Ouch bugger that hurt... A very expensive morning!

[funnymachine]

So I decide to take the bike for an MOT and I leave 5 minutes before hand in a bit of a hurry as the station is 4 miles away. I think to myself I don't need to wear my leathers it's only local...

I put on my nice thick Ralph Lauren coat and decide on my brand new boots so I can see if they'll work with a pair of those draggin jeans while I wait for the MOT man and I roar off up the road thinking "I really like this bike maybe I should keep it as a sports bike for a while it sounds great"

I get to the roundabout and it's nice and dry and I think "I never really go round roundabouts fast, this is a sports bike I should lean into the roundabout a bit and enjoy it" I lean into the bend and to my utter amazement the front end disappears in a sideways direction out from under me...

There is a big crash as the fairing hits the road and the front brake lever comes sailing off and I grind to halt in the middle of two lanes. My foot is well and truly jammed under the bike and I can't get it out - I actually think I've pulled a muscle in my calf trying to get it out. I am panicking like a trapped animal and wrenching this very heavy bike around trying to get to it off and all the while this idiot in a bloody great artic is trying to drive around me.

Eventually another bloke sees what is happening and runs over to help me get the bike up. Someone else on a scooter pulls up and hands me some bits and I put them in my pocket. I am staring in amazement at the boots because they probably saved my foot / ankle!

I am disgusted at humanity. The guy in the truck just saw me as an obstacle. I was looking right at his face and he was just working out whether he could get the trailer around me (which he did before I even finished moving the bike).

I have a sore thumb and ego. Poor me Sad

So I need a new coat, a new pair of jeans and a new lid (did I mention I managed to hit my head). First accident I have had in about 25 years as well! And I wasn't even going fast...

Anyone want to buy a scratched fairing

Best regardless

Mark

http://picasaweb.google.com/mark.tywhar ... erThatHurt

[slow codger]

Whch roundabout was it?, was there any diesel on it ?, or road salt. And have you have asked Martin or Pete(Youngy and Phuk) If they have any spare bits. Someone was selling a fairing (Trixy?) although it may well polish out and you get to spray it any colour you want. Nice bit of gravel rash to remember it by.

Dave E.

[Killerwhale]

Well, it sounds as it´s mostly ego that´s hurt and that´s good new´s in all craches!!
As for the scratched fairing...if not cracked and the freight ain´t to bad i could be interested!

[slow codger]

Mark, get it fixed up and join us for a run to Avebury.

Dave E

[funnymachine]

Whch roundabout was it?, was there any diesel on it ?, or road salt.

No diesel - but it was a bit white - road salt?

Is that why?

I assumed because it was dry I shouldn't have a problem.

If road salt is slippery than that's a harsh lesson!

[Jak]

Road salt round here's a bit like sand,

Glad you're not too hurt. The bike's fixable - like youngy says I'm sure someone here can help you out.

Will everyone please take it easy - that's 2 of you in 24 hours!!!!!

[trixynut]

Mate, bad luck. That rash is gonna sting!! Bike's fixable: sanding and painting mainly. Drill your gearlever and pop a bolt thro for a temporary fix. Loads of pattern levers on ebay or from M and P / Busters.

Fortunate (?) you've got flush indicators, as the standard ones tend to push through the fairing with a side impact like that.

These things come in threes (you, greg and .............?) so be careful out there!

[Greg]

Some kinds of synchronicity really stink!

I have noticed though that salted roads take ages longer to dry than untreated suraces and they do seem to be a lot more slippery than just plain old damp roads..

The b@stard in the truck needs a fuhking slap...

G

[Kevtrx849]

Crash knobs guys. Saves so much heartache and 9 times out of 10 the bikes still rideable. Glad your OK. Hate the way other traffic treat you like an organ donor in waiting.

[Greg]

I know I know... Like I said I've still got that set you sent me chr!st knows when ago to fit...


G

[youngy]

The "new" road salt that's been in use for the last couple of years is really horribly geasy - even makes the car slide around.

Bad news on the crash. I have a spare brake lever in a box somewhere I think.

[kookimonsta]

aperantly the new road salt is actuall boiled down camel piss. so ive been told the salt that gets left is what they add to the sand for some reason i have no idea why. apaerntly tho when it get wet again it soaks up the water but doesnt run away hence why its slippery.

might be alot of rubbish the guy that told me about it did say the name of what its called but i can't think what it was, i'll ask him next time i see him.

[Greg]

If it goes by the acronym "BDCP - The Organic road salt substitute" then he might not be telling porkies, but I have ever yet to see a camel with a u-bag successfully fitted...

Ya shoulda saved that one for April 1st Kook

[burty]

I believe that it's molasses based, and definitely much more slippery than the old stuff when wet - but apparrently not according to the 'research'.

Sorry to hear about the off Funnymachine. Strange of the truck driver trying to get round you but it seems fairly typical behaviour of other drivers. Probably you were causing him an inconvenience.

[slow codger]

If it was the Hartford roundabout they dont stop for nothing just beat the other traffic to get by and onto the A14!
I have previous to going past a gritter and then putting a car sideways on the next 90 degree bend, only a river just after i stopped.

Dave E.