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Gap in fairing panels

GeoffCee

GeoffCee

New member
Is there some way of adjusting the separate pieces of fairing plastic on my new RT so that the gap between the Middle Side Panel and the Top Side Panel gets closed up? I can't figure out why the gap is there and it looks a mess.
 
have you checked to see that their snapped in all the way? :dontknow:
 
GeoffCee said:
Is there some way of adjusting the separate pieces of fairing plastic on my new RT so that the gap between the Middle Side Panel and the Top Side Panel gets closed up? I can't figure out why the gap is there and it looks a mess.
Click to expand...

Did you do some work on it yourself? Or did the dealer? Also, the pic is a bit small to see it clearly.
 
They are snapped in as far as the rubber grommets will allow and the panel has been rotated to clip it into its support at the top corner. The gap which remains between the panels is about 0.5 inch wide and is the same on both sides of the RT which some might see as a "design" feature.
Personally I think it would look better without those gaps.
:gaah:
 
there are clips on the oppsite edge from the gromet edge that need to be pushed in on fairly easy, you will hear them snap in place.
 
Dudley said:
Did you do some work on it yourself? Or did the dealer? Also, the pic is a bit small to see it clearly.
Click to expand...

I had a Cat-1 Alarm fitted before I took delivery which was a requirement of my insurers. The specialist alarm installer whom I engaged by phone hadn't done any work on a Spyder previously, and subsequently he described the completed job as "a ******* nightmare"!

My dealer made workshop space and advice available to him but naturally he would take no responsibility for the installer's competence or standard of work. I couldn't be there, either, on the day. Although my dealer handed over the machine to me, in terms of who last had his hands on it and in it, I effectively took delivery of my RT from an alarm installer whom I have never actually met in person! However, the alarm works as advertised.

The photos are smaller than I would like, but I've had a problem getting them down small enough to meet the 97.7 kb limit set by the forum.
 
ItsIts said:
there are clips on the oppsite edge from the gromet edge that need to be pushed in on fairly easy, you will hear them snap in place.
Click to expand...

I think the opposite edge from the grommet edge is where the gap is between the panels. I'll take a look in the morning, maybe this is the solution I've been looking for... :pray:
 
I think you should pull out on the gromet side and then insert the panels together and then push in on the gromet side and that should do it. :thumbup:
 
This might not be the answer that you're looking for, but because the body panels are plastic, the seams cannot be tight like they can on steel bodied car. The seam that you are showing is right around the oil tank and radiator. It's possible that because these parts radiate heat a lot of heat that the body panel cannot be set up as snugly as the rest. I used to have a Saturn with plastic body panels. Panel fit was very loose and a little inconsistent there too.
 
It is a design feature. Even when correctly installed, there is a gap. Just make sure the panels are not loose at any corner. If not, you will have to learn to accept the design. Less visible on the black Spyders than it is on the colored ones, IMO.
 
NancysToy said:
It is a design feature. Even when correctly installed, there is a gap. Just make sure the panels are not loose at any corner. If not, you will have to learn to accept the design. Less visible on the black Spyders than it is on the colored ones, IMO.
Click to expand...

Having examined the fit of these panels in close detail and taken on board all the good advice offered here the inevitable conclusion that was creeping up on me was that I would just have to grin and bear it. I feel loads better now you've confirmed that under normal circumstances a gap does exist. These Spyders are as rare as hen's teeth in the UK, so finding another one to compare mine with isn't likely any time soon. Thanks. :thumbup:

In the publicity shots of the 2011 Limited Edition RT which is painted white I don't see even a hint of a gap... Maybe I should get my eyesight checked.
 
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Looks fine to me. The outside lines are good and the chrome piece is as tight as it can be. It's no different than any others I've seen. :dontknow:
 
Dudley said:
It is as it should be. Ride and enjoy!
Click to expand...

That's very good advice. Truth is I was becoming obsessed by those gappy panels. Took delivery of my RT on 2nd March. Didn't notice the gaps much at all until I washed and waxed the beast for the first time three weeks later. Been fretting over them ever since. Now I know there are others who are living comfortably with a convenient mail slot on each side of their trike it's a load off. A trouble shared is a trouble halved, as they say.
:chat: :2thumbs:
 
I have a 2010 RT - S
My panels fit the same as yours

There is alot on this website about the excessive heat the Spyder can
give off - It maybe the gaps are there to allow extra ventilation anyway

I have covered in the RHS with some Stainless Steel Grills - They get hot
but cool down quickly when the fan cuts in and I have not had any problems so far

see http://www.spyderlovers.com/forums/showthread.php?t=25865&highlight=grills

There are also theads ref the Panels coming loose - You may want to check this out as well

See http://www.spyderlovers.com/forums/showthread.php?t=26434&highlight=lost+panel

I also saw your post ref the Zumo 550 install - Good job

Check out the Spyders Riders UK Webiste - Meeting being planned for
Aug 13th

See http://spyderryder.wordpress.com/

- Maybe we can meet up sometime


Eddie Sheppard
Reading UK
 
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