Test Drive Goes Bad
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Tourer
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 494
Likes: 0
From: Charlotte, NC
Test Drive Goes Bad
I spent most of last Saturday changing out my stock bars to Wild 1 518's. I lengthened the wiring 8" and changed the clutch, throttle and idle cables to braided steel. Sunday morning I changed the the front brake cables to braided and put everything back together, washed the bike and had it looking good and went for test ride.
About 20 minutes out, I get rear-ended as traffic was slowing for a left turning vehicle and the teenaged driver behind didn't stop in time. As I always do when stopping, I checked my mirrors and saw a blue blur, heard screeching tires and then impact. I must have steered to the right and went up the curb and endedup on the grass on the right side of the bike. My hands never left the grips and my feet stayed on the floor boards and luckily no bodlily injury. Police came, info exhanged and I thought I could ride it home. I got three blocks away and smelled rubber burning and turned around to see smoke coming from rear tire. Ended up trailering it back to my house.
Damage is cracked turn signal bar, taillight, r/s saddle bag crushed, fender smashed in at the rear and buckled at the center and is lodged against the tire. L/S saddle was pushed forward, retaining pin broken out and "L" shaped brackets bent forward. R/S Oval has a dent and rash as does the heat shield on the pipe from the front of the motor. The front crash bar ( from impact with the curb) is bent on the right side. The bolt that attaches the bar to the frame on the left side lower frame was ripped out. The front area of the bar, where it attaches, is still against the frame, but the rear of the bar is pulled out about 1/2" away from the frame.
Appraiser is coming tomorrow to inspect the damage.
Will suck not to have the bike for several weeks.
Ride as safe as you can.
Steve
About 20 minutes out, I get rear-ended as traffic was slowing for a left turning vehicle and the teenaged driver behind didn't stop in time. As I always do when stopping, I checked my mirrors and saw a blue blur, heard screeching tires and then impact. I must have steered to the right and went up the curb and endedup on the grass on the right side of the bike. My hands never left the grips and my feet stayed on the floor boards and luckily no bodlily injury. Police came, info exhanged and I thought I could ride it home. I got three blocks away and smelled rubber burning and turned around to see smoke coming from rear tire. Ended up trailering it back to my house.
Damage is cracked turn signal bar, taillight, r/s saddle bag crushed, fender smashed in at the rear and buckled at the center and is lodged against the tire. L/S saddle was pushed forward, retaining pin broken out and "L" shaped brackets bent forward. R/S Oval has a dent and rash as does the heat shield on the pipe from the front of the motor. The front crash bar ( from impact with the curb) is bent on the right side. The bolt that attaches the bar to the frame on the left side lower frame was ripped out. The front area of the bar, where it attaches, is still against the frame, but the rear of the bar is pulled out about 1/2" away from the frame.
Appraiser is coming tomorrow to inspect the damage.
Will suck not to have the bike for several weeks.
Ride as safe as you can.
Steve
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 5,801
Likes: 13
RE: Test Drive Goes Bad
Did you do the damage assessment, or did ya have a HD Tech do it? I ask, as If the rear wheel was also hit (which more than likely it was), there could very well be damage to the swing arm, frame, etc etc
Extreme HDF Member
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 10,449
Likes: 46
From: Roswell, GA
RE: Test Drive Goes Bad
Glad you're okay; nice riding--watching the rear views and keeping your hands on the grips and feet on the floorboards. Hope you can get the bike repaired and on the road soon.
Road Captain
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 545
Likes: 5
From: Seattle
RE: Test Drive Goes Bad
That sucks...but man, very impressive skills--glad your okay! Hope it all works out.
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Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 63
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RE: Test Drive Goes Bad
Really sorry to hear this. I've had a bike totaled before and it bites.
Like posted above, get an appraisal from a Harley dealer. There could be more damage than you think.
Like posted above, get an appraisal from a Harley dealer. There could be more damage than you think.
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Road Master
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 1,212
Likes: 1
From: Maryland
RE: Test Drive Goes Bad
Been there, done that. Last July, I was headed out for my yearly week long (actually 9 day) bike excursion. I left work early that day, and was only a mile away when I was hit from behind. Took 8 weeks, 2 days, and 5 hours to get it back. Glad to hear you are OK.