Washing your bike saves lives - Motorcycle-Journal Forums

NA7A · 05-02-2006, 10:15 AM

How many times have you washed your bike and noticed a part loose, screw missing, broken items, tire low or nail in them.....

I think washing your bike is a good way to make you do a visual for these types of things....

I got back from a really bad ride in the rain this last weekend and the following day was washing the bike and noticed my stock grips were loose. In fact, the left hand grip fell off on my hand while washing it down.

I am going to start looking for loose, missing, and broken parts more often now. If that grip would have fallen off while I was doing 65 mph in the rain and being blasted by tire spray from other cars, man, that would have scared the S#!t out of me.

Anyway, just thought I would pass this along to others that may want to check this out. I notice another post down the line here about the front wheel sliding from side to side from a loose bearing so I am going to check that right away too.

Take care, ride safe.

Bud

**drgibson** · 05-02-2006, 10:29 AM

Darn! You mean I'm not supposed to admire myself in all the chrome?

sundude · 05-02-2006, 08:17 PM

Speaking of items coming off, I got home from work last night and heard a scraping noise from the back of the bike. Pulled into the driveway and was astonished to see the entire taillight/license plate assembly laying on the back tire! Seems the bolt that holds the assembly to the frame must have worked loose and just fell out!

Thankfully I had a nut and bolt combination that fit the hole.

One of those little areas I never thought to check...

**Louis** · 05-02-2006, 08:49 PM

My Advanced Rider Course say the same thing. You can't find a leak on something already covered in grease and grime.

Trussmky · 05-02-2006, 10:12 PM

I was washing my bike this morning, and found that one of the screws that holds my tail light/Licesplace assy on the bike was missing.

djump · 05-03-2006, 09:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sundude

Speaking of items coming off, I got home from work last night and heard a scraping noise from the back of the bike. Pulled into the driveway and was astonished to see the entire taillight/license plate assembly laying on the back tire! Seems the bolt that holds the assembly to the frame must have worked loose and just fell out!

Thankfully I had a nut and bolt combination that fit the hole.

One of those little areas I never thought to check...

I found that one of these bolts fell out during a clean, had the dealer replace it two days later when doing my first service at 1300 k's

NA7A · 05-04-2006, 09:51 AM

Thanks guys for the posts....I'm glad to hear others out there are checking these kinds of things often and glad to hear the safety courses are teaching this also. I got my M endorcement back in my early 20's. I have been on a riding hiatus for about 25 years up until recently I got the M50.

I think posting such finds may be a good idea for others to check these things out, even if it's just a reminder.

Take care guys,

Ride safe, have fun!

Bud

arkieollie · 05-04-2006, 10:32 AM

sundude,

same thing happened to me except it was just one bolt that came out! It was just a leanin' there! caught it while I was washing the bike on Sunday.

05-02-2006, 10:15 AM	#1 (permalink)
NA7A Clunked into first gear Joined: Sep 2005 Bike: 07 HD Sportster 1200C, 05 Suzuki M50 (sold) Location: Oregon Posts: 220	Washing your bike saves lives How many times have you washed your bike and noticed a part loose, screw missing, broken items, tire low or nail in them..... I think washing your bike is a good way to make you do a visual for these types of things.... I got back from a really bad ride in the rain this last weekend and the following day was washing the bike and noticed my stock grips were loose. In fact, the left hand grip fell off on my hand while washing it down. I am going to start looking for loose, missing, and broken parts more often now. If that grip would have fallen off while I was doing 65 mph in the rain and being blasted by tire spray from other cars, man, that would have scared the S#!t out of me. Anyway, just thought I would pass this along to others that may want to check this out. I notice another post down the line here about the front wheel sliding from side to side from a loose bearing so I am going to check that right away too. Take care, ride safe. Bud

05-02-2006, 10:29 AM	#2 (permalink)
drgibson Antebellum Mod Joined: Jul 2005 Bike: 2008 Kawasaki KLR 650 Location: Dallas, Texas Directly above the center of the earth. Posts: 10,742	Darn! You mean I'm not supposed to admire myself in all the chrome? __________________ “Please Remember to Kazoo Responsibly.”

05-02-2006, 08:49 PM	#4 (permalink)
Louis Administrator Joined: Sep 2003 Bike: SV650S '05 (Blue) Location: Gatineau, QC, Canada Posts: 10,657	My Advanced Rider Course say the same thing. You can't find a leak on something already covered in grease and grime. __________________ Louis

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05-02-2006, 08:17 PM	#3 (permalink)
sundude Puddle Runner Joined: May 2005 Bike: Suzuki M50 Location: South Florida Posts: 378	Speaking of items coming off, I got home from work last night and heard a scraping noise from the back of the bike. Pulled into the driveway and was astonished to see the entire taillight/license plate assembly laying on the back tire! Seems the bolt that holds the assembly to the frame must have worked loose and just fell out! Thankfully I had a nut and bolt combination that fit the hole. One of those little areas I never thought to check...

05-02-2006, 10:12 PM	#5 (permalink)
Trussmky Where Am I ? Joined: May 2006 Bike: Blue 05 M50 Location: Vegas Baby!!! Posts: 34	I was washing my bike this morning, and found that one of the screws that holds my tail light/Licesplace assy on the bike was missing.

05-04-2006, 09:51 AM	#7 (permalink)
NA7A Clunked into first gear Joined: Sep 2005 Bike: 07 HD Sportster 1200C, 05 Suzuki M50 (sold) Location: Oregon Posts: 220	Thanks guys for the posts....I'm glad to hear others out there are checking these kinds of things often and glad to hear the safety courses are teaching this also. I got my M endorcement back in my early 20's. I have been on a riding hiatus for about 25 years up until recently I got the M50. I think posting such finds may be a good idea for others to check these things out, even if it's just a reminder. Take care guys, Ride safe, have fun! Bud

05-04-2006, 10:32 AM	#8 (permalink)
arkieollie Kickstand Operator Joined: Dec 2005 Bike: Sold my m50 and got a 07 street bob Posts: 285	sundude, same thing happened to me except it was just one bolt that came out! It was just a leanin' there! caught it while I was washing the bike on Sunday.

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