Lost panel? New RT..Carlos Help

[skypup]

Has anyone lost a panel while riding? I removed a couple of panels from my new RT-S looking for a path to route my GPS wiring. Upon replacing the panels the last panel to be replaced is the small one where your check you oil level. It inserts into 3 grommets. After replacing the panels I tugged on the small panel to make sure it was secure and test rode the bike down the road and back. I rode the bike to a coffee shop and when I returned all was well. Yesterday, my wife and I went for a 100 mile ride. Our bike has 550 miles and is ready for its first oil change. Upon returning from the ride my wife noticed the "oil check panel" missing. It really ticks me off due to the precautions and checks I made. Has anyone else had this issue? Carlos, if you're listening please help me out here.

 

[Vordak]

Man,

I hate it when that happens! Happened to me on my Goldwing after I did my own oil change.

My dealer said: "Ahhhhhh, that sucks! If we'd had done the work, we'd pay for it but as it is, I'll give you 10% off the panel, so it'll only be $134.00. Sorry!"

Chances are, you're on your own.

V.

 

[Prense01]

I am going to try small Velcro tabs along with these grommets on those two small panels. I noticed the right side one was loose when I picked up the bike new from the dealer. Two grommets had been pushed all the way through. I certainly would have lost that one on the freeway.

Chris :doorag:

 

[TicketBait]

Man,

I hate it when that happens! Happened to me on my Goldwing after I did my own oil change.

My dealer said: "Ahhhhhh, that sucks! If we'd had done the work, we'd pay for it but as it is, I'll give you 10% off the panel, so it'll only be $134.00. Sorry!"

Chances are, you're on your own.

V.

:agree:

that's lousy it fell off without notice. I went riding with a friend of mine 2 weeks ago and while following him noticed a part fall off at a stop sign, apparently his foot had kicked it loose off his BMW, I was a hero, picked it up and handed it to him.

I lost my antenna while riding it just fell off ,didn't notice it. The dealership replaced it cuz it probably wasn't screwed in tight during PDI.
That saved me $60.

I wish I was a gear head so I could work on my bike and save, but I have had everything done by my dealership, including accessories I have bought from vendors here, so the dealership will stand behind their work.

I have noticed each time i have picked up the bike that at least one of the panels might still need a little push to seat right.

I would think your on your own here too, but whata I know, I ordered the wrong size can-am leather jacket $469 in a 2X have wore it 5 times, and realized it's too big, went to a tailor and he said nope ,so today I ordered an XL. So If you wear a 2XL, this jacket is a steal at half price $239
Just don't tell my wife you got it from me ...she doesn't read these forums

 

[frank3]

Mine was also VERY loose when I got intial delivery. After looking close, I noticed that there is a "hook" type arangement at the top front of the pannel. It must be hooked back into the pannel above or else, it's just the rubber retainers that are holding it in place. Haven't had any trouble with mine after modifying my procedure for putting the pannel back on and I remove it almost every time after a ride to check the oil. In order to have the "hook" seat behind the upper pannel, you have to kind of twist it after pushing in the rubber retainer holes. Kind of akward but really secures it well. Don't know if thats your problem but wish you luck.

 

[skypup]

Mine was also VERY loose when I got intial delivery. After looking close, I noticed that there is a "hook" type arangement at the top front of the pannel. It must be hooked back into the pannel above or else, it's just the rubber retainers that are holding it in place. Haven't had any trouble with mine after modifying my procedure for putting the pannel back on and I remove it almost every time after a ride to check the oil. In order to have the "hook" seat behind the upper pannel, you have to kind of twist it after pushing in the rubber retainer holes. Kind of akward but really secures it well. Don't know if thats your problem but wish you luck.

Thanks! That's greatly appreciated. I wish that had been explained to me upon delivery of the vehicle. It's necessary to know that since you always need to be able to check the oil.

 

[Vordak]

My dealer took the time to show me how to properly take it off and put it on. Again, all dealers should do this...

V.

 

[Prense01]

Mine was also VERY loose when I got intial delivery. After looking close, I noticed that there is a "hook" type arangement at the top front of the pannel. It must be hooked back into the pannel above or else, it's just the rubber retainers that are holding it in place. Haven't had any trouble with mine after modifying my procedure for putting the pannel back on and I remove it almost every time after a ride to check the oil. In order to have the "hook" seat behind the upper pannel, you have to kind of twist it after pushing in the rubber retainer holes. Kind of akward but really secures it well. Don't know if thats your problem but wish you luck.

I noticed my R/H side panel was working loose again on the way home today. I looked at it carefully when I got home and saw the hook you are talking about. Getting that thing engaged is a real puzzle. I finally figured out that the plastic piece it hooks on to can be flexed easy enough to have the hook engaged. I took care of both sides...neither was engaged correctly.

Thanks for sharing!

Chris :doorag:

 

[speedster200]

Chris
Thanks for the info about the panel. I'll make sure and check all units before delivery.

 

[bikeguy]

I lost the right side front panel off my RT on Saturday after picking up the bike new on Friday afternoon. Apparently it blew off while riding and neither my wife or I saw it blow away. Didn't notice it until I stopped to show the Spyder to a friend. The dealer replaced it and was nice enough to let me have one off another RT they had in stock. But the dealer had installed it when they put the RT together so they agreed that it was their problem. All three grommets were still in place so they hadn't been pushed through. I can't say for sure if the "hook" was properly fastened or not. But I appreciate the dealer stepping up and replacing it and especially letting me have one off an RT in stock.

Cotton

 

[NancysToy]

If the dealer did not show you how to properly remove and reinstall the panel (or check your oil), he has to shoulder part of the blame. My dealer was very careful to show me how to do this. A good dealer would eat the cost of a new panel, but the least they could do would be to sell it to you at cost. Put some pressure on them. If they are unwilling to accept part of the responsibility, I would find a new dealer.

The procedure in the manual calls for removing the panel by unhooking the front (grommets) first, then unhooking the rear. Installation is the reverse, so you need to hook it first, then push in the front grommets. I have done it this was since I received the RTS, and I have had no problems. I always hook the tab before I do anything else, then insert the bottom rear grommet peg, then seat the front grommet pegs. You have to pay a little attention, but it seems to be quite simple.

 

[Prense01]

If the dealer did not show you how to properly remove and reinstall the panel (or check your oil), he has to shoulder part of the blame. My dealer was very careful to show me how to do this. A good dealer would eat the cost of a new panel, but the least they could do would be to sell it to you at cost. Put some pressure on them. If they are unwilling to accept part of the responsibility, I would find a new dealer.

The procedure in the manual calls for removing the panel by unhooking the front (grommets) first, then unhooking the rear. Installation is the reverse, so you need to hook it first, then push in the front grommets. I have done it this was since I received the RTS, and I have had no problems. I always hook the tab before I do anything else, then insert the bottom rear grommet peg, then seat the front grommet pegs. You have to pay a little attention, but it seems to be quite simple.

This is what is in the manual for removal...

1. Pull the rear of panel out of its grommet.
2. Slide down the top of the panel to
free panel hook.
3. Pull the bottomof the panel out of its
grommet.
4. Pull the front of the panel out of its
grommet.
5. Slide the front of the panel to remove​

it.

And for installation...

1. Push the front of panel in its grommet.
2. Rotate the panel and clip it on the
support.
3. Push the bottom of the panel in its
grommet.
4. Push the rear of the panel in its
grommet.
5. Push the top of the panel to fix the​

plastic hook.

This installation portion of this does not get the job done at all...at least on mine.

The "hook" this refers to is the aft one. The big hook in the front, they say "clip it on the support". If you push in any of the grommets before engaging the front hook/clip, you will not be able to get it engaged without really flexing or forcing something.

What you describe is correct...the manual is not correct. At the very least, it is not clear on what needs to be done.

The final and pre-ride check that can be done is to verify these two panels are correctly fit to the bottom front side panels and the back of the panel the fog lights are installed in. If these panels protrude out at these locations, then something is not installed correctly and should be corrected before riding.

Chris :doorag:

 

[NancysToy]

Odd! The manuals must have different instructions from manual to manual.

This is what the Owners Guide says in the "Maintenance Section":

Middle Side Panel

Removal
1. Pull panel out of its grommets at the front, then unhook the rear.

Installation
Reinstall middle side panel in the reverse order of removal.

 

[Prense01]

I cited instructions from the on-line manual. I'll check my physical manual to see what it says. I should have clarified that...


Chris :doorag:

 

[Lamonster]

Odd! The manuals must have different instructions from manual to manual.

This is what the Owners Guide says in the "Maintenance Section":

Middle Side Panel

Removal
1. Pull panel out of its grommets at the front, then unhook the rear.

Installation
Reinstall middle side panel in the reverse order of removal.

That's how you do the middle side panel, the panel over the oil tank is the one that blew off.

 

[NancysToy]

That's how you do the middle side panel, the panel over the oil tank is the one that blew off.

The accompanying picture shows the panel over the oil tank. I am not aware of any other panels with grommets in the front and a hook (and grommet) in the back.

 

[Lamonster]

The accompanying picture shows the panel over the oil tank. I am not aware of any other panels with grommets in the front and a hook (and grommet) in the back.

I've had the panels off a time or two and the middle panel has a tab that hooks into the other side panel just under the seat. The push pins that go into the grommets are in the front of the panel. There is no hook on the rear of the oil tank cover, it's on the front of the cover.

 

[NancysToy]

I've had the panels off a time or two and the middle panel has a tab that hooks into the other side panel just under the seat. The push pins that go into the grommets are in the front of the panel. There is no hook on the rear of the oil tank cover, it's on the front of the cover.

I think we're talking the same thing, but from a different point of view. To check the oil, you remove the middle side panel. This is the one with the hook in the rear and grommets in front. I know it has been a very long time since I last saw my RTS, but I don't think I have lost it altogether. Bottom line is if you remove the middle side panel, replace the hook end first, then push in the grommet pegs. That way the retaining hook won't be left on the outside, which could allow the panel to blow off. It is not necessary to put the front grommets in first, then try to snap the hook into place.

 

[bikeguy]

It is not necessary to put the front grommets in first, then try to snap the hook into place.

:agree: On mine, it was the same panel but on the right hand side of the bike. I can't say what happened for sure but there were no grommets missing and, while I didn't check specifically, I think the "hook" was fastened properly because the panel looked like it fit right. If I was guessing, and it would only be a guess, I'd say that the tech seated the panel properly but used WD-40 or something similar to lubricate the grommets. It's still hard for me to believe that it blew off without me or my wife seeing it blow off. But that's what happened. Actually, I feel a little better about it since it happened to skypup also.

Cotton

 

[Lamonster]

I think we're talking the same thing, but from a different point of view. To check the oil, you remove the middle side panel. This is the one with the hook in the rear and grommets in front. I know it has been a very long time since I last saw my RTS, but I don't think I have lost it altogether. Bottom line is if you remove the middle side panel, replace the hook end first, then push in the grommet pegs. That way the retaining hook won't be left on the outside, which could allow the panel to blow off. It is not necessary to put the front grommets in first, then try to snap the hook into place.

Just checked mine and I still have the preproduction side panels and I don't have a hook on mine. I do have velcro though. Disregard any of my uneducated comments. pps: