Elka Shocks and Relocators - That Floating Feeling

[Bob Denman]

:2thumbs: I just didn't want to see folks getting hung up on air pressure numbers...
Wait a minute!! :shocked: I got one RIGHT?!?!? :yes:hyea::yes:hyea:

 

[ParDuff]

back from the Shop(s)

I have a 2011 RT that I put some Elka Stage 1-Plus shocks and relocators on after Spyderfest. The installation raised the nose from just under 3" of ground clearance to 7.5" of clearance. My trailer mud flap now drags on most driveways, but that is easy to correct with a knife. However, the height change also seems to have changed the air flow patterns. The Sypder seems to float when at speeds over 45 mph and the feeling gets worse as the speed goes up and even worse if there is a head wind coming at me. The stronger the wind the worse the floating. It was almost impossible to control on the interstate with heavy traffic and head winds. I had the shocks checked and the dampening was off a little so they were adjusted. Plus, I had an alignment done since I had heard that the Elkas could exaggerate any alignment issues. This corrected the severe issues on the interstate but I still have the floating feeling. I'm thinking I have too much lift from the air flow changes in the front due to the height change but was told that if I adjusted the shocks to lower the height I would not like the ride from the shocks. I am at the point of removing the relocators to see if that is the issue and then maybe put my old shocks back on (glad I kept them). Anyone else have this issue?

UPDATE: I put the Spyder in the shop where I purchased it and had them check the ACS Tuesday. They rode it, checked the system, and did not find any issues. They did update the system just to be sure it was calibrated.

Then I took it to the shop that installed the Elkas. Had them drive it to see if it rode like they expected. I was told it ran better that the '13 that he drove home last night. They did not see any issues and thought the 7" (they measured) height clearance should be normal since a new Spyder has about 5" in clearance. We discussed why mine had been so low to begin with and came to a conclusion that the OEM shocks must have been bad. I had them inspect the OEM's and we could hear the fluid shake in them which I was told you should not be able to do. Then they explained that they had seen some early RT's where the OEM shocks were for the RT but the coil spring was for an RS which is not strong enough. This could explain the initial low clearance. No way to be sure other than by re-installing them and I don't really want pay to have that done.

I was surprised by the smooth ride today. It takes 2 hours to drive to the shop that installed the Elkas and it was the smoothest ride I have had in a long time. There was not any wind and very little traffic but the what traffic turbulence I had did not seem to be an issue. Not sure if the ACS maintenance did anything or not. But even the ACS behaved itself today. The ride home was good as well. Guess my next test will be the interstate around home. It will have much more traffic and turbulence.

 

[bmwlarry]

I have Baja Ron sway bar, Elka Stage 1 and had shock relocator installed at Spyderfest. I had problems all the way back to Oregon as well as terrible left front tire wear. When home I took my bike into the local shop and they found the relocator on one side had been installed wrong. Two of the three bolts missed the holes in the actual bike completely. Installation was corrected and Len was great and paid for the tire replacement. Correcting the installation completely solved the problem. Soooo, if you had relocators installed at the Spyderfest, please check the install to see that the bolts went thru the relocator AND the holes in the bike!

 

[ParDuff]

I have Baja Ron sway bar, Elka Stage 1 and had shock relocator installed at Spyderfest. I had problems all the way back to Oregon as well as terrible left front tire wear. When home I took my bike into the local shop and they found the relocator on one side had been installed wrong. Two of the three bolts missed the holes in the actual bike completely. Installation was corrected and Len was great and paid for the tire replacement. Correcting the installation completely solved the problem. Soooo, if you had relocators installed at the Spyderfest, please check the install to see that the bolts went thru the relocator AND the holes in the bike!

Mine were installed 2 weeks later but I will check the bolts. Glad it worked out for you. Thanks for the info.