Went Down Today

[ranks]

All my fault.
All typical stuff.
I shoulda known better.

Accident was about 2 miles from the house.
Turning a corner (Not a car in sight), cold tires.

Best I can figure, my mind was wandering, and turned in a bit too late, compensated with more lean, rear hit some sand, and out she went.

Good news is my instincts to stay on the throttle were there.
I was at a dead stop, on my left side, still stradlling the bike, with the throttle going, before I realised I was all the way down, and shut her off.

I ATGATT and no issues. Speed was only 15-20 mph, and not even a bruise.
Well maybe bruised ego.

The bike lost a windshield, clutch lever/mirror clamp, left turn signal.
Scuffs on the black plastic, BMW engine guard, and my left Zega Pannier weld broke loose, plus is a bit bent.

So far, I have replaced the broken CeeBaileys with the original screen. Put the turn signal post back in place. Now just gotta get a clutch lever and turn signal.

[JPSpen]

Sorry to hear that James,

Glad you're ok though.....

Hope to see you soon..

John

[ranks]

Hey John.

As a matter of fact, I tried to call you today, to see if maybe you had a trailer or a truck.
The numbers I have are no good.

Wound up calling AAA since it was less than 50 miles. Waited 2 hours for the first, wrong kind of truck, even though I told them I needed a flatbad for a motorcycle, then about another hour. The second guy was great. If I coulda just figured out how to shift, I could have ridden her home. I had some cable ties, but I couldn't get the clutch lever stable enough to shift her.

After I get the parts, if you would like to lend some moral support, I'm gonna try and fix it up myself. I'm not very mechanically inclined, but it looks simple enough. It would be nice to have someone around, in case I get in a jam.

I guess the ole LT will be gettin some miles put on her for awhile.

[LarryR]

I am glad you are all right, James. The bike can be repaired. Just curious: How much sand was on the pavement? Was it clearly visible or something that most of us would not notice?

[ranks]

Larry,

Not much sand at all. I noticed it, barely. Where I turned there was also a drop off of about 1/2 inch and some leaves too.

It was a 90 degree T intersection with no stop signs, so I entered the turn about 15-20mph. (In a more aggressive mood, I have made that turn about 30mph).

I just had my head on the scenery (A scenic lake road), and not my riding, started the turn a bit too late, and leaned a bit too far. Cold Tires and lean angle were the major factors, as best I can guess. Sand a close second.

Actually driver error was the number one factor. If I had my mind on the road, I wouldn't have been late in the turn and wouldn't have hit the sand. Also If I had my mind on my riding, I would have used the breaks to slow so I wouldn't need to lean as much, or even just skip the turn altogether. It was kind of and "oh there is my turn, lean into it" moment. Once leaned in, I noticed the sand, leaves, and that I was a bit wide. I leaned more, so as not to get too close to the gutter which was full of leaves.

I posted this as a gentle reminder that you have to keep your head in the game and hopefully ATGATT 100% when out there on two wheels.

[gulfxray]

Glad you are OK James and thnaks for the reminder to keep the head in the game...

[JPSpen]

Sorry you couldn't get me on the phone. I'll pm you with the new numbers.
Moved out to Jones with Lindy, We're fixing up the Yukon house to sell at this time. Hopefully will have it ready by the first of January.

I had the station wagon today and would have had to drive to Jones, unload the van and drive it to wherever you were, But I'd have done it:)

Where were you when you trapped out ?

If you need/want help with the repairs, I'll be glad to do anything I can...

My garage here in Jones is absolutely full of stuff and I can't even think about getting my bike on the lift to do the annual...So I guess it'll have to wait till spring when hopefully I'll be getting the shop built....2500 Sq Ft...of Manville...

Then we'll have a good old tech session....

But we can work on your bike at your house... Shouldn't be a problem.

Have tools will travel..

Talk to you soon.

John

[UncleRock]

Glad your okay, the machine can be fixed, its just a machine.
Rock

[Ruben]

I'm glad that you're OK.

Broken machines are no fun, but easier to repair than broken bones! Glad that you were wearing good gear, and that it worked. :)

[ronk1200lt]

Glad you are o.k. This is a good reminder to keep my head in the game. Motorcycling is fun, but it can really cost you if you are not paying attention.

[mdakis2000]

James, glad your OK. I've been out the last couple of days on my GT and you truly have to watch out for the sand. It seem like Tulsa County really put down a lot during the Snow storm.

Again, glad you OK

Mark

[jgburns]

ATGATT! Good for you!

Sorry about the bike, but like others are saying -- it's replacable. You're not. I'm glad you're o.k.

[ranks]

Update:

Parts ordered. $367 Ouch !!

The big deal was the clutch lever/mirror clamp is all one unit which contains the master cylinder for the clutch. Also the turn signal is sold in pieces at about $10 per piece.

Should be in around Christmas.

BTW: My handlebars don't have the "bark buster" covers. Don't know if that would have helped, since the piece that actually broke is where the mirror screws into the unit by the clutch master cylinder.

[DaveDragon]

Sorry for the late reply James, glad You only bruised your ego, they heal pretty quick.

The bike has to have some beauty marks; I dumped my GSA doing a U-Turn to the right just seconds after doing one to the left.
I touched the front brake at full lock steering and sat her right Jug on my right foot across the toes.

The bruise took a couple of weeks to lose it's purple & green, the lesson, re-learned stuck.

[ranks]

Well,

I picked up the parts today, and got her running.

Two things I missed:

The screws that hold the clamp for the mirror/clutch, were not ordered, and not obvious that they needed to be ordered.

After taking for a test drive, I popped the clutch twice. (didn't have the clutch bled very well), and the battery wouldn't start the bike. Since the accident it has been in the garage on the battery tender. After I Bled the clutch, and recharged the battery, headed back down to the dealer to get some new screws and a battery. (I used some makeshift machine screws with a hexhead, that I had to dremel a slot to get a screwdriver in, and didn't feel comfortable leaving them in).


Thanks again John for you offer to help, but it was really much easier than I expected.

Also, BMW sells two sizes of vitamol, small and large. Get the small, or come see me if you need some. The large is way too much for just replacing the lever. It has enough to fill the resevoir probably 4 or 5 times.


The left Zega is sporting some JBWeld, and the left engine bar, left plastic cover, and left throttlemeister are sporting some scratches, but all is fine.

It sure feels funny getting on the GS after riding the LT for a few weeks.

Once again,

Stay safe, and keep your mind on the road !!

[gulfxray]

YaHoo! Good to be back in the saddle!

Scratches? Cantt be any worse than "The mark of shame" on my trunk - coming up on it's 3rd anniversary....

Hope you guys had a good Christmas James...

PS - I got to tell you when I saw the subject line - I said "Again?" What's wrong with James..." Sorry.... :)



Well,

I picked up the parts today, and got her running.

Two things I missed:

The screws that hold the clamp for the mirror/clutch, were not ordered, and not obvious that they needed to be ordered.

After taking for a test drive, I popped the clutch twice. (didn't have the clutch bled very well), and the battery wouldn't start the bike. Since the accident it has been in the garage on the battery tender. After I Bled the clutch, and recharged the battery, headed back down to the dealer to get some new screws and a battery. (I used some makeshift machine screws with a hexhead, that I had to dremel a slot to get a screwdriver in, and didn't feel comfortable leaving them in).


Thanks again John for you offer to help, but it was really much easier than I expected.

Also, BMW sells two sizes of vitamol, small and large. Get the small, or come see me if you need some. The large is way too much for just replacing the lever. It has enough to fill the resevoir probably 4 or 5 times.


The left Zega is sporting some JBWeld, and the left engine bar, left plastic cover, and left throttlemeister are sporting some scratches, but all is fine.

It sure feels funny getting on the GS after riding the LT for a few weeks.

Once again,

Stay safe, and keep your mind on the road !!

[Texas42]

Glad you're OK and now the GS is back, all is right with the world. Be safe out there.

[hammick]

All my fault.
All typical stuff.
I shoulda known better.

Accident was about 2 miles from the house.
Turning a corner (Not a car in sight), cold tires.

Best I can figure, my mind was wandering, and turned in a bit too late, compensated with more lean, rear hit some sand, and out she went.

Good news is my instincts to stay on the throttle were there.
I was at a dead stop, on my left side, still stradlling the bike, with the throttle going, before I realised I was all the way down, and shut her off.

I ATGATT and no issues. Speed was only 15-20 mph, and not even a bruise.
Well maybe bruised ego.

The bike lost a windshield, clutch lever/mirror clamp, left turn signal.
Scuffs on the black plastic, BMW engine guard, and my left Zega Pannier weld broke loose, plus is a bit bent.

So far, I have replaced the broken CeeBaileys with the original screen. Put the turn signal post back in place. Now just gotta get a clutch lever and turn signal.

I am glad you rode it out so well and were not hurt worse.

Do you think the new traction control option would have saved the day? I know it wasn't available for the '05 but I am thinking about ditching my '05 LT for the '08 GSA in the spring or possibly a 2007 if the price is right and I am trying to figure out which option I must have.