well.....not good news here. had an accident today. I am ok. Yolanda is not. She ain't going anywhere for awhile
I was riding down to meet a buddy for pizza in the right lane (which I try not to ride in often because of this scenario) and a guy in a small pickup truck pulled out in from of me, taking a left turn. he started to pull out and then stopped. only about 2 feet or so in the lane. it all happened so fast. I ended up having just enough time to veer to the right (so I did not hit his truck with my body or fly into the street) and clipped him right on his front left tire/panel area. my body flipped over the bars and I flew over the corner of his truck bed. because I was able to turn in to the right, I was able to not hit anything with my body but the ground.
adrenaline took over and I stood right up and shouted some things I don't remember. he got out and asked if I was ok. I checked all my appendages, joints, back, and neck. not a broken bone or a single drop of blood. unbelievable how lucky I was. the impact was about 20-30 mph. he has insurance, as do I, and the police officer stated he was cited for failure to yield and is at fault. Yolanda did not fare as well. the front end is presumably done. rim is bent badly along with some spokes. fork ears are twisted. I am not sure about the forks themselves though. the front fender is bent badly. left hand control is broken along with both the clutch and brake levers. the bars are toast too. the front signals are broken as well. the left engine guard bar did its job, and although its gone and it pressed into the stator cover ripping it out.....it looks like JUST the stator cover is gone. no damage to the pipes, or engine. without that guard bar that whole left section would be done for. the rear wheel remains true and SURPRISINGLY not a single bit of paint was scratched. I had fuel leakage even after it was uprighted so I need to check the carbs.
my worst fear is the frame neck was bent. that means a new frame, and a total restoration to pull off all parts and put on a new frame.....sigh. now playing the insurance game and waiting. hoping I can get a check to fix up the bike. its my only bike so now I am going to be grounded during our best weather of the year. I am VERY thankful to be alive and without injury other than road rash and an uncoming body bruise. I am glad I was wearing my full gear. be safe out there guys. yolanda will be rebuilt, just sooner than I really wanted. any well wishes/prayers are welcome, as well as leads on parts in the coming months. thanks for all the support this far guys.
