Hey everyone,

First time going down.. not fun. I'm fine, scrapped knee and a very bruised ego. I just have a few questions about the bike. It fell on it's right side, the R&G frame slider took a beating and then snapped off. The front brake lever is a bit bent, the front brake reservoir got shaved down a bit, got some dents in the tank, the right side engine cover (not sure what's it's called.. starter motor cover?) got mashed. I'm gonna look for an OEM replacement. And last but not least, my brand new Jardine got a bit of a facelift.

So, my questions are: What can I do about the dented tank? Will the inside rust now that it has been creased like that? Or is the damage purely cosmetic?

Also, it's having a hard time starting and keeping an idle. If I want to start it up (like I had to do to get it home) then I have to hit the starter and crank the throttle open in order for it to fire up. Otherwise it won't turn over. Suggestions?

Here's the pics,

Glad you're ok. Get with Adidasguy, he may have parts you need. Check for loose connections, hoses, or shifted parts. Some of the more experienced GSers may can help more.

QuoteSo, my questions are: What can I do about the dented tank? Will the inside rust now that it has been creased like that? Or is the damage purely cosmetic?

It looks like the damage is minor, i don't think lowsiding would cause running troubles. Mine starts a little better, hot, when i give it a bit of wrist.

Tank is fine, the inside isn't lined, so it rusts on its own schedule, and yours, depending on how much you keep it full and replenished.

Thanks for the replies!

I was just with the bike, fixing what I could. First time I tried to start it, it fired right up like normal. Then a few minutes later, I tried again and it wouldn't turn over 

When it was running the first time, I noticed a clear liquid dripping from the exhaust, between the connection between the can and the midpipe. Oil? What could cause that much dripping? I suppose the pipes didn't have enough time to heat up to burn the stuff.. but still, it seemed like a lot of liquid to be losing

Inside of the tank is bare. Dent is cosmetic.

Looks like the R&G sliders prevented a lot of damage. They did their job. I hate to imagine your timing cover if it took the full slide. Looks OK except for needing anew emblem ($14 at a dealer). Nothing will prevent all damage on a low side.

Maybe a lot of gas & oil flowed through everything while you were down. Now its in the exhaust. Or maybe a cylinder isn't firing and everything is going out the exhaust?

Maybe everything is flooded? Floats out of whack?

Be sure battery is charged and try again.

Glad you came out OK. Details? How fast? What kind of road? What caused the low side? Your experience will teach us some added safety.

Quote from: adidasguy on April 01, 2012, 11:07:49 PM
Inside of the tank is bare. Dent is cosmetic.

Looks like the R&G sliders prevented a lot of damage. They did their job. I hate to imagine your timing cover if it took the full slide. Looks OK except for needing anew emblem ($14 at a dealer). Nothing will prevent all damage on a low side.

Maybe a lot of gas & oil flowed through everything while you were down. Now its in the exhaust. Or maybe a cylinder isn't firing and everything is going out the exhaust?

Maybe everything is flooded? Floats out of whack?

Be sure battery is charged and try again.

Glad you came out OK. Details? How fast? What kind of road? What caused the low side? Your experience will teach us some added safety.

Thanks for the tips, adidasguy. I'm fortunate I have another set of frame sliders kicking around the house. I've put in the order for the new emblem. I'm gonna spend today trying to figure out the problem. I'll check the spark plugs to see if they're wet, and check to make sure the carbs are still seated properly. I'll be sure to charge up the battery.

How it happened was pretty embarassing  It was probably my 4th or 5th ride of the season, and it was raining. I wasn't paying attention and noticed a stop sign coming up quick. I grabbed a fist full of the front brake and next thing I knew I was sliding sideways on the ground. I was going probably about 30 or 40 km/h.

Sooo many errors on my part, I suppose I deserved it 

OK! So, I spent some time with the bike. First thing I did was check the plugs. Both were black, not sure what that means exactly. These are new plugs, I put them in maybe 100km ago. Am I running too rich? I have 20/65/145 jetting with a K&N lunchbox and Jardine full system.

Anyway, the left plug was covered in gas. I was happy to see that  I let it dry while I replaced the R&G frame sliders and removed the tank to ensure the carbs were still properly seated. All looked well under the tank. I put the plugs in and started her up, she fired up just like normal. I took it around for a good ride, including on the highway to take it up to the higher revs. All seems well!

Here are the pics of the plugs, first right and then left. You can see the gas on the left one

Glad to see it going again!

Possibly an internal fracture of the spark plug due to the impact.
You're back on 2 wheels! Yea! 

Quote from: tricky on April 02, 2012, 10:36:14 AM
OK! So, I spent some time with the bike. First thing I did was check the plugs. Both were black, not sure what that means exactly. These are new plugs, I put them in maybe 100km ago. Am I running too rich? I have 20/65/145 jetting with a K&N lunchbox and Jardine full system.

Those look just like the plugs on my wife's KZ400 after she learned about gravel in mid-turn.  The bike started up just fine after the incident, and rode fine on the way home...but then wouldn't start the next day.  I pulled the plugs, and saw the same thing.  In our case, it seems like a bunch of fuel dumped into places it shouldn't have while the bike was on its side, then burned up and fouled things on the ride home.

I cleaned up the plugs (soaked in engine cleaner, sanded down the points, and re-gapped), then ran a tank of fuel with engine cleaner through....re-checked, and the plugs were cleaner than when I sanded them down the first time.  The bike was fine.  After proving to myself that the bike was OK, I treated it to some fresh, non-sanded plugs since they're so cheap!

i say hit em with a stainless steel brush, carefully, so you dont bend anything and stick them back in. Get a 1/8" fuel tube and check your float heights to be sure. thats about as rich as you can get

also, if you suspect fluid built up in the chambers (above the pistons)

treat it as if you flooded the bike and crank it a few times with the plugs out to dry it out in there.