Tranny Brg

[Desert Spyder]

Wanted to share this FB conversation I had with a former owner. He is not a SL member. Wonder how many other incidents are out there?

Hey Brian,
Got some scoop for you. Scarlett is dead. Started leaking oil after my last running gear service. I did not think too much of it, until I spied the puddle under her in the garage. Took her to the shop and the counter shaft bearing blew out. Actually it grenaded inside the transmission. Tech took the sprocket off the counter shaft and, he could move the counter shaft 1/2" in each direction. They could see the bearing assy inside the transmission, the bearings were missing. That means they were inside the transmission doing there thing. I don't know how long.
So I donated Scarlett to KCET, the local PBS station. They will sell the Spyder at auction and what ever they get for it will be my donation and I'll claim it on my taxes at the end of the year.
This time I am looking for 2 wheels. Scarlett opened up the wold of motorcycling for me and it is time to spread my wings a little 10-4?
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Today

Sorry to hear the news bro but glad she could bring a smile even after her death. How many miles did you have on it? I never heard of this kind of "death". I knew Huell Howser had a place in your area but the station itself is in LA. How did you arrange this donation?
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Called KCET and arranged for the pick up at the dealer in Beaumont. Met at the dealer, signed the paperwork and that was it. Had 34,000 and some. change on Scarlett. To put Scarlett back on the road would have cost $5,000-$6,000 minimum. Take the engine-transmission out of the frame, break the cases apart replace the bearing and seals and what ever else they would have found when they inspected the gears in the transmission.
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This is a freak incident. Never heard of this happening before. That bearing is a sealed bearing, correct?
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As far as I know...


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Mind if I print your story there? You had a 08 RS?
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go for it. Scarlett was an 09 RS with semi automatic transmission.
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[daveinva]

I take it that 09 was sadly out of warranty, eh? Becuase that sure sounds like a problem that would rationally be covered under warranty.

Shame... 34K miles ain't nothin' on a bike, either.

 

[SpyderWolf]

Very interesting indeed. If anyone was going to have an issue like this I would have expected it to be Docdoru or SethO. Very sorry to hear about his trouble, but hopefully the local PBS station will get a good amount for it in the auction.

 

[Chupaca]

Still a good run..!!

great ending for a good bike. Sorry it ended this way. Good luck on your future rides..!! :thumbup:

 

[MouthPiece]

My question is just what is the norm mileage wise for these types of things to happen. I realize there's many variables, i.e., riding style, care taken of spyder, etc., however, for cars I've always used the 75 to 100,000 mile mark before "stuff" starts happening. Is there a bench mark with respect to motorcycles and spyders? I doubt there's enough input (years on the market) to be able to say with a spyder. Just wondering.

Chris

 

[boborgera]

Mine didn't grenade, But the main shaft and sprocket gave up the ghost at 18.5 K, [08GSM5]
Same here the engine had to be split, Just a month or two out of warranty, The part that ticked me off the most' wasn't the 2 grand, It was the 45++ days to get it fixed, So when i was told it would probably take that long to get the parts and put it back together, I ran out quick that same day and got a Kaw-6n from a different dealer so i would have something to ride, Until i got the Spyder back and traded it in for a Tri-Glide...
Bad things happen to good people, Thats why i don't know why:dontknow: it happen to me....

 

[ARtraveler]

I feel sorry for the unsuspecting person that is going to purchase the :spyder2: on auction from PBS. Another happy owner that we may be hearing from. :dontknow:

 

[NancysToy]

The initial drive belt tension spec for the Spyder was way too high. It was lowered twice. High belt tension caused drive sprockets, drive shafts, and drive shaft bearings to fail. If the belt tension was never adjusted downward for this Spyder, it would be easy to cause this kind of damage. This is one reason I keep saying, "There is more to a service interval than a simple oil and filter change." Dealers have BUDS, dealers have the service bulletins, dealers are usually aware of changes in specs and maintenance schedules. A good tech looks for thing like this, loose bolts, and other things not on the maintenance schedule. It is a good idea to visit your dealer for a thorough checkup periodically...provided you have one you can rely on.

 

[hackett43]

Gotta Agree 100 %

The initial drive belt tension spec for the Spyder was way too high. It was lowered twice. High belt tension caused drive sprockets, drive shafts, and drive shaft bearings to fail. If the belt tension was never adjusted downward for this Spyder, it would be easy to cause this kind of damage. This is one reason I keep saying, "There is more to a service interval than a simple oil and filter change." Dealers have BUDS, dealers have the service bulletins, dealers are usually aware of changes in specs and maintenance schedules. A good tech looks for thing like this, loose bolts, and other things not on the maintenance schedule. It is a good idea to visit your dealer for a thorough checkup periodically...provided you have one you can rely on.

When i was younger i use to take short cuts, But it cost me more in the long run. I learn the hard way to let the dealership do all of my services especially while bike or car was under warranty. The good thing about it is, You have documented service history.

 

[SPYD1]

You hear about things like this on all vehicles.