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General Category >> Rubber Side Down! >> Rocks in the road
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Message started by SpottedOwlStew on 09/30/07 at 03:00:27

Title: Rocks in the road
Post by SpottedOwlStew on 09/30/07 at 03:00:27

So I ride half way up Mt. Rainier, WA
to get to work. 6:00+ AM, it's dark guys.
Coming around a corner, there is this huge rock,
right in the middle. I hit it almost dead center.
(It was the size of a healthy rabbit.)
So I get vaulted in the air, come down 30 foot
later, catch the bike (thank the designers,* had my
kickstand not deployed, I would have landed WITH power)
and I brake to a stop on the shoulder.
I'm a bit dizzy at that point, check the bike quick,
yeah, it starts. But it rolls/ squeak...squeak...
That rock is where I left it, except for the 18 inch
skid mark as I moved/hit it.
Walk back to move the rock, I don't want it to be
hit by the next driver up this dark road.
A car swerves to miss it, as I walk back.
At this point, my back really feels hurt.
Move the rock, continue to the shop, perhaps I
am injured, and help would be there.
Here's where the lasting problem begins.
All of my co-workers are discussing the rock,
that they had to dodge, on the way in.
Say what?
It did not occur to any of you to move it?
So you left it for me to hit?
Nope. No bells, no concept!
That hurts more than the accident.

It trashed both rims. I am screwed, almost.
4 days recovery, and then pound out the
dents in the wheels, as best possible.
Back rim will make it, front, not so good.
The reason I am posting here is,
the left front fork is leaking badly.
I have no idea where to start.
Perhaps it is a bent tube, blew a seal?
Is there anyone out there that can help?
There are a lot of friggin parts in that fork.
And, $500 for salvage rims is a drag,
but that fork tube is blowing oil now.

Any advice will be appreciated.

Title: Re: Rocks in the road
Post by justin_o_guy2 on 09/30/07 at 06:23:44

DUDE! You are so Lucky! YOu could just so easily be worrying about your bike from the hospital. Your co-workers suffer from th same problem that si so widespread in America. If it isn't hurting me, why should I care??? It's everywhere. The concept of watching out for our neighbors is dead. Sadly. I wonder if any even understand how much grief they could have saved you in a minute?

Title: Re: Rocks in the road
Post by rigidchop on 09/30/07 at 06:36:14

glad to hear your o.k., $500 for a rim seems kinda steep to me, i would think it was the fork seal that busted, but without seeing it there is no way to tell, your gonna have to take it apart and inspect it. take your time and you'll be back on the road sooner than you think.again glad to hear your o.k.

Title: Re: Rocks in the road
Post by verslagen1 on 09/30/07 at 08:23:55

You can buy whole wheels on ebay for less than that. and while you're waiting check out the seal replacement thread that was here now to long ago and fix it yourself.

Title: Re: Rocks in the road
Post by SpottedOwlStew on 09/30/07 at 08:59:26

Thanks for the support.
The back rim did pound out, it will suffice for now.
The front, still has issues, runs ok, but looks like crap.
Searched the web for wheels.
Both replacements were on the web, from a woman
with a WAY worse story than mine. Very sad.
However, she needs $100 each, and the shipping
seems to be $250 for Mass. To Wash. Very high price.
That can perhaps be cut down a bit. Working on it...

Another option, back wheel only (salvage)
Not that far away, wants $50+$25 shipping.
There goes Murphys law again.
I need a front, because I see problems using my fixed one.
Going to check the thread you mentioned about seal
repairs, I think that is probably it. (hope..hope)
The front took a "glancing" blow, because of there
being little weight on it. (right hit, left leak)
But it won't pound back out as easy as the rear did.
Gotta check if I can fix the shock, or take it to a shop.

So I get this fantastic bike really cheap,
fix it up, buy the missing whatevers,
then hit a rock. There just ain't any salvage ones
lying around this part of the country.
Has to go on a 700-800 mile trip, like now.
Bummer.

Title: Re: Rocks in the road
Post by YonuhAdisi on 09/30/07 at 10:18:48

I think I might have a rear and front rim for you in my garage. Will have to double check them to make sure they ar not out of round. I used to live in Washington and my wife was raised there.

Be back shortly. Going to check those rims now.

Title: Re: Rocks in the road
Post by YonuhAdisi on 09/30/07 at 10:21:00

Okay, those rims I got are okay. PM me and we'll make a deal.

By the way, I got two rear rims and one front rim, all three are okay, one of the rear rims has a tire still on it, the other rear rim doesn't and there is a little rust. The one without tire the pulley is broke but the rim itself except for the rust mentioned is okay. If you want I will take pics of what I got. Just let me know. I will make you a good deal, just tell me what you can afford and we'll go from there.

Title: Re: Rocks in the road
Post by Max_Morley on 09/30/07 at 13:31:57

Glad the hit was not terminal for you or the bike. From the ERC class, and we all have done it, sounds like you may have fixated on the rock and been unable to decide which side had enough room to do a quick lane change and miss it. It takes lots of practice to look down the road ahead and then press the bars they way you want to dodge and then quickly back parallel to where you were. I make sure there are no cars around and dodge imaginary or even real road kill spots. Moving over enough to miss it. Again glad you were able to walk away and healed fairly quickly and it now appears your rim problem is solved. Max

Title: Re: Rocks in the road
Post by SpottedOwlStew on 09/30/07 at 18:13:02

The left front is the problem.
Leaking... crap, have to put some
oil in it until diagnosed.
Seal I hope.
Thanks for the kind regards.

Title: Re: Rocks in the road
Post by justin_o_guy2 on 09/30/07 at 19:27:58

I dodge color changes, run between letters painted, dodge patches in asphalt, just for something to mess with, not because they are a hazard.

Title: Re: Rocks in the road
Post by slavy on 09/30/07 at 22:05:42

First thing- You are lucky- You made it, the bike wasn't trashed, and on top of this You did not have to push it or trailer it ,or to hitch hike.
Now about the problems:
Check for a bent fork. If it is not bent- easy fix $25 for fork seals /go OEM or K&L/. If You want cheap "K&S"- $6+ $2 S&H. There are bunch of helpful links here.
If You have to replace the fork, almost sure You are facing also bent tripple trees. Now You will need a complete front end.
Here will come the simple math:
bad front end, bent front wheel, bent rear wheel : DO I WANT TO BUY EVERY PART SEPARATELY OR IT WILL BE BETTER TO BUY VERY CHEAP SOMEBODY'S NOT RUNNING P.O.S AND TO CANIBALIZE IT.
Do Your diag. first, and share with us the result. I have a donnor bike and I am sure a lot of the other guys have also. Between us we will try to put You back on the road.

Title: Re: Rocks in the road
Post by justin_o_guy2 on 09/30/07 at 23:21:11

The Savage community is the most civilized of any I've seen. Are we a bunch of oxymorons or what?

Title: Re: Rocks in the road
Post by islandwahine on 09/30/07 at 23:34:58

I'm wondering if hitting the rock so hard might have popped the oil seal loose. Would be a miracle not to have bent the fork though! It was a miracle you came out alive though!!
Maybe the next rock will fall on top of your co-workers car!! (not a nice thing to say is it? :-[)
Take it easy and hopefully things aren't as bad!

Title: Re: Rocks in the road
Post by LANCER on 10/01/07 at 06:13:06

Your are very fortunate that you were not seriously hurt and stuck in a hospital with broken body parts...or worse. Considering what happened with all of those co-workers dodging this rock and yet not taking the time to remove it from the road...this would be a great time to have a SAFETY MEETING at work. Talk to the owner/mgr about having one, and making the focus of it being proactive about safety, watching out for your fellow worker, removing/fixing dangerous machines/material/etc that would lead to someone getting hurt.
I am amazed that no one stopped to move the rock after they had to swerve to miss the thing. It just makes you want to reach out and TOUCH someone.! >:(

Title: Re: Rocks in the road
Post by SpottedOwlStew on 10/01/07 at 21:43:00

I am here fortunately.
Lots of stuff going on.
Trying to get this bike on an urgent
800 mile trip. Bags. Reduce. Fit.
Cover and warmth.
Quite the ordeal in a pinch.
I have read all of your replys.
This is quite a nice place to visit.
Thanks people.
More tomorrow when my brain cools down.

Title: Re: Rocks in the road
Post by SpottedOwlStew on 10/01/07 at 21:45:58

Hey,
sombody post how to add a picture to this place.
I just can't seem to find the way and...well crap.

Title: Re: Rocks in the road
Post by Dr_Jim on 10/01/07 at 21:53:37

Title: Re: Rocks in the road
Post by Trippah on 10/02/07 at 05:52:15

Say Justin, are you sure we need to bother with the oxy part?? ;D

Title: Re: Rocks in the road
Post by justin_o_guy2 on 10/02/07 at 12:32:10

I am not touchin that. Nope,, Not gonna..