LOST PART bad first ride

[cuznjohn]

i am posting this on here just in case someone posts they found my side panel. i went out for my first ride today for the season, when i got on the cross island parkway i went to pass a car going slow in the right lane. as i passed him the wind took the bottom left side panel with the vertika vent right off the bike and i couldn't stop because of traffic. yesterday knowing i was going out for a ride i attached a 6 inch 70 pound test leader to each side panel and fastened them to the metal body with tie wraps. when the panel flew off i saw it land in the center lane facing up but i couldn't stop due to traffic. i than went to get off the next exit, and when i was pulling off i heard a horn blowing but paid no attention to it because i was talking to my riding buddy. i circled around and got back on the parkway to see if i could get the piece and see what i could salvage but the piece is not there, than i came home and went out with my car and caused a small traffic jam driving slow to see if i could see it but still nothing.

what i am figuring is the person blowing his horn might of picked up the piece and was trying to catch me but i pulled off the road. i can only hope that whoever might of picked up the piece might be nice enough to look up spyder forums and post something about finding the piece, i know it's a long shot but who knows. i am also going to check cregs list for lost and found to see if someone post something.

well we live and learn, so now i need to find a better way to fasten the bottom side vents, i was thinking of finding some nice looking marine screws and drilling through the vents and fasting them that way. i priced out the parts already, the side panel in yellow is 169 dollars and the chrome can am emblem is 84.99 but i am going to wait till monday b4 i order them. if anyone sees a post for a found part and don't see me say something please pm me, THANKS

 

[ARtraveler]

Sorry to hear about the missing panel. Fingers crossed your part gets found and returned. :thumbup:

 

[cuznjohn]

well

it landed face up so there might not be too much damage but i am hoping someone posts something somewhere i can see it

 

[DR Buck]

i attached a 6 inch 70 pound test leader to each side panel and fastened them to the metal body with tie wraps

Probably obvious now that that wasn't sufficient. The force on something the size of a side panel in high speed wind will be in the hundreds of pounds. You need to use something like braded cable. Check out these photos of what I did.

 

[BLUEKNIGHT911]

I'D DO THIS ALSO

I'd let VERTIKA Know what you think of the way their product is attached ...........Just sayin......Mike :thumbup:...................Good Luck

 

[cuznjohn]

thanks

Probably obvious now that that wasn't sufficient. The force on something the size of a side panel in high speed wind will be in the hundreds of pounds. You need to use something like braded cable. Check out these photos of what I did.

yes i like the way you did it. so thanks for the suggestion

 

[snics]

Is this a recurring issue with all model and years??
I bought a 2014 RTL, im i to expect parts falling off?

 

[cuznjohn]

no

Is this a recurring issue with all model and years??
I bought a 2014 RTL, im i to expect parts falling off?

i put a special vent on the bike for heat problems and what happened with me is the wind caught it and took the panel off. a few have had problems but it most likely due to the panel not being put on right

 

[snics]

Thanks,
:thumbup:


I hope you get your panel back.

 

[3 Wheel Addict]

Let Vertika know about this they may help you with the replacement, at least their part.....

 

[cuznjohn]

yes

i will call them on monday, i just wish i could say i am not upset about this

 

[finless]

Is this a recurring issue with all model and years??
I bought a 2014 RTL, im i to expect parts falling off?

I cant speak for the 2014 but yes this is pretty common. I have read many such instances on SL since I joined last year and one of the locals around here also had this happen to him after checking the oil at a gas station. Cost him $180 to replace.

My 2011 had a retrofit done to it (free by dealer) that added bracket thingys to keep the grommets from coming off the bike. After 2011 (as I recall) this was already on every Spyder so your 2014 has them. But even then, the panel can still blow off especially if you don't get it on right.

I have not done the cable mod yet but it's on my list!

Bob

 

[capt jim]

lost panel

I to have lost the same panel the one for oil check. but I recovered it and it still fits ok but looks like herll weill replace it at spyderfest....capt. Jim

 

[Jeriatric]

Is this a recurring issue with all model and years??
I bought a 2014 RTL, im i to expect parts falling off?

When you have the oil panel or its brother on the other side removed. Take time -each time -to check gromit integrity. Mostly the round gromit, but the oval ones too. The round one can and does pull out at times when the panel is removed. Failing to catch it and replacing the panel will result in a lost panel, almost every time. Also, there's a hook of plastic on the top of each of those panels that should be in its proper place (hooked over another panel) before snapping the panel through the round gromit, then through the two oval gromits. Top one first, then the bottom(ovals). At least that's how I do it. Another thing to do just before putting the panel on is... (your choice here) moisten the pin that goes into the round gromit beforehand. Yep, I stick it in my mouth.

 

[Jeriatric]

i will call them on monday, i just wish i could say i am not upset about this

Bummer cuz......:cus:

 

[Wiredux]

I cant speak for the 2014 but yes this is pretty common. I have read many such instances on SL since I joined last year and one of the locals around here also had this happen to him after checking the oil at a gas station. Cost him $180 to replace.

My 2011 had a retrofit done to it (free by dealer) that added bracket thingys to keep the grommets from coming off the bike. After 2011 (as I recall) this was already on every Spyder so your 2014 has them. But even then, the panel can still blow off especially if you don't get it on right.

I have not done the cable mod yet but it's on my list!

Bob

The key is to make sure the panels are on correctly. I had 13k on my 2012 and never lost a panel. I have. 900 on my 14 and the panels are still there.

 

[cuznjohn]

part

this really screwed my weekend up, i am very upset about loosing the panel and i know there is nothing i can do about it now. i hate riding the bike with a part missing so i will most likely order the new panel tomorrow, it is in stock so at least i can ride the bike w/o the vent until i get a new vent from vertika

 

[Wiredux]

this really screwed my weekend up, i am very upset about loosing the panel and i know there is nothing i can do about it now. i hate riding the bike with a part missing so i will most likely order the new panel tomorrow, it is in stock so at least i can ride the bike w/o the vent until i get a new vent from vertika

I feel for you especially the first day out of the season.

 

[Bob Denman]

John,
That Sux! :gaah:
We were hoping for a postivie report about how those panels helped with your heat issues too! :shocked:

 

[Purple Guy]

Sorry to hear that!
Hopefully it will turn up!