He locked up the rear brake and dumped the bike Sunday. Found out at almost midnight. He said that the bike and he are both beat up. So much for him being responsible/mature enough for a motorcycle. I should have taken it back when he lost one of the sets of keys.
-WD/Jeff

Kid has road rash and stitches.

Bike has: busted off headlight (already a custom replacement), busted off braided stainless brake hose, bent apehangers, torn off right custom rear turn signal, dented gastank, stuck throttle, inoperative left turn signals. Forks, frame, swingarm, wheels and motor are apparently intact.

I'm picking both up tomorrow, bringing home for a proper assessment. Skin will heal, the bike can be rebuilt.

He got off darned lucky. The bike pitched him off as it went out from under him. Right in front of a Kojak. He didn't get a ticket, was just told to get the bike out of the road. Which was wet from the first rain in almost 2 months. And his front brake blew up last week, so he had rear drum only, which was apparrently mis-adjusted. At least he didn't hit anyone else. He has a permit and no insurance (not required in WA state).

I'll update later today (Monday). It is 2:10 AM local.
-Jeff

That really stinks but I'm glad he's alright.  I have locked up my rear a couple times which was really scary.  Might not have been if I didn't know how dangerous it can be.  Had a couple friends with new bikes who have insisted it feels better just using the rear.  Luckily all it takes is me consistently outbraking their high performance bike and not a fall to convince them they can use the front brake aggressively.  Good luck on the bike.  I'd be screwed.

WD wrote on 12/31/69 at 16:00:08:


Welcome to the College of Life, School of Hard Knocks.

Raising kids means watching them make the same mistakes we made as our parents watched us making the same mistakes they made.  It's hard, but it is the only lesson that truely sticks.  Here's wishing the quick recovery of youth with a little added wisdom/responsiblity/maturity from the experience.