Author Topic: Be 100% sure when you modify things (Read 4150 times)

shinyribs · « **on:** May 17, 2012, 09:56:43 PM »

I was riding today when my rear tire ate my tail light. When sitting on my the bike I have 4'' of clearance from the light to the tire. I knew the rear shocks had enough travel to allow the tire to hit the light,but figured 4'' would be plenty. Don't do that. Be 100% positive when you mount something like this. I have put nearly 6,000 miles on my bike since I got it on the road and have not had an issue with this.I was charging into a corner pretty hard that starts off level but turns into a long uphill switch back. I down shifted going into the switch back and got on the throttle pretty hard. That is when the rear end squatted and got the tail light. You wouldn't think,but it hit hard enough to lift me up off the seat(seat and rear fender are one piece). I found out later that my seat actually has a curl to it now.Not cool. Ever have a bike laid way over at 50+ mph and get tossed off the seat? Not a cool feeling when your hands on the grips are the only part of you in contact with your bike. It took a few minutes for what could of happened to sink in,and a few more to get that thought out of my head.Then it took nearly forever to get my tail light wires untangled out of my chain and get my inner fender where the bike would roll again. i was roadside for about an hour just trying to get stuff where I could get it home.I still dont know what kept me from going down altogether. I did find my light where it landed in the trees about 15' off the road sans lens'. At least no glass got in the tire. A blow out would sucked big time.

Like I said,good enough is not good enough.Make your modifications PERFECT or don't do them at all. Don't gamble on two wheels.

PART_1337312532670 by Shiny Ribs, on Flickr

lucky · « **Reply #1 on:** May 17, 2012, 11:11:14 PM »

Do you have a pic of the light on the bike before the accident??

shinyribs · « **Reply #2 on:** May 17, 2012, 11:30:39 PM »

Sure,Lucky.

SANY0087 by Shiny Ribs, on Flickr

Bailgang · « **Reply #3 on:** May 18, 2012, 01:51:27 AM »

I totally agree and I'm glad to hear that you got through it with no injury to yourself.

754 · « **Reply #4 on:** May 18, 2012, 07:32:38 AM »

Easy test to perform ...remove shocksprings, check clearance.. allow 1/2 inch extra for bummper rubbers squishing fully..

Duke McDukiedook · « **Reply #5 on:** May 18, 2012, 07:49:17 AM »

Do you have new or newish shocks on there? If you have the stock ones on they are basically pogo sticks.

lone*X · « **Reply #6 on:** May 18, 2012, 07:59:15 AM »

nice old Ford type tail light, but an led strip light would buy you a lot more clearance and would look better with that tail section in my opinion. Glad to hear you were able to hang on. Could have been nasty.

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7018/6724298341_380a631b8d_m.jpg

bikerbart · « **Reply #7 on:** May 18, 2012, 08:05:26 AM »

that has happened to me and a lot of people I know,duh

mono · « **Reply #8 on:** May 18, 2012, 08:08:37 AM »

wow ---- glad you're OK. definitely a good cautionary tale.

Imago · « **Reply #9 on:** May 18, 2012, 08:10:27 AM »

I appreciate your candour and especially the lesson!

Great looking bike by the way...

singedebile · « **Reply #10 on:** May 18, 2012, 10:58:11 AM »

damn, glad to hear your ok.. and hopefully this story will save someones butt.

Im curious what kind of tank that is? orand did you modify it a bit?

72500john · « **Reply #11 on:** May 18, 2012, 12:08:59 PM »

dang..that sounds scary. glad you are ok.

MCRider · « **Reply #12 on:** May 18, 2012, 12:56:52 PM »

I see so many pictures of bikes I'm just SURE the same thing would happen to them. Lowered bikes are the worst candidate, at least yours was full travel.

The test is to finish the bike (or mock up) remove the springs from the shocks, reinstall the shocks, and raise the wheel till it hits the bumper on the shock shaft. There should still be clearance (1/4 to 1/2") beyond that as the tire is deflecting on the bottom when hitting a bump and expanding on the top.

Glad yours wasn't more exciting than it was.

FunJimmy · « **Reply #13 on:** May 18, 2012, 02:43:15 PM »

Quote from: shinyribs on May 17, 2012, 09:56:43 PM

Like I said,good enough is not good enough.Make your modifications PERFECT or don't do them at all.
Don't gamble on two wheels.

Great advise shinyribs
I'm glad you still have ribs to keep shiny.

FJ

Rigid · « **Reply #14 on:** May 18, 2012, 04:04:08 PM »

Just another testimony for the rigid frame! Then all you have to worry about is picking up a rock in the new sticky tread and dinging up the rear fender lip that is fitted oh so tight to the tire.

metalhead0283 · « **Reply #15 on:** May 18, 2012, 04:21:00 PM »

side mount plate n tail light would of saved ya from browning ur pants up...lol..nice looking bike by the way...i face planted @ over 40mph on a bike...good times

72500john · « **Reply #16 on:** May 18, 2012, 04:54:46 PM »

pm me if you need any epoxy resin to fix your curled/ bent seat.

shinyribs · « **Reply #17 on:** May 18, 2012, 05:22:07 PM »

Thanks for the kind words guys.

754-You are right,and I did do that test.Like I said,I knew it was possible to hit,but rode it anyway.Stoopid on my part.That's why I wanted to put this up there.I screwed up and almost ate pavement for my neglect. Lesson learned,and hopefully spread

Dukie-Yeah,they are stock pogo sticks.You could not have said it better.Saving pennies for progressives now!

Lone X- It USED to be a nice light!LOL. I love the LED strips,but just cant bear to put one on a "cafe".But thats just me...that being said I'll probably end up with one for sure now...

Singedebile-The tank is stock Susie off a '87 GS. Not sure what models other than that.I got it from a bud in Kansas City. I love how it comes up around the steering neck!

FunJimmy-LO! Me too!

72500john-Thank you very much for the offer,but that seat/tail fairing is actually aluminum.It's used to be a road sign...from your neck of the woods...*whistles*. I'll just have to break out the hammer for that one.

72500john · « **Reply #18 on:** May 18, 2012, 05:30:41 PM »

damm nice work from a road sign!! if you ever need any "exotic metals" let me know..i have a line on some unobtanium. and the such. do you work in roanoke? glad all is well.

shinyribs · « **Reply #19 on:** May 18, 2012, 11:14:34 PM »

I'm always looking for exotic danc- oh... you said metals,didn't you

uh,I need that at times,too!

I work all over Roanoke,Salem,Bedford,Lynchburg. 95% of the time I am in Roanoke,though. In town pretty much everyday. I'll probably cruise up to the speed shop and hang on a stool for a little while.

We oughta ride sometime...but first...what does your tail light look like?!?!

shinyribs · « **Reply #20 on:** May 18, 2012, 11:34:46 PM »

Oh,and John,thanks for the compliment on the tail piece. I appreciate that. That was my first go on an english wheel ...and my last!

New tail,turn brake light setup with guaranteed ample clearance this time! The last setup was -1'' clearance,this one is +1 ! WooHoo!

PART_1337408140238 by Shiny Ribs, on Flickr

PART_1337408203532 by Shiny Ribs, on Flickr

xsmooth69x · « **Reply #21 on:** May 19, 2012, 12:10:41 AM »

Un related question what exhaust is that?

Good to hear ur ok though i wouldve pooped myself.....

shinyribs · « **Reply #22 on:** May 19, 2012, 03:05:19 AM »

It's an aftermarket 4 into 1. I don't know the brand,neither does the buddy I got it off of. It had a HUGE cone muffler on the end. I cut the baffle down and slipped it up in the end of the header.

Here is a link where I made the ''muffler''

http://honda-cb750-s.456789.n3.nabble.com/Homemade-muffler-using-stock-parts-td3420689.html

Blueridgerunner · « **Reply #23 on:** May 19, 2012, 03:38:26 AM »

Hard chargin up Bent Mountain? Glad you're ok. Roads here in SW Virginia will bite you if you're not careful. Nice looking bike but good point on modification especially to the suspension and/or frame as you are playing catch-up compared to a modern sportbike.
Just down the road in Stuart.

shinyribs · « **Reply #24 on:** May 19, 2012, 09:41:07 AM »

Hey brr, haven't made it to bent mtn yet. This was on bore auger

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Author Topic: Be 100% sure when you modify things (Read 4150 times)

72500john

72500john

72500john