Spyder RT Scrapes on Trailer - But Not the Nose

[johnsimion]

When I am looking at the side where does this hang down at? Like to know where to be concerned as I try to load the bike.

The damaged piece appears to be a bracket to hold electrical stuff (?) and it is basically underneath the left side front footboard (left as you're sitting on the Spyder). Trikermutha describes the situation perfectly. Glenngo is also correct, this bracket is not a problem moving forward because the bracket is only attached at the front side; when going forward it might touch the ground (or trailer) but would just rub. Going backwards is different because the back part of the bracket is kind of hanging there unattached. What happened to me (and apparently to Glenngo) is that when I let the air out of the air suspension, that lowered the back (unattached) side of the bracket just enough to catch on the joint between the front and back part of the Drop-Tail trailer (if you don't know, the Drop-Tail is sort of a split trailer where the back wheel of the Spyder is on a different part of the trailer that drops down to load and unload). Even though he doesn't have a Drop-Tail, it sounds like Glenngo's experience was similar to mine.

 

[trikermutha]

Its about mid way on the bike you can see the cat in the original post in the back ground of the picture.

Well its the electric reverse module. Had the Spyder apart and got to see the whole picture

 

[johnsimion]

Update: Finally got the Spyder back today (in fairness to the dealer, it was finished three weeks ago just as we were leaving to go overseas and so it sat on their lot for all that time). The repair ticket states, "Technician inspected and found reverse actuator and bracket twisted and disconnected, took apart and corrected and reassembled. Reverse is working on unit." Rode Spyder home today, everything working normally so apparently the repair was successful. Repair cost was $226.61 for labor (no new parts required). A little expensive but I can't complain because when I brought it in, it looked like it was going to be complicated and I also appreciate that they didn't try to gig me for unnecessary parts. I bought the Spyder to ride and now it's back on the road and that's what is important. That, and learning how to back the Spyder off the trailer properly!

 

[Highwayman2013]

Is there a reason why when loading/unloading you couldn't use a board under the rear tire to raise the spyder a little?

 

[johnsimion]

Is there a reason why when loading/unloading you couldn't use a board under the rear tire to raise the spyder a little?

Could have, but (a) I had loaded and unloaded it twice before without scraping anything, and had loaded it four hours before without scraping anything, and (b) because of (a) I just didn't think of it. The difference between this time and previous times - and I believe the true cause of the incident - was that this time I had lowered the air pressure for the air spring in back to give a soft ride for my wife and didn't increase it back up before unloading. Apparently this lowered the rear of the Spyder just enough for the part to catch. I don't really need a board with the Drop-Tail, I just need to be careful and pay attention. I am well aware of how stupid I was with this incident.

 

[Glenngo]

I asked my dealer if they knew of a underbelly shield that would cover this bracket, but they don't know of anything that goes back that far. Would love to find an aftermarket thin aluminum bracket that would make a ramp when backing up to cover that part that hangs down below the frame. I don't have a lift so hard to see where it could be attached.