Topic: Left turner strikes again...

[Terry in Australia]

The kevlar lined jeans are great John, they don't look like anything other than jeans, aren't any heavier than heavy denim, and you wouldn't have had any of those injuries to your legs, if you'd been wearing them. Definitely worth the 50-100 bucks you can buy them for.

[JLeather]

The kevlar lined jeans are great John, they don't look like anything other than jeans, aren't any heavier than heavy denim, and you wouldn't have had any of those injuries to your legs, if you'd been wearing them. Definitely worth the 50-100 bucks you can buy them for.

I've got a pair of the Draggin long-johns but they're too hot for the summer.  My buddy and I went to the store like 8 or 10 years ago and they sell 2nd's at a discount in person, or at least they did.  I'll look into the jeans again.  Probably would have saved me the punctures, but not the sore hip

[Terry in Australia]

The kevlar lined jeans are great John, they don't look like anything other than jeans, aren't any heavier than heavy denim, and you wouldn't have had any of those injuries to your legs, if you'd been wearing them. Definitely worth the 50-100 bucks you can buy them for.

I've got a pair of the Draggin long-johns but they're too hot for the summer.  My buddy and I went to the store like 8 or 10 years ago and they sell 2nd's at a discount in person, or at least they did.  I'll look into the jeans again.  Probably would have saved me the punctures, but not the sore hip

Good idea mate, and yep, sadly they won't stop you from breaking bones or bruising your hips. I suppose you could make your own bike pants with built in airbags, that would go off by way of a toggle connected at one end to the bike and at the other end to the explosive charge removed from an M26 grenade, so that as soon as you're flung from your bike the explosive detonates, and the gases produced fill the airbags secreted down the leg holes and around your butt area?

Hmmnn, I think I'm on to something here, "Terry's Airbag Bike Pants"! Ooher, I might go the whole hog and design a jacket too! Imagine being flung off your bike and just gently bouncing down the road, like you're at the bedding store, testing a new mattress! Of course, the initial explosion may completely sever your appendages, but what price safety?

[JLeather]

Lol, I actually have an airbag jacket (a "Hit-Air") that my wife convinced me to start wearing after our second kid.  Unfortunately the tether is too short to stick up past the big stock Honda seat foam so I didn't use it on the 550.  Wouldn't have helped this time, but I don't mind the technology.

[Terry in Australia]

Lol, I actually have an airbag jacket (a "Hit-Air") that my wife convinced me to start wearing after our second kid.  Unfortunately the tether is too short to stick up past the big stock Honda seat foam so I didn't use it on the 550.  Wouldn't have helped this time, but I don't mind the technology.

Well there you go mate, I didn't know there was such a thing. Ok, I better find something else to invent. I like the idea of those Draggin' long johns, I might buy a pair for next winter to wear underneath my leather jeans.

[RAFster122s]

Terry, you could always put an airbag beneath your nether regions and when it goes off, instant sterility...nut crusher. You won't feel any of the other injuries for a while...

[Kevnz]

What about one that inflates from the nether regions? Just have to eat a few cans of beans before each ride, like in Blazing Saddles! BTW all the hot shot bike racers like WSBK and MotoGP have airbag leathers, I believe.

[PeWe]

If that should have happened around where I live, female driver or a very old man or a drunk.

I got a Tesla smashing my car from behind 2 weeks ago when I stopped for pedestrians crossing the street over the holy white stripes.
Female with no clue about driving and sudden stop  in crowded traffic in a shopping center area when people suddenly use their rights to cross the street where they are expected to do so.

My assurance company informed me yesterday to leave the car for repair. Speed only 30-40kmh so I did not get whiplash. Faster another thing. The Tesla's front folded a lot and entered system failure when both crash bags activated.
I thought new Tesla's had auto braking/stop system. This not or not functional.

I was very close to be T-boned last year on my bike. My life had probably ended there if the car should have been 1m further. Also a young woman neglecting the road sign to stop for me. She looked like another young woman doing a left turn in front of me the year before. I was prepared that time and slowed down before she did the turn.
Proably a horse girl. Both places outside town close to horses.

They are dangerous and do not drive in the drivers seat, travelling.
Important to look into the car to see who's behind the wheel.

[dave500]

yeah i look at the type of car and whos driving it when they are around me,for example hire cars or out of state plates,light van rental trucks have people unaccustomed to them,car load of young kids all #$%*ing around not paying attention that sort of thing.

[RAFster122s]

Road raging drivers I have seen a couple times. Was very close to one who was pissed off at another truck. Driving erratic and dangerous and guy gets out of his vehicle at next light and assalts the other driver. I couldn't get my cellphone out to photo them and call cops. It was crazy and they needed to be arrested, at least the one getting out of vehicle did...

[pjlogue]

The kevlar lined jeans are great John, they don't look like anything other than jeans, aren't any heavier than heavy denim, and you wouldn't have had any of those injuries to your legs, if you'd been wearing them. Definitely worth the 50-100 bucks you can buy them for.

I've got a pair of the Draggin long-johns but they're too hot for the summer.  My buddy and I went to the store like 8 or 10 years ago and they sell 2nd's at a discount in person, or at least they did.  I'll look into the jeans again.  Probably would have saved me the punctures, but not the sore hip

Good idea mate, and yep, sadly they won't stop you from breaking bones or bruising your hips. I suppose you could make your own bike pants with built in airbags, that would go off by way of a toggle connected at one end to the bike and at the other end to the explosive charge removed from an M26 grenade, so that as soon as you're flung from your bike the explosive detonates, and the gases produced fill the airbags secreted down the leg holes and around your butt area?

Hmmnn, I think I'm on to something here, "Terry's Airbag Bike Pants"! Ooher, I might go the whole hog and design a jacket too! Imagine being flung off your bike and just gently bouncing down the road, like you're at the bedding store, testing a new mattress! Of course, the initial explosion may completely sever your appendages, but what price safety?

Thanks for the chuckle Terry!  They do have inflatable riding jackets already.  Just have to work on the lower parts.  A friend of mine who had an elderly care business said the #1 cause of injury in the elderly was falling and joked he should make a inflatable suit for the elderly.  Since a lot of us are getting up there in years why not combine both ideas.   

-P.

[bryanj]

As an asside Mercedes and Audi have discovered they can save a fortune by not fitting indicators as their drivers never use them!           At least the ones i see in UK dont

[70CB750]

Glad you OK.

[Terry in Australia]

The kevlar lined jeans are great John, they don't look like anything other than jeans, aren't any heavier than heavy denim, and you wouldn't have had any of those injuries to your legs, if you'd been wearing them. Definitely worth the 50-100 bucks you can buy them for.

I've got a pair of the Draggin long-johns but they're too hot for the summer.  My buddy and I went to the store like 8 or 10 years ago and they sell 2nd's at a discount in person, or at least they did.  I'll look into the jeans again.  Probably would have saved me the punctures, but not the sore hip

Good idea mate, and yep, sadly they won't stop you from breaking bones or bruising your hips. I suppose you could make your own bike pants with built in airbags, that would go off by way of a toggle connected at one end to the bike and at the other end to the explosive charge removed from an M26 grenade, so that as soon as you're flung from your bike the explosive detonates, and the gases produced fill the airbags secreted down the leg holes and around your butt area?

Hmmnn, I think I'm on to something here, "Terry's Airbag Bike Pants"! Ooher, I might go the whole hog and design a jacket too! Imagine being flung off your bike and just gently bouncing down the road, like you're at the bedding store, testing a new mattress! Of course, the initial explosion may completely sever your appendages, but what price safety?

Thanks for the chuckle Terry!  They do have inflatable riding jackets already.  Just have to work on the lower parts.  A friend of mine who had an elderly care business said the #1 cause of injury in the elderly was falling and joked he should make a inflatable suit for the elderly.  Since a lot of us are getting up there in years why not combine both ideas.   

-P.

Hey that's a good point mate! My dad had dementia bad and used to fall out of his bed all the time, was really sad to be honest, he broke his nose a couple of times, to the point where for awhile he was sitting up in bed in his nursing home wearing a fcuking purple bicycle helmet.

Fcuk that, I'm gonna make an airbag "Onesies" for old farts who fall over a lot! Luckily I have a willing test pilot who falls over all too often. Me.........

[Maltboy]

JLeather, So glad you have written this not from a hospital bed. Likely due to your own response.
It’s your right leg cut, hooked under the handlebars? But the bike went down on the left. Good that your headlight is on, but not good enough for the turning driver. We’re they distracted? What’s the speed limit on that road?
You’re likely hurting today, see a doc, take Motrin.
Again, glad it seems you’re (mostly) OK, and sorry for that nice looking bike.

I suspect I hooked my knee on the steering stabilizer that was fitted to the bike (see photo below).  Bike hit the car on the front/right and was thrown off to the left.  I'm sure it's fixable, but depending on what the adjuster says I'm not interested in fighting for the right to keep it.

Terry, usually gear around here is covered at actual replacement value.  Helmet is scuffed so I'll claim that.  Jacket is ok.  Boots and jeans are a little tore up.  I'll get my receipts together, along with the $400-$500 I've spent on the bike itself in the last few months and give the at fault driver's insurance a call.

Whatever you do, don't settle the bodily injury claim until you get the full value, including parts and labor, for what it will cost to put the bike back to it's pre-crash condition.  The adjuster will be much more agreeable when deciding damage money if they think you might go for blood with the injury.  Also, GO TO THE E.R. TODAY and have them check you out.  If you don't, it will weaken your case considerably.  Remember, these folks are out to screw you.  They are not your friend.  Protect yourself and your bike.

[bryanj]

Terry, the only reason you fall over a lot is liquid related!

[Terry in Australia]

Terry, the only reason you fall over a lot is liquid related!

Ha ha, don't scold me me Bryan, the doctor keeps telling me to stay hydrated, he just doesn't know that I only drink coffee or booze, and I don't drink a lot of coffee!

[PeWe]

Terry, your bike's fuel contains 10% ethanol in Australia?
Might be the good % range for the mechanic/eBuyer too!

[Terry in Australia]

Ha ha, apologies to John as I don't mean to keep posting irrelevant crap on his thread, but I'm pretty sure my blood contains at least 10% alcohol?

[Don R]

 Be ready for a lowball offer, that happened to us once and I told the lady I thought someone with physical injuries would receive more consideration. She called back with a better offer after "reviewing local values"  Also they took the vehicle from storage before settling, that annoyed me a lot.

[Maltboy]

Be ready for a lowball offer, that happened to us once and I told the lady I thought someone with physical injuries would receive more consideration. She called back with a better offer after "reviewing local values"  Also they took the vehicle from storage before settling, that annoyed me a lot.

The same thing happened to me with a very clean 1985 Dodge Ram I had a while back.  They offered me peanuts at first, but they were lovey-dovey after they found out I had gone to the ER.  I'm not out to screw anyone, but I can get pretty nasty when someone tries to screw me.  Insurance adjusters are there to do just that, and I'm not gonna put up with their nonsense.

[JLeather]

Well several updates.  First off it turns out my ankle was (is) broken after all.  Lateral Malleolus (?) fracture.  Basically a small crack in the little knobby bit on the outside of my ankle.  No cast, just "RICE" (Rest, Ice, Compression, Elevation) as much as possible over the next 4 weeks.  In other news the bike is (unsurprisingly) totaled.  Got the word today.  They're giving me basically full KBB for it which is probably about the best I could hope for, although I know in this shape it was worth more.  I am buying the bike back from them, but I don't plan to put it back together.  I expect to part it out to get me closer to what it should have been worth.  I'd sell it whole to someone who understands that it will require a frame swap to be safe and legal again.  In MD the process for reinspecting a salvage vehicle is not fun and I'm not doing it again   They told me the injury claim won't settle for a few months yet so they can capture all the medical bills, account for scarring, etc.

[RAFster122s]

Sorry to hear about your ankle…Hope it heals without complications. Just be aware that you often feel it even after healed when bad weather sets in for a good length of time after it has healed. Especially true with soft tissue injuries, which you likely don’t have extensive soft tissue injuries, other than impact related…not twisting tearing ones that remind you of them for years if not for life…
Don’t sign off on it until you are fully healed and 2nd opinion after healing isn’t a terrible idea either to gain a different perspective.

You had a nicer than average 550… maybe refer them to the mint low mileage time capsule that was on Bring A Trailer and the other recent 550Ks have gone for decent money too…it isn’t done until you cash the check, so make them justify it.

You had a very nice bike!

If the exhaust managed to survive and you intend to pick up another late 550, then hang onto it or sell if if not, should bring decent money. If I didn’t have a nice 4-2 setup and could have found a nice 4-4 setup I would have put one on my 550 project…
The late rocker cover , being a pinned design is worth keeping, imho.
I would be tempted to pick up a roller and transplant your good stuff to it…
Even if it is Anita a of early and late you would have a good bike in the end.

Heal well… do observe the RICE as it will help it heal properly. Ice will help a lot with the pain.

Good luck!
David

[Terry in Australia]

All the best John, sorry about your ankle, and I'm surprised they didn't put it in a cast, I had the same fracture (Volleyball, believe it or not) and they put it in a cast for 8 or 9 weeks, from memory?

As has been said above by David, your bike was mint, so folks will jump at the chance to buy the parts for their bikes, so you won't have any problems selling them, the biggest PITA will be driving back and forth to the Post office to send another box off, so make sure you add a "handling" fee to the price of your parts. Keep the damaged frame in case someone wants some "cuts" off it to repair a half arsed Cafe racer build.

Good idea waiting to see what your medical situation is like before claiming for medical too, as David has mentioned, my old injuries are worse now than when I actually broke all those bones. I was wet rubbing the primer on my Suzuki T500 tank this morning in 40 degree temps, and the water in the bucket was so cold that my hands ached, gotta love Osteo Arthritis........ Not. Take it easy mate.    

[JLeather]

Terry, I suppose it's due to the location of the fracture.  Mine is a small crack way down at the bottom past all the important load-bearing bits.  That's probably why the original radiologist and the orthopedist disagreed about whether or not it was broken.  It mostly hurts when I flex it at certain angles (or when my 2 year old hits it at full gallop).

As for the bike, I would need forks, bars, L/H controls at a minimum.  There's a ~1" scuff on the end of both L/H pipes which are still quite run-able but will never be perfect again.  My guess is I can part it out for as much as $1500 if all the good bits find homes.  Back together as a not-quite-as-nice-bike it should be worth as much as $2500 but I'll have $700-$800 if I wanted nice parts and that means netting maybe $300 for the effort.  Not worth it unless I either find a super cheap titled '77/'78 550 frame or I wanted to keep the bike.  I suppose I should cast a net out for a cheap late model 550 frame before making a final decision.