crap... crashed the GS

[niteshade]

today... bad day.

After a lovely visit to the Art Institute of Chicago, I had to teach a computer class across town.  It had been raining all day... the roads were very slick.  Went over an overpass on Halsted street and on the way down braked for a stoplight behind a Chevy pickup... nothing happened, zero traction.  Oil slick.  Low-sided, wedged the bike under the rear of the pickup.

I was fine, had my gear on.  Bruised my thigh and left chest, but not badly.  Pickup literally didn't have a scratch.  Bike is screwed... bars twisted into a pretzel, mirrors toast, brake and throttle cables snapped, two inch dimple on the right frame.  I think the engine and wheels are fine, though, and the frame seems OK at a glance, besides the (mostly cosmetic) dent.

Learned a lot today... I guess this is how you become an experienced motorcyclist.  I was likely going too fast: 50 yards on wet declination is not enough to come down from 30mph.  If it's wet, slow the #$%* down.

My local shop is towing it back to my hood in a half hour or so.  Any idea how much I can expect to pay for a new handblebar assembly?

[RVertigo]

Did you NOT see my sig?

[scratch]

Glad you're mostly allright.  Hope you feel better.  And, good for you   turning this into a learning experience.

What kind of handlebar?  Stock: $40-50  Bikemaster: $15-20

Mirrors: Stock:  $40 each?  Napoleon: $20-30 each

Throttle cable: $20

Brakeline and washers:  $40+? (doesn't include washers or brake fluid)

$115-200, if you do it yourself.  Est. shop rate @ $65/hr x 2 hrs...+$130

[12thmonkey]

That sucks man. Sorry to hear about it.

i have a brand new-in-box stock mirror that i got when i bought my bike. PM me if you want it. i'm sure someone around here has another one...

[red_phil]

Is a dimple on the frame EVER just cosmetic?
Might be worth getting someone who knows about these things to look at it?

[scottpA_GS]

Glad you came out OK  I hate rain !!!

[niteshade]

Is a dimple on the frame EVER just cosmetic?
Might be worth getting someone who knows about these things to look at it?

took the bike to the shop, and the mechanic there said the same thing... insurance company would likely declare it totalled because of the frame dent.  I don't have comprehensive coverage, so this basically means my bike is kaput...  :-(  ...and I don't have the cash for another right now.  It's a shame, because the rest of the bike looks just fine.

The mechanic said we might bring the bike to another shop where they have fancy equipment to measure any frame deviation... he said he wouldn't be comfortable letting me ride off with just a handlebar replacement without having the frame looked at.

How much is a new frame?

i have a brand new-in-box stock mirror that i got when i bought my bike. PM me if you want it. i'm sure someone around here has another one...

I'll let you know man... I gotta figure out if this is gonna be worth it.

[Dwn4whadever]

Glad that you are ok man.

[pandy]

+1. Glad you're ok. Sorry about the bike damage. 

Please ride safely, everyone... 

[The Buddha]

Frame is steel ... dents ... yea glue a golf ball to it and call it a cool new accessory ... steel can really be bent back and forth a few times ... then weld the thing over and still manage to be OK ...
Aluminum is what turns into crap after bending ... it will work harden and break off.
I have had one bike that had a dent in the frame ... big deal ...
Cool.
Srinath.

[bigM]

Glad your ok dude. I got some bar-end mirrors coming thursday, so I'll have the stock ones if you need em. Also I've got some stock bars, they were a little bent when I got the bike but after I straightened them out no one could tell. If I can I probably wont go in to any of the local shops again, Except maybe MCC (their like for Ducatis and high end stuff). Any ways p.m. me if you want some help. btw if my profile dosent mention I'm in Oak Park.

[bigM]

Hey P.M. me if you want to let it go for a good deal to.

[niteshade]

bigM, ever been to Motoworks on south Western ave?  That's where I have my bike... they're total BMW gearheads, really nice and helpful.  I saw them rebuild a 50's Ural basically from scratch.  They have a really cool warehouse of old beemers and motoguzzis, etc.   I feel lucky they're around.

[domahmegok]

Is a dimple on the frame EVER just cosmetic?
Might be worth getting someone who knows about these things to look at it?

took the bike to the shop, and the mechanic there said the same thing... insurance company would likely declare it totalled because of the frame dent.  I don't have comprehensive coverage, so this basically means my bike is kaput...  :-(  ...and I don't have the cash for another right now.  It's a shame, because the rest of the bike looks just fine.

The mechanic said we might bring the bike to another shop where they have fancy equipment to measure any frame deviation... he said he wouldn't be comfortable letting me ride off with just a handlebar replacement without having the frame looked at.

How much is a new frame?

i have a brand new-in-box stock mirror that i got when i bought my bike. PM me if you want it. i'm sure someone around here has another one...

I'll let you know man... I gotta figure out if this is gonna be worth it.

Its ok if the bike is gone, you can get a new one now! glad your ok

[ajaxgs]

glad you're ok !!!!!

[Stephen072774]

he said he wouldn't be comfortable letting me ride off with just a handlebar replacement without having the frame looked at.

I'm not sure what to think about that statement, it is your bike after-all.  I had a crash that bent my frame, ins (or equivallent) totalled the bike, but the frame was fine, only cosmetic.  I sold it to 3IMO, and he is riding it.  Maybe he will chime in on this subject.  Got any pics of the damage?

[niteshade]

thanks everybody... I appreciate it.

Today is worse than yesterday... depressing.  Like losing a kid or something.       Well, maybe not that bad, could've been worse... we are all aquainted with tragedy lately.  But I look back on it, and all the signs were there... bad weather, wrong attitude... felt weird in the morening.  Gotta learn to listen to that nagging sixth sense.

Going to the shop soon to make some decisions... sucks.

I'll shoot some pics at the shop today.

[Happytrack44]

Welcome to the world of Frankenbike! I hope it was paid for. PM werase643 about how to check the frame.
Glad your'e OK

[niteshade]

ok... went to shop today and I feel better.  Assuming the dent in the frame is cosmetic, this will cost some dough, but it should be ridable in a couple of weeks.  On a closer inspection I may have some problems with the front forks... gotta see if they're just torqued out of alignment, or if there's actually real damage.

pics:
side view


front alignment


handlebars


side dent


instrument panel


looks like I'm going to have to replace:
throttle assembly, including: cable, switch and electrics
bars
left mirror

I may have to replace the front forks.  This may be a good chance to upgrade the soft GS front suspension.  Any suggestions?  The shop recommended Progressive springs and whatchamacallits.  Quoted like $80 + labor.

I'm also going to replace the air filter and plugs while I'm at it.  I may get an H&N filter, and use the opportunity to rejet and sync the carbs.

The bike is totally paid for... I am now wondering whether I should even bother reporting to my insurance company, since I only have liability.  The other guy had no damage at all, and nobody was hurt.

Thanks guys.  Any suggestions or observations are more than welcome.

[Egaeus]

Why report?  It can do nothing but raise your insurance.