Goof ups
11-13-2008, 06:22 PM
#1
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Goof ups
Just thought it would be fun to talk about the dumb no brainer things we have done.
So last night I was taking apart my bike to clean the carbs and after I had finnished, I put it back together. I figured I'd start it and see if it runs any better....nope forgot to reconect the throtle cables and turn on the fuel...sure felt dumb.
So last night I was taking apart my bike to clean the carbs and after I had finnished, I put it back together. I figured I'd start it and see if it runs any better....nope forgot to reconect the throtle cables and turn on the fuel...sure felt dumb.
11-13-2008, 10:00 PM
#5
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11-14-2008, 07:38 AM
#6
RIP Zy! You will always be in our hearts.
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Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: Asheville, NC
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Me and that damn fuel pump. The number of times I have been working on my bike...put everything back together...started down my road...and then bup bup bup...die. 
Then I gotta walk back up my hill...grab my tools and walk back down and fix it on the side of the road.
Then I gotta walk back up my hill...grab my tools and walk back down and fix it on the side of the road.
11-14-2008, 11:09 AM
#9
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My father, who DEMANDED that his children try for perfection in all things attempted, was rebuilding the front end of his R 75/5 when I stopped for a visit some time ago. Thanking my mother for coffee, I settled in to watch the expert install the fork seals and such as he put his bike back together.
Through two cups of coffee, I never mentioned the rubber gaiters sitting in the parts box as he very carefully reassembled the entire front end of his BMW. As he tightened the last clamp bolts and adjusted the cables, I gave the empty cup to my mother and kissed her goodbye. Then I asked my my father if he had any intentions on the gaiters remaining in the box.
DOH! Head slapper. I laughed all the way home.
Through two cups of coffee, I never mentioned the rubber gaiters sitting in the parts box as he very carefully reassembled the entire front end of his BMW. As he tightened the last clamp bolts and adjusted the cables, I gave the empty cup to my mother and kissed her goodbye. Then I asked my my father if he had any intentions on the gaiters remaining in the box.
DOH! Head slapper. I laughed all the way home.
11-14-2008, 01:04 PM
#10
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Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: Brooklyn, CT
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Once I changed the oil and filter in my truck but didn't check the used filter to make sure it still had the gasket. Two gaskets do NOT make a better seal. 
Started it up and backed it out of the garage....then heard the oil pump whine and saw the pressure gauge bouncing. 4 quarts in the driveway.
Started it up and backed it out of the garage....then heard the oil pump whine and saw the pressure gauge bouncing. 4 quarts in the driveway.
11-14-2008, 04:46 PM
#11
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Changed the oil on my car, closed up the hood and took it for a run. Undercoated the engine compartment and the windshield with fresh 10W30. Wipers do not work better when lubed. Cap was right where I left it on the battery box.
11-14-2008, 06:18 PM
#14
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doh
Back from deployment, went to start my RC-51. Would not start. I thought I had connected everything. There I was, gas tank removed tearing into the throttle bodies, looked closer found I did not connect the ground side of Powercommander. 
11-15-2008, 08:59 AM
#16
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Join Date: Oct 2008
Posts: 18
When I sold my KLX400sr, five people came by and looked at it. Five people sat on it. None of them turned the kill switch on b/f hitting the starter. Five of them asked me what was wrong. Five times, without a word, but with a big smile, reached over and flicked the switch down. I was replacing the top end of a 350 chevy for the first time with no experience, no tech manual, in the dark. I got all but one bolt out, and spent 3 days hoisting, prying, hammering, till on the third night a buddy came over and asked right away, did you get all the bolts? I was like "YEAH!" He walked over and found it for me, hidden in a small oil puddle by the firewall.... DOH! BTW, I was 18...
11-15-2008, 11:24 AM
#17
Out of my mind, back in 5
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The hawk have a real nice way of letting the world know of your mistake aswell, since it tends to dump the contents of the by then slightly primed carbs in the pipes with the obvious resulting flames...
11-15-2008, 11:39 AM
#18
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Hahaha, BTDT a couple times. New rule- My truck doesn't move untill all the doors are shut. Hope your not in too much trouble over it!
11-15-2008, 11:44 AM
#19
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I stiill do this every once in a while. It can be embarasing if people are around waiting to hear the rumble of the 'Hawk!
but then the big KABOOM makes up for it. LOLOL
11-15-2008, 04:50 PM
#20
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Ive changed oil probably like 1000+ times now, and i came up with a way to almost never ( almost , hasnt happened yet but could) never forget the oil cap off again. every car i change the oil on i take the cap and put it right on the hood latch, Or leaning up against it. Anywhere near the latch that might prohibit you from closing the hood easily or properly. I cant tell you how bad it would look if i forgot a customers oil cap off. It was worth $10 bucks for the one cap i crushed.
11-17-2008, 12:45 PM
#21
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Superstock
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: Brooklyn, CT
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When swapping my r/r I forgot to disconnect the battery. Was almost done when I touched the pos. and neg. connectors together. No biggie...just the 30amp main fuse. Kind of made me jump, though!
11-17-2008, 01:23 PM
#22
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Ive changed oil probably like 1000+ times now, and i came up with a way to almost never ( almost , hasnt happened yet but could) never forget the oil cap off again. every car i change the oil on i take the cap and put it right on the hood latch, Or leaning up against it. Anywhere near the latch that might prohibit you from closing the hood easily or properly. I cant tell you how bad it would look if i forgot a customers oil cap off. It was worth $10 bucks for the one cap i crushed.
Last edited by Cleveland; 11-17-2008 at 01:26 PM.
11-17-2008, 01:37 PM
#23
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changed my oil on the Shawk a few weeks ago. I got the new filter on and fresh oil in the bike so i started it up to check for leaks. when i walked around the other side of the bike i realized that i hadnt put the oil filler cap back on and the right side looked like a jackson pollock painting. needless to say i felt like a giant bonehead and employed a good deal of citrus degreaser to get the spattered oil off. d'oh
11-17-2008, 02:43 PM
#24
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I replaced a relay in my clothes drier heater circuit. Unplugged the 220V and changed it out. Closed everything up and plugged it in. Worked great. Lifted the top back up to ensure all the mounts were screwed in properly. The top slipped and contacted live 220V and welded itself open. The relay blew. I took it back to the appliance shop and told the guy the truth. He laughed his *** off and gave me a relay for free. Never mess with 220V.
11-17-2008, 04:11 PM
#25
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I did that after checking the oil in one of my bikes... didn't notice it right away either and of couse after it started gave things a good oil bath.
changed my oil on the Shawk a few weeks ago. I got the new filter on and fresh oil in the bike so i started it up to check for leaks. when i walked around the other side of the bike i realized that i hadnt put the oil filler cap back on and the right side looked like a jackson pollock painting. needless to say i felt like a giant bonehead and employed a good deal of citrus degreaser to get the spattered oil off. d'oh
11-17-2008, 05:48 PM
#26
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Back in '94 I owned a CBR1000F - great bike if not a bit on the porky side. All I had was the bike, and since I lived on the ship I rented a small storage unit to keep the bike in while at sea. The day before a 6-month deployment I changed the oil in the storage unit and proceeded to run errands and say goodbyes to friends. Cruising down Hwy 64 towards Va Beach I notice what looks like a cloud or something behind me in the mirror. It was windy that day and I thought maybe it was just sand blowing off the side of the highway. As I come to my exit, I pull in the clutch and the oil light immediately comes on. I give her a small rev and the light goes off and comes back on again. I hit the kill switch and pull over. As I get the bike on the sidestand, a small puddle of oil forms under the bike - maybe a pint or so. Turns out I forgot to tighten the drain plug (doh!). Since it was like 7pm, all the bike shops were closed already. Turns out the oil plug from a Honda Civic found at the local auto parts store is the same part.
11-17-2008, 08:24 PM
#27
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I had finished a valve adjustment on the front cylinder and it was time to put on the cylinder head cover. The manual said to put sealant on the semicircular cut-outs on the cylinder head.
What for? I asked myself. There's a gasket there. I didn't have to do it on my Hawk GT. I don't need no stinking sealant, I thought.
Did I start the bike before I put the fairing on? No. I put everything together, put on my riding gear and started it up.
Well the VTR has one hell of an oil pump and the area under the cylinder head cover gets a lot of oil. If I'd done the job right, the oil would have stayed where it belonged. It didn't stay where it belonged. I use sealant on the semicircular cut-outs now.
What for? I asked myself. There's a gasket there. I didn't have to do it on my Hawk GT. I don't need no stinking sealant, I thought.
Did I start the bike before I put the fairing on? No. I put everything together, put on my riding gear and started it up.
Well the VTR has one hell of an oil pump and the area under the cylinder head cover gets a lot of oil. If I'd done the job right, the oil would have stayed where it belonged. It didn't stay where it belonged. I use sealant on the semicircular cut-outs now.
11-20-2008, 04:45 AM
#30
Out of my mind, back in 5
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I regularily use the key... Since everytime I DO use the switch I forget to re-set it... Doh!
