarter because you took the trouble to post your experience. Sharing stuff is what makes this forum great. Thank you. :thumbup:

 

[BLUEKNIGHT911]

THIS IS A " QUOTE " OUT OF CONTEXT ! ! !

If you have even tire wear on the outside edge you have TOO MUCH TOE IN....and you need to remove some of the toe ( lessen it ).
The front suspension is 2 "A" arms attached to a stub axle. I can understand that the "tilt" of the wheel (I believe this to be camber) may vary throughout the total sweep of suspension movement (up and down) but I don't see how toe-in is clearly affected. I understand toe-in to refer to the degree by which the wheel deviates from "straight ahead". I know I have messed with this on sidecars to balance the tendency of wind load to turn the outfit to the left (remember I am in Oz and we ride on the correct side of the road). If toe-in were significantly affected by an increase in ride height the wheel alignment procedure in the manual would specify setting it with a load on board. My best guess is that as the wheel travels up and down, the tie rods are effectively lengthened and shortened by reason of the change in angle caused by movement of the stub axle being pulled "in" (toe-out) or pushed "out" (toe-in) and the change should be uniform, right & left. With good measuring equipment it should be something that can be quantified and so a judgment can be made of the need for probable adjustment to the wheel alignment .

lapirow; is quoteing something I said quite awhile ago and He has left a LOT out.........He told US that his tires were wearing out faster on the outside edges and the WEAR was fairly EVEN all around the tire ........To the BEST of my knowledge and Scotty may want to chime in here this indicates TO MUCH TOE IN ....The WHY there is a Balance is something BRP has figuered into the GEOMETRY of the way they designed the front suspension......I hope this clears this up ..Mike :gaah:

 

[lapirow]

Sorry

lapirow; is quoteing something I said quite awhile ago and He has left a LOT out.........He told US that his tires were wearing out faster on the outside edges and the WEAR was fairly EVEN all around the tire ........To the BEST of my knowledge and Scotty may want to chime in here this indicates TO MUCH TOE IN ....The WHY there is a Balance is something BRP has figuered into the GEOMETRY of the way they designed the front suspension......I hope this clears this up ..Mike :gaah:

I was not intending to offend. I was trying to work out the effect of change of a component / alignment in one area with alignment in another. Had I been better able to set out the comment on my Android phone, maybe I would have done it better. It took me about 3 days to work out the Akerman linkage. "Car" type suspensions are so much more difficult to understand than "bike" ones.

 

[BLUEKNIGHT911]

OFFEND ? ? ?

I was not intending to offend. I was trying to work out the effect of change of a component / alignment in one area with alignment in another. Had I been better able to set out the comment on my Android phone, maybe I would have done it better. It took me about 3 days to work out the Akerman linkage. "Car" type suspensions are so much more difficult to understand than "bike" ones.

Where do you get me being offended ? ? ?.........If you ever OFFEND me I'll let you know in no un-certain terms..........My Post to Your Post was to clarify that you left out a lot of the original problem......:yikes:..........PS , I just happen to like using different colors and larger type.

 

[Bob Denman]

It makes it easier for my eyeballs to see too!

 

[Cruzr Joe]

who wants ice cream?

 

[Bob Denman]

 

[cjackg]

Where do you get me being offended ? ? ?.........If you ever OFFEND me I'll let you know in no un-certain terms..........My Post to Your Post was to clarify that you left out a lot of the original problem......:yikes:..........PS , I just happen to like using different colors and larger type.

Maybe we should all start using different colors and larger & larger type...

After all, arent our posts just as interesting as yours?

This might get interesting.... :yikes: :banghead: :gaah:

 

[Bob Denman]

Can we sneak back to suspension cycling and alignment issues for a moment?
Thanks!
Alignment will change as the suspension cycles, because the steering and suspension are actually moving on the same axis... :shocked:
What does that mean?
You tune and adjust for the best compromise that you can get, or you redesign the entire front-end of the bike another time... :yikes:
That's my very simple version; it fits in my very simple mind! :thumbup:

 

[BLUEKNIGHT911]

being mis-quoted

Maybe we should all start using different colors and larger & larger type...

After all, arent our posts just as interesting as yours?

This might get interesting.... :yikes: :banghead: :gaah:

...I'll wager that I am the most mis-quoted person on this Forum......................case-in-point....I never said anything about my posts being more or less interesting.........Go figure.........I think it's JEALOUSY plain and simple :roflblack::roflblack::roflblack::roflblack::roflblack::roflblack::roflblack::roflblack::roflblack::roflblack::roflblack::roflblack::roflblack::roflblack::roflblack::roflblack::roflblack::roflblack::roflblack::roflblack::roflblack::roflblack::roflblack::roflblack::roflblack::roflblack::roflblack::roflblack::roflblack::roflblack::roflblack:.......and I love Icons.........Mike