Laid her down - Motorcycle-Journal Forums

MikeHump · 06-11-2008, 11:12 AM

Well there is this round-about (if that's what it's called) near my house. Traffic through it is always very, very light, so I decided to practice holding the bike while it's leaned over. Lately I haven't had a problem leaning the bike over into turns, but I seem to have trouble every now and again keeping it nice and smooth through the turn. I wasn't trying to push it, I was in 1st gear at about 5,000 RPM or so, maybe going about 20-25 mph around it. I was doing good, going round and round, until a car started coming towards the round-about. So, I decided to just go straight rather than continue to go around it, so that I wouldn't hit the car. Well, I guess there was some gravel in the path I chose, and I hit the gravel as I was still leaned over. Luckily, the frame slider saved most everything. The left mirror broke and the left tail fairing has a nice 4-inch scratch on it. I think the broken glass from the mirror scratched up the front fairing a tiny bit, but not enough to want to replace it quite yet. Other than that the bike is still fine. I picked it up, got back on and rode it home. Now...off to find some parts.

I think I need to get some glasses, I really didn't see the gravel on the ground until after I crashed and I noticed some rocks stuck in my arm. And, of course, the time I decided to ride without a jacket due to the heat was the time that I had to fall. Lesson learned; Go get my eyes checked out and always wear a jacket.

Be careful out there guys and gals.

diamond_jim · 06-11-2008, 11:19 AM

Oh... this is a bike story I see.

That sucks, man. That sounds a lot like what Annie did recently where she was going slow on what sounded like a parking lot with a little but of gravel and had to quickly adjust because of the presence of a car.

tricker · 06-11-2008, 11:39 AM

Doh! Luckily the last time i hit gravel i was able to save it... then the next 2 guys behind me hit it too..

stp1971 · 06-11-2008, 11:46 AM

Wow,, I thought this was a non-bike story too. That suxs man. But as they, or most people say,, it is not if you drop it but when you drop it. Seems that I have had more whens than I care for myself. LOL!!!

themeatmanlandry · 06-11-2008, 01:39 PM

'Tis a beautiful bike. I re-did my 750 in all black (with 600 plastics) after my spill.

Quote:

Originally Posted by MikeHump

I was in 1st gear at about 5,000 RPM or so, maybe going about 20-25 mph around it.

<snippity-snip>

I think I need to get some glasses, I really didn't see the gravel on the ground until after I crashed and I noticed some rocks stuck in my arm. And, of course, the time I decided to ride without a jacket due to the heat was the time that I had to fall. Lesson learned; Go get my eyes checked out and always wear a jacket.

I don't know everything, but I would have preferred 2nd gear, as it is more forgiving if/when the back tire breaks loose.

I'm not one to take advice from, though, as I rashed mine up at 643 miles.

MikeHump · 06-11-2008, 02:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by themeatmanlandry

'Tis a beautiful bike. I re-did my 750 in all black (with 600 plastics) after my spill.

I don't know everything, but I would have preferred 2nd gear, as it is more forgiving if/when the back tire breaks loose.

I'm not one to take advice from, though, as I rashed mine up at 643 miles.

Where did you find the black plastics? I'm having trouble finding the Matte Black pieces for my bike, except for through the dealer...and the prices through the dealer aren't exactly the best. I've thought about just going with all gloss, but I really, REALLY like the matte color.

Yeah, 2nd gear probably would have been better. I figured since I was only at about 5,000 rpm and not in my powerband, that I'd be safe. Guess not. Very odd though...I picked the bike up and it was in 4th gear. Not sure how that happened, I was in 1st when it went down.

themeatmanlandry · 06-11-2008, 02:33 PM

I got my plastics from eBay (I know, I know) and Ron Ayers. Mine's in the gloss.

Try Ron Ayers for the matte, but you may want to call to make sure you've got the right stuff. DON'T expect the pelicanhead that answers the phone to be very helpful . . . you may have to prod him/her a bit.

Paint codes are a pain. I wound up deciphering a few different sources, and by process of elimination was able to ascertain which paint code matched what I wanted. Good luck.

blackie1491 · 06-11-2008, 02:34 PM

Mike, good to hear you are OK.

diamond_jim · 06-11-2008, 02:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MikeHump

I think I need to get some glasses, I really didn't see the gravel on the ground until after I crashed and I noticed some rocks stuck in my arm.

Good vision is key to knowing if you have any foreign objects stuck in you.

MikeHump · 06-11-2008, 06:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by blackie1491

Mike, good to hear you are OK.

Thank you!

Quote:

Originally Posted by diamond_jim

Good vision is key to knowing if you have any foreign objects stuck in you.

haha yes. I think I'm nearsighted? Not quite sure...things far away are blurry, things up close are nice and clear (just like HDTV).

MikeHump · 06-11-2008, 06:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by themeatmanlandry

I got my plastics from eBay (I know, I know) and Ron Ayers. Mine's in the gloss.

Try Ron Ayers for the matte, but you may want to call to make sure you've got the right stuff. DON'T expect the pelicanhead that answers the phone to be very helpful . . . you may have to prod him/her a bit.

Paint codes are a pain. I wound up deciphering a few different sources, and by process of elimination was able to ascertain which paint code matched what I wanted. Good luck.

Thank you for the help! I'll have to look into Ron Ayers. I also have been monitoring Ebay. I found someone who replaced their stock plastics with race plastics, and have ALL of the matte/gloss plastics. He's selling them all separately, but has already had 3 offers on the entire set. I don't NEED any of the fairings, they're all still in perfect working condition, just a few minor scratches here and there. But I wouldn't mind having some extras just in case a spill like this happens again, I am still learning so it's entirely possible. I offered him 300 + freight for the tail piece and the two side fairings. Not sure if that's a reasonable offer, but I found a flat black entire set for 380 + freight, so I figured it was fair....maybe not though because I haven't heard back from him haha. Oh well, I'll come across some sooner or later.

Rickster · 06-11-2008, 10:18 PM

Glad your OK, are you sure you didn't get some of that new magic chain lube on your tire?

MikeHump · 06-12-2008, 10:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rickster

Glad your OK, are you sure you didn't get some of that new magic chain lube on your tire?

I'm actually not positive. My chain is on the left side, and I WAS making a left hand turn around the circle, so it's very possible that some of the overspray on the left side of my tire is what caused me to slip. I guess I'll have to be more careful next time I service the chain. I thought that I cleaned it all off of the tire, but I might not have.

themeatmanlandry · 06-12-2008, 10:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MikeHump

I'm actually not positive. My chain is on the left side, and I WAS making a left hand turn around the circle, so it's very possible that some of the overspray on the left side of my tire is what caused me to slip. I guess I'll have to be more careful next time I service the chain. I thought that I cleaned it all off of the tire, but I might not have.

I never clean off the overspray. I doubt that was what caused the spill. My vote is for loose sand and fines.

jgreth · 06-12-2008, 10:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by themeatmanlandry

I never clean off the overspray. I doubt that was what caused the spill. My vote is for loose sand and fines.

Rickster · 06-12-2008, 12:00 PM

Last week on our run to Deals gap, I had Tricker spray some chain lube on for me, and some over-spray got all the way over to my brake roter on the other side, not his fault, I don't have a center stand, and he had to duck walk behind me well I pushed the bike forward, and he tryed to keep the spray on the chain. It took about 100 miles for the rear brake to feel normal again.

MikeHump · 06-12-2008, 12:18 PM

Well, I know that it's either sand/gravel or the chain lube that caused me to fall. Either way, I can do a couple of things to help prevent this from happening again; I can be more careful with the lube AND I can get some glasses to help me see where all the stuff is on the ground. Of course, there are no guarantees that this won't happen again, even if I do both, but it will help to prevent it. Thanks for all the input!

tricker · 06-12-2008, 12:21 PM

I blame the wind for the overspray... or the fact i couldn't feel my ass while doing the duck walk...

and Mike.. just admit it, your a klutz

MikeHump · 06-12-2008, 12:33 PM

I may be a klutz, but if you can blame the wind for the overspray, can't I blame the sand and chain lube for my crash?

Rickster, you should have had someone take a picture of tricker while doing the duck walk....it would have been enjoyed on these forums hahaha.

themeatmanlandry · 06-12-2008, 12:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MikeHump

Rickster, you should have had someone take a picture of tricker while doing the duck walk....it would have been enjoyed on these forums hahaha.

Make sure to do that duck walk on one foot . . . with a banana . . . and today's newspaper . . . or I will think it's a photochop!!!

06-11-2008, 11:12 AM	#1 (permalink)
MikeHump Found second gear by accident Joined: Oct 2007 Bike: 2007 GSXR 600 Location: Tracy, CA Posts: 338	Laid her down Well there is this round-about (if that's what it's called) near my house. Traffic through it is always very, very light, so I decided to practice holding the bike while it's leaned over. Lately I haven't had a problem leaning the bike over into turns, but I seem to have trouble every now and again keeping it nice and smooth through the turn. I wasn't trying to push it, I was in 1st gear at about 5,000 RPM or so, maybe going about 20-25 mph around it. I was doing good, going round and round, until a car started coming towards the round-about. So, I decided to just go straight rather than continue to go around it, so that I wouldn't hit the car. Well, I guess there was some gravel in the path I chose, and I hit the gravel as I was still leaned over. Luckily, the frame slider saved most everything. The left mirror broke and the left tail fairing has a nice 4-inch scratch on it. I think the broken glass from the mirror scratched up the front fairing a tiny bit, but not enough to want to replace it quite yet. Other than that the bike is still fine. I picked it up, got back on and rode it home. Now...off to find some parts. I think I need to get some glasses, I really didn't see the gravel on the ground until after I crashed and I noticed some rocks stuck in my arm. And, of course, the time I decided to ride without a jacket due to the heat was the time that I had to fall. Lesson learned; Go get my eyes checked out and always wear a jacket. Be careful out there guys and gals.

06-11-2008, 11:19 AM	#2 (permalink)
diamond_jim Throttle Jockey Joined: Oct 2007 Bike: M8 Hellcat Location: North Alabama Posts: 3,249	Oh... this is a bike story I see. That sucks, man. That sounds a lot like what Annie did recently where she was going slow on what sounded like a parking lot with a little but of gravel and had to quickly adjust because of the presence of a car. __________________ M50 tutorials, tips and how-to links

06-11-2008, 11:46 AM	#4 (permalink)
stp1971 May 2007 Member of the month Joined: Mar 2005 Bike: 2004 Suzuki Intruder 1500LC / 2005 Suzuki DL650 V-Strom Location: Douglasville, Georgia Posts: 7,775	Wow,, I thought this was a non-bike story too. That suxs man. But as they, or most people say,, it is not if you drop it but when you drop it. Seems that I have had more whens than I care for myself. LOL!!! __________________ Biketoberfest 2006 flashback courtesy of Intimid8er: "Like you knew damn well you shouldn't eat something like that, but all be damned to hell, you were gonna eat it!" __________________

06-11-2008, 10:18 PM	#12 (permalink)
Rickster Bridal Boutique Manager Joined: Oct 2005 Location: St Paul Mn Posts: 2,914	Glad your OK, are you sure you didn't get some of that new magic chain lube on your tire? __________________ Ever notice that the person telling you to calm down, is the same one that got you worked up in the first place. 2008 1250 Bandit ABS 2008 DR 650 2006 HD Road King 2005 DL1000 V Strom (sold) 2004 Twin Peaks 700 2003 KTM 525 EX/C (for sale) 2005 Santa Cruz Heckler

06-12-2008, 12:00 PM	#16 (permalink)
Rickster Bridal Boutique Manager Joined: Oct 2005 Location: St Paul Mn Posts: 2,914	Last week on our run to Deals gap, I had Tricker spray some chain lube on for me, and some over-spray got all the way over to my brake roter on the other side, not his fault, I don't have a center stand, and he had to duck walk behind me well I pushed the bike forward, and he tryed to keep the spray on the chain. It took about 100 miles for the rear brake to feel normal again. __________________ Ever notice that the person telling you to calm down, is the same one that got you worked up in the first place. 2008 1250 Bandit ABS 2008 DR 650 2006 HD Road King 2005 DL1000 V Strom (sold) 2004 Twin Peaks 700 2003 KTM 525 EX/C (for sale) 2005 Santa Cruz Heckler

06-11-2008, 02:33 PM	#7 (permalink)
themeatmanlandry Banned Joined: Dec 2003 Bike: 2002 Bandit 600S (Black); 2006 GSXR750 (Black) Location: Memphis Posts: 11,423	I got my plastics from eBay (I know, I know) and Ron Ayers. Mine's in the gloss. Try Ron Ayers for the matte, but you may want to call to make sure you've got the right stuff. DON'T expect the pelicanhead that answers the phone to be very helpful . . . you may have to prod him/her a bit. Paint codes are a pain. I wound up deciphering a few different sources, and by process of elimination was able to ascertain which paint code matched what I wanted. Good luck.

06-11-2008, 02:34 PM	#8 (permalink)
blackie1491 I took the All Bran Challenge Joined: Jun 2005 Bike: C50SE Location: Aldergrove, B.C., Canada Posts: 7,210	Mike, good to hear you are OK.

06-12-2008, 12:18 PM	#17 (permalink)
MikeHump Found second gear by accident Joined: Oct 2007 Bike: 2007 GSXR 600 Location: Tracy, CA Posts: 338	Well, I know that it's either sand/gravel or the chain lube that caused me to fall. Either way, I can do a couple of things to help prevent this from happening again; I can be more careful with the lube AND I can get some glasses to help me see where all the stuff is on the ground. Of course, there are no guarantees that this won't happen again, even if I do both, but it will help to prevent it. Thanks for all the input!

06-12-2008, 12:33 PM	#19 (permalink)
MikeHump Found second gear by accident Joined: Oct 2007 Bike: 2007 GSXR 600 Location: Tracy, CA Posts: 338	I may be a klutz, but if you can blame the wind for the overspray, can't I blame the sand and chain lube for my crash? Rickster, you should have had someone take a picture of tricker while doing the duck walk....it would have been enjoyed on these forums hahaha.

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