Living Up To My Name
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Senior Member
SuperSport
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 510
From: Edwards AFB, CA
Living Up To My Name
Got the forks and F4i shock back from Jamie today and installed them on the bike and got it running. Rode it half way into work today and went to power wheely it out of a turn and the back tire broke loose and almost felt flat. I looked behind and there is smoke and some fluid on the ground. Shut it off and coasted to the nearest side street. While coasting I remembered that it had fallen off the front stand about 3 weeks ago and FUBAR-ed the oil filter which I forgot to replace today while getting excited to get out and ride her today. No oil light came on and cut it off in time, should just need that filter sitting on the bench and a qt or 3 of oil. all in all, I feel like a dumb a$$. How is your day going? 
Senior Member
MotoGP
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 3,871
From: Phoenix, AZ
My day's going great! Just locked the front wheel up bedding in new front brakes. Was on an empty side road and I recovered but had a 
moment there. (note to self, warm up tires for more than 30 seconds before heavy braking) The question is, why do we admit this stuff on a public forum?
Who wants to go on a group ride?
moment there. (note to self, warm up tires for more than 30 seconds before heavy braking) The question is, why do we admit this stuff on a public forum? Who wants to go on a group ride?
Thread Starter
Senior Member
SuperSport
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 510
From: Edwards AFB, CA
NHSH: Yup, and that happend.
Flash: I agree but I think I deserved it.
7: glad your alright, we all make mistakes. I like to share to keep me down to earth, that I am not as awesome at fixing issues or swapping parts as I really am. It keeps me humble, yet looking like a squid at the same time. No harm no foul.
Flash: I agree but I think I deserved it.
7: glad your alright, we all make mistakes. I like to share to keep me down to earth, that I am not as awesome at fixing issues or swapping parts as I really am. It keeps me humble, yet looking like a squid at the same time. No harm no foul.
Senior Member
MotoGP
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 5,066
From: NYC
Hey squidly, doing wheelies on newly installed parts was the dumb part. The oil thing was human error. On racebikes we always ducktape the front brake lever the second we know a bike is unrideable. It at least slows you down & gives you a chance to not do something dumb.
7, I did that same thing (stupid brake hammering to"bed in" pads) on the racetrack in hot pit, tucked the front going through pit wall and CRASHED all over the place. More painfull than my 100mph crash in turn one.
Hopefully we admit this stuff to NEVER do something stupid again, or at least stop and say "is this really the smart thing to do?"
7, I did that same thing (stupid brake hammering to"bed in" pads) on the racetrack in hot pit, tucked the front going through pit wall and CRASHED all over the place. More painfull than my 100mph crash in turn one.
Hopefully we admit this stuff to NEVER do something stupid again, or at least stop and say "is this really the smart thing to do?"
Senior Member
SuperBike
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 1,689
From: South Lake Tahoe, CA, USA
Wow, a bunch of lessons learned:
1. Don't be in a rush to get the bike running. That's how I left one velocity stack loose, in my airbox. I set them both in place, tightened one down as my wife came in to the garage to talk to me. I looked back in the airbox and both stacks were in place, so I buttoned it up. The crash cost me about $1500 and a full season of riding. I was trying to get out of town to get to the track, after dealing with an electrical problem all day. I like the ductape idea, but you also have to be calm and very methodical.
2. Don't just grab a handful of brakes. You MUST apply the front brake gradually, to allow weight to transfer to the front wheel, before applying full braking force. I had a friend shatter his shoulder blade into little fragments after grabbing too much front brake.
3. It's good to learn from the mistakes of others. Don't forget the learning part.
1. Don't be in a rush to get the bike running. That's how I left one velocity stack loose, in my airbox. I set them both in place, tightened one down as my wife came in to the garage to talk to me. I looked back in the airbox and both stacks were in place, so I buttoned it up. The crash cost me about $1500 and a full season of riding. I was trying to get out of town to get to the track, after dealing with an electrical problem all day. I like the ductape idea, but you also have to be calm and very methodical.
2. Don't just grab a handful of brakes. You MUST apply the front brake gradually, to allow weight to transfer to the front wheel, before applying full braking force. I had a friend shatter his shoulder blade into little fragments after grabbing too much front brake.
3. It's good to learn from the mistakes of others. Don't forget the learning part.
Well take off, eh.
SuperBike
Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 1,206
From: QC, Canada
Tape on brake is a good idea, but doesn't tell you what needs to be done. I tore up a rag in strips, and when I start working on the bike when November appears, I sometimes don't start rebuilding before late January early February. So, by that time I forget what need to be done. To remember, I tie a piece of rag where ever I need to work/complete the job.
Thread Starter
Senior Member
SuperSport
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 510
From: Edwards AFB, CA
All sound advise... I thought that my mind would rememeber that because It pissed me off to find the bike on the ground that morning, but I guess not. I felt like i needed to fill out my ID10T form.
So went back last night after work, replace the oil filter and wiped down everything I could but the rain did most of that for me. No leaks, re-torqued everything to spec and found nothing else that I previously removed loose.
So went back last night after work, replace the oil filter and wiped down everything I could but the rain did most of that for me. No leaks, re-torqued everything to spec and found nothing else that I previously removed loose.
Last edited by Squid; Mar 12, 2013 at 09:56 AM.
Senior Member
Back Marker
Joined: May 2012
Posts: 230
From: Akron, Ohio
Refreshing that I'm not the only one who has little brain farts or gets in a hurry to go for a ride.
Case in point, this past Sunday, (first ride in 6 mos due to winter) just glance and check my mirrors - saw nothing but a white "Range Rover" with a luggage rack on top 2 cars behind me, so I turned onto a long straight side street with a posted 45 mph rip through 4 gears look in my mirrors and see blue and red disco lights.
I pull over turn off the bike removing my helmet and see a white Ford Edge with a blue and red light bar ("luggage rack") - I'm up front with the cop, he has a laugh, says dont do that in a residental area, we shake hands and go on our way. I got lucky....True story.
Case in point, this past Sunday, (first ride in 6 mos due to winter) just glance and check my mirrors - saw nothing but a white "Range Rover" with a luggage rack on top 2 cars behind me, so I turned onto a long straight side street with a posted 45 mph rip through 4 gears look in my mirrors and see blue and red disco lights.
I pull over turn off the bike removing my helmet and see a white Ford Edge with a blue and red light bar ("luggage rack") - I'm up front with the cop, he has a laugh, says dont do that in a residental area, we shake hands and go on our way. I got lucky....True story.
Senior Member
MotoGP
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 5,066
From: NYC
Tweety, what are floorbandy sticks? Jack, with the rags, how would you even notice it as you got on to ride away? Especially if squid tied it to the oil filter. Thats why disable the bike.
You have to remove a rag to work on it but then can get called away, leaving it unmarked. The taped or zip tied brake stops you from riding and can be left til work is done.
You have to remove a rag to work on it but then can get called away, leaving it unmarked. The taped or zip tied brake stops you from riding and can be left til work is done.
Well take off, eh.
SuperBike
Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 1,206
From: QC, Canada
As I said Joe, the tape is a good idea. It's just if you're working on more then one item at the same time like I do (which I do not recommend by the way) well, I need extra 'flags' to help me remember what I need to finish rebuilding/refitting/rebolting/re what ever...
And just to back up your theory, I went into the garage last night, and once done with part of the project, guess what I did....I ty-wraped the brake
And just to back up your theory, I went into the garage last night, and once done with part of the project, guess what I did....I ty-wraped the brake
Senior Member
MotoGP
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 5,066
From: NYC
Yeah, Jack, I have watched countess times as "mechanicly inclined" racers/wrenchers/riders rode off on bikes with missing calipers, no oil, loose axles etc.
It is a huge battle as even shops (or especially them) forget important stuff. Once you zip tie the break you can leave notes on the ignition.
I used zip ties (of course) an cut pieces of a paper plate to write the note. Its really durable and you just use a hole punch and zip it to the triple or ignition.
Now you cant ride off and are reminded at the key until you do the job.
It is a huge battle as even shops (or especially them) forget important stuff. Once you zip tie the break you can leave notes on the ignition.
I used zip ties (of course) an cut pieces of a paper plate to write the note. Its really durable and you just use a hole punch and zip it to the triple or ignition.
Now you cant ride off and are reminded at the key until you do the job.
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SuperBike
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 1,461
From: South of Live Free or Die & North of Family Guy
A good practice before your ride, take a minute or two and go over the bike, look around to see that nothing is loose or missing while you warming it up. When you rush out like in a racing environment things do happen to the best of us!
Thread Starter
Senior Member
SuperSport
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 510
From: Edwards AFB, CA
When I sat through my MSF course last spring I was givine an acronym to check over the bike before each ride: TCLOCKS
http://www.msf-usa.org/downloads/t-c...nchecklist.pdf
I thought I didnt need it. I guess they really do make these things for a reason.
http://www.msf-usa.org/downloads/t-c...nchecklist.pdf
I thought I didnt need it. I guess they really do make these things for a reason.
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Back Marker
Joined: Sep 2012
Posts: 133
From: California
1. Always check tires / lights / mirrors / gas / brakes and perform a quick visual inspection for anything odd.
2. Think for a moment about what work you were performing and for gods sake save the hard liquor, beer, wine, weed etc. for AFTER you are done. Otherwise you may forget something critical!
Being a 30 year old squid with a 996cc for a first bike, I am 100% in the zone the moment I decide to ride; like a gladiator preparing to enter the arena!!
We all have to much to live for.
2. Think for a moment about what work you were performing and for gods sake save the hard liquor, beer, wine, weed etc. for AFTER you are done. Otherwise you may forget something critical!
Being a 30 year old squid with a 996cc for a first bike, I am 100% in the zone the moment I decide to ride; like a gladiator preparing to enter the arena!!
We all have to much to live for.
Last edited by WhOrD; Mar 13, 2013 at 10:14 AM.
Senior Member
Back Marker
Joined: Sep 2012
Posts: 133
From: California
When I sat through my MSF course last spring I was givine an acronym to check over the bike before each ride: TCLOCKS
http://www.msf-usa.org/downloads/t-c...nchecklist.pdf
I thought I didnt need it. I guess they really do make these things for a reason.
http://www.msf-usa.org/downloads/t-c...nchecklist.pdf
I thought I didnt need it. I guess they really do make these things for a reason.
Well worth the money.
Thread Starter
Senior Member
SuperSport
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 510
From: Edwards AFB, CA
True... I do like the tape / ziptie around the brake lever and a list on the bike... Im thinking of putting a white board above where I park the bike and use that as my list.
Out of my mind, back in 5
MotoGP
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 6,109
From: Skurup, Sweden
Tweety, what are floorbandy sticks? Jack, with the rags, how would you even notice it as you got on to ride away? Especially if squid tied it to the oil filter. Thats why disable the bike.
You have to remove a rag to work on it but then can get called away, leaving it unmarked. The taped or zip tied brake stops you from riding and can be left til work is done.
You have to remove a rag to work on it but then can get called away, leaving it unmarked. The taped or zip tied brake stops you from riding and can be left til work is done.
Anyway, it's kind of hard to miss, flourescent yellow, almost glow in the dark...A strip on the brake, and one on the part needing to be fixed... Havent failed yet... Well... It did fail when I used it on the steering wheel of the S.O's car... But given that I had disconnected the battery, she didn't get very far...
Out of my mind, back in 5
MotoGP
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 6,109
From: Skurup, Sweden
It was a result of me being halfway though fixing corroded parts leading to bad grounding that mean the battery had to be charged frequently to not leave her stranded... I figured a large neon "X" on the steering wheel would be an obvious hint that I wasn't finished, but she thought otherwise... So she woke me up on my day off, to inform me of that before she left in my car... I wasn't that amused... But I did fix her car before she was back home, like I had planned too...
Well take off, eh.
SuperBike
Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 1,206
From: QC, Canada
Women's interpretation of a 'problem' is quite different then that of a mans. Case and point, Tweety's story. Very amusing to tell, but far from that when you're stuck fixing/repairing the said problem, she seems to not notice.
As many of you, I have my share of these funny little stories which I will keep to myself, since I find sometimes a little...embarrassing
As many of you, I have my share of these funny little stories which I will keep to myself, since I find sometimes a little...embarrassing
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Gritsngravy
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Jul 17, 2009 11:53 AM
