Dave & Teds Most Excellent Adventures 2013

[CyncySpyder]

One of these days, I'll learn ..... who am I kid'n??? No I won't !!!

This growing up stuff (like learning patience) can really be the pitts :sour:

I think I liked it alot better as a kid, when you just jumped in head first, hoping for the best and not thinking of anything but :clap:

Then, as we grow up, we usually learn small lessons along the way of lifes journey that while there's a time and a place for that type of emotion ......... sadly, it usually seems less and less as we age ............... which I guess, in some sort of way, can be attributed to ...................... Wisdom

Yeah yeah yeah ...... all this just to admit ...... publicly ....... that I ........ The Chauffeur (& CareTaker among other things) of Teds Red Sled ......... Broke my first part on Teds Sled, & all because of ............... YUP, you guessed it .......... My Own Impatience :lecturef_smilie:

And once again, I'm brought back to the 'ole saying about the Road To Hell being Paved With Good Intentions ..... pps: pps: pps:

You see, I did this for YOU :bowdown: Well, for your benifit really

You know how when you find something brand new or make a new discovery that you just know anyone else that found out about it would most likely want it also :bowdown:

Dang it, TBC . . . . . . . . work work work :banghead:*:banghead:*:banghead:

 

[Don in E Texas]

Mirrors

Their web site says "RT's from 2007" RT's did not come out until 2010??? I had an early Spyder and it was a 2008. Don't know what to make of their ad. Far too much $$$$ for me.

[h=2]Fitting[/h]Fits CanAm Spyder (RT Model Only) model years 2007 and newer.

 

[CyncySpyder]

Here are some pics that I took along my trip down the path to h*ll ...... so to speak

http://www.spyderlovers.com/forums/album.php?albumid=3020&attachmentid=74155

I did the first signal install without issue & really really liked the look of once again having the full mirror 'real estate' available for unobstructed view with having the signal being installed behind the mirror & nothing visible until they are turned on, then you get the sequential arrows flashing when lit up & I have to admit, it looks pretty darn slick hyea: In a couple of these pics, I still had our old single LED light mounted on the outside of the mirror, this was just a quick electrical hook-up testing phase to make sure it all worked as designed & it did. The other pics are when out for a quick test ryde, having the new Sequential LED signal installed on the Left side while the Right side still had the single LED mounted on the outside of the mirror.

In liking the result of the 1st one so well, and again, this Sequential Set of LED Arrow Indicators can be had for right around $22, but with the caveat that you have to do the install yourself, I thought I'd do anyone following along that may interested a favor & take & post 'How To' pics of the project along the way, cause don't be fooled, this isn't as easy as plug & play at all :lecturef_smilie: BUT ...... Unlike me pps: If you have the time & most importantly ....... the patience This mod can be done for less than $30 & a bit of your time & a few choice :cus::cus: but well worth it :firstplace:

Removing the original mirror, you need to take a heat-gun, or in our case since we didn't have one, a hair dryer & be careful to not over heat it, or you'll warp the thin plastic holder that the mirror is stuck to using 3M tape from the factory. Doing our 1st one, I took my time and it came out with just a little warping happening to the plastic holder, but nothing serious.

Our second one however :lecturef_smilie: I thought I would video along with taking pics to help those of you that may want to try this mod:cheers: and sure enough, I wasn't slow enough & I ended up breaking & destroying the mirror :banghead::banghead::banghead:

Sometimes, I'm just an idiot .... plain & simple ............. :shocked: Couple of hours of running around & we found a mirror replacement that is cut to fit, tho I'm not sure yet if it will work like the original & allow the LEDs to be seen thru the other side. I'm hoping so, as it was only $7 for the replacement, & we can't afford to buy a whole other mirror.

Once I get the 2nd one finished & installed, I'll take a quick video & post for ya's, cause then you'll be able to see them in action, and as I stated before, in use ...... THEY DO LOOK PRETTY DARN SLICK :firstplace::firstplace::firstplace:

 

[OJ UK]

Many of us have been down that particular road Dave! But "Nothing ventured: Nothing gained! So good on you for trying!!:bowdown: (By the way I hope you asked Teddy before borrowing his hair-dryer!! :lecturef_smilie

 

[RTVIPER]

http://www.spyderlovers.com/forums/album.php?albumid=3020&attachmentid=74155

I did the first signal install without issue & really really liked the look of once again having the full mirror 'real estate' available for unobstructed view with having the signal being installed behind the mirror & nothing visible until they are turned on, then you get the sequential arrows flashing when lit up & I have to admit, it looks pretty darn slick hyea: In a couple of these pics, I still had our old single LED light mounted on the outside of the mirror, this was just a quick electrical hook-up testing phase to make sure it all worked as designed & it did. The other pics are when out for a quick test ryde, having the new Sequential LED signal installed on the Left side while the Right side still had the single LED mounted on the outside of the mirror.

In liking the result of the 1st one so well, and again, this Sequential Set of LED Arrow Indicators can be had for right around $22, but with the caveat that you have to do the install yourself, I thought I'd do anyone following along that may interested a favor & take & post 'How To' pics of the project along the way, cause don't be fooled, this isn't as easy as plug & play at all :lecturef_smilie: BUT ...... Unlike me pps: If you have the time & most importantly ....... the patience This mod can be done for less than $30 & a bit of your time & a few choice :cus::cus: but well worth it :firstplace:

Removing the original mirror, you need to take a heat-gun, or in our case since we didn't have one, a hair dryer & be careful to not over heat it, or you'll warp the thin plastic holder that the mirror is stuck to using 3M tape from the factory. Doing our 1st one, I took my time and it came out with just a little warping happening to the plastic holder, but nothing serious.

Our second one however :lecturef_smilie: I thought I would video along with taking pics to help those of you that may want to try this mod:cheers: and sure enough, I wasn't slow enough & I ended up breaking & destroying the mirror :banghead::banghead::banghead:

Sometimes, I'm just an idiot .... plain & simple ............. :shocked: Couple of hours of running around & we found a mirror replacement that is cut to fit, tho I'm not sure yet if it will work like the original & allow the LEDs to be seen thru the other side. I'm hoping so, as it was only $7 for the replacement, & we can't afford to buy a whole other mirror.

Once I get the 2nd one finished & installed, I'll take a quick video & post for ya's, cause then you'll be able to see them in action, and as I stated before, in use ...... THEY DO LOOK PRETTY DARN SLICK :firstplace::firstplace::firstplace:

Hey Dave, where did you get these $22 signal arrows? I didn't see you mention it other than the $200 MuthCo ones. :bowdown::bowdown:

 

[Doc - Riverside]

Thanks

Dave after our talk I did some searching as you suggested for the same LED system for the behind mirror and found this interesting site.

http://store.ijdmtoy.com/Sequential-33-LED-Turn-Signal-Arrow-Lights-p/led-sku332.htm

They are only .1 inches thick so they are on order for 20.00 plus shipping. They have a video of them working and on line instructions. Hope to install them this coming week.

 

[CyncySpyder]

YUP, Those are the ones Doc

Dave after our talk I did some searching as you suggested for the same LED system for the behind mirror and found this interesting site. http://store.ijdmtoy.com/Sequential-33-LED-Turn-Signal-Arrow-Lights-p/led-sku332.htm They are only .1 inches thick so they are on order for 20.00 plus shipping. They have a video of them working and on line instructions. Hope to install them this coming week.

Those are the very same ones we're in the process of installing right now Doc, good find :bowdown: We ordered ours in the bright RED & our first attempt on the left side mirror, they show thru just fine. It had been a couple of years that ours have been sitting on the shelves, & all I could remember was that we got them off of EBAY, but my guess is that this is the very same company :thumbup:

After our talk last night, Teddy & I had to visit a few different hardware stores & we weren't happy with their slim pickins when it came to metal fabricating so we'll keep looking for a local suplier to hopefully find something within reason as for stock and price & as soon as we find something suitable, I'll post our findings & hopefully a good outcome as well :thumbup: Thanks again for talking with me yesterday & sorry to keep you on the phone for so dang long ... ... Tell Pepper Teddy says HI

 

[CyncySpyder]

True ... nothing ventured .....

Many of us have been down that particular road Dave! But "Nothing ventured: Nothing gained! So good on you for trying!!:bowdown: (By the way I hope you asked Teddy before borrowing his hair-dryer!! :lecturef_smilie

:roflblack::roflblack::roflblack: Trust me, no worries there. Teddy HATES that hair dryer & hasn't been near it for almost 3 years now, ever since we started ryding & subsequently him being shaved, no need for it hyea: & lord knows, my hair is never long enough to require blow drying & if it did, we'd just hop on the sled for a real hair blowing :clap:... :roflblack::roflblack:

 

[Biggdogg22]

Sorry for the lack of commentary, but this past weekend proved rewarding ....... to an extent

I checked the order status for the Oxygen Sensor that needed to be replaced & when I clicked on the link in the e-mail verification, it took me to a seperate screen showing the projected delivery date as being Sat 8/17/13 :clap:so I figured we'd get the sensor 'hopefully' early on Saturday & that I'd get it replaced & still have plenty of time to put ALL of Teds Red Sled back together again, but yeah ..... that didn't exactly pan out how I'd hope ... :sour: and it was caused by my own lack of focus, I guess you could say .... :lecturef_smilie:

So while I was out in the garage with Teddy's supervision, we checked out what all else has been long sitting on our MODS TO BE DONE shelf, and we had already finished the BadBoy Air Horn Install :clap: and then we finished the Xenon Depot HID FogLight Conversion :clap:WOW O WOW:yes:HUGE DIFFERENCE :yes: and then I thought about doing the SpyderPops Possum Pusher, but then, thought it best to wait on that one, seeing as we have the Sled perched high atop the work rack, and it has to be driven off and on with ramps, and its close as it is to having enough clearance, I'd rather wait & put it on using our jack & then test to make sure Teds Sled still has enough clearance to make it up and down off the work rack, without potentially tearing the new Possom Pusher off :shocked: so yeah, we decided it best to wait on that one. So we kept looking a little more, and couldn't believe, minus a few odds & ends LEDs that was about it to be installed of the items that were already done & ready & had been waiting for who knows how long to get installed.

So, with a little more digging, I found the original set of LED Sequential Turn Signal Arrows that I wanted to install on Teds Red Sled, but could never figure out if they would work with the RT's mirror assemblies or not and had given up trying to install them over 2 years ago, & instead went with the outside stick on turn signal LED indicator arrows that we've been using ever since, & hey, for $10 they are hard to beat for the added visibility and security they provide in easily knowing if you got your turn signal to cancel correctly or not.

But yeah, I saw those sequential LEDs & thought they'd look really trick on Teds Red Sled. If you've ever seen the MUTH mirrors, they are just like them, only better. They only give you 1 LED arrow, whereas the LEDs I found for this project have 3 different LED arrow sets that blink sequentially, one arrow after the next after the next hyea:hyea:hyea:and, Teddy was able to pick these babies up for only $22 compared to the Muths at around $200 :yikes: Here's a link to theres.
http://shop.muthco.com/canam-spyder-signal-mirror

TBC ...................... work work work :banghead::banghead::banghead:

Hi, so basically you heated the mirrors and pulled them apart from the backing. Did you have to make any cuts to the backing? Also how did you go about re-applying the mirror? Reg

 

[CyncySpyder]

This part of the info is still in the works

Hi, so basically you heated the mirrors and pulled them apart from the backing. Did you have to make any cuts to the backing? Also how did you go about re-applying the mirror? Reg

These LEDs didn't come with any instructions at all, so I'm basically playing most of this by ear & the sad thing is, I don't know the tune ............... :roflblack::roflblack::roflblack: so its trial & error time again ......... :shocked:

I did however find a great video clip that I watched that showed how to do most of what I'm doing, & I just did a search but couldn't find the clip again. Limited on time right now, as I'm at work, but I think the clip was for the installation of the KewlMetal behind the mirror single row LED arrow installation. You may want to do a search on here or YouTube to see if you can find it, as it does show how to do everything for this mod.

We only have the left side 1/2 way finished & so far, I was able to put the 2 wires down the adjustment hole in the center of the mirror holder & used thin 3M tape to hold the mirror back in place. Right now, only relying on pressure to hold the arrow indicator in place but when I'm happy with everything, I'll most probably use the thicker 3M mounting tape to hold the mirror and the signal both in place and then seal everything back up. That's my thinking right now, tho this can change as I proceed & run into one thing or another. With it mocked up, it doesn't appear that I'll have to cut any of the plastic holder, cause using the thicker 3M tape will allow enough space due to it not being perfectly flat.

Hope that makes sense, and as we proceed, I'll take more pics and post our findings :thumbup:

 

[Doc - Riverside]

Instructions

Hi, so basically you heated the mirrors and pulled them apart from the backing. Did you have to make any cuts to the backing? Also how did you go about re-applying the mirror? Reg

If you go to the link Dave provided and scroll down there are instructions for doing there install. The only thing missing is the 3M tape to reinstall. I just removed one mirror and have the back covered with a cut to fit paper shop towel with WD-40 on it to clean off the adhesive.

Here's a link the instructions

http://shop.muthco.com/content/pdf/install/Can Am Spyder.pdf

 

[CyncySpyder]

Time to quit procrastinating & bite the bullet

Interesting ..... I think I'm just now starting to understand why I am the way I am, and why I do the things I do the way I do them ............ :shocked: Confused yet? .................... :gaah:

After trying everything I know to try, including all that the repair/shop manual suggests, minus the parts that are just WAY TOO over my head &/or requiring specific equiptment that I don't have, we still can't get the dang BRAKE FAILURE WARNING for Low Brake Pressure to reset & go away. Everything feels good with the brakes and they work as they should. Lines show no visible signs of leakage nor of being crimped or bound. Tried the manual reset as directed in the shop manual 6 different times, but to no avail.

So, I did it. Just got off the phone with our local shop (Middletown Cycle) and talked with the owner Aarron for a few minutes about our issue with Teds Red Sled and to see what, if any suggestions he might have for us. He said he watched as the Service Dept. had to do brake service on a Spyder, which required hooking up to BUDS & that it was VERY INVOLVED (meaning time consuming/expensive) and was a rather lengthy process. Said he'd talk with the Service Manager & see if there's anything else he might be able to suggest that I could try and that he or the Service Manager would give me a call back in a few after they had time to discuss everything. I'm fearful of whats going to happen next ...... meaning that we'll be required to bring the Sled in for Service If that's the case, I'm fearing our planned SpyderQuest trip will have to be cancelled

On a positive note, he also let me know that the Dealers Event for the 2014 Models is being held in Orlando this year & taking place next month for those of you that may be curious :thumbup:

But yeah, I knew if I couldn't fix the issue myself, this was going to be the likely outcome and I think that's why I've been procrastinating so long to call the shop and trying anything & everything I could to correct the issue myself. At least, with NOT Knowing, I still had Hope that we'd make our SpyderQuest trip. But knowing, well, that just kind of puts the nail in the coffin ..... so to speak

 

[CyncySpyder]

Maybe there's HOPE yet

Sure enough, Jacob the Service Manager called me back and we discussed all of whats going on. Think he was a little surprised/impressed that I figured out that the front 02 Sensor was bad by checking the code, then switching the bad sensor (according to the code) with the back one & then rechecking the codes & sure enough, it switched codes, to saying it was now the back 02 sensor that was bad :thumbup: Then we discussed the Low Brake Pressure issue and he suggested checking the little metal arms that stick out of the sensors because they are easily bent. The one is right there and easy to see, right at the back of the foot brake & with all the side body panels off and the Sled up in the air, it puts everything at eye level and makes things so much easier to check.

I was aware of the one, but he said there are actually 2 Sensors right next to each other, and when going thru the Repair Manual in trying to reset the code, part of the process is to step on the brake pedal and you should hear a click (that's the first sensor arm depressing the button on the sensor) and to keep applying pressure until you hear a second click (I'm guessing this is the 2nd Sensor he's talking about) and he said they've had to replace a few of the sensors cause the little metal arms get bent pretty easily. BUT ............ he said they were really cheap, only around $12 or so and not difficult to replace. After going over everything I've checked and done, he suggested taking a closer look at both those sensors to make sure the arms aren't bent and that the connections are solid. So that's what Teddy will be supervising me doing once I get home from work today Hopefully its a simple case of just needing to bend that sensor arm back into shape and all is well ray:

OMG, if that's the case, then we can actually start putting the sled back together & stop ryding around town like the RedNeck version of the Beverly HillBillies on Spyder Crack ............... :roflblack::roflblack::roflblack::roflblack:

If not, Jacob said he'd work us in if we wanted to bring the sled up to them and have them hook it up to BUDS for any further inlightenment, should it be needed ..... :bowdown: so not all bad news at all ray: keep'n my fingers crossed for a simple and good outcome ray:

 

[MarkLawson]

Back to the Mirrors...

Hey Dave, I'm sure you've already figured this out, but thought I'd mention it, just in case...

When you stick the mirrors back to the plastic backing, you know you'll no longer have access to the adjustment screw that tightens/loosens the amount of pressure that holds the mirror in place when adjusting it up/down or in/out, right? Having it too loose might increase the amount of vibration in the mirror and/or make it slip out of adjustment by itself while running down the road. Having it too tight might cause stress issues on the whole assembly or the glass itself when trying to adjust the position of the mirror.

You want to make sure that center screw is just to your liking before reattaching the mirror to it because there's no going back without complete disassembly.

 

[RTVIPER]

Dave after our talk I did some searching as you suggested for the same LED system for the behind mirror and found this interesting site.

http://store.ijdmtoy.com/Sequential-33-LED-Turn-Signal-Arrow-Lights-p/led-sku332.htm

They are only .1 inches thick so they are on order for 20.00 plus shipping. They have a video of them working and on line instructions. Hope to install them this coming week.

Just ordered a pair. :yes::yes::yes::yes: Hope the mirror dis-assembly goes w/o a hitch ray:ray:ray::bowdown::bowdown::bowdown:

 

[CyncySpyder]

Huh? At work on a Sunday? OMG = OT = I can actually buy the needed sensor now

So after brunch with family to celebrate my brothers 48th Birthday, I talked him into coming over to Teddy's garage & giving me a hand with our Low Pressure Brake Fault & after explaining to my brother what the Service Manager told me about the 2 sensors, we broke out the repair manual and finally found the Low Pressure Switch that he was talking about. Seems theres a little black plastic/rubber cover that surrounds the 2 different switches. The first switch, which is obvious to see and here click, is only the Brake Light Switch and then, the 2nd switch is below that one, but pretty well concealed by the rubber cover. We had to cut a wire-tie to get the cover to release and then were able to see the 2nd Low Brake Pressure Switch by looking up from underneath the sled. After a bit of finageling, we did find a small piece of gravel that was lodged in that area & at first, I got my hopes up that that was all that was causing the problem. But alas, even after cleaning the sensor as best we could, it still wouldn't work correctly

One thing I dislike about the exploded views of BRPs On-Line Parts ordering set-up, is that everything isn't where one may think it should or could be found. For example, it seemed logical (at least to me) that the sensor for the LOW BRAKE PRESSURE would be found under the Hydraulic Brakes drill down screen, but I was frustratingly mistaken ...... many times over ..... and over ....... not under FRONT BRAKES ....... and not under BACK BRAKES ....... and not under VSS System ....... and not under ELECTRICAL ACC. 1 ...... but we finally struck gold under ELECTRICAL ACC. 2 Why there ..... I couldn't tell you .....

But we went ahead and ordered the sensor, and the price, while not totally outrageous, wasn't the $12 that the Service Manager told me it was, instead it was more like $35 but Oh Well, what can one do... its now on order.

At least I was able to work yesterday & came in today at 3am, so I'll have a little extra this pay check to pay for the sensors & mirror. Hopefully we'll get the Low Pressure Sensor in a few days & we can get back to work on putting Teds Red Sled back together again.

 

[KatLen0405]

Put on your calendar for next year

Make sure you and Teddy save some time for the WI Spyder Rendevous next year. We just got back from a fantastic fun filled time up in Johnson Creek, WI. hyea:hyea:hyea: It was put on by the SOAR club and Rob's Powersports. You guys can hang with us overnight as a mid-point for the ride up there. :chat: Just 4 hours from our house and so worth the ride. The Spyder Olympics was gut-busting funny! :roflblack::roflblack::roflblack:

These WI people sure know how to party "Spyder-Style!" :clap::clap::yes::yes::clap::clap:

 

[CyncySpyder]

Sorry folks, but we'll get back to finishing our 2013 SpyderFest story soon .........

Just been totally off my schedule here at work & due to a machine being down in my co-workers department, we both got to work Sunday and then got to come in early today (3am) and stay late this entire week ......... that is, if I can adjust quick enough without the danger of falling asleep while here at work as that type of thing is not favorably looked upon :lecturef_smilie:

My brains scrambled too much right now to even try thinking back to what happend next on our SpyderFest trip, although, I do remember we made it to find what Jesse claimed to be The Best Steak In America (when your out on the road) and that ended up being at .............. Waffle House ......... :shocked: ..... seriously ..... :roflblack::roflblack:

Well, we're still on our adventure to find the needed replacement antenaes and also to find those damn Ice Fishing Gloves :shocked: (in the middle of MO in the middle of April:roflblack and we still haven't gotten to one of my most important reminders to self .................. or all the Hooplah about how Teddy was the Ring Bearer in the Very First SpyderFest Wedding to ever be held ............... :clap: Its what this Spyder'n Lyfe is all about ..... making memories ...... :2thumbs: ............... right???

 

[CyncySpyder]

Talking about brain dead

Wow, I didn't think this small & temporary change to my schedule would make that big of a difference, but WOW, how I was wrong. We actually worked from 3am-3pm yesterday & just our luck, now that we're at the end of summer, it decides to make a come back and we're back into the low 90s outside, making it miserable inside the plant I work, cause we don't have AC except in the break-rooms, Rest-Rooms & offices. Working 12 hours in those conditions leaves me worthless for the rest of the day. Getting up this morning, I shut the alarm off & fell right back to sleep. Luckily woke up 20 minutes after 4am in a panic. Took a 2 minute shower threw on some clothes & grabbed Teddy to take him out before I had to leave for the day & of course, he wasn't going to be rushed taking care of his business I won't say how as I think you can figure it out on your own, which is better than me admitting it in a public forum, but at least I wasn't late for work & I didn't get a ticket .......

And to think, we're due for 90s again today and and all week & we're doing 10hrs the rest of this week. I'm NOT complaining as we really need this especially before our Big Trip to SpyderQuest in UpState New York :clap:

Lord knows, we need to get Teds Red Sled running right and back together again & nothing could be better than a nice road-trip to see old friends & make new ones to put us back in the saddle again ............... :clap:

I apologize now if none of this is making sense as I really can't think very clearly just yet ...... where's the damn coffee maker ................... :cheers: oh wait, mmmmmmmmmmmmm.............. um that's not coffee ....... there we go .........

 

[CyncySpyder]

I am thankful for the Over Time

But so used to my regular routine, I still can't get to sleep til around midnight & having to get up at 2am, well .............................. :shocked::shocked::shocked: There's only so much coffee can do :sour: