LAser Alignmet

[SpyderAnn01]

Vondalyn, you could get a lot of alignments done for the cost of the equipment and BUDS.

 

[vondalyn]

Vondalyn, you could get a lot of alignments done for the cost of the equipment and BUDS.

Yes, but if we get the equipment and get used to doing it, we could possibly offer that for folks in this area. Can't do it as a full time business, but we already have a business so it wouldn't be difficult to add that as a part time service to Spyders in the northern CO/southern WY area.

 

[Lamonster]

I've lost track of how many alignments I've done but I can tell you if you had a bounce after having the tires done it was the tires not the alignment unless the alignment was done wrong.

 

[vondalyn]

I've lost track of how many alignments I've done but I can tell you if you had a bounce after having the tires done it was the tires not the alignment unless the alignment was done wrong.

sequence of events:

1. laser alignment done (front tires less than halfway through their life, back tire most of the way through its life)
2. back tire replaced -- no alignment done to my knowledge -- not sure exactly what the tire replacement procedure is, but the paperwork did not mention an alignment
3. noticed vibration at approx 45 mph, sometimes with bounce
4. dealer did "old fashioned" alignment, some slight vibration still exists but minor and no bounce

 

[Lamonster]

sequence of events:

1. laser alignment done (front tires less than halfway through their life, back tire most of the way through its life)
2. back tire replaced -- no alignment done to my knowledge -- not sure exactly what the tire replacement procedure is, but the paperwork did not mention an alignment
3. noticed vibration at approx 45 mph, sometimes with bounce
4. dealer did "old fashioned" alignment, some slight vibration still exists but minor and no bounce

I've done both alignment procedures and the laser alignment is a approve procedure by BRP. So saying the old way verses the new way is better is just wrong. Going off the frame will only work if the frame is square with the wheels and I can tell you in most cases they are not. You know how they align them from the factory? Lasers off the wheels. The only reason there is an old way off the frame is because there wasn't a new way at the time aligning with the rear wheel.

 

[vondalyn]

I've done both alignment procedures and the laser alignment is a approve procedure by BRP. So saying the old way verses the new way is better is just wrong. Going off the frame will only work if the frame is square with the wheels and I can tell you in most cases they are not. You know how they align them from the factory? Lasers off the wheels. The only reason there is an old way off the frame is because there wasn't a new way at the time aligning with the rear wheel.

I'm sorry if you or anyone else misunderstood -- I never said the old way was wrong, nor did I say the laser was wrong. All I said was that I have reconsidered whether I would do a "random" laser alignment just because it was suddenly available in my area. Random meaning part way through the life of my tires.

If I had regular access to a laser alignment, I'd do it with each tire change. Since I don't have access to it (my dealer does not have the equipment yet and I have no idea whether they plan to, even though I ask them about it every time the topic comes up), I'm thinking that I might be better off just sticking to the "old fashioned" alignment so I don't run into what happened again.

 

[Lamonster]

I'm sorry if you or anyone else misunderstood -- I never said the old way was wrong, nor did I say the laser was wrong. All I said was that I have reconsidered whether I would do a "random" laser alignment just because it was suddenly available in my area. Random meaning part way through the life of my tires.

If I had regular access to a laser alignment, I'd do it with each tire change. Since I don't have access to it (my dealer does not have the equipment yet and I have no idea whether they plan to, even though I ask them about it every time the topic comes up), I'm thinking that I might be better off just sticking to the "old fashioned" alignment so I don't run into what happened again.

There is no reason to do an alignment each time the tire is changed. The only reason to do an alignment after it was aligned right would be if a major front component was changed or compromised by and accident.

 

[latony007]

There is no reason to do an alignment each time the tire is changed. The only reason to do an alignment after it was aligned right would be if a major front component was changed or compromised by and accident.

So unlike a car the alignment is a one time thing? I find it hard to believe that with the 2nd largest population in the country and 12 months a year riding weather the closest place to southern california that does this is over 350 miles away.

 

[hillrider]

So - - will a 1/2 turn adjustment on the belt tracking/tension adjustment screw (one side only) cause a far enough deviation in rear wheel alignment to warrant the cost of a new laser adjustment?

thanks

Chuck

 

[Ronbo]

BOUNCIN' AT 45 MPH....

If you don't have a place that does laser alignments nearby, you may want to consider this before you pull the trigger on it.

I had it done earlier this year by someone who was willing to come to Colorado and do it for a group of people who needed it done. The alignment was great and I was really happy with it.

Then I needed a new back tire, so I got the new tire at the dealership (who doesn't do laser alignments). All of a sudden I had vibration show up when I was going about 45 mph. Sometimes it was mild and I could speed up or slow down to get through it. Sometimes it got bad enough that the tires bounced and the whole spyder shimmied. It was very disconcerting and I nearly pulled over when this happened. I mentioned it to the dealership when I went in for regular service (had to get the new back tire before my regular service interval) so they did their "regular" alignment and said that the front tires were worn differently and there was still a little vibration in that same mph range and would likely continue until the tire wear changed enough. Since they did their alignment I haven't ever experienced the tire bounce again, but there is still a bit of vibration around 45 just like they said there would be. Nothing major or scary.

My lesson learned from this is that I probably want to stick with my dealership's alignment unless I have regular access to the laser alignment. Your mileage/experience may vary.

If I had new tires all the way around or at least a new back tire, I'd probably do the laser alignment, but I will definitely be keeping this in mind going forward.

I had my rear tire replaced, no changes in ride and didn't have to have new laser alignment. Possibly new tire out of round? I can't get your situation to make sense to me. I'd sure get a second opinion from another source. Others on here may have suggestions on where to go. IMHO....GOOD LUCK!

Ron

 

[Orange Spyder Man]

Laser alignment is done off the back wheel, not the frame. If the back wheel was not back in the same alignment as when you had the alignment done, it would change your alignment.

I thinking about laser alignment for my 2014 RT with just a tick over 900 miles... my concern.. when tire replacement is needed... is laser alignment needed again ? what is the correct procedure to insure that alignment is preserved ?

osm

 

[Cruzr Joe]

I thinking about laser alignment for my 2014 RT with just a tick over 900 miles... my concern.. when tire replacement is needed... is laser alignment needed again ? what is the correct procedure to insure that alignment is preserved ?

osm

Had laser alignment done about 8 months ago, three new tires 10 days ago, no need for realignment as far as i can tell.


Cruzr Joe

 

[GunDoctor]

We obviously need some folks here in Ca. to offer laser alignment. Sounds like lots of potential customers are falling through the cracks.


Another Day To Be My Kid's Dad [emoji379]

 

[SpyderAnn01]

We obviously need some folks here in Ca. to offer laser alignment. Sounds like lots of potential customers are falling through the cracks.


Another Day To Be My Kid's Dad [emoji379]

Squared Away would be happy to come to Los Angeles to do alignments. We are looking at doing something in conjunction with the Bert's Mega Mall ride in May. We need 10 to 15 Spyders to make the trip.

 

[GunDoctor]

About 20 miles out from Bert's . We have 2 F3's


Another Day To Be My Kid's Dad [emoji379]