Messed Up...First Drop
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 5,384
Likes: 12
From: Out on Deranged
hard to tell about the lever without hands on you may have snapped a piece of the aluminum lever that resides inside the lever housing. I'm thinking you willl need to take the lever out and have a look to see what's what.
Don't feel too bad about dropping it you were practically at a stand still when it happened. I had to pick up a buddy 2 weeks ago who slipped in gravel that was laid out continuously this past winter, a veteran rider no less.
Don't feel too bad about dropping it you were practically at a stand still when it happened. I had to pick up a buddy 2 weeks ago who slipped in gravel that was laid out continuously this past winter, a veteran rider no less.
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 3,302
Likes: 274
From: Milton, Delaware
Yep, ride long enough and it happens to us all.
A couple of years ago the wife and I were on a 8 day trip. I pulled up to a scenic overlook in Bryce Canyon, came to a stop and put my feet down. I hadn't noticed all the sand on the ground and ended up doing the same thing..just a slow tilt to the right until the bike sat on the guards. My wife's boot top got caught in the under the saddle bag and she couldn't get her foot out. No injury, just stuck until a passerby helped me lift the bike up enough for her to get free.
It was a bit embarrassing, especially having to have a passerby help me. lol
But, I now ALWAYS check on my footing when coming to a stop.
A couple of years ago the wife and I were on a 8 day trip. I pulled up to a scenic overlook in Bryce Canyon, came to a stop and put my feet down. I hadn't noticed all the sand on the ground and ended up doing the same thing..just a slow tilt to the right until the bike sat on the guards. My wife's boot top got caught in the under the saddle bag and she couldn't get her foot out. No injury, just stuck until a passerby helped me lift the bike up enough for her to get free.
It was a bit embarrassing, especially having to have a passerby help me. lol
But, I now ALWAYS check on my footing when coming to a stop.
Thread Starter
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Cruiser
Joined: Dec 2014
Posts: 108
Likes: 4
From: Vancouver, BC
Haha. Good to know Dean.
Update: Clutch lever thing was really bothering me so I took it out for a quick spin. The weather is still really bad but I couldn't wait any longer. It rides fine. I wasn't tearing it up by any means but it was still smooth, felt normal. To be honest, I don't even know what I'm looking for but I think all is well and hopefully if it clears up tomorrow I should be good to go.
Thanks everyone for your input.
Update: Clutch lever thing was really bothering me so I took it out for a quick spin. The weather is still really bad but I couldn't wait any longer. It rides fine. I wasn't tearing it up by any means but it was still smooth, felt normal. To be honest, I don't even know what I'm looking for but I think all is well and hopefully if it clears up tomorrow I should be good to go.
Thanks everyone for your input.
Road Warrior
Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 1,832
Likes: 67
From: Phoenix
Two things to look for in clutch operation: slippage and drag.
The clutch is slipping, or not fully engaging, if you're riding with the lever released but your RPMs are too high for your speed. Imagine pulling the lever in partially and revving the engine - it's the exact same thing. Solution: adjust the clutch.
It's dragging, or not fully disengaging, if shifting feels harder than normal, it's difficult/impossible to find neutral, and the bike creeps forward when you're stopped with the lever pulled fully in. Solution: adjust the clutch.
If it feels normal, you're probably all right. You can have that lever twisted all to hell, but as long you're able to control the clutch when you need to, it doesn't matter.
The clutch is slipping, or not fully engaging, if you're riding with the lever released but your RPMs are too high for your speed. Imagine pulling the lever in partially and revving the engine - it's the exact same thing. Solution: adjust the clutch.
It's dragging, or not fully disengaging, if shifting feels harder than normal, it's difficult/impossible to find neutral, and the bike creeps forward when you're stopped with the lever pulled fully in. Solution: adjust the clutch.
If it feels normal, you're probably all right. You can have that lever twisted all to hell, but as long you're able to control the clutch when you need to, it doesn't matter.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 9,155
Likes: 1,903
From: Doghouse... mostly
That's the #1 reason you should pick up and wear a set of boots instead of shoes while riding. The more aggressive sole on the boots may have prevented your foot from slipping.
Road Master
Joined: Jul 2013
Posts: 946
Likes: 29
From: my house
Quoted for truth. The anti slip sole is one of the reasons I wear my work boots for riding.
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Road Captain
Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 578
Likes: 0
From: Apache Junction
Eyeball the purch itself. My old man dropped his because the kickstand wasn't in the "locked" position and it rolled forward and it went over luckily before he got off of it all the way. I wasn't close enough to help catch it but I was sure close enough to watch and laugh my *** off and call him a rookie (he's been riding his whole life) haha! We chuckled (I did more chuckling then he did) and picked it up. Samething it tipped gently but it did bend the clutch purch slightly, but it was bent inward making the clutch lever too tight and rubbing the lever. We filed it down and it was fine. Just an FYI if it is bent in any manor don't try and bend it back, or at least I wouldn't. I believe they're cast aluminum and will just snap, but could be a possible lead to your problem.
