My Stupid Layover

[singlecoillover]

Well since I can't ride I figure I might as well talk about WHY I can't ride.

I was bored the other day and wanted take my freshly repaired bike out for a spin. (It had fallen off it's kickstand at the gas station.) I rode out a local road that I know very well, turned around and headed back towards my house. Halfway home I decided to take an unfamiliar side road that looked "fun." It was a nicely paved road (uncommon around here) with a few ok turns, but nothing spectacular. After about 2 miles the road ended in a T shaped intersection. Not wanting to go any further I decided to turn around. I didn't want to pull into the intersecting road to perform the maneuver, so (after stopping at the stop sign) I looked behind me and began to work my way through a very slow, very tight U-Turn. I remember feeling that I was going too slow to complete the turn and I think I touched the throttle which caused my rear wheel to spin in a pile of gravel I had neglected to notice. In less time than it took to blink I was on the ground with the bike on my left leg. I didn't get a scratch (Go ATGATT!!) and Thank God I was wearing boots because I could have easily hurt or broken my left foot had I not.

A really embarrassing way to mess up ones bike. I'm probably going to replace the mirrors with Ken Sean ZX mirrors. There's no way I'm paying 70 bucks for a stock one.









This is a button I installed. The stock horn button didn't work so I pulled the wires, attached them to this one, and superglued it behind the stocker. I'll have to try some GOOP next time.



Amidst assessing the damage, I noticed my left handlebar was bent (from previous owner)




So, lessons learned:

ALWAYS watch for gravel no matter how slow you are going.

Be extra cautious on unfamiliar roads.

Don't push yourself too far when beginning. (find somewhere easier to turn around)

[Scott1620]

Ouch, sorry to hear that... I almost lost it myself on a patch of gravel a few days ago when I was making a right turn, luckily my dirtbike skills kicked in and I kicked the pavement (and stayed on the gas) before I lost it. Moral of the story, always keep an eye out for gravel, its one of our worst enemy's...

[jcgirl]

Sorry about the bike!!! glad you didn't get hurt. YAY GEAR!!!!

[CC Cowboy]

While you're fixed your putt, clean up that rust.

[Flow]

Originally Posted by CC Cowboy

While you're fixed your putt, clean up that rust.

CTRL+F, "rust"

Damn.

The rust brought tears to my eyes.
Glad to hear you're alright though, fellow.

[cnichols79us]

Ugh... Sorry to hear, glad your ok...

[deezyellownutz]

Always better to be over prepared than under. Glad your ok. Just give the bike a hug and make up.

[singlecoillover]

Originally Posted by deezyellownutz

Just give the bike a hug and make up.

Lol, I know, I feel like a total dirtbag. I was planning on fixing all the fairings this spring anyway, but those extra scratches just make it that much harder.

Had a pleasant surprise today when my new handlebar, shifter bolt, choke lever, and left grip showed up well ahead of schedule. I'm trading my brother a spare helmet for the shift pedal off his totaled EX250J...it should fit, the linkage connection and bolt are the same.

I should be back up and running by tomorrow evening!

We had to dig the bike out of 3 feet of snow when I bought it, so the rust is not surprising at all. I'm not really sure how to go about cleaning it up though. I've never dealt much with rusty vehicles. Sanding? Repainting? I shall google rust removal and see what I get. Once I pull the old rusty handlebar off I may try to straighten it and clean it up so I have a spare.