2008 Spyder GS (RS) | Fire Damage

[oh400ex]

Seeing this is enough to bring a tear to your eye.
If you are unsure why or what you are looking at...

This is a photo showing the bottom end of the engine from the top down. With pistons removed I was able to see down into the crankcase and verify the great condition. Note the oil in the photo... it has not been saturated with water. If what was found was a layer of water separate from the oil layer or if the oil was completely saturated with water... the bottom end would have been destroyed and the "put it back on the road" part of this project would have likely been over. Happy days!

@ivanlee is an angel sent directly from Spyder heaven to bless me with knowledge and exactly what I needed to complete this project.
Thank you so much!

 

[Oldtimer51]

Fire damage

Looks like the engine and suspension parts may be of use for someone with asimilar model, Brakes calipers etc. It dependes what the potential buyer may need. Other option is look for a used Motorcycle recycling company they may give you a few dollars to get it out of your hand. If it was insured them the insurance will keepp it and wholesale it.

 

[oldgoat]

The factory cross-hatching usually gets worn away within a certain number of miles. A light hone would be with the intention of removing only what is on the very surface and creates new hatch marks but doesn't really remove the old ones. A little of both to answer your original question. Seeing factory crosshatching with no noticeable spots that appear to be polished in comparison is a good indication of a young and healthy engine.

Thanks

 

[oh400ex]

Looks like the engine and suspension parts may be of use for someone with asimilar model, Brakes calipers etc. It dependes what the potential buyer may need. Other option is look for a used Motorcycle recycling company they may give you a few dollars to get it out of your hand. If it was insured them the insurance will keepp it and wholesale it.

Thank you for the response!

To clarify... the bike is no longer being parted out and is not currently for sale.

Thanks to @ivanlee and others I will have the tools and knowledge needed to bring her back to life. Both myself and my wife are interested in riding it and although it will be a while... I plan on taking you all along on the journey of putting it back on the road.

 

[oh400ex]

Just a quick update Spyder folks...

Here are the pistons after treatment. As you can see, they came pretty clean and are ready for the machine shop.
A summary of the process is... physical cleaning, ultrasonic bath, LT Naval Jelly, ultrasonic rinse, dip in parts washer and a final treatment with WD.
The darkening is mostly from heat in the ultrasonic and is temporary. Piston top surface will be bead blasted but everything else will just get a light polish with scotch-brite. I took special care to not damage the rings or ring grooves by using mostly chemical methods to remove corrosion with the exception of brass and plastic brushes. Everything is in reusable condition.

(WD-40 aka water displacement formula 40 is arguably the best thing for anti-corrosion of engine parts)(They also need to be kept in a plastic bag or similar)

As some have said, I am pretty much on my own here so all suggestions, thoughts and information is greatly appreciated!

Thank you for looking!

 

[IdahoMtnSpyder]

I don't think you've ever mentioned it, but curiosity is driving me nuts! Did you buy this machine, or were you able to save someone the hassle of disposing of it by taking it off their hands gratis? Of course if you don't want to say that's OK. If you bought it how much did you shell out, if you don't mind! Having an idea of what you've got invested in it will give us a better understanding of your thinking with regard to restoration.

 

[oh400ex]

I don't think you've ever mentioned it, but curiosity is driving me nuts! Did you buy this machine, or were you able to save someone the hassle of disposing of it by taking it off their hands gratis? Of course if you don't want to say that's OK. If you bought it how much did you shell out, if you don't mind! Having an idea of what you've got invested in it will give us a better understanding of your thinking with regard to restoration.

That's bad as asking a lady her weight or her age!

I'm kidding ya!
I basically did take if off them as I only gave $500 at the end of the day.
The PO claimed he was ready to junk it as they had been told it would be too much to fix. Allegedly, no insurance or claims of any kind were made on the bike as he was not carrying fire insurance when it occurred. I could see there was more than $500 there so I bought it. My research after the fact has so far confirmed that the bike has not been totaled or stolen. I essentially have no money to put into this project and can only do it like Johnny... one piece at a time.

The way that I see it... I could have paid 2-5k for this bike and still came out OK. Not that I ever would have been able to but ridable bike for the same money as a used one.

Thank you for the response!

 

[IdahoMtnSpyder]

Thanks for the response. I think you did the PO a favor. He probably would have been lucky to get $100 at a scrap yard for it. Steel and aluminum prices are in the toilet right now, and have been for some time. Not exactly the same but about 7 years ago I researched buying a wrecked Goldwing trike and taking the conversion off of it and putting it on my 2005 'wing. After looking at all the potential costs and labor and estimating the end market value, I determined I could buy a good used Spyder for $15,000 compared to about $25,000 investment in a 'wing trike. And the Spyder was designed ground up as a 3 wheeler! I opted for the Spyder. I have a pretty good sense, I believe, about your motivation for this project. So CHARGE ON!

 

[Mightyms54]

I'll give you $50 for the handlebar risers.

 

[oh400ex]

Thanks for the response. I think you did the PO a favor. He probably would have been lucky to get $100 at a scrap yard for it. Steel and aluminum prices are in the toilet right now, and have been for some time. Not exactly the same but about 7 years ago I researched buying a wrecked Goldwing trike and taking the conversion off of it and putting it on my 2005 'wing. After looking at all the potential costs and labor and estimating the end market value, I determined I could buy a good used Spyder for $15,000 compared to about $25,000 investment in a 'wing trike. And the Spyder was designed ground up as a 3 wheeler! I opted for the Spyder. I have a pretty good sense, I believe, about your motivation for this project. So CHARGE ON!

I would love to make a Goldwing trike. They are arguably the best motorcycle ever made and almost certainly from a cost to options perspective. I can buy used Goldwing non-running for $1000 and get it back to running shape. They are a super cheap option now that so many are out there. Not the trikes though.
I have considered making an "enduro spyder" as well. Basically take a racing quad and put a motorcycle swingarm on the back. I call a two in front one in back bike "wheeler three" as opposed to the traditional three wheeler design. Did the PO a favor in the crusher context but someone else would have likely swooped in and bought it once at the junkyard. I doubt they would have just crushed it... those scrapyard guys are all savvy to selling parts. They know when to hold and when to fold so to speak. Doing all my own work and having patience to not buy parts from BRP will (hopefully) save a lot of money.

I'll give you $50 for the handlebar risers.

The bike and its components are no longer for sale. I plan to put it on the road again.
Thank you for your interest!

 

[oh400ex]

Just wanted to share my thoughts with you Spyder folks...

Dreaming of a time in the future when cosmetic changes are a focus I wanted a theme for the bike.
Had tossed around ideas of a fire spyder or something along that line but spider graphics on these machines has been done to say it lightly.

Both myself and my wife are fans of the flat/semi-gloss black and "gunmetal" gray type of finishes and were searching for a fitting name and theme along that line so...

Her name is Alannah (Black Velvet if you please...)

I know I'm a dork (not telling me anything new lol) but I love the idea because she is such a great artist. Originally from Canada too so that also fits. The Black Velvet theme will be carried across the bike. Matte dark-colored finishes with texture.

Thank you for reading!

Edit: Most recent video I can find of Alannah but she was still rocking! Wish her the best!

 

[oh400ex]

Hey Spyder folks,
Looking at engine parts and hoping for a more reasonably priced source.
CheapCycleParts (CCP) is currently where I will be buying my OEM stuff. Need (at minimum) a gasket set (420685480 - $250) and piston ring set x2 (420295858 - $67)($134)

The gasket set will include cylinder, head and rocker cover gaskets along with valve seals and any other O-ring type seals that I would potently need to replace.

So we're looking at ~$350 in OEM parts plus the machine shop work which will likely be around $200 (blessed at that price) so a total for the engine rebuild of ~$600

That would make it essentially new in the top after a valve adjustment and would potentially do many miles without an engine problem.

Can anyone recommend a source of OEM piston ring sets and/or gasket kits better than CCP?

Thank you for reading and for any feedback!

 

[oh400ex]

Spyderfolks!
First new (to me) part for this machine has arrived.

Main wiring harness purchased from eBay for an amazingly reasonable $182 USD shipped. This may have been one of the only parts on eBay (at the time) with any competition. There were two other listings when I bought this.
This unit does include the "Frame Harness A&B" part numbers (Replaced by 710001652) along with the "Engine Wiring Harness Assembly" (420266330)

The first part number is $1200 USD and the second is not available. The harness also has the "Yaw Rate/Angle Sensor"(710002051) attached which lists new at $739 USD

Between this and the package coming... I am feeling very blessed with Spyder parts!

Thank you for looking!

 

[oh400ex]

... and the biggest blessing of a box I have opened in recent past!

Thank you again for the amazing parts at a reasonable price! :bowdown:

Receiving the dash and BUDS system was an "over-the-hump" moment on this project for me.
Because I have no money earmarked for this at the moment... I will just be working on what I can.

Next thing on the agenda is frame restoration and rust removal on the frame.
Most likely going to wire brush anything accessible and use "prep and etch" on the inside.
Prep and Etch is another phosphoric acid based cleaner like Naval Jelly.
A Home Depot purchase I believe. Way more aggressive and definitely capable of causing damage to metal pretty quickly unlike Loctite's product.

I spray it on any affected areas, let sit for a few minutes and then aggressively remove the product to prevent further damage.
After all has been washed off I thoroughly dry the frame and immediately either paint or spray with anti-corrosion liquid (WD-40 is best for that application IME)

Still looking for a source of OEM parts for less money than cheapcycleparts

Any questions, thoughts and suggestions are appreciated!

Thanks for looking!

 

[KX5062]

Since the engine was originally used in the Aprilia line up, have you expanded your search parameters? I don't know about UTV's or any other usage. Just a thought.

 

[oh400ex]

Since the engine was originally used in the Aprilia line up, have you expanded your search parameters? I don't know about UTV's or any other usage. Just a thought.

Very interesting. Thank you!
Ideally there will be part numbers compatible with this engine for a cheaper price. I will look into it

Through luck and a stranger's kindness I have another batch of Spyder parts. Thanks again!

 

[IdahoMtnSpyder]

Since the engine was originally used in the Aprilia line up, have you expanded your search parameters? I don't know about UTV's or any other usage. Just a thought.

Worth checking out, but....... I was on the Rotax website awhile back and it seems to me the Spyder engine has been produced exclusively for the Spyder. But BRP part #'s cover all their products so you if you are looking for a part with multiple uses you might find it available as a UTV part, etc.

 

[Michael211_2000]

Don't you just love it when a plan comes together? ;-)

This is an amazing project you have undertook... I suspect it will work out really well for you in time, and your 1st ride on this baby will be one for the books! Keep posting your progress, and keep watching Ebay there's a world of stuff for sale on there every day!

- Michael

 

[oh400ex]

Quick one for ya Spyderfolks

This is the top of the frame after surface prep and after the first coat(s) of primer.
Much more surface prep to come on the rest of the frame. Anything exposed to fire

Thank you for looking!

 

[EdMat]

Oh yeah, first step of return to normal......... the base........ the foundation.......... the part that everything gets hung off of. Great project!