Finally Got The SPYDER OUT

[trikermutha]

Well finally got most of the major add on's done this winter and took it for a ride today and was very happy the way the SPYDER was handling.
Cannot wait for warmer weather.

Some of the things done over the winter

Baja Ron Stabilizer Bar
Added LED lights
TRI AXIS Handle Bars
Added a Light to the Nose of the front trunk and inside the trunk
HWY Lights
Changed the oil and filter

 

[hogcowboy]

That right will make your machine feel like a completely new animal. That and balancing the air in the front tires. Do have the tire balancing air pressure tubing set-up? It works great. Push the two air chucks in each tire and air it up in the middle air spigot. From JT's Garage if you haven't got it but it's real a simple set-up with two quick connect and a valve stem for the middle on flexible hose.

 

[trikermutha]

That right will make your machine feel like a completely new animal. That and balancing the air in the front tires. Do have the tire balancing air pressure tubing set-up? It works great. Push the two air chucks in each tire and air it up in the middle air spigot. From JT's Garage if you haven't got it but it's real a simple set-up with two quick connect and a valve stem for the middle on flexible hose.

I don't have the tire balancing tubing. Is there really a need for it? Cant I just put equal amount of air in the tires?

Yeah that new sway bar really makes the spyder even better.

 

[hogcowboy]

My wife rides the Spyder and she says it does make a difference. I too have trouble believing 1# difference or less is that big a deal. Now we have some terrible roads here with crowning in your lane as well as middle of the road and other odd things like gravel, dirt and sand. Yeah, they call them roads here. That kit was like $40 but I know a person can make one for about $10 max. Now finding quick connects might be the hard part or finding ones that don't leak. But will it be night and day difference. No. I'll just say if my wife can see a difference there must be a little advantage. How much may really depend on the roads.

Just don't know.

 

[Tango]

JT's air kit is $60. Looks great. I bought a round tire gauge with a bleed valve for $20. The gauge is accurate to + or - 1lb.. I'm happy with it. ThumbUp Tom :Trike1:

 

[trikermutha]

I have read tire pressure can be helpful when filled to the correct pressure for the rode's.


But a good alignment should solve a majority of issues with steering on the spyder

 

[hogcowboy]

I have read tire pressure can be helpful when filled to the correct pressure for the rode's.


But a good alignment should solve a majority of issues with steering on the spyder

Yes. And not all dealers can't do it correctly and it's expensive unless they've purchased a new laser alignment gizmo. There's also a couple that is traveling around with one that from what I heard is cheaper than a dealer can do it. But catching them might be the problem. I've even heard they are improving on what the factory sends out. So look into that laser alignment deal or see if your dealer has purchased one. Supposedly it reduces the time from a few hours to a few minutes and more accurately thrown in.ThumbUp

 

[RTL1330]

Feels good to get a ride in EH!

Well finally got most of the major add on's done this winter and took it for a ride today and was very happy the way the SPYDER was handling. Cannot wait for warmer weather. Some of the things done over the winter Baja Ron Stabilizer Bar Added LED lights TRI AXIS Handle Bars Added a Light to the Nose of the front trunk and inside the trunk HWY Lights Changed the oil and filter

Hi, it has been unseasonably warm here North of 49. Well actually the 50th runs right through town. We have managed 3300 km on our Spyder since mid February! Yahoo

 

[trikermutha]

sounds like you are having fun on the new Spyder and the warmer weather..

 

[trikermutha]

Just checked my front tire pressureand was 10.5 PSI..Another thread mentioned tire pressures and decided I better check mine.

Went to 19.1PSI and made the steering even more smoother..

The ride today was the most relaxing thing I have done in a while..

PLus my new horn was a hoot!! ITs sounds like a semi horn..

 

[bikerbillone]

triker, having done all those mods, oil and filter change, you must be talented working on the Spyder, did I hear they are difficult to work on?

 

[trikermutha]

triker, having done all those mods, oil and filter change, you must be talented working on the Spyder, did I hear they are difficult to work on?

If you are handy its pretty easy to do..The drain plugs are 6mm Allen head and the other is a T45 torx..
The oil filter takes a 36 MM to take off the oil filter cover.

Taking off the panels are just torx screws and some of the panels just push into a rubber grommet.

Not much different than any other bike I think.

I even installed the heated controller and plug ports and tried that out today..I turned it on full at one pint and boy the heated vest got warm fast..Glad I have a thermostat for it..

 

[bikerbillone]

Doesn't sound too complicted, but like any other procedure, if you have good instructions, patience, take it a step at a time, good to go, all's well that ends well with no parts left over.

 

[rhino 2]

If you are handy its pretty easy to do..The drain plugs are 6mm Allen head and the other is a T45 torx..
The oil filter takes a 36 MM to take off the oil filter cover.

And its important to remember that the drain plug is an ''Allen'', And Not a ''Torx''..
Many a Spyderlovers used a torx on the drain plug stripped it, Then blamed their dealer for over tightening it on the first oil change... Also 36 MM for the oil cover seems a little over kill...

 

[bikerbillone]

I suspect if you are a SpyderLover, best follow instructions carefully, but then that goes with most riding machine drivers that wants to DIY (do it yourself). I also supsect that wallowing out that drain plug would make a good preacher cuss.

 

[trikermutha]

And its important to remember that the drain plug is an ''Allen'', And Not a ''Torx''..
Many a Spyderlovers used a torx on the drain plug stripped it, Then blamed their dealer for over tightening it on the first oil change... Also 36 MM for the oil cover seems a little over kill...

Nope it is both types Allen and Torx and worked well..There are two drain plugs on the spyder (2014)
Some of the newer models used both from what I hear and mine must be one of them.

36 MM is what takes off the oil filter cover..Not sure why that seems over kill??:xzqxz:

 

[rhino 2]

Nope it is both types Allen and Torx and worked well..There are two drain plugs on the spyder (2014)
Some of the newer models used both from what I hear and mine must be one of them.

36 MM is what takes off the oil filter cover..Not sure why that seems over kill??:xzqxz:

I had an 08, guess they changed the cover since then.. 36MM fit the rear axel nut..

 

[trikermutha]

I had an 08, guess they changed the cover since then.. 36MM fit the rear axel nut..

Yep remember its not a 1330 not the 998 engine..

Oh yeah I believe the 36 MM will work on the axle nut too...ThumbUp

 

[hogcowboy]

My wife's trike(Spyder) runs 18# front and 28# rear. She likes it so that's what counts. She's still on the original fronts but just changed the rear had 9600+ miles.

 

[trikermutha]

which tire is she going to buy?

I am hearing the Kuhmo AST are good..

 

[Tango]

which tire is she going to buy?

I am hearing the Kuhmo AST are good..

Loving the Kuhmo. Running 28lbs. Will up it to 30lbs. when I get the bike out to try that. ThumbUp Tom :Trike1:

 

[trikermutha]

Loving the Kuhmo. Running 28lbs. Will up it to 30lbs. when I get the bike out to try that. ThumbUp Tom :Trike1:

Just up my fronts to 19 and rear to 28..now need some more ride time..

 

[trikermutha]

Well the weather turned south again and got cold..Put on 600 miles before the weather changed..

The more ride time I get, the more I am amazed how not all beat up I am after a long ride.epper:

Sure hope the weather warms back up soon

 

[hogcowboy]

By now you should have got to the point of releasing the death grip and having a lighter touch. It's when things really start to improve.

 

[trikermutha]

oh death grip is gone..just have to remember not to try and grab for a clutch and brake lever..

My Mind still attempts at times..

Turns are starting to get better too..

 

[hogcowboy]

I actually went ahead and installed the after market brake accessory. Simply because I rarely ride my wife's Spyder and I'm pretty much a front brake only kind of rider. Using my foot is always a secondary thought so I was getting into some seat puckering circumstances. Great little add on by the way.

 

[trikermutha]

I thought about that myself at times when I am kicked back and if something decides to jump in front of me..

what did you end up buying for a hand brake?

 

[hogcowboy]

From ISCI Products.

 

[trikermutha]

Wow that's pricey!!! I will have to really think about that one..

Thanks ThumbUp

 

[hogcowboy]

Yeah it is and after getting it I found out all it does is push on the back side of the existing brake mechanism with it's own set of fluid reservoir, line and pusher. Very simple set up but I wouldn't be without it. One of my brain farts and grabbing a hand full of nothing could be more than just iffy. If someone rides one all the time you get used to using your foot. It us part timers where it shines and is needed.