Well, Unfortunately it was my turn. I live in Seattle area where the roads are always damp. Pulled out of the driveway with my 2004 ST1300 and gave it a little throttle, hit a yellow reflector in the middle of the turn with the rear wheel right as I laid on the power and she spun out from under me. I watched as my baby did circles on its left side as I slid on my back. Even while I was in mid slide I thought, I'm going to have some work to do tomorrow.
I wondered as I slid down the road, why this time? I had made the same move on the same damp road yesterday? What was the difference? Yes, there was a reflector; yes, I had felt the turn and was enjoy the adrenaline of rolling into it as I gave her power, that also was the same.
As the truck coming up the road slowed down watching my bike come to a stop, I set up, checked my footing to see what might be twisted. Nope, the pain I felt wasn't the little sprain I received as I put my foot down instinctively, it was my pride thinking about the fact my neighbor probably caught the whole event on his camera he points across the street to his mailbox. The mailbox in front of the house next to mine he hopes videoing he will some day be able to use as evidence against the guys stealing mail.
The driver did his duty, asked if I was okay, (yep, just a little twisted ankle), and did I need help picking up the heap. Well, no I have picked her up before so I just wondered over and thanked his kind gesture while I picked her up with my good leg. killed the switch, turned her back on and rode her back into the still open garage.
That's when I notice what the hell happened. I wasn't just a bad rider, (although some might think so), there was a little dark stain on my painted floor where liquid was dripping off the back fender from the night before. After coming home from work and doing a thorough leak check, I was able to troubleshoot it to a very small coolant leak that had been dripping and lubricated my back tire. That was the final piece that took me down.
Lesson learned, watch for drips and leaks before jumping on the bike and hitting the road. It being my daily driver I had become complacent. Now that I have the 650.00 in parts I am ready to replace the water pump seals. Anybody have the pullers?
Signed,
Sad but still looking forward to the ride!
I wondered as I slid down the road, why this time? I had made the same move on the same damp road yesterday? What was the difference? Yes, there was a reflector; yes, I had felt the turn and was enjoy the adrenaline of rolling into it as I gave her power, that also was the same.
As the truck coming up the road slowed down watching my bike come to a stop, I set up, checked my footing to see what might be twisted. Nope, the pain I felt wasn't the little sprain I received as I put my foot down instinctively, it was my pride thinking about the fact my neighbor probably caught the whole event on his camera he points across the street to his mailbox. The mailbox in front of the house next to mine he hopes videoing he will some day be able to use as evidence against the guys stealing mail.
The driver did his duty, asked if I was okay, (yep, just a little twisted ankle), and did I need help picking up the heap. Well, no I have picked her up before so I just wondered over and thanked his kind gesture while I picked her up with my good leg. killed the switch, turned her back on and rode her back into the still open garage.
That's when I notice what the hell happened. I wasn't just a bad rider, (although some might think so), there was a little dark stain on my painted floor where liquid was dripping off the back fender from the night before. After coming home from work and doing a thorough leak check, I was able to troubleshoot it to a very small coolant leak that had been dripping and lubricated my back tire. That was the final piece that took me down.
Lesson learned, watch for drips and leaks before jumping on the bike and hitting the road. It being my daily driver I had become complacent. Now that I have the 650.00 in parts I am ready to replace the water pump seals. Anybody have the pullers?
Signed,
Sad but still looking forward to the ride!
