posted March 11, 2004 07:35 AM
Karma's a bitch sometimes After logging many, many error free miles doing stupid shit on the street (having a tail pack get sucked into my back tire at 180+, having the rear end slide out with a foot to go on a guardrail, front end washing out and picked the bike back up with knee, etc. etc.) - and basically surviving both a ZX-12R tweaked out and a GSX-R 600. Many track days, and a couple of races....
I've never wrecked.
Until I take my best friend's 10R out for a quick 'break-in' spin.
It was a very slow speed low side - I was turning into a neighborhood. There was no warning. No slide. I was making an easy turn then the next thing I know I'm on my ass wathcing Elk's beloved 10-R slide in front of me on the pavement. I almost vomited in my helmet.
One of the hardest things I've ever had to do was pull back into the Backmarker Racing Skunkworks and tell Sherm his Precious is deflowered.
So I figure there are a couple of possibilities here:
1. God hates me.
2. (as Sherm says) I got the bad Karma out of the bike.
3. Allah is punishing me.
4. My Karma was all screwed up and I needed an adjustment.
5. God hates Sherm (and is using me to get to him).
6. God hates me.
I'm unhurt with only a scratched knee, but my skin will heal.
Anybody have a good line on where to get new parts already?
Needs a life
Full throttle!
Posts: One MEEEEEELLION
posted March 11, 2004 07:49 AM
Jesus...
Glad yer mostly OK. That's gotta be the shittiest feeling in the world, wrecking someone else's bike. Something they've waited 3 years for, roamed the entire internet for information...Gained such fame as to be invited by KMC out for a test ride...Proved their competence by riding the bike through the worst weather imaginable...Only to have a friend lowside it...Bummer man...
Needs a life
Full throttle!
Posts: One MEEEEEELLION
posted March 11, 2004 08:04 AM
1bad7 is overseas, and will be able to get the Euro signals. Fish is trying to work a deal to import a number of sets...I figure in the next six months, we'll be able to get them. I actually dug down in the NHTSA web site to find the requirements, and really, they are all SAE recommendations, not strictly requirements.
posted March 11, 2004 08:15 AM
jonwright>
Sorry to hear about the mishap. I don't think that situation had much to do with God other than you are still alive after the fact. There is another force at work here and most don't like to talk about him...
SWFT>
Nothing on RONAYERS.COM, I have been looking for the shop manual for the 10R. I did shoot them an email about the turn signals though. I will advise as info is acquired.
What about the race panels for the bike? We were all loking at that option about a month ago...
Moderator
Please... speak to the hand.
Posts: 3212
posted March 11, 2004 08:15 AM
NOTE TO TEAM MANAGER:
1. Only an amatuer manager puts his best rider in harms way 48 hours prior to a 5 hour endurance race on the 160+ mph at Texas World.
2. A good manager better figure out a way to get the team's best rider to focus on the races instead of something that will be fixed.
NOTE TO A GOOD FRIEND:
1. I was smiling on my way home.
2. My best friend wasn't hurt.
3. The bike will be repair.
4. Between the two of us, it will be done without compromise. It will be just as it was before the accident.
5. I don't know about your Higher Power, by I think my HP was telling me to get focused on my personal commitments to others, what is important to me and put them in their proper order.
Family and friends
Ad Craft of Arkansas, Inc. (my company)
Backmarker Racing (our team)
my bike
6. If this is the worst then all of us should be thankful.
7. Both of us woke up this morning. Compared to my late brother, it looks like it's going to be a good day for you and me.
LESSONS LEARNED
1. Having a life long, good friend beats having any bike - hands down.
2. Bikes can be fixed.
3, Should someone here be focused on an upcoming endurance race instead of posting on internet forums?
____________
There are only three sports: bullfighting, motor racing, and mountaineering; all the rest are merely games.
-Ernest Hemingway
posted March 11, 2004 09:27 AM
all i can say is DAMN... that defintiely sucks. red, considering how stoked u were about gettin ur 10, i'm impressed at how well u'v taken it. can't say i expect anything less from ya tho and jon, i feel more sorry for you than for red, cause i can imagine what that must have felt like!
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Posts: 3212
posted March 11, 2004 10:40 AM
GREAT NEWS!
Many of part are avaiable RIGHT NOW! Dealer just got the microfiche and we'll be taking care of this WHEN WE GET BACK!
____________
There are only three sports: bullfighting, motor racing, and mountaineering; all the rest are merely games.
-Ernest Hemingway
posted March 11, 2004 11:01 AM
You are a good man my friend. Can I borrow your bike for the next track day. Because unlike Jon who is probably extremely careful, I can throw them away with the best of them..... But I do look good doing it.
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Posts: 3212
posted March 11, 2004 11:45 AM
I appreciate it JB, but we'll be getting it from our local dealer. They already have the part numbers and to be honest, we'll get a better deal. I promise you (they underwrite our race team).
Not that I have anything against Ron Ayers. I just got finished working with John and Shelton there at RAM on our custom built 24' race trailer. Good folks.
____________
There are only three sports: bullfighting, motor racing, and mountaineering; all the rest are merely games.
-Ernest Hemingway
posted March 11, 2004 01:45 PM
Damn, Red! I'm really sorry to hear these bad news.
I hope your 'new wife' is fine in no time!!!
____________
A bad track day is better than a good day at work!!
posted March 11, 2004 02:10 PM
Redelk>
Just trying to help a brotha out. Let us know if you put a pipe on it if you haven't already. Until, mine comes in I'll just have to dream about riding a 10R. Take care man, glad your boy is doing fine aside from the guilt.
posted March 11, 2004 02:31 PM
Edited By: Scott_in_FL on 11 Mar 2004 14:33
What happened exactly? Sand, gravel, or other slippery substance on the surface, or perhaps an unexpected handling quirk of the Kwak front end?
Also, how well did she wreck? That large frame looks very exposed and vulnerable. Which hard parts touched down?
Inquiring minds would like to know so that we know what to expect.
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Posts: 3212
posted March 11, 2004 03:17 PM
Don't really have too much time to go into it. I have to tech out three race bikes tonight before we leave early tomorrow morning. I also haven't really looked at it that close to know exactly what's damaged. Frame sliders, one of the first items I was wanting, would have likely reduced to overall damage, but would be tough to determine by how much.
Not going to worry about it until I get back from Texas World. Making sure my team's bikes can safely handle the 160+ mph high banks of this 2.9 mile track is my #1 priority. We have a 5 hour endurace race on Saturday and several sprint races on Sunday.
As far as the accident itself, it was a low speed (20~25 mph) lowside on the left side. Unseen sand/road grit was likely culprit (it was night). Nothing spectacular, just an unexpected situation. JW got a small rash on his knee and a scuff on his jacket.
No frame scratches or damage. Looks like a scuff mark on the frame pad that can be wiped off with alcohol. No damage to the engine or any other parts of the chassis. Initial view appears to be the following (all on the left side):
1. All 3 fairings - lower, mid and upper (no cracks, just abrasions)
2. Mirror (snapped at base)
3. Footpeg (snapped in the middle of peg)
4. Tail section (hole and several cracks)
5. Small dent in tank
6. Clutch lever (abrasion)
7. Bar weight (abrasion)
8. Both turn signals popped out (housings might be scratched)
Doesn't appear that any brackets or mounting points are damaged. Headlight and tail light assemblies appear to be intact. Will know more next week, when the team gets back and I get time to start taking stuff off.
I do want to say that I really wished JW hadn't posted this. Shit happens and there isn't much anyone can do after the fact. It was hardly intentional or due to hooliganism. We were in the process of breaking the bike in to my preferred method of heat cycles and short, varied RPM rides of 15 to 30 minutes. Because it was so cold last night, I couldn't ride the full 20 minutes or so. That is why I asked JW to finish off the time.
We will get it fixed. We will fix it right and replace everything that needs to be replaced, without compromise. It will be as good as it was when we uncrated it. I still have that very same trust in him. I'd have no problem or hesitate to let him ride it as soon as the last repair has been done.
I was surprised to hear that the majority of the parts are currently available and are even reasonably priced. After we get back, we will start the process of removing the damaged parts, assessing what needs to be replaced and getting the necessary parts on order.
Because of his competence and skill as a rider, because of his respect for my property and because of our friendship, he is one of less than a handful of people that I'd entrust my motorcycle to... ever. I would trust him more than I would E Boz, anyone at my dealership or 99.9% of my other good friends and riding buddies.
____________
There are only three sports: bullfighting, motor racing, and mountaineering; all the rest are merely games.
-Ernest Hemingway
posted March 11, 2004 04:57 PM
Redelk, you're going to live to be a very old man with that kind of temperment.
Hope you can get her back to normal asap.
posted March 12, 2004 04:23 AM
All I can say is put the rashed ones on ebay for big $$$$!
Sorry for Jon and Sherm. I know the feeling intimately.... just had something similiar happen... although I wasnt riding or involved with the actual deed. Glad no one was hurt.
Look at it this way.... you're a pioneer. The first low sided 10 in the country. Could be worse.... like finding out your new, virgin wife has prison tattoos and old boyfriends names burned on her.....lol
____________
Official Charter Member of the RIDERS OF KAWASAKI MEMBERSHIP REVOCATION CLUB
Also a BadAss Internet Forum Moderator 4 Hire!! Come at me brah!
posted March 12, 2004 05:51 AM
Red, I truly admire that quality, I too only have only a select few that I would lend my bike to. You're a good man Red. Now can you do something so I can get my bike sooner?LOL.
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posted March 11, 2004 07:35 AM
and jon, i feel more sorry for you than for red, cause i can imagine what that must have felt like!
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