Magdave
New member
There was the term I was searching for "skew" :thumbup:
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In Regards to Laser or Regualr Alignment
- Thread starter OwnerOfHarriet
- Start date
There was the term I was searching for "skew" :thumbup:
Gray Ghost
New member
To clarify, your figures are wrong. Prior to the wheel removal, total toe in was 7/8". The results after the wheel was reinstalled was as I stated, 1.5" out on the left and 1" in on the right. The overall toe was not that much different, but the alignment was off enough to cause a pull to the left. Some may say that it was within tolerance, I do not.
I will leave it with this: I have seen, and Mike Jr can verify, that the removal and reinstallation changed the alignment. Some of you disagree. For those out there trying to decide if they need to get another alignment done after wheel removal, find a flat stretch of road and see if your bike is still running true. Then take the action that is appropriate based upon your results.
Magdave
New member
Not disputing the rear skew can affect tracking however it has no effect on the front alignment. Why play with 2 tires when all you need to do is adjust 1? Like I said you can get "crabbing" if the rear is not set back to the original position. It might be worthwhile to spray the nuts with some washable paint before removal as well as doing measurements on belt position. I contend if the belt is put back at the same position on the cog the alignment will be correct.:thumbup:
Gray Ghost
New member
When you align the front wheels to the rear wheel, then any change to the position of the rear wheel will affect the alignment of the bike.
finless
New member
All I can say is 4 people that do laser alignments said the same thing to me now. They also said if you get the wheel back exactly where it was, you should be OK but if your pulling left or right then the only way to know for sure it to put the lasers on.
The only other thing I will add is, when you get new tires on a car you also get alignment done right? So why would you not do the same for the Spyder? The idea is even if alignment adjustments were not needed, your protecting your tire investment by at least having it checked.
Finally, my spyder has always been OK with no pulling or fishing around on the road. It's never been laser aligned and I don't plan to do it until I get new tires which will be do in about 3-4K miles (rear only). On a crowned road it will drift slightly "up the hill" depending on which side of the crown I am on. I have been told this is correct.
My little video I did a week ago shows how well my spyder tracks. I had to use one finger due to wind of about 10 knots and buffeting but you can see for several seconds in the beginning of the video I was hands off!
Bob
BLUEKNIGHT911
Sadly Passed Oct 2024 - RIP
NEED FOR ALIGNMENT
:congrats:., Mr.Finless, you really have a front end alignment done if they change your tires ??????.....Exactly what does new rubber have to do with the mechanical settings of your front end ??????? Annnnnnnnnnnd my 08 GS would track straight as an arrow down the highway, even at 115 MPH..........however the front tires were JUNK at 14,000 miles because of severe inside edge wear.......:gaah:,,,go figure Mikeguyver
:congrats:., Mr.Finless, you really have a front end alignment done if they change your tires ??????.....Exactly what does new rubber have to do with the mechanical settings of your front end ??????? Annnnnnnnnnnd my 08 GS would track straight as an arrow down the highway, even at 115 MPH..........however the front tires were JUNK at 14,000 miles because of severe inside edge wear.......:gaah:,,,go figure Mikeguyver
finless
New member
I explained my thinking. You get alignment checked when you get new rubber on a car so why not the spyder?
I plan to replace the rear tire myself and if I can get alignment checked I will. Problem is my closest laser alignment shop is 350 miles away. So maybe I wont right away. If I have no pulling left or right after the change, I may not. But if Ann is ever in town, I will do it just to check.
Bob
BLUEKNIGHT911
Sadly Passed Oct 2024 - RIP
LAZER ALIGNMENT
:agree:...Well half of what I stated was correct.....BRP does authorize " Lazer use "......However it still is not the system they use at the factory ....if a Dealer wants to get a Lazer system They are OK to do so .....But I don't think BRP is paying for it ......and I don't think BRP is covering any " OUT-OF-ALIGNMENT " spyders discovered using a LAZER under warranty ? ? ?......Mikeguyver :thumbup:
Magdave
New member
Bob I thought mine was pretty good too but Mike found it 5/8" toed out, not much. Only issue I had prior was a little waundering at higher speeds like my last Corvette. After alignment with just a hair of toe in now it DOES ride straighter and more stable. It also has a lot less scrub which is what causes tire wear. I knew from the Corvette world a little toe in (1/8") made it run on rails and not wander. The same holds true with the spyder. Any crabbing caused by the rear should be easy to notice and fix. The handle bar angle will be a little off and which direction will determine what direction to aim the rear to pull it all in line again. It is really not rocket science. Once you have the front properly aligned it will not change( unless you hit some decent pot holes) and If you realign the front to get it in line with the rear you will still be crabbing. It is better to have a touch of toe in than toe out. Some people do not understand basic geometry :dontknow::dontknow:
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finless
New member
I would assume that if you drove off the lot with a new one and alignment was not right and it was pulling left or right, you would be covered for warranty work. But after putting on miles, I don't think BRP would warranty any type of alignment work laser or otherwise!
Bob
finless
New member
Most tire places do it as part of getting new tires and installing them. e.g. it's rolled up in the cost (about $30). You can decline it but usually they give you some excuse about tire wear warranty if you don't. For $30 or so, I just have them do it.
Bob
bscrive
New member
Drew,
When I spend $700-$1000 on a set of tires for my cars, I would think it stupid of me to not get an alignment. Penny wise...dollar stupid the saying goes. If I got new tires on my wife's Spyder and even if I didn't think it needed an alignment. I would still spend the money on an alignment to be sure. A couple of weeks ago we picked up her new STL. I made sure that the bike had a laser alignment.
Haha..call it what you want and if that works for you then have at it.....but I've never done an alignment on any of my vehicles unless it was needed and I have never had any unusual tire wear. I drive 30k+ a year.
I'd worry more about a shop monkey screwing the alignment up trying to tweak it. Also, if your only paying $30 I can assure you they aren't doing jack as for work. To do an alignment properly it takes quite some time....more than $30 worth of time to do it right.
Alignments don't "wear out". Nice upcharge for the tire shop though....[emoji106]
IdahoMtnSpyder
Active member
Interesting. In my 45+ years of owning cars and buying tires for them I don't recall any tire shop doing an alignment as part of the new tire sale.
BLUEKNIGHT911
Sadly Passed Oct 2024 - RIP
OVERCHARGES
:gaah::gaah::gaah:....You are wasting your breath Drew ..............and :bdh:...you know what they say.....IF YOU HEARD IT ON THE " INTERNET " it must be true ..RIGHT :yikes::roflblack::roflblack::roflblack::roflblack::roflblack::roflblack::roflblack::roflblack::roflblack::roflblack::lecturef_smilie::lecturef_smilie:............................Mikeguyver.........................PS always get the AIR for your tires at the Dealer because it's GENUINE " BRP " air :roflblack::roflblack::roflblack::roflblack::roflblack::roflblack::roflblack::roflblack::roflblack::agree:
Bob Denman
New member
:shocked: :dontknow::hun:
I'm not sure how "air" fits into the them of this thread... but it wouldn't be the first time that I've been involved in a Hijacking...
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OwnerOfHarriet
New member
other than my initial question, I have not weighed in on this thread -- I have really enjoyed reading the responses
lots of good postings with thoughts and ideas
I looked up the cost of a Lazer alignment by a shop in Lodi -- 179 dollars. Is that normal? and depending on which tires I get and how long they last -- that could be a very expensive deal -- it doesn't appear that there are a lot of the recommended Lazer shops around and I see some some people drive quite a distance to get it done.
Around here a car alignment is running about 80 to 90 dollars depending on the vehicle -- which if I do each time I get tires (my tires usually go 60,000 miles or better) that is not quite as bad -- and an alignment can be knocked out with a bad bump -- (hitting a curb, chuck hole etc) -- the best thing is to watch the tire wear and see whats happening
after we return from vacation, I will be looking at the alignment
I hope this thread continues
lots of good postings with thoughts and ideas
I looked up the cost of a Lazer alignment by a shop in Lodi -- 179 dollars. Is that normal? and depending on which tires I get and how long they last -- that could be a very expensive deal -- it doesn't appear that there are a lot of the recommended Lazer shops around and I see some some people drive quite a distance to get it done.
Around here a car alignment is running about 80 to 90 dollars depending on the vehicle -- which if I do each time I get tires (my tires usually go 60,000 miles or better) that is not quite as bad -- and an alignment can be knocked out with a bad bump -- (hitting a curb, chuck hole etc) -- the best thing is to watch the tire wear and see whats happening
after we return from vacation, I will be looking at the alignment
I hope this thread continues
Magdave
New member
The Rolo/Outlaw laser system is what we are all talking about and the price should be ~$125 +-.
Bob Denman
New member
$179 seems to be a ibt on the high side... :shocked:
But if the market can bear it; why not? :dontknow:
For the Record; I paid $100, and that included the cost of having the steering angle sensor zeroed as well... :thumbup:
But if the market can bear it; why not? :dontknow:
For the Record; I paid $100, and that included the cost of having the steering angle sensor zeroed as well... :thumbup:
