And another destroyed weekend...

[prmurat]

Checking coolant on the RT is very simple. Remove the service panel held on by one fastner and shine a flashlight up from under the wheel well. You can see the fluid level in the bottle. Its one of the check points for every service interval.

Sorry to hear of your troubles on the road.

Deleted

 

[robhowen]

What a horror story. I hope something good comes of this.
Rob

 

[IgoFar2]

Push Pin Rivet...

For those having trouble removing the RIVET, take a look at this tool. It's designed to remove those rivets.
https://www.amazon.com/ABN-Push-Pin-Pliers-Fastener/dp/B07JVV65QN/ref=sr_1_3?keywords=push+pin+rivet+tool&qid=1557285037&s=gateway&sr=8-3

 

[SpyderAnn01]

I’m sorry you went through all of that. There were three ladies from CA on their way to Spyderfest and one of them had a similar problem, we were able to show them how to fix it via a FaceTime phone call.

 

[PMK]

The plastic rivet, pull the center out of a previously used rivet and simply slip the rivet body into the hole. Do not install the rivet center, the panel will remain in place without issue.

 

[bikerbillone]

I understand that 'stuff happens' but this sure makes me nervous. A most interesting thread.

 

[trikermutha]

Trouble roaming the plastic rivet. A flat blade screw driver and a torx bit. Covers come right off. now the issue with your spyder is it the dealer can't fix it?

 

[jcthorne]

Sorry ...it is not a fastener... it is a plastic rivet which you have to pry off (rivet on owner's manual)...and do not forget the twisted funnel to add coolant/water (have to carry a bottle of it too??).

A rivet IS a fastener. Rivet simply describes it as a fastener type that inserts and expands to accomplish its job. This particular type is intended to be reusable. They are very simple to remove and replace once you know how. Pull the center pin up and the fastener comes out easily. These type fasteners are very common across the bike and automotive world among many manufactures. Again, sorry you are having bike troubles but it really sounds like you never checked the coolant. Its one of the vital fluids that should be checked before any out of town journey. Coolant caps dry out and the seals fail. Happens. At 5yrs old, not beyond reason. They are also often not replaced correctly and cause the problems you have seen. I suspect this is the more likely cause.

 

[prmurat]

A rivet IS a fastener. Rivet simply describes it as a fastener type that inserts and expands to accomplish its job. This particular type is intended to be reusable. They are very simple to remove and replace once you know how. Pull the center pin up and the fastener comes out easily. These type fasteners are very common across the bike and automotive world among many manufactures. Again, sorry you are having bike troubles but it really sounds like you never checked the coolant. Its one of the vital fluids that should be checked before any out of town journey. Coolant caps dry out and the seals fail. Happens. At 5yrs old, not beyond reason. They are also often not replaced correctly and cause the problems you have seen. I suspect this is the more likely cause.

Good old Judeo-Christian guilt... never getting old!!! If this such a "vital" fluids, why is there not a simple screw, a Dzus or anything else better that this rivet "very simple to remove and replace once you know how" ? On all my LC bikes the coolant level is easy to see without having to take parts of the bike off. Sorry I will not take the blame for a poorly made concept... It just reminds me of something done by a Citroen engineer, on strike and drunk! This kind of Walmart' moral is so tiring!!!

 

[SpyderAnn01]

Good old Judeo-Christian guilt... never getting old!!! If this such a "vital" fluids, why is there not a simple screw, a Dzus or anything else better that this rivet "very simple to remove and replace once you know how" ? On all my LC bikes the coolant level is easy to see without having to take parts of the bike off. Sorry I will not take the blame for a poorly made concept... It just reminds me of something done by a Citroen engineer, on strike and drunk! This kind of Walmart' moral is so tiring!!!

You had to learn how to use a screwdriver the first time, right? Just seems like you’re throwing out the baby with the bath water. You might ask your service tech to show you how to do some of the simple maintenance checks so you’re not stuck again.

 

[Saluda]

Sorry to hear of your troubles. Good luck with what ever decisions you make.

 

[Richardv]

BRP Engineers certainly could have installed the coolant bottle in the middle of the windshield. It would have been a lot easier to check and service. the oil reservoir should also be in that area. Would you prefer it on top, or below the coolant tank?
... now about brake lining; were should we ask them to put them? Windshield area, or handle bar? ��

There is a maintenance schedule to be followed, to keep you bike in good shape. also, there is a pre-ride inspection list in the user manual. It is a "machine" and it requires maintenance.

 

[Madison Sully]

Good old Judeo-Christian guilt... never getting old!!! If this such a "vital" fluids, why is there not a simple screw, a Dzus or anything else better that this rivet "very simple to remove and replace once you know how" ? On all my LC bikes the coolant level is easy to see without having to take parts of the bike off. Sorry I will not take the blame for a poorly made concept... It just reminds me of something done by a Citroen engineer, on strike and drunk! This kind of Walmart' moral is so tiring!!!

Every scooter I have owned required use of a screwdriver to get at the coolant to check the level.
That, or a borescope, I guess.

That, and every car required that I lift a heavy body panel to do same. Which required me to find some cleverly-hidden lever somewhere in the driver bay (who thought of putting it there?), and THEN, ANOTHER lever under said heavy body panel. :gaah:

 

[prmurat]

Funny how after around 50 years of wrenching, rebuilding, racing and RIDING (no pics of my Spyder on a trailer here (only the, too, many times it broke down)), I have to come here to listen to personal insults from people who I must have ridiculed the manhood through their Spyder (thought it was reserved to big truck and Corvette?)… I know this personalization/insult in any discussion is part of the new “non PC” policy but it is very sad none the less. One could hope that on a forum of grown ups this kind of BS would not take place.
BTW: I’d love to have the water tank and oil reservoir by the windshield but… are you sure the windshield arm would be able to stand this, it is not like it needs any incentive to break!!!
As now in my garage, to check water level, the Vmax needs opening the fake gas tank with a key, Tenere is under 2 Dzus, Tbird Sport is readable from the front the tank...I cannot find in my memory such a difficult to reach water tank, even in the old GT750.
Analogy with a car could be fun if not dumb!

 

[trikermutha]

Close the thread already! This is going nowhere

 

[Saluda]

Winter ending should make riders happy !!