Topic: FJR down, ribs bruised

[MCRider]

MCRider-Just curious, how bad is the FJR?  Glad you're OK. -Chuck

I didn't get a look at it as prudence dictated I stay where i lay, till the EMTs were done, and they took me away.

Guys i were riding with had mixed reviews. Being that it's 10 years old, and broke at least the front fender and fairing and saddlebag, and an engine cover that drained all the oil out, could be a total. 

I'll opt for a "cashout" if it comes to that and rebuild it myself. But if its bent, it's going to the crusher.

Maybe I could take the cashout and part it out.

[ChuckG750f1]

It's so normal for us all to get attached to our machines, but they are after all, metal and plastic objects.  Replaceable!  Sounds like you've got the right attitude.  I'm looking forward to hearing how it works out for you. -Chuck

[74cb750]

Glad to hear you are ok. Wrench time to fix it up will be good for you.

[RAFster122s]

The last option would be my choice as you could breath life into another FJR with some of its parts and sell a few things and scrap the rest.
Glad you weren't seriously injured and you are recovering.

Just don't let the insurance scr-- you on the bike's value. They have developed that into an artform.

You feeling up to retrieval yet?

[MCRider]

The last option would be my choice as you could breath life into another FJR with some of its parts and sell a few things and scrap the rest.
Glad you weren't seriously injured and you are recovering.

Just don't let the insurance scr-- you on the bike's value. They have developed that into an artform.

You feeling up to retrieval yet?

Thanks, I go back and forth on what I might do but it all hinges on the damages/coverage, which will be an unknown for a few more weeks.

Even thought about taking the payoff and getting a new (to me) DN-01 with Givi bags. Not nearly as fast. A concesion to my age perhaps.

I've been with State Farm forever, and I think I'm ahead on premiums v payback. 2 hailstorms got me 2 new roofs, just in time I'd add,  and 3 totalled bikes with no obvious retribution from their end. So here's hoping.

The retired Army Colonel who is keeping my bike told me he's on vcation till Sept 3rd. He assured me its locked up tight and his neighbors will be watching. Its way off the trail in a semi-resort area along the Ohio River. Said he's abiker too, harley, and has sympathy. Said 4 bikes have fallen this year bveore me and 2 more since, one guy needed the lifeline helicopter. They offered it to me, but I just took the ambulance ride.  Can't wait to get back there and see what really happened. I just have dim memories.

[Stev-o]

3 totaled bikes?? Is that a typo?

[MCRider]

3 totaled bikes?? Is that a typo?

Unfortunately no. Luckily i never hit anything, they were all solo get offs. I stepped off Phaedrus back in 1980 on the Interstate in St Louis, returning from an outwest trip. It was a long ramp where the cars would slow to a crawl during rush hour, dripping fluids. When I came thru at speed i hit some fluid and was down quick. Thanks to case guards and a spare clutch lever, and a first aid kit, I was able to ride home. But it was totalled. I fixed the necessary pieces and rode it 15 more years.

When the bike is old, but OEM spare parts are expensive (like a tank) it becomes a total fairly quickly.

My FJR at 10 years, blue books for $5,000. So some fairing pieces, fender, engine cover, radiator, and saddlebag, it could be a total too.

[MCRider]

Picked up the FJR this weekend. 8 hour roadtrip to Magnet IN. Revisited the crash site, yikes.

Bike pretty beat up, pictures soon. Front wheel seems to be closer to the fairing than I remember. And if some road debris entered the engine thru the hole in the dyno cover, it will likely be a total.   

[78 k550]

Sorry to hear of this. Get well soon.

Paul

[flybox1]

glad you werent more seriously injured.
heal up quick.

[Kevin D]

MC, I hope your recovery continues and you are well enough to ride.

the crash site

I looked at the Google Earth around Magnet, IN this morning. Can you tell us which evil road has swallowed seven motorcycles this year?

My daughter spent some time at IU and we have sampled some of the nice roads in southern Indiana, but I've never made it there on my CB. I hope to change that someday.

[MCRider]

MC, I hope your recovery continues and you are well enough to ride.

the crash site

I looked at the Google Earth around Magnet, IN this morning. Can you tell us which evil road has swallowed seven motorcycles this year?

My daughter spent some time at IU and we have sampled some of the nice roads in southern Indiana, but I've never made it there on my CB.

Thanks to you and others for good wishes. I'm fine, slight tenderness in the ribs still. I'll be fine to ride once i have some wheels. 

I was with some other people and not paying attention to where I was. But i took the time to revisit the scene and figure it out. We were coming down Cnty Rd 27 from the North. It Ts into Cnty Rd 133, aka Parks Road. Turn Left and you're in Magnet, a wide spot in the road, which devolves into a gravel road unfriendly to MCs. Turn right and its about 2 miles to IN66. parks Rd is about 1.5 lanes wide, and is simply a paved over wagon trail from Pioneer days. I actually crashed on a small bridge about 100 yds shy of IN66. The bridge is newer and barely 2 lanes wide. But its at such sharp angle to the road, left turn, you have to get into the oncoming lane to get thru it. i stayed in my lane which had gravel washing down on it from a gravel logging road that broke off to the right. BAM, I'm in the ARMCO.

Now, the 4 guys and gal ahead of me got thru fine. I was tired and made a bad call.

Had I made it and continued on out to IN66, that's where the most accidents happen. parks road plugs into the outside extreme angle of a very tight turn. If you're on 66 you'd be going south down a long curvy hill. At the bottom go straight into Parks Road. Or turn right about 140deg. That's what bites most of the bikes, as 66 is very popular and actually a very nice MC road.

The guy who kept my bike lives in a scenic log cabin (modern) up the hill in the crook of the turn on 66. From that perch he can see the turn on 66 and almost the bridge on Parks Rd. Certainly he can hear any commotion down there.  he told me the weekend after mine there were 2 more, 1 had to be choppered out. They offered me a chopper ride, but i wasn't hurt that bad.

The turn is so sharp that even though its a State Highway, he said some large trucks get hung up trying to make it.

Having said all that, IN66 is areally nice road for MCs. Just when you see the sign for Magnet SLOW DOWN!  He said that actually the most and worst accidents occur nearer the top of the hill. There is a "Steep Grade" warning. But it takes bikers by surprise as they approach at about 55 mph. Then they get on the brakes, can't negotiate some of the gentle curves and wind up in the rocky gutter.

Frankly i can't wait to go back. Now I understand the layout. Beautiful ride.   

[Kevin D]

gravel washing down

I hate it when that happens, not any kind of fairness involved!!

The Google Earth street view doesn't let me go down Parks road to the bridge only to the bend just above the bridge, but you can see it in the distance.

That hairpin on the 66 is a dinger! the tightest turn by far in that stretch of 66 and on a downhill to boot. Its about a 350 foot drop from the top of the hill to the apex of the hairpin.

Its just as well these twisties are far away from me or my CB might have been gone a long time ago.

[MCRider]

gravel washing down

I hate it when that happens, not any kind of fairness involved!!

The Google Earth street view doesn't let me go down Parks road to the bridge only to the bend just above the bridge, but you can see it in the distance.

That hairpin on the 66 is a dinger! the tightest turn by far in that stretch of 66 and on a downhill to boot. Its about a 350 foot drop from the top of the hill to the apex of the hairpin.

Its just as well these twisties are far away from me or my CB might have been gone a long time ago.

The odd thing about all this is that last summer, wife and I and 2 other couples stayed in a vacation cabin in Magnet. It's right on the Ohio River, scenic.  They all drove and I took the FJR. And that means... I crossed that same bridge in both directions at least 3 times last summer!

Google Earth is amazing.

[MCRider]

So here's the crime scene. I was approaching the camera.

Coming down the hill at the far end to turn left onto what i now know is a bridge, lined with ARMCO. I wasn't actually conscious at the time that this was a bridge and that the creekbed was a good 15 feet down.  The turn was to go left , but you can see the gravel road leading off to the right. The gravel had filtered down onto the roadway i was on.

I did recall a decision that laying it down was probably better than high side. usually anything is better than high side. TMy buddies that went thru first all hung to the left side. I was far enough behind that i didn't see their line and I entered too high. My front wheel went under the ARMCO. It grabbed the bike at that point and spun it around on its side so that it was facing the direction from which I had come. It did its little pirouette on the dyno cover and the oil slick is still there 5 weeks later.


The left side saddlebag is destroyed. Well only the finish and you can't even tell in this photo. Pretty impressed really, it acted as a crash guard for the pipe and tail section.

But the front end plastic is pretty beat up. and there is some question about the front end running true, the condition of the radiator, and whether any road debris entered the 2 inch hole in the dyno cover.


Insurance adjuster says the estimate is "getting up there". I'm bummed and not really looking for another project at this time. But, they're only toys and I'm here to play.

[ChuckG750f1]

It sure looks like it could be made right again from the pics.  Goin' high into the  guard rail would have put you in the creek bed.  Glad you laid it down.  -Chuck

[MCRider]

It sure looks like it could be made right again from the pics.  Goin' high into the  guard rail would have put you in the creek bed.  Glad you laid it down.  -Chuck

It will be a time and money thing. If they total it, do I keep it and try to score new to me used plastic, or have the old stuff repaired (I know a good plastic welder), and get it repainted. And if the front end is tweaked do i try to tackle that.

Or take the money, part it out and see what I can buy to replace it.

[Stev-o]

And if totaled, you may get a salvage title (happened to member Pecantree).

Could lower the value of the bike if that matters.

[MCRider]

So I come home from a bidnuss trip, go thru my mail and find a check from State Farm for $5,855.04. No explanation no discussion, just a check stub that says 2003 FJR Claim #xxxxxxxxx. !  No request for title change or anything.

I'll call them tomorrow for details, but I assume its totalled. That's higher than the highest blue book type estimate I could find.

So now, do I part it out? I think so. Sad though. My pride and joy. 

Rumor is the race car guys pay a lot for the engine. Some popular formula.

Raise enough money to buy a good used something or other. Lower and lighter and smaller, commensurate with my devolving physical condition.

[Stev-o]

you have the title? if yes, I wouldnt bother to call. Now, what to do?? Part out, fix or sell?  I bet you could fix for $4K or less, unless the frame is bent.

[MCRider]

you have the title? if yes, I wouldnt bother to call. Now, what to do?? Part out, fix or sell?  I bet you could fix for $4K or less, unless the frame is bent.

Yeah I got it free and clear.  I'd like to rebuild, but the "ifs" are too iffy. Its not a project I ever planned to do, and others are more appealing.

Feelers are out all over. We'll see.

[RAFster122s]

Do they have it or do you have it currently? I would hope if they have it, that they respect you still hold the title and have not done anything with it. Nice check though...glad they paid out well for it.

Very nice one just sold on Ebay for less than that and it was newer, had some nice upgrades, and was spotless. Would make a nice road trip if you could have the time off to spend a week or so to retrieve it and enjoy some sights on the way across country. This one was parked in a hangar with helicopter in background with a list of pricey accessories. Corbin seat heated grips &ABS smuggler add-on storage, front aftermarket very nice adjustable windshield, etc.
Guy had money or knew well how to sell the idea it was a very pampered bike/toy.

Was the FJR a 600 pound monster or something? 
We gonna need to send the "governator" there to get you on a work out program to pump you up again? (Joking)
From the movies he has been doing lately he must be getting desperate...
He is probably laughing every time a royalty check arrives.

With top heavy or heavy bikes it is very easy to get behind the curve on handling them.
I am embarassed to admit but I dropped my CX500 shortly after getting it while astride backing it out of a parking spot on a gentle slope. I didn't keep my feet wide enough apart and got caught off guard with the foot too close to the pipes and I let it lean to that side a bit. I didn't catch it as I had looked to the left as it shifted right and before I realized what I had done I was past the point of being able to stop it. No damage to the bike and my car was parked beside me on that direction and I was far enough away from anything to not hit anything else as I rolled it on its side. No damage to the bike either. No one was around to see me pull the boneheaded move either.

[MCRider]

Do they have it or do you have it currently? I would hope if they have it, that they respect you still hold the title and have not done anything with it. Nice check though...glad they paid out well for it.

Very nice one just sold on Ebay for less than that and it was newer, had some nice upgrades, and was spotless. Would make a nice road trip if you could have the time off to spend a week or so to retrieve it and enjoy some sights on the way across country. This one was parked in a hangar with helicopter in background with a list of pricey accessories. Corbin seat heated grips &ABS smuggler add-on storage, front aftermarket very nice adjustable windshield, etc.
Guy had money or knew well how to sell the idea it was a very pampered bike/toy.

Was the FJR a 600 pound monster or something? 
We gonna need to send the "governator" there to get you on a work out program to pump you up again? (Joking)
From the movies he has been doing lately he must be getting desperate...
He is probably laughing every time a royalty check arrives.

With top heavy or heavy bikes it is very easy to get behind the curve on handling them.
I am embarassed to admit but I dropped my CX500 shortly after getting it while astride backing it out of a parking spot on a gentle slope. I didn't keep my feet wide enough apart and got caught off guard with the foot too close to the pipes and I let it lean to that side a bit. I didn't catch it as I had looked to the left as it shifted right and before I realized what I had done I was past the point of being able to stop it. No damage to the bike and my car was parked beside me on that direction and I was far enough away from anything to not hit anything else as I rolled it on its side. No damage to the bike either. No one was around to see me pull the boneheaded move either.

(UPDATE: The check was sent to me in error. They aren't finished with the "total out" process. So the final offer will be less their salvage value, which won't be much. But i thought something was wrong.)

I have it. The final offer will still be pretty good i think.

WOW I'll need to start watching eBay.

Yeah its right around 600lbs. 125hp, 100ftlbs torque its a handful. Unlike the ST1300, the FJR carries its weight high. With a highish seat height, it's a little concerning to tip toe around at stops and parking.  That didn't contribute to my accident, but it may be time to think about it.

I haven't been putting enough miles on it to stay sharp, and my riding buddies were mostly on 450lb sportbikes. My wife actually said "ride more or stop riding". She's the best.

My problem is neuropathy in lower legs and even with exercize it's considered to be irreversible.  I'm doing diet supplements and therapies, we'll see.

Sorry about your tipover, but its easy to do.

[Stev-o]

Sent the check in error? WTF?! I woulda deposited it. Did you call them?

[RAFster122s]

Beurocracy ?spelling?
Good luck getting it finalized. Migh be tough to impossible to prevent it from having a salvage title...if it is rebuildable.

The  CX I have weighs about 450-480 and all the CX and GL 500/650 designs are top heavy but not bad when you learn their handling.  Moving with feet up I don't notice it hardly at all.
New 700x bike from Honda is suppose to be nice if you don't fight it and let the economy  or sport settings control the shifing. Its flat twin design makes the cg low.