Belt Tracking and other questions

[AeroPilot]

When we got back from getting the 3 new tires put on, I of course wanted to double check the inflation pressures and look of the new tires. Also had the tech reset the brake failure warning, and he said we needed new rear pads and would get them on next week when they got some in.

The fronts had good inflation at 18.5 and 19.5 which I balanced out, but when I went to check the rear, the first thing I noticed was the belt looked to be tight against the flange.
I made a mental note to check it, and then noticed that I couldn't get to the air valve on the rear rim easily. It was never easy, but now the Sprocket spokes were in the way and not aligned with the wheel spokes as I remembered them. Is this a problem or more of a pain in the rear? I was able to check the pressure and only got 20 psi but then was able to increase to 28 psi with an air tank and a flexible hose and short air chuck.

As I crawled under further to look at how the belt lined up with the front sprocket, I noticed the lower air shock mounting was slid over to one side with a spacer on one side only. I am not sure how long it has been that way, but it doesn't look balanced. (Maybe that way since it came out of the crate?) I will address these issues with the service dept when I take it back in for the new brake pads next week. I may try to adjust the belt tracking although I haven't got a tension gauge so will probably only tweek the right side and barely loosen the axle nuts to do so.

Any thoughts on whether the sprocket is at risk with the 72 degree rotation from the spoke to spoke alignment? Should there be spacer bushings on both sides of the lower shock perch?

 

[NancysToy]

The sprocket being out of register won't hurt anything, but it is a pain. It is not the correct position, and I would have them realign it or do it myself. My Spyder is in the shop, so I can't verify the spacer question, but I don't remember it that way. The parts fiche shows them on opposite sides. If it is wrong, it could cause serious damage. I'd have it corrected ASAP. As to the alignment, the belt should be 1mm-3mm away from the flange after the Spyder is moved straight forward or the wheel is spun a couple of turn. In practical terms, if you can readily sneak a thumbnail between the sprocket and belt, it is OK. Your tech could use some more experience and training...and could stand to pay better attention and use a little more care.

 

[Rotaxer]

When we got back from getting the 3 new tires put on, I of course wanted to double check the inflation pressures and look of the new tires. Also had the tech reset the brake failure warning, and he said we needed new rear pads and would get them on next week when they got some in.

The fronts had good inflation at 18.5 and 19.5 which I balanced out, but when I went to check the rear, the first thing I noticed was the belt looked to be tight against the flange.
I made a mental note to check it, and then noticed that I couldn't get to the air valve on the rear rim easily. It was never easy, but now the Sprocket spokes were in the way and not aligned with the wheel spokes as I remembered them. Is this a problem or more of a pain in the rear? I was able to check the pressure and only got 20 psi but then was able to increase to 28 psi with an air tank and a flexible hose and short air chuck.

As I crawled under further to look at how the belt lined up with the front sprocket, I noticed the lower air shock mounting was slid over to one side with a spacer on one side only. I am not sure how long it has been that way, but it doesn't look balanced. (Maybe that way since it came out of the crate?) I will address these issues with the service dept when I take it back in for the new brake pads next week. I may try to adjust the belt tracking although I haven't got a tension gauge so will probably only tweek the right side and barely loosen the axle nuts to do so.

Any thoughts on whether the sprocket is at risk with the 72 degree rotation from the spoke to spoke alignment? Should there be spacer bushings on both sides of the lower shock perch?

Just did mine and there is a spacer on both sides of the lower shock mount. And the dealer has lot of work to do to correct this. I would not touch the adjustment or he may say you had something to do with it. My self I would be concerned with this dealer messing with my ride!!!!

 

[jthornton]

Any thoughts on whether the sprocket is at risk with the 72 degree rotation from the spoke to spoke alignment? Should there be spacer bushings on both sides of the lower shock perch?

I wonder if this came from the factory with the two spacers on one side if this is the reason some rear shocks break?

The RT service manual clearly shows the rear sprocket spokes lined up with the wheel spokes but doesn't specify it in writing that I can find.

JT

 

[Bob Denman]

This sure does seem like a "See your dealer" event unravelling.. :shocked:
Please let us know what they say; Good Luck! :thumbup:

 

[AeroPilot]

Talked with service manager and tech

Went in to show them the pics of the sprocket rotated, and the lower shock perch with one spacer missing. Wife had the Spydee, but I had some pics that clearly showed the lower end of the shock slid to one side and spacer missing. I had never looked that far under the Spydee to examine the shock before. The service manager said that they don't have to unbolt the lower shock mount, and that the spacer was only made of plastic and may have cracked and been missing for a while. The bolt did look like it was dirty and had been exposed to road dirt for a while, but who knows if the spacer was missing since it was uncrated (assembled) at the dealer.

Any way the rear brake pads were not in yet, and they said they would rotate the sprocket and align the belt to get it tracking with the proper offset when we have it in next week to get the pads installed. The technician found a extra spacer (brand new) in his box and he gave it to me as I wanted to get it put on before many more road miles.

 

[jthornton]

Any way the rear brake pads were not in yet, and they said they would rotate the sprocket and align the belt to get it tracking with the proper offset when we have it in next week to get the pads installed. The technician found a extra spacer (brand new) in his box and he gave it to me as I wanted to get it put on before many more road miles.

When the tech goes out of his way to help like that it gives you a warm fuzzy feeling about the service department.

JT

 

[AeroPilot]

Spacer on and 505 miles logged today-

Pulled the lower shock bolt, cleaned the parts and put back together with the shock centered between the one old and the new spacer, check tires and ready to go. This morning the wife and I left to get some pics around 7 and back after 505 miles, all state routes except for about 40 interstate. Had a crosswind to headwind for two tanks of gas and only got about 27 and 29 MPG with 5.5 gals and 5.2 gals on the fillup. I guess that's okay with 2 up and the headwind. I do know that we got 20 more miles after the fuel light came on and only 150 miles total on the second tank, The last leg was about 100 miles with a tailwind until the wind shifted again.

A good day with mild temps into the low 90's by the time we got back. Now if we can just survive the smoke from the fires tonight with about 1/4 to 1/2 mile visibility!