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/cgi-bin/YaBB.pl General Category >> Rubber Side Down! >> I'm a total idiot! /cgi-bin/YaBB.pl?num=1279164169 Message started by jimsgirl on 07/14/10 at 20:22:49 |
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Title: I'm a total idiot! Post by jimsgirl on 07/14/10 at 20:22:49 Had a perfect ride to and from work today. Parked the bike and was standing there trying to lock the front end forks lock...and was having trouble getting it to catch...heard the kickstand spring go off....and the bike started to lean and go to the left...I had right hand on the key in the lock and the left hand on the handlebar....as it was going over and I was trying my best to stop it, the extremely hot pipe started cooking my leg--so i made a quick second decision and let the bike drop. UGH!!! Gas everywhere. I picked her up (after getting some frozen veggies in a bag for my shin) and went down to inspect the damage. Just the left tailight is broken. The tank and all painted parts look just fine, no dents or visible damage. Whew! Wow, those pipes are HOT!! :o I guess this means its broken in now. At least it happened at home and not out in some parking lot. |
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Title: Re: I'm a total idiot! Post by verslagen1 on 07/14/10 at 20:26:09 and w/o you under it! it can be fixed. glad you're not seriously hurt. |
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Title: Re: I'm a total idiot! Post by kimchris1 on 07/14/10 at 20:44:57 + 1 :) |
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Title: Re: I'm a total idiot! Post by Routy on 07/14/10 at 21:08:03 Don't feel like the lonely ranger,.... I was an idiot too,.....for trying to check the oil like the book says ! And I usually don't do anything like a book says, and shouldn't have then,....and won't again. But I lucked out too,....it fell on a box full of crushed beer cans ;D Glad you learned w/o getting hurt too bad. |
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Title: Re: I'm a total idiot! Post by Skid Mark on 07/14/10 at 21:22:36 Should be easy to fix. Don't feel too bad. No matter how hard you try, nothing stays new forever. |
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Title: Re: I'm a total idiot! Post by jimsgirl on 07/14/10 at 22:03:36 Thanks to all of you for the kind words... I'm thinking maybe this is the time to decide if I want to add some saddlebags, maybe the new seat setup,etc since I believe I'd have to move or reposition the taillights to install bags anyway? To repair: The lens on the light is perfect, but the base of the light snapped off the stem. |
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Title: Re: I'm a total idiot! Post by Serowbot on 07/14/10 at 22:22:44 I have a lovely egg shaped muffler burn scar on my left shoulder...(...figure that one out)... Anyway,.. you're not alone.... glad you're okay, otherwise... ;)... ... left taillight,... is a turn signal?... |
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Title: Re: I'm a total idiot! Post by gerald.hughes on 07/14/10 at 22:38:16 Wow, I have an oval exhaust burn scar on my right calf, and another on the inside of my right forearm. It might be informative and interesting to start a thread on burns from exhaust pipes. Seems like a right of passage, kind of like a dueling scar. |
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Title: Re: I'm a total idiot! Post by jimsgirl on 07/14/10 at 23:04:01 It's a left turn signal light. I figured I'll let the bike sit overnight before I try to start it, make sure allll the gas has evaporated,etc. I thought for sure I'd ripped the tank apart by the puddle forming under my feet, but it wasn't even dented or scratched. The gas puddling was pretty darn scary. I hadn't thought of the burn as a "rite of passage" but it did kinda remind me of that scene in Jaws where Quint and Hooper are showing each other their shark bite scars and telling fish bite stories. |
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Title: Re: I'm a total idiot! Post by justin_o_guy2 on 07/14/10 at 23:42:41 Other people are total idiots, but not me. Im missin a finger.. |
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Title: Re: I'm a total idiot! Post by Paladin. on 07/15/10 at 01:52:46 232536342E3835362525570 wrote:
"Good decisions come from wisdom. Wisdom comes from experience. Experience comes from bad decisions” - anon http://www.dslretorts.com/Paladin/archives/000786.html |
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Title: Re: I'm a total idiot! Post by TheFid on 07/15/10 at 03:40:00 Happens to all of us.I took the bike for a short run to warm the oil up prior to changing it,bent down to unscrew the oil filler cap and took two inches of skin clean off my arm on the hot downpipe (which stuck sizzeling on the pipe). Had to wait until it cooled before i could clean it off.Arm took ages to heal. |
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Title: Re: I'm a total idiot! Post by babyhog on 07/15/10 at 05:09:22 Wow, I haven't been burnt by the exhaust... yet... I did throw a fleece jacket over the seat once and melted the sleeve. I'm ok waiting for that battle scar! Hope your leg feels better soon. And your signal... been there done that... Hubby is an HVAC tech. The tape that they use to seal ductwork (not regular duct tape) is shiny silver, and holds wonderfully. I had mine taped up for weeks before I was comfortable with replacing them. Scared I was gonna drop it again! By the way, here are the signals I bought. Cheap, chromed steel, look great. They could be a little brighter, but I love them. The seller also has red, and sets of 4. http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=360279472847 http://img.auctiva.com/imgdata/1/1/9/0/9/4/webimg/317462832_tp.jpg |
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Title: Re: I'm a total idiot! Post by bill67 on 07/15/10 at 05:53:44 1107100D15000D16620 wrote:
checking the oil level |
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Title: Re: I'm a total idiot! Post by dmike on 07/15/10 at 07:58:52 4241404D4F552C0 wrote:
I put those on mine too. They are way more durable than the plastic stock ones and only cost me $10. If i remember correctly, I had to run the wires out of the turn signal before attaching it and do some other adjustments to get them to attach correctly, but I can't remember why at this point. |
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Title: Re: I'm a total idiot! Post by ero4444 on 07/15/10 at 08:50:13 jimsgirl, mine is my first bike and when I started riding it seemed like a good idea to lock the forks. But FYI the fork lock is puny, somewhat easily broken and sometimes sticky, and the bike is so light that two thieves can throw it on back of a truck and it's gone anyway. Fortunately the bike is so inexpensive that thieves don't care to steal it, and that is partially why our insurance cost is so low. So if you really want to immobilize the bike, you need a sturdy bike chain like the OnGuard - http://www.amazon.com/OnGuard-Rottweiler-5025-Bicycle-Armored/dp/B000FL1BHU/ref=acc_glance_sg_ai_-2_t_2 - or a disk lock - that has its own risks if you forget to take it off. Now with a few miles under me, the bike security has become less important. |
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Title: Re: I'm a total idiot! Post by prechermike on 07/15/10 at 09:26:07 ero, I'm with you. When I first got my bike I would use the fork lock, but after forgetting to unlock it before I started the bike, that got old quick. I used to worry about leaving my helment on the bike when I went inside, I would lock it to the bike with a padlock (the helment lock is under the saddlebags), take it in with me, carry it around, get someone at a desk to watch it, etc. Sometimes I do take it with men, but now I realize no one wants my old stinky helment. So bike security has become less important. ;) |
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Title: Re: I'm a total idiot! Post by Oldnewguy on 07/15/10 at 12:21:16 I've got a tail light housing you can have. PM your address and its yours. :) |
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Title: Re: I'm a total idiot! Post by Serowbot on 07/15/10 at 12:23:27 66716071716335010 wrote:
It's a left turn signal light. |
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Title: Re: I'm a total idiot! Post by Oldnewguy on 07/15/10 at 12:26:38 P.S. Mines on my right calf. ;D |
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Title: Re: I'm a total idiot! Post by Oldnewguy on 07/15/10 at 12:27:46 That's what I meant to say. I got both! 8-) |
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Title: Re: I'm a total idiot! Post by Phelonius on 07/15/10 at 16:14:53 'snot anything the rest of us haven't done at some time or another. Phelonius |
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Title: Re: I'm a total idiot! Post by Skid Mark on 07/15/10 at 17:21:02 I pulled are stupid stupid today. Rode to work in the morning and went for lunch. Stopped at a store to get a lottery ticket (my retirement fund :)). Got back on the bike and it wouldn't start. Tried the usual, gear kickstand etc but no joy. Walked back to work (only 5 min). Called my dealer service dept and they said to check battery connections. Sounded reasonable so I borrowed some allen wrenches and a truck and went back to the bike. Pulled the seat off (the battery is under the seat on the C50) and all the connections were good. Looked at the handle bars reached over and put the kill switch back to the run position kicked myself and started the bike. My only hope is that maybe the next time the bike won't start I will remember to think 1st. |
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Title: Re: I'm a total idiot! Post by Tiefighterpilot on 07/15/10 at 23:41:00 I dropped mine first 1st month in a parking lot... as a couple where walking by saying "cool bike!" I broke my left turn signal also and replaced it with same kind of lights as Babyhog. when you install make sure you check which wire is running light and which is turn signal. the bulbs go on reverse for left and right (filaments switch top to bottom). I mixed mine up and one light was brighter and it kept burning the bulb out. Also use a o ring terminal connector for the ground wire. it is much better than just twisting the wires around the light. http://www.wiringproducts.com/contents/media/ring_terminals_125.jpg can get one at home depot in various size to fit the light's bolt. |
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Title: Re: I'm a total idiot! Post by John_D FSO on 07/19/10 at 19:13:02 484B4A47455F260 wrote:
Never burned myself bad enough on exhaust for a permanent scar, but did hang my backpack on my handlebars after getting to work, and melted part of one of the plastic buckles to the header. ::) |
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Title: Re: I'm a total idiot! Post by justin_o_guy2 on 07/19/10 at 20:18:03 kicked myself and started the bike. never saw a kick starter work like that, but okay |
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Title: Re: I'm a total idiot! Post by jimsgirl on 07/19/10 at 21:43:20 ++ Erro - thanks for the fork lock info... I had wondered how much "safer" that lock really is, so I'm sure I'll not lock it soon. I have a cover on it at night, and I do have a disk lock. I make a point of rolling the bike forward before I start it. I tried to roll it out of the driveway and it stopped, thought I'd caught it on something, then realized the disk lock was there. AUgh! My brother told me to attach the orange safety cord to the disk and then to the handlebar-instead of across the bars alone. That seems to work, I haven't forgotten it yet. ++OldNewGuy - Thanks for the taillight send...I appreciate that so much! |
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Title: Re: I'm a total idiot! Post by FrankYoungWolf on 07/20/10 at 06:09:11 Cool to know that my egg shape scar on the inside of my right calf is no longer lonely.... ;D |
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Title: Re: I'm a total idiot! Post by james may on 07/20/10 at 13:06:56 Wow lots o people have those aftermarket lights!! I've got a set on the back of my bike too. Guess their so cheap.. I melted a helmet on my exhaust once. |
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Title: Re: I'm a total idiot! Post by justin_o_guy2 on 07/21/10 at 05:35:29 When doing wiring mods, lights, etc, those crimp connectors are quick & easy, but they arent exactly good, long term connections. You can use them to help you solder it up, tho, if soldering isnt something youre familiar with. Remove the plastic & make the connection up, then solder & insulate it. Itll last for years that way, or just strip your wires & solder them up, Heat Shrink, or liquid electrical tape or just plain ol Electrical tape will do the job. Dont buy the 3 rolls for a dollar electrical tape for this kind of work. Go buy the Good Stuff, spend a few bucks, Cuz this kind of work has to be done right, once. |
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Title: Re: I'm a total idiot! Post by Routy on 07/21/10 at 05:58:42 Quote: When doing wiring mods, lights, etc, those crimp connectors are quick & easy, but they arent exactly good, long term connections. ------------------------------------------------------------------ While I won't exactly disagree, it has always amazed me how good they really can be,.....completely depending on the quality of the connecter, the quality of the crimping tool, and the experience and care that is put into doing a good positive crimp. The last few years, I have been using that liquid tape (WM) over the connector, which IMO makes it a very corrosion proof, long lasting, positive connection. |
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Title: Re: I'm a total idiot! Post by justin_o_guy2 on 07/21/10 at 06:08:50 Yep, installed carefully & using quality parts, they CAN be plenty good. The number of variables there & the cost of an electrical failure on the road leaves me willing to drag out the soldering eqpt. Ohh, Ill crimp something & run it a while, but eventually, I will solder it up. Not everything has to be 100% bulletproof Right Now. Ride it, but one day, go in & fix it so it wont leave ya walkin in a few years. |
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Title: Re: I'm a total idiot! Post by Skid Mark on 07/22/10 at 13:23:43 I use heat shrink tubes over my crimp connections. Keeps then nice & dry and corrosion free. |
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