First time down

[madmike]

In honor of me today:

[ame=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qk2YNouT9UA]RATT - Lay It Down (music video) HQ - YouTube[/ame]



Not on the Fizzer, I was out on the Harley. Rode it down to the stealership to order new bars and a windscreen for it, and decided to take a nice leisurely ride exploring the back country on the way home. Went down a nice fav route of mine, and at a junction, opted to take a left and check some new stuff out. Road turned to dirt road, which quickly turned to heavily potholed dirt road. Gambling it would lead back to the highway I continued on, albeit rather slowly. Coming down a gentle hill, spotted a huge hole I didn't feel I could swerve around in time, so hit the brakes hoping to soften the bump. Front tire went in hole and stopped, and over I went.

I and the bike are fine. The saddlebag bore the brunt of it, scuffed up good but nothing some leather treatment won't fix, and a tiny scuff on the bottom of the bike, can't really even notice it. Very lucky I didn't damage anything.

Left wrist is a little banged up and sore as it braced my fall. But the gear did it's job...leather jacket and armor, and my knee/shin armor absorbed everything even with all the sharp rocks so I didn't feel a thing.

Worst hurt thing is my pride. I feel more than a little stupid right now.

Rode the bike back, and I'll check everything over again, but looks like I dodged a bullet.

 

[JustKatie]

I think your pride came through just fine seeing that you are willing to share your experience with your forum family! Just goes to show that it doesn't matter how experienced a rider may be something unexpected can come up, also another testament to wearing gear. Thanks for being humble enough to share with us cause your experience may just save a life. P.S. Very glad to hear that you and your ride are okay!

 

[Jay S.]

Glad you are okay!


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[AngryAnt]

Yeah, really glad you're not messed up. Entirely too many people seem to buy a cruiser and suddenly decide that skull-caps and short-sleeves shirts are the choice 'gear', or better yet a flimsy flea market leather vest. Its nice to see a geared out cruiser rider for a change, I know you'd be damn near the only one in my area.

 

[madmike]

Yeah, really glad you're not messed up. Entirely too many people seem to buy a cruiser and suddenly decide that skull-caps and short-sleeves shirts are the choice 'gear', or better yet a flimsy flea market leather vest. Its nice to see a geared out cruiser rider for a change, I know you'd be damn near the only one in my area.

My personal rule is ATGATT. Regardless of machine. Today validated it. I'd still be alive, but my elbow and shoulder might be jacked up, and I'd def be cut up from the rocks and such. Instead, I got up more pissed at myself than anything, dusted off, and proceeded to pick up the bike.


BTW, after hearing horror stories about how it is nigh impossible to pick up a 750 pound softail by yourself, I was worried about being stranded. In this case, being a rather big fella paid off, I had it up on it's wheels with extreme ease. One hand on the bars, one hand on the backrest, and up it went.

 

[MNGreg]

Indeed. glad to hear you are ok.

Sent from my Samsung Fascinate using Tapatalk.

 

[lewis1962]

Love RATT !!!

 

[madmike]

Shouldn't say I got off scot free. Just went out to the garage to give it a more thorough look. Clutch lever is bent, and there was a few drops of fluid under the bike. Closer inspection shows a couple drops collecting around the bottom bolts of the transmission primary cover. I tightened them down a bit and will check later to see if the leak persists. If it does, probably just needs a new gasket after getting knocked around a bit?

Clutch lever is just a $30 part. Primary cover leak has me nervous though.

 

[yfz6r]

Harley Davidson Softail Dyna Glide CHROME SKULL LEVERS | eBay

 

[Bartholomew]

Shouldn't say I got off scot free. Just went out to the garage to give it a more thorough look. Clutch lever is bent, and there was a few drops of fluid under the bike. Closer inspection shows a couple drops collecting around the bottom bolts of the transmission primary cover. I tightened them down a bit and will check later to see if the leak persists. If it does, probably just needs a new gasket after getting knocked around a bit?

Clutch lever is just a $30 part. Primary cover leak has me nervous though.

It's a Harley right? You don't need to worry, I heard that they always leak fluids. LOL :justkidding:

 

[See red]

Glad your ok. If it STOPS leaking is supposed to be the rule. lol! hen you check the oil.lol!

 

[madmike]

LOL. Back in the Marine Corps, we used to have that same saying about CH-53 helicopters. If you get in one and it isn't leaking hydraulic fluid, get out immediately, because that means it's out.

 

[BrueThru]

Sounds like you have had a fun day.

Glad to hear your head is still attached to your body. :thumbup:

 

[dart1963]

oh man... sorry to hear... but glad things weren't too bad

 

[Rookasaki]

Glad you're ok brother....

 

[Detrich]

Sorry about the tip over but glad ur ok. Hope the bike is ok too

 

[Fizzer6R]

glad you're ok man... :iconbeer:

 

[madmike]

Upadte, the bike is fine...the "leak" was just a little fluid coming out of the overflow from being on its side. In a wrist brace today (I have a few from old injuries) just to make sure I don't tweak it. My left wrist is my golden goose as a drummer.

But doing fine. I hate to even give an update on such a weaksauce "accident".

 

[dcBear78]

I dropped my bike yesterday. Just scratched on the fairings and a broken mirror. And a slightly bent brake lever that will bend back no issue.

The mirrors aren't a concern as they were Ninja ones from eBay. A order for some more isn't an issue.

The fairings on the other hand.... Probably cost more to paint than to replace. Not sure yet as I haven't looked into it yet.

If anyone has a spare set of right hand side plastics for a 2010 white 6R lying around let me know.

 

[Superzoom]

Sorry about your drop, Dcbear. You might want to go out and buy a little can of Tremclad Rustoleum white paint and use it to touch up the fairing. Pretty ghetto, but the Tremclad is good quality paint.

Madmike, sorry about your spill. I don't mean to be a douche, but did were you still on the brakes when you went into the pothole? I say that because whenever you are on your brakes, especially the front ones, it does bad things to your bike's suspension action, making it very harsh. With potholes, you should slow down before them, but then let off the brakes as you actually go over them, and even use a little constant throttle to go an even speed so that you are not decelerating over the pothole. Same thing with cars.

If you already knew that, I apologize.