• There were many reasons for the change of the site software, the biggest was security. The age of the old software also meant no server updates for certain programs. There are many benefits to the new software, one of the biggest is the mobile functionality. Ill fix up some stuff in the coming days, we'll also try to get some of the old addons back or the data imported back into the site like the garage. To create a thread or to reply with a post is basically the same as it was in the prior software. The default style of the site is light colored, but i temporarily added a darker colored style, to change you can find a link at the bottom of the site.

I tore my Spyder apart (and lived to tell the tale)

markyodo

New member
This post is not exciting and has no pictures. I just wanted to offer some words of encouragement to those like me who have been waiting AND dreading that time when they will have to work on the Spyder for maintenance or pleasure. I've had my Spyder for almost a year, it has 7k+ miles and I haven't really done anything of interest besides add cup holders and a cell phone bracket. All my farkles so far have been easy, but I did have a few things I wanted to change for along time and I just didn't have the courage to do it until this past weekend.

I woke up early on Saturday and grabbed my tablet and headed to the garage. I loaded up some YouTube videos I have saved as favorites. I laid out a couple old king size bed sheets and I got to work. I was very meticulous with the way I worked. I watched, paused, examined, then executed - rinse and repeat. Each sheet had sections designated for different areas of the bike. By the end of the morning I had everything off the bike except for the frunk (but it was loose) and my driveway now looked like an functional operating room. The neighbors were staring in disbelief, asking questions, and surprisingly none of them asked to help. :roflblack:

I didn't need to do as much as I did to accomplish what I wanted that day but I wanted to so that in the future I would be more comfortable in my approach and execution no matter what the task.

I moved my Bluetooth to the trunk which required cutting some wire ties, running wires the opposite way and drilling a small hole in the trunk. I was able to reuse the rubber plug and bracket so it didn't cost me anything but my time. Then as the later afternoon hours approached I decided to go ahead and add some LED's. Nothing fancy, just a couple light bars and some ground effects.

It was 3pm before I started assembling the Spyder. By 4:30pm it was all back together and not a single screw was missing. I had time to polish the bike before dark and we left that evening for a sunset cruise and some ice cream.

My point is don't be concerned with the tear down. It may seem daunting at first but if you stay organized you will find it pretty darn easy. No fancy tools required, just some patience and lots of organization.
Have fun.
 
I like the words of encouragement for those of us who have been a little...well, afraid. I've had mine about half apart, but not all the way yet. And there are still a few things I want to do. Your story was a good one, but I can't help but think the picture of all your parts spread out on bed sheets in your garage would have been "worth a thousand words".
 
one thing that has helped me.. so I thought I would pass it along... take pictures before removing a part... if unsure just how it fits you can refer to the pictures as you put them back ..

osm
 
Congratulations!

And you're correct, it's not as daunting as one may think.

I took the skin off of mine about a month ago just to see what it looks like under there. I was surprised when I saw this:

attachment.php

Flux Capacitor
 

Attachments

  • Flux Capacitor.jpg
    Flux Capacitor.jpg
    22.5 KB · Views: 638
OMG...

Congratulations!

And you're correct, it's not as daunting as one may think.

I took the skin off of mine about a month ago just to see what it looks like under there. I was surprised when I saw this:

attachment.php

Flux Capacitor

LMAO.... :roflblack::roflblack::roflblack::roflblack::roflblack:
 
My first Spyder was a 2012 RTL. I order a CB radio because the group I ride with are Gold wing riders and they all have CBs. Well the dealership wanted way too much money to Install it so I did my self. The whole back end had to be removed. What a job a $30,000 machine spread all over my garage I had second thoughts I probably should've paid to have it done. After I got it back together when I was putting the tools away I found two bolts they look very important. I spent half the night going over the instructions to figure out where two bolts went. The whole process was very educational, now I have no problem whatsoever I can remove of all the Tupperware within a half hour.

Now I have a 2015. I removed the CB from the 2012 and installed on the 2015. I only want to do one major tear down so I had everything I wanted to install. From the upgraded sway bar, remove the analog gauges and installed XM radio on one side and a GPS on the other side where the gauges were, lighted skid plate and all the LEDs I wanted including an idiot light.

Here's what my 2015 look like with just 99 miles on it.

ToM
Life is Great
Be Safe

Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk HD
 

Attachments

  • ImageUploadedByTapatalkHD1442365121.182382.jpg
    ImageUploadedByTapatalkHD1442365121.182382.jpg
    85.7 KB · Views: 154
I had my 2010 stripped down to "nekkid" status a couple of times... ;)
But I haven't ventured back into that territory with the 2014 yet... :shocked:
I applaud your courage! :clap: :bowdown:
 
imagine....

I like the words of encouragement for those of us who have been a little...well, afraid. I've had mine about half apart, but not all the way yet. And there are still a few things I want to do. Your story was a good one, but I can't help but think the picture of all your parts spread out on bed sheets in your garage would have been "worth a thousand words".

What an RT would look like..:lecturef_smilie: here is an RS with most of the panels off...:thumbup:

attachment.php
attachment.php
 

Attachments

  • 20131210_112809.jpg
    20131210_112809.jpg
    69.3 KB · Views: 427
  • 20130128_093821.jpg
    20130128_093821.jpg
    55.7 KB · Views: 422
I did not worry about taking all the plastic off. I have been working on 1st generation Yamaha Ventures since 1986 and a Honda Goldwing trike. You can't do anything to those either without doing a major dis assembly. I was worried about taking the mirrors off. I must have watched Spyder Stuff's video on removing body panels a dozen times but finially I did it and it came off just fine. It went on fine also.I did my 14000 mi oil change,it took me all day. Two days later I noticed an oil leak. I had it down to the leak leak fixed and every thing back together in 2 hours. I feel that for me once the mirrors are off the rest of the body is easy just time consuming.

Watch this video on YouTube if you are unsure how to take things apart.
 
Last edited:
Today I tore down my RT for the first time. I was so nervous about this, but once I decided I could do this it was actually very easy to do. I am surprised, haven't taken mirrors off yet, I think I need to do that tomorrow for the speaker install (maybe not) but we will see....

btw Thanks for this post!
 
It looks like what?

The first time I took off the Tupperware on my RT-S, I stood back and looked at it. Reminded me of a plucked chicken. :yikes:
 
Today I tore down my RT for the first time. I was so nervous about this, but once I decided I could do this it was actually very easy to do. I am surprised, haven't taken mirrors off yet, I think I need to do that tomorrow for the speaker install (maybe not) but we will see....

btw Thanks for this post!


I hate taking off the mirrors... I now make sure I keep spare clips for the mirror just in case..
 
What is the part number for the mirror clips? I want to have some on hand before I take them off.
 
My point is don't be concerned with the tear down. It may seem daunting at first but if you stay organized you will find it pretty darn easy. No fancy tools required, just some patience and lots of organization.
Have fun.

Congrats! Now you will be doing more like oil changes with confidence!

Bob
 
Back
Top