Took my first fall...

[nhanxsolo]

Got my GS a little over a month ago... never dropped it.  I thought I was invincible and the bike just stuck to the road no matter what.  Went around a turn too wide because I wasn't familiar with the road and the rear tire ran over some gravel and lowsided.  I just have a sprained wrist and elbow and a scrape on my knee.  Drag bars are bent on one side... gonna try to straighten it out today.  Clutch level snapped, and a dent in the tank (the tank was perfect too :[).  I'm glad I did though, knocked some sense into me and made me see that I can't control everything even if I'm the best rider ever and that stuff like this can happen to me too. 

[pandymai]

i've always been told that every rider falls. just hope that it's your first/only time.

glad to know youre ok too. and, it's a GS! haha. of course it's awesome when the bike stays pristine but i dont think it takes anything away from the bike if it has some.. character.
i guess that's just me though. i dont plan on getting rid of this bike until it runs itself into the ground. we'll see how long that goes for haha

[nhanxsolo]

yeah a question though, what clutch lever do I need? went to my cycle shop and they said theyd have to special order the parts in.  Just need a clutch lever, some grips, and another drag bar... maybe I can bend this one back into shape. but doubtful!

[pandymai]

do a search through the posts. within the past few months there have been numerous "what lever..." threads.. not 100% on whether any reached a positive end but it's worth a look.

i'd imagine that any with the eye for the clutch cable ball joint (sorry i dont know the names of things) should work.. i'd say take off your current clutch lever and take it to a shop. any levers that match up in size at the joint and have a similar cable connection should work.

also check the for sale section. cboling is parting out his bike, maybe he has the levers still.

[nhanxsolo]

thanks and I will check out the FS section.  Maybe I might just go with this though!

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Triumph-Chopper-BSA-7-8-Drag-Bars-Dual-Throttle-Kit-/390210477422?cmd=ViewItem&pt=Motorcycles_Parts_Accessories&hash=item5ada5b5d6e

[pandymai]

you probly wont be able to use the throttle tube but your right side was fine, right? that seems like a decent deal if that's what you want. looks like wide bars. dont know how wide the stock bars are though so i dont know haha

70 bucks, but all in one place. bars are usually about 20? grips i dont know.. lever another 10-15?
i'd say shop around just a wee bit longer.

then again, if money is no object and youre up for testing things out. go for the gold!

[Porkchop]

Got my GS a little over a month ago... never dropped it.  I thought I was invincible and the bike just stuck to the road no matter what.  Went around a turn too wide because I wasn't familiar with the road and the rear tire ran over some gravel and lowsided.  I just have a sprained wrist and elbow and a scrape on my knee.  Drag bars are bent on one side... gonna try to straighten it out today.  Clutch level snapped, and a dent in the tank (the tank was perfect too :[).  I'm glad I did though, knocked some sense into me and made me see that I can't control everything even if I'm the best rider ever and that stuff like this can happen to me too. 

Glad to hear your injuries were minor.  Welcome to the club of those who have fallen and lived to tell the tale.  Were you wearing all your gear?  How did it perform?

- Porkchop

[offcamber]

You can get a factory clutch lever for about $10 plus shipping. Check ou cheapcycleparts.com you can just about everything you need.

[Chuck500]

I've broken two clutch levers.  One in a no speed drop in front of my house and the other in from getting rear ended on the way home from getting the first one fixed!   Getting the first on off was "interesting".  After two hours of work I finally took to the dealer.  Took three techs and impact tools to loosen the two screws holding the clutch switch in.  The replacement part was $12 over the counter at a large dealership.

Anyway, glad you are OK and will be riding soon.

Keep the shiny side up,

Chuck

[PachmanP]

Haha n00b

But seriously glad you're ok and it wasn't too serious.

eBay and fly n cycle sell a decent lever pack do the gs. I can't remember if it's the clutch or the brake that's fairly generic on the gs.

Keep the rubber side down and feel free to laugh when I get around to posting up my recent gentle laydown.

[Anaconda]

lol dont worry.  I've dropped my bike every couple hundred miles......but luckily at dead stops.  It's always the mistake of a turned handlebar and grabbing the front brake lever......

[mister]

lol dont worry.  I've dropped my bike every couple hundred miles......but luckily at dead stops.  It's always the mistake of a turned handlebar and grabbing the front brake lever......

Have you learned your lesson yet, to use the back brake for slow speed braking while turning?

Michael

[redhawkdancing]

Have you learned your lesson yet, to use the back brake for slow speed braking while turning?

Michael

tried that after confirming it in total control.  Works well!   

[Anaconda]

lol dont worry.  I've dropped my bike every couple hundred miles......but luckily at dead stops.  It's always the mistake of a turned handlebar and grabbing the front brake lever......

Have you learned your lesson yet, to use the back brake for slow speed braking while turning?

Michael

I do that most of the time.  It's usually when I'm looking for street parking......as cars are A$$Holes about parking in San Francisco.  They THINK their full sized sedan/SUV would fit in a spot the size that would only fit the Minis and try to get in.  I think I'm just going to park on the sidewalk right in front of my place.  The meter maids can kiss my ass if they want.

[nhanxsolo]

I've broken two clutch levers.  One in a no speed drop in front of my house and the other in from getting rear ended on the way home from getting the first one fixed!   Getting the first on off was "interesting".  After two hours of work I finally took to the dealer.  Took three techs and impact tools to loosen the two screws holding the clutch switch in.  The replacement part was $12 over the counter at a large dealership.

Anyway, glad you are OK and will be riding soon.

Keep the shiny side up,

Chuck

errr thought it would be an easy job.  i'm worried now.

[Toogoofy317]

Seriously, it is not that hard. I've replaced both levers in under 10 minutes and 3 minutes of that was popping open a cold Mt. Dew. Gets hot in Fl 

Mary

[pandymai]

it IS an easy job, just depends on the circumstances. chuck seemed to have stuck screws/bolts. that just pertains to luck. just get to it and you'll be fine.

[Y2K6GS500F]

Glad to hear your ok.