So, anyway, I have been wondering for a good while over whether or not my Spyder was truly laser aligned as my dealer said it was last year. After getting over the usual highly sensitive steering issues that occur, I had them check it about 2 months later after purchase. They told me it was "just a little off" but within specs.
A few K (8000K) later, both Kendas had scuffed their inside treads quite noticeably and were beginning to shake the front end. Switched to car tires shortly after that.
But, in the back of my mind, something still did not feel "right". The bike always had this tendency to very slightly drift to the right when letting go on the handlebars. The bars themselves would only move a very small amount, which was hardly noticeable unless you were staring directly at them. I attributed most of this effect due to the right hand crown of the road, however, testing showed that even on very flat surfaces or left hand crowned roads, the right hand "drift" was still there. And the inside of the left front tire only was beginning to show minor scuffing.
Today I rigged up a homemade laser "alignment" device and found the following; rear measurement at 61-7/8 inches, front wheels at 61 inches, and approx 4 feet in front, 60-1/4 inches. Surprisingly, the right wheel was had more toe in than the left wheel did as measured from the rear center line.
So, I loosened everything up and set the toe in to about an 1/8 on each front wheel. I will give it a highway test in a day or so.
Can't wait til a dependable source of a correct laser alignment becomes available because sure isn't from my dealer. :spyder:
A few K (8000K) later, both Kendas had scuffed their inside treads quite noticeably and were beginning to shake the front end. Switched to car tires shortly after that.
But, in the back of my mind, something still did not feel "right". The bike always had this tendency to very slightly drift to the right when letting go on the handlebars. The bars themselves would only move a very small amount, which was hardly noticeable unless you were staring directly at them. I attributed most of this effect due to the right hand crown of the road, however, testing showed that even on very flat surfaces or left hand crowned roads, the right hand "drift" was still there. And the inside of the left front tire only was beginning to show minor scuffing.
Today I rigged up a homemade laser "alignment" device and found the following; rear measurement at 61-7/8 inches, front wheels at 61 inches, and approx 4 feet in front, 60-1/4 inches. Surprisingly, the right wheel was had more toe in than the left wheel did as measured from the rear center line.
So, I loosened everything up and set the toe in to about an 1/8 on each front wheel. I will give it a highway test in a day or so.
Can't wait til a dependable source of a correct laser alignment becomes available because sure isn't from my dealer. :spyder:
