OMYGAWD!!!!!!

[EVAHank]

OK, I am shocked, and I guess it had to happen sometime. Please let me explain...
I was riding home from work today on my V17, and slowing down for a red light. The front tire hit a 'rut' in the road and I felt the bike leaning left. I had stopped, but the weight was just too much for me and I had to let her go over. I'm in the middle of Central Avenue (Abq's 'main street'), and it's rush hour. She was on her left side. I got off her, and thought, "This thing weighs 940 pounds, there's no way I'm going to be able to pick her up! I've gotta try anyway..." So I placed my derriere as low as I could on the seat, grabbed the left handlebar with my right hand, started pushing and walking backwards, just like I learned in the safety course in 1972 in California. It wasn't even that hard. She just came right back up on her wheels and I balanced her on my hip for a few seconds, trying to remember what to do next. A 'good samaritan' showed up and I asked him to steady her while I got back on board. It took a bit to get her restarted (had to clear the DFI fault by lowering the kickstand and putting her in neutral), but I had only lost a couple of light cycles. I was so amazed at what had happened that I missed my turnoff to home and had to backtrack about 3 miles to correct that. The last bike I was able to pick up like that was my dear departed Honda 750. I had sworn I would never buy another bike that I could not pick up, and I guess I've found the bike. While I do have some issues with her (see my suspension post), I'm sold! This bike is definitely a keeper. I couldn't even pick up my Voyager 12, so this was a major surprise. With some Race Tech Gold Valve Emulators to tweak the suspension, and a few other tweaks here and there, she's gonna make a GREAT touring rig...AND I won't have to call a wrecker when I drop her (hopefully this was the last time). Everyone Have A Great Day!!!

Ride Safe & Sane;
Hank & 'The Grey Ladies'

[biggersm]

For me it is always the embarrassment of the moment giving me a pump of adrenaline. I picked up a bike by myself on soft sand in 1983 (middle of the desert, middle of the night alone, of course the first thing I did was look around and see if anyone noticed). I dropped a bike again in 1993 (trying to bump start it, at which I was too successful and the bike took off without me in control). Several people saw my 1993 accident but only one person came over.

I have slipped and lost traction a couple times over the last few years and been cut off but somehow kept my bike upright but almost went over again at the front gate at Patrick AFB last week. At most military installations today there are movable bollards but after they move a bollard they are supposed to put a plate over the open hole...instead I almost put my foot in the hole when the bike came to a stop. I was glad I was able to sense the hole with my foot and I was able to lean the opposite direction in time because if my foot went in the hole I would have sunk between shin and kneecap in depth and almost certainly broke my leg.

I hope your 1700 was left without any scratches and that you get that suspension upgrade.

I would like to cruise Central again someday; I bet the Voyager 1700 looks the part on Route 66.

[debron]

I've dropped my XII three times. Once when moving it in the garage I set it down on the kickstand before it was totally stopped and the slight forward motion was just enough to raise the kickstand and down went the bike. I was able to pick it up pretty easily.

Next was in the Apache National Forest near the Arizona/New Mexico state line. I passed a "rest area" on a lonely two-lane and decided to stop there. I started my U-turn before I got it down into first and the positive neutral finder found neutral instead of first so, being in neutral, I ran out of momentum in the middle of the turn and down went the bike in the middle of the road. Surprisingly there was a good Samaritan there who helped me pick up the bike. Otherwise I would have had to unload some of the gear as it was heavily loaded for a three week trip.

Third was last year while following Don Medina down Lombard St. in San Francisco. A car in front of us was going so slow down the hill that I lost momentum again in the middle of a curve and down went the bike. It was a busy Sunday with lot's of sightseers and pedestrians around. A couple of "good Samaritans" came over and tried lifting up the bike while I was still on it! The bike was fully loaded as I was on the return trip from Kanab. Talk about embarrassing. The crowd cheered when we got the bike up!

[David (N. Alabama)]

Glad the only thing that happened was embarrasment.

If you drop the bike and no one sees it, did it really happen?

[EVAHank]

Quick Update...
I checked her for damage and it looks like all that happened was a few scratches on the casesavers. I'll try buffing them out, and if I can't do that, I'll buy a new one (Gotta keep her looking new!)

Ride Safe & Sane;
Hank & 'the Grey Ladies'

[Gator Mike]

Old saying: "If you ain't dropped it, you ain't ridding it!". ........Gator Mike

[hank43]

Quick Update...
I checked her for damage and it looks like all that happened was a few scratches on the casesavers. I'll try buffing them out, and if I can't do that, I'll buy a new one (Gotta keep her looking new!)

Ride Safe & Sane;
Hank & 'the Grey Ladies'

Hey Hank,
It's the other Hank, in California. About your case savers, I have those, nearly new, 'cause I triked my '09 VV1700. I also have complete rear wheel, belt sprockett, all the brake assemblies, rear swing arm, stock triple tree, both rear cases, and a whole bunch of other stuff all for the 1700. Let me know if you want anything, I want to sell, but I am easy.

Hank Thompson (hank43)

[EVAHank]

Thanks, Hank, I'll remember that!
Mike, She rides well in town, and it would be cool to cruise Central (and get a coke at the Sonic) with you guys again! Are you planning to make the Western Regional?

Ride Safe & Sane;
Hank & 'The Grey Ladies'

[biggersm]

Hi Hank

We probably can't make the Western Regional but we are trying to get to Logan, Ohio for the AVA rally.

I miss riding in the Western States. I ride up to Sandia Crest or up in the Enchanted Loop area would sure be nice. We will have to settle for a piece of the Appalachian Mountains.

[hank43]

Thanks, Hank, I'll remember that!
Mike, She rides well in town, and it would be cool to cruise Central (and get a coke at the Sonic) with you guys again! Are you planning to make the Western Regional?

Ride Safe & Sane;
Hank & 'The Grey Ladies'

BTW Hank, what year was that Honda CB750? I owned two, a 1969 in 1969, and a 1976 in '76. I always thought that the '69 was the better of the two power wise, but the '76 had a better throttle system for the 4 carbs. I had the MOM for the 69 until a couple of yrs ago, then gave it away.

hank43 (California Hank!)