well, i had my first and hopefully last bike accident on friday night. beautiful day in the mountains and i went for an extended ride. coming around a turn i spotted some gravel/ sand in the road and, for somereason, froze. i could have avoided it but i just couldn't seem to turn, negative fiaxation i guess... instead of looking where i need to go, i focused on the hazard. i don't know what happened, but i ended up in the mess and the bike came out from under me at about 40mph. it slid about 15 feet into the shoulder and i slide about 20 on the asphalt and gravel. i am very fortunate in that i only suffered some scraps and a couple holes in my arms and legs. no stiches because i left most of my skin on the road. very scary, but i learned some valuable lessons. one was that i am lucky to be alive and have an intact head. i was not wearing, nor did i own, a helmet. that has been recitified as of today. luckily someone stopped, gave me a t-shirt to control the bleeding, and let me clean up and collect myself at their place, a half mile up the road.
the bike basically skidded on the turn signals and dirby cover. the shift lever was also bent but i bent it back into shape and was able to ride home. i dented the tank somehow, on the opposite side of the skid, i am thinking a knee, but its not horrible. the clutch leverl bracket was ground down a bit too. a couple hundred bucks at the harley shop and it looks like nothing happened. the engine was running when i pulled myself off the ground, but it stopped running as i aproached the bike when i picked it up, it fired up right away. although i rode it home, i am wondering what precautions i should take. what could go wrong with the bike on its side? should i change the oil etc. anything else i shoudl look for ? i hate to say it, but it allowed me to justify some purchases i wanted to make for awhile, like a change to bullet style turn signals and a nice chrome dirby cover.

just thought i would share... be careful out there guys. i have been riding bikes of one sort or another the better part of my life, without incident. i am not saying i am the best rider out there, but there are a lot of dangers on the road, and i, for one, got taken by surprise.

 

sorry to hear about that. I don't know what you should look for but just wanted to say sorry. Like i have been told and have expirenced "there are two types of riders, ones that have been down and those that will go down". Its a good thing that like most of the hd riders once they go down there's usually minor injuries and damage as was in your case. I'm sure the guys here will give you good advice on what to look for on the bike. Good luck!!


Kelly

 

thank goodness you are o.k. That, of course,is the most important!

 

Sorry to hear about your accident but am glad that you are OK. If you just laid it on it's side and there were no fluids leaking when you picked it up you should be OK. In the old days before sealed batterys you would have had battery acid all over your chrome. Make sure it looks better when you are done than before the accident


Terry

 

Ouch. So sorry to hear about the accident. Glad you're ok. Thank God.[sm=smiley31.gif]

 

Laying over a bike is something that you think will never happen to you, just someone else will do it. Glad to hear that you are all right and not too badly hurt. If I was in your place, I would probably have a very hurt pride and also a little embarrassed. Gravel and or sand can be very interesting to ride on, as you found out. Hopefully you won't have to worry about doing it again. Good luck on your healing up.

 

man thats one of my biggest fears, sand & gravel on the road. i hate that crap! glad to hear your ok! im sure the bike will return th the road lookin even better!!

 

Sorry to hear about the accident. Glad you're ok though. I'm impressed you rode off after. I don't think I would have it together after that to hop back on immediately.

 

Welcome to the club. Membership is open to all, and nearly all join it sooner or later.

Glad you scraped through with no major injuries or damage. Make sure you replace any bent levers; they have a habit of finishing breaking when you least expect it. Don't worry about your fluids except to check the levels.

Again, glad you're OK.

 

Damn, I so sorry this happened to you. I'm happy you were only a little banged up. Gravel is a nightmare. I try and scrub off a ton of speed and ride straight thru it...

Ryan