Rider Down, and the enemy is us
Thread Starter
Administrator
MotoGP
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 4,402
From: Kempner, TX
Rider Down, and the enemy is us
Rear brake failure yesterday, locked up rear wheel at 70mph, highside ..crunch.
Bike is pretty bad right side.... Biker sore and four broken ribs my right side..
About 12:37 Thursday
5 hours later after being released from the ER, revisiting the scene.
The skid mark you see behind me is the side case.. the high side impact and before that tire skid mark is in the forefront out of screen
All the gear all the time saved me from much worse... That was not our for a "RIDE" just ride downtown to my range for an errand.
Helmet took a good hit to include compressed liner, that piece of armor split...that was the right shoulder puck.. Heel of one boot got ground down a bit and toe are of another.. various rash on the jacket and jeans.
70mph highside and I walked away with 4 broken ribs and a little rash on one knee, few bruises elsewhere. ATGATT.
The Bike? Don't know yet, have not worked up the motivation to go into the shop and look.. Broken side cover, all right side rashed my unobtainium carbon Leo exhaust... Im just sick,,,and it's not the Morphine and Norco.
Bike is pretty bad right side.... Biker sore and four broken ribs my right side..
About 12:37 Thursday
5 hours later after being released from the ER, revisiting the scene.
The skid mark you see behind me is the side case.. the high side impact and before that tire skid mark is in the forefront out of screen
All the gear all the time saved me from much worse... That was not our for a "RIDE" just ride downtown to my range for an errand.
Helmet took a good hit to include compressed liner, that piece of armor split...that was the right shoulder puck.. Heel of one boot got ground down a bit and toe are of another.. various rash on the jacket and jeans.
70mph highside and I walked away with 4 broken ribs and a little rash on one knee, few bruises elsewhere. ATGATT.
The Bike? Don't know yet, have not worked up the motivation to go into the shop and look.. Broken side cover, all right side rashed my unobtainium carbon Leo exhaust... Im just sick,,,and it's not the Morphine and Norco.
Last edited by E.Marquez; Jan 8, 2016 at 07:47 AM.
Senior Member
Superstock
Joined: Mar 2015
Posts: 409
From: Central CA
I'm very sorry to read about your accident, but so glad that you were not more badly injured. Take care of yourself while you recover.
I hope the bike isn't too bad, but stuff can be replaced, right?
Thanks for sharing the story. BTW, I hope the item contained in the leather was not your favorite!
I hope the bike isn't too bad, but stuff can be replaced, right?
Thanks for sharing the story. BTW, I hope the item contained in the leather was not your favorite!
Last edited by Hangfly; Jan 8, 2016 at 06:45 AM.
Senior Member
Superstock
Joined: Mar 2015
Posts: 409
From: Central CA
Rib injuries are a SOB!
I only bruised my ribs during an accident a few years back. Let me tell you, it made life different for a while. Little things we do every day we take for granted, ha!
I could not get into bed without moaning. Laughter quickly turned into tears of pain.
I only bruised my ribs during an accident a few years back. Let me tell you, it made life different for a while. Little things we do every day we take for granted, ha!
I could not get into bed without moaning. Laughter quickly turned into tears of pain.
Well take off, eh.
SuperBike
Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 1,206
From: QC, Canada
Erik, really glade you're somewhat ok. Ribs take a real long time to heal, but they will heal. Sorry to say this, but the bike is not important...you are. Thanks for sharing with us this frustrating and somewhat happy ending story...you're still here to tell it.
I hope you'll let us know why the brake locked up on you. I know it's heavily moded, and hope that has nothing to do with it. It will help others prevent future failure if it's something that's related to that.
We can now put a face on you.
Get well soon friend.
I hope you'll let us know why the brake locked up on you. I know it's heavily moded, and hope that has nothing to do with it. It will help others prevent future failure if it's something that's related to that.
We can now put a face on you.
Get well soon friend.
Senior Member
SuperSport
Joined: Apr 2014
Posts: 932
From: Auckland, new Zealand
Glad you are ok mate. Broken ribs suck, been there. Just dont cough.
But another way to look at it is imagine where you would be if you didnt have the gear on. This doesnt mean you were lucky but very smart.
Bikes although mean a lot to us can be replaced or fixed, bodys not so much. You will need to take it easy and tell your loved ones to keep an eye out for concussion.
Again, dont cough. Or laugh.
But another way to look at it is imagine where you would be if you didnt have the gear on. This doesnt mean you were lucky but very smart.
Bikes although mean a lot to us can be replaced or fixed, bodys not so much. You will need to take it easy and tell your loved ones to keep an eye out for concussion.
Again, dont cough. Or laugh.
Thread Starter
Administrator
MotoGP
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 4,402
From: Kempner, TX
Rear caliper converted to underslung design, using the OEM bracket and stay added to keep it in place.
Previously I had snapped off the stay mount from the bracket, attributed it to having the bracket rotated too far forward .... see previous post here someplace.
New bracket, shorter stay and all has been well for months... did some really abusive controlled stops to test it, all held well.
Yesterday, tooling down the road at 70mph, I felt what I thought was engine loosing power, bogging, more gas drag down more.. ok, fueling issue, or perhaps motor is letting go.. I move toward right hand side of the road..just before I got into the debris on road side I gently used the brakes, just a tad.. rear wheel locked instantly, as I already had the rear wheel out of alignment (steering to roadside) the instant it locked it highsided me.
What I realize now is the brake stay had broken, the caliper rotated and was binding.. If I had not touched the rear brake I would have made it to the roadside, seen the issue called for the truck and been home in an 1/2 hour.
This was a part failure, a part I built and braking system I modified.. and it failed,,,,biting me in the ***.
Last edited by E.Marquez; Feb 15, 2020 at 06:18 AM.
VTR virgin
Superstock
Joined: Mar 2015
Posts: 447
From: Auckland, New Zealand
Sorry to hear of your mishap Erik. I wiped out on an oil slick in November and lowsided at around 60mph, and also cracked a rib on the way down. My advice: don't sneeze!
You'll heal up in no time, and I'm sure the bike can be repaired. Crashes are also UPGRADE opportunities!
You'll heal up in no time, and I'm sure the bike can be repaired. Crashes are also UPGRADE opportunities!
Senior Member
SuperBike
Joined: Feb 2013
Posts: 1,510
Sorry to hear this...
I stopped using the rear brake 15 years ago... I may tap it once a year to tighten my line in a turn...
Not that my comment has anything to do with the part failing, the thought just came to mind when i read your post.
On the dirt the rear wheel sliding about is great fun, on the street i prefer the rear planted and don't want to give it any input (besides throttle) to make it do otherwise...
Sorry to hear about your accident.
Looking at the wrecked bike will be more painful than the cracked ribs i assure you
James
I stopped using the rear brake 15 years ago... I may tap it once a year to tighten my line in a turn...
Not that my comment has anything to do with the part failing, the thought just came to mind when i read your post.
On the dirt the rear wheel sliding about is great fun, on the street i prefer the rear planted and don't want to give it any input (besides throttle) to make it do otherwise...
Sorry to hear about your accident.
Looking at the wrecked bike will be more painful than the cracked ribs i assure you
James
RUNLEVELZERO #99
SuperBike
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 2,218
From: Skokie
WTF
Erik,
I briefly read your reply to my PM today around noon during a break in a building code seminar I attended all day yesterday and today, and wondered what was going on when you referenced morphine. I did not read this thread until now now that I'm finally home, and WTF!
I feel terrible for you and you could have waited to reply to my PM!
I know everyone says (and of course I agree) that they're happy you only sustained relatively minor injuries and material things can be replaced but, and as I think I'm very much like you, totaling your VTR after the hundreds of hours you've spent modifying it has got to be more painful than your injuries.
And some material things just cannot be replaced, at least not exactly. However, if you choose to pick up the pieces and rebuild (I know it's going to very hard starting "over"), maybe the end result will be even better than what you had. Practice makes perfect. LOL
I've spent a lot of time on my VTR too and that is one reason I've not done track days on it because I'm afraid I push it and crash. That's not to say I couldn't total it on the street too. I've often thought it may be better to just buy a bike, do the absolute minimum mods and not devote a lot of time on it and just ride the heck out of it because of exactly the above possibility.
BTW and no lnock intended, whereas I do not know what type of jeans you were wearing (i.e., Kevlar lined with armor), in my ATGAT world there are no blue jeans (though I have a Kevlar / armored pair I bought just to test and they felt like I was wearing pajamas). I also do not carry anything hard in pockets, not even a cell phone. I'm also upgrading the armor in all my older leathers and Stitch.
I briefly read your reply to my PM today around noon during a break in a building code seminar I attended all day yesterday and today, and wondered what was going on when you referenced morphine. I did not read this thread until now now that I'm finally home, and WTF!
I feel terrible for you and you could have waited to reply to my PM!
I know everyone says (and of course I agree) that they're happy you only sustained relatively minor injuries and material things can be replaced but, and as I think I'm very much like you, totaling your VTR after the hundreds of hours you've spent modifying it has got to be more painful than your injuries.
And some material things just cannot be replaced, at least not exactly. However, if you choose to pick up the pieces and rebuild (I know it's going to very hard starting "over"), maybe the end result will be even better than what you had. Practice makes perfect. LOL
I've spent a lot of time on my VTR too and that is one reason I've not done track days on it because I'm afraid I push it and crash. That's not to say I couldn't total it on the street too. I've often thought it may be better to just buy a bike, do the absolute minimum mods and not devote a lot of time on it and just ride the heck out of it because of exactly the above possibility.
BTW and no lnock intended, whereas I do not know what type of jeans you were wearing (i.e., Kevlar lined with armor), in my ATGAT world there are no blue jeans (though I have a Kevlar / armored pair I bought just to test and they felt like I was wearing pajamas). I also do not carry anything hard in pockets, not even a cell phone. I'm also upgrading the armor in all my older leathers and Stitch.
Senior Member
SuperBike
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 1,458
From: South of Live Free or Die & North of Family Guy
Erik, so sorry to hear this.... at list you are here to tell us about it, could have been allot worse if the wheel locked somewhere else in this speed, you got lucky bro', one of my friends crashed in a similar way the day after Christmas doing only 45 mph, locked rear wheel, bike low sided and threw him off high side and got lot's more damage, surgery and a week in the hospital.
The bike... too bad, it was a very cool bike, but I trust you can make even better for the next.
Again, glad you are OK bro'.
The bike... too bad, it was a very cool bike, but I trust you can make even better for the next.
Again, glad you are OK bro'.
Senior Member
Back Marker
Joined: Jan 2014
Posts: 176
From: Malden MA
Erik, my condolences on your mishap. Glad you are around to tell us about it. I had a similar experience on either my 83 Interceptor 750 or might have been the 84 1000. Coming back from Laconia weekend doing about 75 mph on the highway my sleeping bag came undone and fouled the rear wheel. Luckily on a straight section of hwy and was able to ride it out to the side of the road. Must have left over 300 feet of skid mark and the tire was flat spotted down to the cords. Took half an hour to cut the bag off the rear wheel with a pocket knife. It was wrapped so tight it was like trying to cut down a tree.
What the hell another story to add to your riding history. Get well and good luck getting back on the horse.
What the hell another story to add to your riding history. Get well and good luck getting back on the horse.
Thread Starter
Administrator
MotoGP
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 4,402
From: Kempner, TX
Yup Im here, well actually Im going over >>>there to look at a Superhawk ..though the wife said no fun fun for a month if I try and test ride it.....so my son is meeting us there.
Thread Starter
Administrator
MotoGP
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 4,402
From: Kempner, TX
Well new superhawk for Marquez Racing
2001 16k on clock
Mostly unmolested (molestation will commence next week
)
Perfect condition save for one small scratch on side cover
Oh wait that's the current bike...Lol
The new one is really not even visible unless you look under the bike.
So in a few days when I can ride ill go get the new bike
Strip both and build one.
Other then four broken ribs reminding me while I should not be breathing very often or deeply, Im pretty stoked..
Though it was a hell of a way to get a gas gauge and clock on my dash... Fixing to have a super clean low milage SH again... and well now I have two complete motors as spares to build one this winter (the plan all along)
There will be some nice aftermarket parts for sale soon, and some commonly needed stock ones as well. But lets leave that for a for-sale thread in the future.
2001 16k on clock
Mostly unmolested (molestation will commence next week
)Perfect condition save for one small scratch on side cover
Oh wait that's the current bike...Lol
The new one is really not even visible unless you look under the bike.
So in a few days when I can ride ill go get the new bike
Strip both and build one.
Other then four broken ribs reminding me while I should not be breathing very often or deeply, Im pretty stoked..
Though it was a hell of a way to get a gas gauge and clock on my dash... Fixing to have a super clean low milage SH again... and well now I have two complete motors as spares to build one this winter (the plan all along)
There will be some nice aftermarket parts for sale soon, and some commonly needed stock ones as well. But lets leave that for a for-sale thread in the future.
Last edited by E.Marquez; Jan 9, 2016 at 04:39 PM.
Senior Member
SuperBike
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 1,458
From: South of Live Free or Die & North of Family Guy
Well new superhawk for Marquez Racing
2001 16k on clock
Mostly unmolested (molestation will commence next week )
Perfect condition save for one small scratch on side cover
Oh wait that's the current bike...Lol
The new one is really not even visible unless you look under the bike.
So in a few days when I can ride ill go get the new bike
Strip both and build one.
Other then four broken ribs reminding me while I should not be breathing very often or deeply, Im pretty stoked..
Though it was a hell of a way to get a gas gauge and clock on my dash... Fixing to have a super clean low milage SH again... and well now I have two complete motors as spares to build one this winter (the plan all along)
There will be some nice aftermarket parts for sale soon, and some commonly needed stock ones as well. But lets leave that for a for-sale thread in the future.
2001 16k on clock
Mostly unmolested (molestation will commence next week
)Perfect condition save for one small scratch on side cover
Oh wait that's the current bike...Lol
The new one is really not even visible unless you look under the bike.
So in a few days when I can ride ill go get the new bike
Strip both and build one.
Other then four broken ribs reminding me while I should not be breathing very often or deeply, Im pretty stoked..
Though it was a hell of a way to get a gas gauge and clock on my dash... Fixing to have a super clean low milage SH again... and well now I have two complete motors as spares to build one this winter (the plan all along)
There will be some nice aftermarket parts for sale soon, and some commonly needed stock ones as well. But lets leave that for a for-sale thread in the future.
Hope to see the new build soon
Senior Member
SuperBike
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 1,252
From: boston
Erik that is some bad luck but I'm glad to hear your mostly ok. I am also very glad to hear youve found a replacement so quick and the silver lining with the broken ribs is that it will give you a chance to molest the new one before you get back in the saddle ...
I am curious though... what was in the holster, and is it damaged? pictures?
again. glad to hear your mostly ok
...I am curious though... what was in the holster, and is it damaged? pictures?
again. glad to hear your mostly ok
Thread Starter
Administrator
MotoGP
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 4,402
From: Kempner, TX
Erik that is some bad luck but I'm glad to hear your mostly ok. I am also very glad to hear youve found a replacement so quick and the silver lining with the broken ribs is that it will give you a chance to molest the new one before you get back in the saddle ...
I am curious though... what was in the holster, and is it damaged? pictures?
again. glad to hear your mostly ok
...I am curious though... what was in the holster, and is it damaged? pictures?
again. glad to hear your mostly ok
Springfield 4" XD .45 custom
Minor scratches on the nose of the slide and front frame rail
