Maybe I'm thick headed... Help me understand

[OldDog]

Let me explain. I'm very impressed with the laser alignment being done on an increasing number of Spyders. This results in much better tracking and better tire wear. It has been reported that these Spyders are a considerable amount out of alignment when new. My understanding is they are laser aligned at the factory. The wheels are put on by the dealer. Are they getting out of alignment between the factory and the dealer or are they out of alignment coming from the factory?
I guess my question is why should an owner of a new machine have to pay extra to get it aligned? It should track true from the factory. I realize I'm not the smartest egg in the bunch, but I don't understand this. :dontknow: :chat:

 

[Chupaca]

Your right..!!

:agree: the question is are they aligned correctly to start with...I don't see them getting out of alignment unless the drop kick the crates on the way to the dealer. It may be the dealer has to check alignment, or the laser systems now are much better...I think the factory does not align off the rear wheel therefore they will all pretty much be out....:dontknow:

 

[Bob Denman]

Just my guess...pps:
When they're building the bikes; it's all about getting the numbers out the door...
They just don't have the luxury of the TIME necessary to get it any better than, "Good enough"...
But when your tech has your bike hooked up; you do have the time to do a better job. :thumbup:

 

[Jeriatric]

Let me explain. I'm very imIressed with the laser alignment being done on an increasing number of Spyders. This results in much better tracking and better tire wear. It has been reported that these Spyders are a considerable amount out of alignment when new. My understanding is they are laser aligned at the factory. The wheels are put on by the dealer. Are they getting out of alignment between the factory and the dealer or are they out of alignment coming from the factory?
I guess my question is why should an owner of a new machine have to pay extra to get it aligned? It should track true from the factory. I realize I'm not the smartest egg in the bunch, but I don't understand this. :dontknow: :chat:

They are aligned at the factory. At the factory, they are aligned using the frame as reference. While the after market alignment system uses a properly aligned rear wheel as reference.

Can only surmise that BRP figures - close is good enough:dontknow:

 

[cuznjohn]

i think

the auto aligns with the tires on a car and a man in the pit making adjustments. with our bikes the alignment is done by specs. now i am not a person that knows about how they work but i would think that every bike like cars are just a lil different than the one b4 and the one after, so specs just don't cut it. and to put a bike together and do a alignment than take the wheels off to pack the bike is just now cost effective. so that is why so many alignments are off

 

[OldDog]

Value engineered and aligned by the bean counters.

So Brp's criterion is to get it good enough to get it out the door based on the bean counters value engineered cost for factory alignment. I've been reading about ROLO's and Lamont's alignment procedures. What are the differences between ROLO's and the Factory? Obviously ROLO's are much more precise. I'm certainly not advocating cutting into ROLO's, Lamonts', or the others alignment businesses, but BRP should reevaluate its factory alignment procedure. Ya think? Will this add another ~ 120-200 to the purchase price of a Spyder?

 

[Bob Denman]

I haven't been trying to figure out the "nuts & bolts" of the laser alignment systems...
But I do have a question about them.
If they're working off of the alignment of the rear wheel; what if your belt alignment doesn't agree with how they set things up? :dontknow:

 

[Jeriatric]

I haven't been trying to figure out the "nuts & bolts" of the laser alignment systems...
But I do have a question about them.
If they're working off of the alignment of the rear wheel; what if your belt alignment doesn't agree with how they set things up? :dontknow:

Requires proper belt alignement prior to aligning fronts.

 

[MouthPiece]

Inquiring minds need to know.

Chris

 

[cuznjohn]

bob

I haven't been trying to figure out the "nuts & bolts" of the laser alignment systems...
But I do have a question about them.
If they're working off of the alignment of the rear wheel; what if your belt alignment doesn't agree with how they set things up? :dontknow:

bob watching the vid on youtube it is very important to get the belt on the rear wheel in line b4 any alignment is done. i am sure at the factory their tools are set up to tighten up to their specs so that most bikes are set the same way. it works for them so keep it that way. now when i needed to replace my rear tire i saw that my belt ran very close to the rear sprocket on the bike. now i see that the belt is riding dead center of the rear sprocket. so when they changed the tire they aligned the wheel. so bikes from the factory are set one way and bikes worked on at a deal are done the way the dealer does it personally.

 

[OldDog]

Diagram of proper alignment?

They are aligned at the factory. At the factory, they are aligned using the frame as reference. While the after market alignment system uses a properly aligned rear wheel as reference.

Can only surmise that BRP figures - close is good enough:dontknow:

I am out of my element regarding alignment. I need the experts to chime in. Should the front wheels be aligned to the rear wheel, all in the same plane? Should the rear sprocket and engine sprocket be in the same plane. Is the engine sprocket totally fixed in its frame alignment? Doesn't the rear axle have to be equidistant from the left and right wheel and all in the same plane?

 

[Bob Denman]

I understand the importance of proper belt alignment...
I guess to muddy things up a bit; what happens if the engine isn't square in the frame; making it impossible to align the belt, frame, AND rear wheel?

 

[cuznjohn]

exhactly

I understand the importance of proper belt alignment...
I guess to muddy things up a bit; what happens if the engine isn't square in the frame; making it impossible to align the belt, frame, AND rear wheel?

that is why i said the bikes from the factory could be out of alignment because of lil differences in building so some are way out of alignment

 

[Jeriatric]

I am out of my element regarding alignment. I need the experts to chime in. Should the front wheels be aligned to the rear wheel, all in the same plane? Should the rear sprocket and engine sprocket be in the same plane. Is the engine sprocket totally fixed in its frame alignment? Doesn't the rear axle have to be equidistant from the left and right wheel and all in the same plane?

The engine is aligned using an alignment tool when installed. That aligns the front sprocket. So, once the rear wheel/belt alignement is correct -3/16 inch off of inner flange - you're good to go using the rear for proper alignement of the fronts. Then all three tires are aligned with each other.

 

[Bob Denman]

:shocked: Or is my medication getting too old to be fully-effective again?

 

[BLUEKNIGHT911]

I THINK THIS APPLIES HERE

So Brp's criterion is to get it good enough to get it out the door based on the bean counters value engineered cost for factory alignment. I've been reading about ROLO's and Lamont's alignment procedures. What are the differences between ROLO's and the Factory? Obviously ROLO's are much more precise. I'm certainly not advocating cutting into ROLO's, Lamonts', or the others alignment businesses, but BRP should reevaluate its factory alignment procedure. Ya think? Will this add another ~ 120-200 to the purchase price of a Spyder?

From my understanding of the History of the ROLO system it was born out of NASCAR . And those people measure EVERYTHING with a MICROMETER or else they get FINED big time ..........JUST SAYIN......Mike :2excited: :agree: :thumbup:

 

[Silvervette05]

hmmm, a new car from the assy plant does not need an alignment, just saying

 

[Tx web rider]

allignment

my opinion

BRP COULD CARE LESS JUST SELL THE UNITS AND LET THE OWNER GET IT FIXED WITH THE INCOMPETENT DEALERS OUT THERE

with a few exceptions most dealers suck at service

BRP DON'T GIVE A **** IF YOUR HAPPY!!!

 

[cuznjohn]

new car

hmmm, a new car from the assy plant does not need an alignment, just saying

from what i have seen and read all new cars that come off a assembly line go onto a alignment rack to check and adjust if needed

 

[StanProff]

After having the alignment done at Lamont's yesterday, I am confident of the need to align the front wheels to the rear. As noted, the belt alignment must be correct to start with. I believe the factory aligns mid-way back on the frame, The problem with this during the manufacturing process, taking into account that welding is being done on pressed parts etc. it wouldn't take much to make a difference in the outcome. Even 1/16th difference on one frame to the other would make a difference. (at least I think it would). I drove mine two years and thought it was fine, I got used to the way it handled and was happy. Now I know that it could have been much better. I put it through a good test today in the mountains, city and interstate riding 2 up for about 225 miles. I couldn't be more pleased as to how it now handles. It has taken a few years for some very good people to come up with this type of procedure, I'm happy they did and glad that
Lamont and others are offering this service to us. For the cost of all the Farkles we put on these bikes the 120.00 for the alignment is nothing to be concerned about Especially when compaired to 5 or 6 hundred dollar floor boards, 3 or 4 hundred dollar chrome peices, 250 dollar third tail lights, 2 or 3 hundred dollar foot pegs and the list can go on and on. All of these products are great, I have plenty of them myself. Anyway I had the alignment done. I'm happy and would do it again.