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my "doh!" moment
Posted: Mon Apr 23, 2007 10:48 pm
by horkdoom
Alternate title: "Hey where'd that telephone pole come from"
I've been wanting a motorcycle, specifically a KLR, for some time
now. I had to sell my last bike due to financial/storage reasons. So
imagine my joy at finding a '99 KLR locally with oodles of farkles
for $1600.
Anyways, got the bike, had a friend help me get it to my apt (he
works in a bike shop and I hadn't ridden since I got rid of my last
bike).
I got all suited up (helmet, gloves, jacket and boots) ready to drive
the bike to work, took a lap around the parking lot and pulled out to
the exit. Forgot that the bike accelerates faster than my car, had to
stop in the middle lane to let a car go by and in bringing my head
around (following the car) fixated my vision on the telephone pole in
front of me and hit the gas. And naturally ran right into the
telephone pole >.<
The damage included a broken choke lever, minor scrape on my wrist, a
couple of sore muscles, a huge wallop to my pride, and left the front
tire aligned slightly to the right.
So now that my pride has repaired itself and I can still operate the
choke. I have looked over the forks/handlebars and havn't noticed any
evident bends, the only thing I can think of is that in the crash the
left handlebar hit and the wheel was turned into the pole bending/
flexing the forks and the fork brace held it there.
Any other suggestions/help/laughter would be appreciated.
my "doh!" moment
Posted: Tue Apr 24, 2007 2:03 am
by cactus_reese
--- In
DSN_KLR650@yahoogroups.com, "horkdoom" wrote:
the only thing I can think of is that in the crash the
> left handlebar hit and the wheel was turned into the pole bending/
> flexing the forks and the fork brace held it there.
>
> Any other suggestions/help/laughter would be appreciated.
>
That's it. Lift the front end with a jack. Loosen the triple clamps on
the fork tubes. Straighted the wheel with respect to the fender.
Retighten and you are done.
-Bryan
my "doh!" moment
Posted: Tue Apr 24, 2007 4:30 am
by Glenn
You could use the string method just to check the alignment of the
front wheel. If its out a bit loosen the forks in the triples and
align it. Of course you have to be sure that the rear wheel is
squarely adjusted first (according to the marks).
Glenn
A17
my "doh!" moment
Posted: Tue Apr 24, 2007 7:06 am
by Mike Peplinski
No crash is funny. Not trying to be a smartass but you really should
practice more out of traffic to become "one with your machine". I realize
you rode before so you are a "veteran" abut you obviously forgot something.
Unfortunately motorcycles are somewhat unforgiving when it comes to hitting
things. Ride often, ride safe. Send another message when something funny
happens. Hitting a pole has very little humor. A word of caution; ride like
they are out to get you, bgecause they really are.
>From: "horkdoom"
>To:
DSN_KLR650@yahoogroups.com
>Subject: [DSN_KLR650] My "DOH!" moment
>Date: Tue, 24 Apr 2007 03:47:21 -0000
>
>Alternate title: "Hey where'd that telephone pole come from"
>
>I've been wanting a motorcycle, specifically a KLR, for some time
>now. I had to sell my last bike due to financial/storage reasons. So
>imagine my joy at finding a '99 KLR locally with oodles of farkles
>for $1600.
>
>Anyways, got the bike, had a friend help me get it to my apt (he
>works in a bike shop and I hadn't ridden since I got rid of my last
>bike).
>
>I got all suited up (helmet, gloves, jacket and boots) ready to drive
>the bike to work, took a lap around the parking lot and pulled out to
>the exit. Forgot that the bike accelerates faster than my car, had to
>stop in the middle lane to let a car go by and in bringing my head
>around (following the car) fixated my vision on the telephone pole in
>front of me and hit the gas. And naturally ran right into the
>telephone pole >.
>The damage included a broken choke lever, minor scrape on my wrist, a
>couple of sore muscles, a huge wallop to my pride, and left the front
>tire aligned slightly to the right.
>
>So now that my pride has repaired itself and I can still operate the
>choke. I have looked over the forks/handlebars and havn't noticed any
>evident bends, the only thing I can think of is that in the crash the
>left handlebar hit and the wheel was turned into the pole bending/
>flexing the forks and the fork brace held it there.
>
>Any other suggestions/help/laughter would be appreciated.
>
>
>
>List sponsored by Dual Sport News at:
www.dualsportnews.com
>List FAQ courtesy of Chris Krok at:
www.bigcee.com/klr650faq.html
>Member Map at:
http://www.frappr.com/dsnklr650
>Yahoo! Groups Links
>
>
>
_________________________________________________________________
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my "doh!" moment
Posted: Tue Apr 24, 2007 8:33 am
by dooden
Field fix would be go back to the tele pole and bang the wheel the
opposite direction to straighten it out, no doubt just twisted the
upper forks in the triple clamps.
OR at home put the bike on a lift, loosen all 8 triple pinch bolts
just enough so the forks do not slide down, spin the wheel (forward
rotations) as fast as you can and grab a whole handful of front brake,
the sudden stop should make everything straight, then re-torque the
pinch bolts. Consult manual (I think 70 ft lbs). (Might also need to
loosen the brace)
Choke lever relocation documented in FAQ or if just the little lever,
just order in a new and replace.
Wrist... consider it a warning about fixating while riding, remember
if you fixate on something, your going right at it.
Be thankful you did'nt get hurt real good, might consider a M/C safety
course if you have been off a bike for a while, would'nt hurt and can
also reduce insurance depending on carrier.
Falling over going backwards down steep hills also sucks cause being
top heavy the handlebars almost always go to the low side of the hill,
leaving you dragging the bike around to get the bars uphill so you can
pick it back up.. Been there done that, even have re-runs playing.
Dooden
A15 Green Ape
--- In
DSN_KLR650@yahoogroups.com, "horkdoom" wrote:
>
> Alternate title: "Hey where'd that telephone pole come from"
>
> I've been wanting a motorcycle, specifically a KLR, for some time
> now. I had to sell my last bike due to financial/storage reasons. So
> imagine my joy at finding a '99 KLR locally with oodles of farkles
> for $1600.
>
> Anyways, got the bike, had a friend help me get it to my apt (he
> works in a bike shop and I hadn't ridden since I got rid of my last
> bike).
>
> I got all suited up (helmet, gloves, jacket and boots) ready to drive
> the bike to work, took a lap around the parking lot and pulled out to
> the exit. Forgot that the bike accelerates faster than my car, had to
> stop in the middle lane to let a car go by and in bringing my head
> around (following the car) fixated my vision on the telephone pole in
> front of me and hit the gas. And naturally ran right into the
> telephone pole >.
> The damage included a broken choke lever, minor scrape on my wrist, a
> couple of sore muscles, a huge wallop to my pride, and left the front
> tire aligned slightly to the right.
>
> So now that my pride has repaired itself and I can still operate the
> choke. I have looked over the forks/handlebars and havn't noticed any
> evident bends, the only thing I can think of is that in the crash the
> left handlebar hit and the wheel was turned into the pole bending/
> flexing the forks and the fork brace held it there.
>
> Any other suggestions/help/laughter would be appreciated.
>
my "doh!" moment
Posted: Tue Apr 24, 2007 9:06 am
by Jeff Saline
On Tue, 24 Apr 2007 13:32:07 -0000 "Dooden" writes:
> Field fix would be go back to the tele pole and bang the wheel the
> opposite direction to straighten it out, no doubt just twisted the
> upper forks in the triple clamps.
>
> OR at home put the bike on a lift, loosen all 8 triple pinch bolts
> just enough so the forks do not slide down, spin the wheel (forward
> rotations) as fast as you can and grab a whole handful of front
> brake,
> the sudden stop should make everything straight, then re-torque the
> pinch bolts. Consult manual (I think 70 ft lbs). (Might also need
> to
> loosen the brace)
>
SNIP
> Dooden
> A15 Green Ape
<><><><><><><><><>
<><><><><><><><><>
Dooden,
I seem to recall the torque for the fork tube pinch bolts is 18 foot
pounds. I'm pretty sure 70 foot pounds would snap them. : )
Best,
Jeff Saline
ABC # 4412 South Dakota Airmarshal
Airheads Beemer Club
www.airheads.org
The Beautiful Black Hills of South Dakota
75 R90/6, 03 KLR650, 79 R100RT
my "doh!" moment
Posted: Tue Apr 24, 2007 9:58 am
by Mike
--- In
DSN_KLR650@yahoogroups.com, Jeff Saline wrote:
>
> On Tue, 24 Apr 2007 13:32:07 -0000 "Dooden" writes:
> > Field fix would be go back to the tele pole and bang the wheel the
> > opposite direction to straighten it out, no doubt just twisted the
> > upper forks in the triple clamps.
> >
> > OR at home put the bike on a lift, loosen all 8 triple pinch bolts
> > just enough so the forks do not slide down, spin the wheel (forward
> > rotations) as fast as you can and grab a whole handful of front
> > brake,
> > the sudden stop should make everything straight, then re-torque the
> > pinch bolts. Consult manual (I think 70 ft lbs). (Might also need
> > to
> > loosen the brace)
> SNIP
> > Dooden
> > A15 Green Ape
> <><><><><><><><><>
> Dooden,
> I seem to recall the torque for the fork tube pinch bolts is 18 foot
> pounds. I'm pretty sure 70 foot pounds would snap them. : )
>
> Best,
>
> Jeff Saline
> ABC # 4412 South Dakota Airmarshal
> Airheads Beemer Club
www.airheads.org
> The Beautiful Black Hills of South Dakota
> 75 R90/6, 03 KLR650, 79 R100RT
Actually the factory manual says 14 ft-lbs for the upper bolts, and 18
for the lower bolts. This was changed in the supplement protion in
the back of the manual for the (I think) 2003 section. I've hardness
tested the bolts after a friend showed me some that had stretched, and
later broken while he was LOOSENING them! These were the softest steel
bolts I had ever tested. the triple clamp is also pretty soft, so I
suggest going carefully on these bolts.
The lossen everything up front and bang the front wheel seems to be
the traditional and best method for fixing this situation. Sometimes
it helps to loosen the front axle nut, too. If your upper fork boot
clamps are tight it can keep everything from dropping all the way down
when all the triple clamp bolts are loosened. Don't forget to tighten
back up afterwards......
all the best,
Mike
my "doh!" moment
Posted: Tue Apr 24, 2007 11:59 am
by dooden
Whoopsie... speaking of DOH moments...
ya like I said check the manual... 70 ft lbs... I must have been
smoking crack or something this morning...
Thanks for the correction.
Dooden (hiding in shame)
A15 Green Ape
--- In
DSN_KLR650@yahoogroups.com, Jeff Saline wrote:
>
> On Tue, 24 Apr 2007 13:32:07 -0000 "Dooden" writes:
> > Field fix would be go back to the tele pole and bang the wheel the
> > opposite direction to straighten it out, no doubt just twisted the
> > upper forks in the triple clamps.
> >
> > OR at home put the bike on a lift, loosen all 8 triple pinch bolts
> > just enough so the forks do not slide down, spin the wheel (forward
> > rotations) as fast as you can and grab a whole handful of front
> > brake,
> > the sudden stop should make everything straight, then re-torque the
> > pinch bolts. Consult manual (I think 70 ft lbs). (Might also need
> > to
> > loosen the brace)
> >
>
> SNIP
>
> > Dooden
> > A15 Green Ape
> <><><><><><><><><>
> <><><><><><><><><>
>
> Dooden,
>
> I seem to recall the torque for the fork tube pinch bolts is 18 foot
> pounds. I'm pretty sure 70 foot pounds would snap them. : )
>
> Best,
>
> Jeff Saline
> ABC # 4412 South Dakota Airmarshal
> Airheads Beemer Club
www.airheads.org
> The Beautiful Black Hills of South Dakota
> 75 R90/6, 03 KLR650, 79 R100RT
>
my "doh!" moment
Posted: Tue Apr 24, 2007 12:20 pm
by kestrelfal
gess ya wuz smokn xmas crak
da lazt tym 12-21-06 sile boy
http://autos.groups.yahoo.com/group/DSN_KLR650/message/166653
Fr Ed
--- In
DSN_KLR650@yahoogroups.com, "Dooden" wrote:
>
> Whoopsie... speaking of DOH moments...
>
> ya like I said check the manual... 70 ft lbs... I must have been
> smoking crack or something this morning...
>
> Thanks for the correction.
>
> Dooden (hiding in shame)
> A15 Green Ape
>
>
> --- In
DSN_KLR650@yahoogroups.com, Jeff Saline wrote:
> >
> > On Tue, 24 Apr 2007 13:32:07 -0000 "Dooden" writes:
> > > Field fix would be go back to the tele pole and bang the wheel the
> > > opposite direction to straighten it out, no doubt just twisted the
> > > upper forks in the triple clamps.
> > >
> > > OR at home put the bike on a lift, loosen all 8 triple pinch bolts
> > > just enough so the forks do not slide down, spin the wheel (forward
> > > rotations) as fast as you can and grab a whole handful of front
> > > brake,
> > > the sudden stop should make everything straight, then re-torque the
> > > pinch bolts. Consult manual (I think 70 ft lbs). (Might also need
> > > to
> > > loosen the brace)
> > >
> >
> > SNIP
> >
> > > Dooden
> > > A15 Green Ape
> > <><><><><><><><><>
> > <><><><><><><><><>
> >
> > Dooden,
> >
> > I seem to recall the torque for the fork tube pinch bolts is 18 foot
> > pounds. I'm pretty sure 70 foot pounds would snap them. : )
> >
> > Best,
> >
> > Jeff Saline
> > ABC # 4412 South Dakota Airmarshal
> > Airheads Beemer Club
www.airheads.org
> > The Beautiful Black Hills of South Dakota
> > 75 R90/6, 03 KLR650, 79 R100RT
> >
>
my "doh!" moment
Posted: Tue Apr 24, 2007 3:50 pm
by horkdoom
Yes I know crashes are not a laughing matter, however in this case,
no harm no foul and I can personally look back on it and laugh at the
stupid thing that caused it and look at my healing scrapes for a
reminder of that. Also I rode back to my parking spot like a pro, so
parking lots aren't my problem (heck the speed bumps are even fun).
I've taken an MSF course, and if I had the money I'd take it again
for the good practice.
This post was posted in the spirit of look at the stupid thing I did
and don't repeat, because I know not everyone on this forum is a
"veteran" like you.
Also I'd like to thank everyone else for the suggestions on fixing
the alignment/triple clamp issue, I won't be able to get to that
today because work just called me in but tomorrow is another day.
--- In
DSN_KLR650@yahoogroups.com, "Mike Peplinski"
wrote:
>
> No crash is funny. Not trying to be a smartass but you really
should
> practice more out of traffic to become "one with your machine". I
realize
> you rode before so you are a "veteran" abut you obviously forgot
something.
> Unfortunately motorcycles are somewhat unforgiving when it comes to
hitting
> things. Ride often, ride safe. Send another message when something
funny
> happens. Hitting a pole has very little humor. A word of caution;
ride like
> they are out to get you, bgecause they really are.