Author Topic: So very mad at myself. (Read 2603 times)

Phaedrus · « **on:** February 01, 2006, 12:43:11 PM »

Today I learned the hard way that I did not put my kickstand up before setting out. As I went into a left had bank the kickstand caught, I came back upright and wobbled a lot. I panic braked as the curb was coming closer to me. Got the bike down to about 15 when I ran into the curb and skidded along the sidewalk. I am very very happy I wear armor. I didn't care how silly I looked when I rode, I really don't give a damn how I look now. Now if only the bike could be armored in some way.

I have bashed up yet another points cover, and this time I wore down the fins on my cylinder head. The handlebars are cocked to the right now, but I have already found out how to remedy that in the tech section.

I am so very mad at myself. This is what I get for laughing at the idea of a light for the kickstand I saw on a GB500. Just angry and had to vent at people who would know what I am talking about.

Bob Wessner · « **Reply #1 on:** February 01, 2006, 12:45:27 PM »

Sorry to hear. Venting is good, so go ahead and good luck with the fixing.

Gordon · « **Reply #2 on:** February 01, 2006, 12:48:53 PM »

That sucks! Glad you're okay, though. I've done that many times myself, but never with such catastrophic results!

Maybe it has to do with the placement of the kickstand on the frame. The 750 kickstand is mounted farther back than on the 550 so I don't think it has quite as much of an effect when it hits the pavement.

cbjunkie · « **Reply #3 on:** February 01, 2006, 12:52:10 PM »

ouch.
glad you aren't hurt badly. sorry to hear about the bike...

GroovieGhoulie · « **Reply #4 on:** February 01, 2006, 01:07:09 PM »

Damn, that sucks. I left the sidestand down once, and thank God I have that rubber attachment that (usually) automatically kicks it back if it hits ground while moving. I heard and felt the "thunk" of the sidestand slamming itself home and I felt real sheepish. Oopsy. However, that little piece of rubber saved me from embarrassment and damage.

When did that piece start appearing on these bikes?

Phaedrus · « **Reply #5 on:** February 01, 2006, 01:15:47 PM »

Thanks for the "glad you are not hurt" sentements, I apreciate it. The only thing that is really wounded is my pride.

GroovieGhoulie, so that is what that little bit of rubber is for. I have it, but it is worn down. I remember reading in my manual about measureing it and replaceing it at a certain point. Now that I know what it is for, I am definately replaceing that.

I have to make a small slow left turn getting out my little apartment complex parking lot sometimes I leave it down by accident and the kickstand makes a little scrape then and I remember to put it up. I made three right turns today and had gone about a mile before hitting that left bank. I really like to bank the bike deep, so I kinda waited till the last minute so the kickstand dug in hard and freaked me out.

Eh, I already found a points cover on ebay. gotta figure out what to do about the head.

TwoTired · « **Reply #6 on:** February 01, 2006, 01:24:59 PM »

Sorry to hear about the accident. You can prevent that in the future though.
Check out your side stand for correct operation. It should retract by itself if you forget and leave it down. Honda introduced the self retractors in the 75 models. There should be a rubber foot at the end of the side stand. If it is worn down or permanently bent up, it won't grab the street as it goes by and fold up with forward motion. Replace the rubber foot. Also, check that the stand pivot isn't bent and that the pivot arm swings freely. These get neglected and the end "fork" at the pivot spreads wide and starts to bind. The mounting bolt will reduce the fork spread and a bit of lube should get it swinging freely.

All my bikes get side stand maintenance and I "test" them periodically to verify they self fold.

Alas, my 74 doesn't self fold on forward motion. But, the "sparks" warning lights jar the memory pretty good!

Cheers,

Bob Wessner · « **Reply #7 on:** February 01, 2006, 01:36:12 PM »

I have a pre-75, so no retraction aid. I've always had a routine every time I get on the bike and the first step in the routine is to kick the stand back, it's become a habit now.

cbjunkie · « **Reply #8 on:** February 01, 2006, 01:37:04 PM »

any way to retro-fit one of these precious items? what do they look like?

Gordon · « **Reply #9 on:** February 01, 2006, 02:30:31 PM »

Quote from: cbjunkie on February 01, 2006, 01:37:04 PM

any way to retro-fit one of these precious items? what do they look like?

You can see the rubber piece pretty clearly in this shot of my 550. Don't have one on the 750K1, so I'm anxious to see how much of a difference it makes.

cbjunkie · « **Reply #10 on:** February 01, 2006, 03:02:02 PM »

you gonna try it out? (

)

hiwayman_750 · « **Reply #11 on:** February 01, 2006, 03:41:03 PM »

Glad you weren't hurt. I've done that myself several times, but only suffered from embarrassment. Damn shame about the scoot too, but it can be fixed. Good thing about wearing armor too, skin can take a while to come back.

TwoTired · « **Reply #12 on:** February 01, 2006, 04:20:48 PM »

Quote from: Bob Wessner on February 01, 2006, 01:36:12 PM

I have a pre-75, so no retraction aid. I've always had a routine every time I get on the bike and the first step in the routine is to kick the stand back, it's become a habit now.

Well, of course the side stand is part of the routine, just like the gas petcock and checking mirror alignment. Problem is, mental check lists are fallible and corrupted by distraction. Things like rechecking bungies, dropping a glove, shiny coins, free beer signs, and bouncing bikini contents allow you to skip routine in favor of other mental activities.

Are you trying to tell us that you NEVER deviate from routine, Mr. Roboto?

What were once vices are now habits - Doobie Broothers

78 k550 · « **Reply #13 on:** February 01, 2006, 04:26:23 PM »

Glad you ok and didn't get hurt.
I have a 72 500 no rubber but the kickstand id on the front corner of the frame my 78 550 is in the middle like Gordon's with rubber. I have spacked the 72 a couple time's nothing to bad. The 78 like said before Didn't notice it was down until you get the clunk of it against the frame.

Paul

ProTeal55 · « **Reply #14 on:** February 01, 2006, 04:41:50 PM »

Glad to hear you are still in one piece..
Sometimes we forget how dangerous riding can be at times..
The bike can be fixed, and usually turns out cooler than before...

clarkjh · « **Reply #15 on:** February 01, 2006, 04:54:30 PM »

Glad your OK. Been there, done that. I hit a sweeping left at about 55 with the stand down, the better half was behind me in the car, she thought the bike blew up when she seen the sparks, (12:30AM). I was lucky that it was a wide corner so I could pull straight and bring the stand up, then finish the corner (at reduced speed, 35).

James

Bob Wessner · « **Reply #16 on:** February 01, 2006, 05:01:47 PM »

Quote

Are you trying to tell us that you NEVER deviate from routine, Mr. Roboto?

TT,

Not yet, that's how I got old.

But, as you say, there is always a first time.

8 Track · « **Reply #17 on:** February 01, 2006, 05:18:19 PM »

I'm guilty of leaving it down too. Thank god I haven't wrecked yet, or had my wife on the back when I did. What I'll end up doing is getting off of it and forgetting to put it down, since I ALWAYS put it up as soon as my butt touches the seat!! Sorry about your misfortune and I'm glad you didn't damage yourself!

cb650 · « **Reply #18 on:** February 01, 2006, 05:24:37 PM »

Glad your ok. This happens and it did damage, forgetting to put your feet down at a lite is dumber.

Terry

skamania19 · « **Reply #19 on:** February 01, 2006, 05:38:25 PM »

My 750 did not have a sidestand when I bought it. So I took one off a parts bike, but it didn't have a spring. I bought a similar spring at the hardware store. But now the stand won't stay down unless the bike has weight on it. Convenient when I'm getting on the bike; all I do tip the bike upright and the stand retracts itself. Very inconvenient when I'm getting off the bike because I have to hold the stand down with my foot until I tip the bike far enought to put weight on the stand. Still trying to weigh the pros and cons about fixing this, but for now I don't have to worry about driving with the stand down.

Gibson · « **Reply #20 on:** February 01, 2006, 07:40:03 PM »

Glad to hear you wasn't hurt i'm trying to get into the habbit of putting it up as soon as i get on [might have forgot it down once or twice but rememberd before anny turn's] has annyone ever heard tell of droping the center stand after dark with another bike behind you?

GroovieGhoulie · « **Reply #21 on:** February 01, 2006, 08:31:09 PM »

Quote from: Gibson on February 01, 2006, 07:40:03 PM

Glad to hear you wasn't hurt i'm trying to get into the habbit of putting it up as soon as i get on [might have forgot it down once or twice but rememberd before anny turn's] has annyone ever heard tell of droping the center stand after dark with another bike behind you?

I hear in left handers the center stand lifting arm can drag, but that's at some hellacious lean. Lots of folks remove the center stand on Cafes to get better cornering clearance.

toycollector10 · « **Reply #22 on:** February 02, 2006, 01:13:57 AM »

Been there/done that..left it down that is, thank goodness I haven't dropped my bike because of it. Hope you get your ride sorted soon and you are back on the road.

Phaedrus · « **Reply #23 on:** February 02, 2006, 07:06:18 AM »

I said it before, but I'll say it again thanks for all the well wishes.

All the damage seems to be cosmetic. Muffler, points cover, fins on the head, and just noticed this one riding in this morning, the rear brake lever is rather high. Got the front wheel straigtened out last night, that was a really easy task.

I have had a leaky head for a while now, to the point where my left boot is black (from the oil) and my right one brown. Guess it is time to take it to my dad's shop and tear it down, replace the head and the gaskets and little o-ring thingys. I just wish the weather were horrible here. I was hoping for a nasty bit of weather in January so I could work on it.

motorcycleclaude75 · « **Reply #24 on:** February 02, 2006, 08:08:31 AM »

That reminds me of the time I was flying down the road at 60mph into a left hand curve when I noticed my kick stand was down.

What a scary moment when you're trying to lean into the turn and you can't. I managed to keep it upright but that moment is burned into my memory.

Claude

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Author Topic: So very mad at myself. (Read 2603 times)

Gibson

motorcycleclaude75