Bike tipped over

PJNXX · 09-28-2007, 2:00 PM

It was a maneuver I've performed a million times: Pull up to a gas pump, get off on left side of bike, put the centerstand down, and fill up. However, this time I pulled up, got off, pressed the tab of the centerstand, foot slipped off and.....crunch...the bike fell over on it's right side. The road was a little wet from rain overnight so I guess that's why my foot slipped off. As far as damage, the right mirror housing is scratched up, as well as the right fairing lower. The front brake lever bent into a horseshoe shape and the right footpeg feeler got bent. I'm going to try and polish out the scratches from the plastics, but I'm going to buy a new lever and footpeg feeler.

Moral of the story: stay focused when doing even the most menial tasks that are often taken for granted. Don't be a knucklehead like me.

redxxrdr · 09-28-2007, 2:21 PM

I would have no scratches on my bike if not for the center stand.

Isn't it sad that something so easy can bite so quick.

Sorry it happened. You have at least three more times to catch up with me.

tonyz · 09-28-2007, 2:35 PM

Paul, in 1975 I bought a new honda cb750-f , directly from the dealer I went to the gas station to fill up, 16 years old,very excited,135 lbs, jumped off the bike, didn't even think of the kick stand, needless to say at the last moment I slid under the bike to try to save it,after the gas station attendent lifted the bike off me, a new lt rear signal lamp later, I double check the stand every time even after 30+ years of riding. this is stuff that just happens. my birdy is prestine except for a few scuffs on the left side, it was tipped from the previous owner(it reminds me of the flaling kid under the bike every time I clean the bike)
ride on, no worries
tony

OZDave · 09-28-2007, 8:47 PM

It happens! Bet there was a crowd watching too.

The center stand could definitely do with a grip pattern on the tab.

Spicholy · 09-28-2007, 9:13 PM

My tip over was center stand also. Burned my leg on the exhaust can as I was putting it up on the center stand. Flinched as I got burned, and over she went.

fedeXX · 09-28-2007, 10:47 PM

My condolences. I'm more nervous moving the bike around the yard than I am going 80 down the highway.
Anyways, I have a couple of stock pegs up for sale (check out the for sale/wanted forum). Not sure if that would be cheaper for you....

XX-XR · 09-28-2007, 11:10 PM

I had a similar incident back in 72, I got on my CL350 Honda after refueling and at the next red light I went to put my rt foot down and it wouldn't go down so I plopped over on the rt side, my bell bottoms had slipped over the kick start when I got on the bike, damn bell bottoms. Naturally my buddy was laughing his ass off, but I got the last laugh that night after he left the Royal Castle he rode a wheelie thru the intersection and the cop didn't think it was as funny as I did but it was a decent wheelie.

JB4XX · 09-29-2007, 12:56 AM

BYTM!

FrankGarvin · 09-29-2007, 9:15 AM

"...the bike fell over on it's right side"

Yep, similar deal with me 3 days ago.
Pulled into gas station, made a gradual right sweeping turn up to the pump, put my right foot down, OIL... evil OIL, quick slip of the foot and wham, the bike fell over on its right side

wee bit of "character" added to right mirror, lower right cowl, right stock exhaust can, and broke off the feeler on the right peg.

first time I had ever tried to pick this piggy up off her side.
Nope, aint happening by myself without practice (hmm... sounds expensive)
Two guys stepped in and helped me get her upright.
surveyed the damage, fumed and steamed and generally got pissed off, went inside and bought a pack of smokes for the first time in over two years... smoked one, got dizzy, chilled out for about 15 minutes, gassed her up and got back on the road, gave the smokes to a neighbor, parked the bike.

Haven't touched it since, the riding vibe doesn't have good mojo this week.

ah well, happens to everyone at some point I assume. **** gravity.

mrhemi · 09-29-2007, 10:45 AM

I leave the mounting brackets for the factory hard bags on my bird all the time, even when the bags will not be installed for extended periods. I have found that they make a far more secure hand hold while putting the bike up on the center stand just in case it gets away from you. The location allows for more leverage if the bike does tip to the right.

Mr. Hemi.

PJNXX · 09-29-2007, 6:47 PM

Thanks for the replies. I'm sorry to hear that it's happened to others as well.
I buffed out the scratched areas with rubbing compound but the results were marginal: the very minor scratches came out but the deeper gouges remain. Oh well, my 'bird has character now.

PJNXX · 04-22-2008, 1:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by redxxrdr

Sorry it happened. You have at least three more times to catch up with me.

Well now I'm only behind by two. Back in January, while pulling my bike out of the shed one cold morning to go to work, I put the kickstand down and placed it on my concrete walkway. Turned around, walked over to close the shed doors and I hear "splat". Oh man....apparently I had left the bike in too much of an upright position and didn't have enough weight on it's kickstand.

Fortunately, it fell onto my grass so there was nothing bent or broken.

2 weeks ago I went to remove the right side lower cowl to touch up the scratches that I incurred during my first tip over (see my first post) and I made a startling discovery. The tip over not only bent the right lower cowl stay (an "L" shaped bracket), but broke off the mounting tab from the oil pan! I tried using JB weld to try and reattach the tab but to no avail. So I got an aluminum welding rod and my propane torch with the intention of welding the tab back on. As I was heating up the tab and it's attachment point on the oil pan, the tab began to deform, squashing any hope of reattachment.

Fortunately with the fairing attached with all the other bolts and fasteners it remains secure. So I am just going to keep it like this. I'm not going to replace my oil pan just for this one fairing bolt.

I share this to let others know that if your bike has tipped over, a mounting tab on the oil pan may be broken. Hopefully not.

hornet · 04-22-2008, 3:24 PM

man o man, dropped my shit in my driveway the day i bought it.

i have a steep incline and cant flat foot it on both sides....trying to walk it UP the driveway, i pulled a muscle in my left leg, actually said out loud...."looks like im falling over..." and whammy, pinned under the stator cover wearing steel toes....only damage to the bike was minor scuffs on the sc....took me three weeks to be able to walk up my stairs comfortably again...fat bastard bike....doh!

Banshee · 04-22-2008, 6:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PJNXX

2 weeks ago I went to remove the right side lower cowl to touch up the scratches that I incurred during my first tip over (see my first post) and I made a startling discovery. The tip over not only bent the right lower cowl stay (an "L" shaped bracket), but broke off the mounting tab from the oil pan! I tried using JB weld to try and reattach the tab but to no avail.

Yes, that happened to my first 'bird. If it tips over, check the L bracket, if it is bent do not attach it to the fairing as the stress will cause the sump mount to break off.

SilverBrd · 04-22-2008, 11:10 PM

I don't mean to ask a dumb question but why do you put your bike on its center stand when gassing up?

ArmyStrong · 04-22-2008, 11:24 PM

Maybe it's still the FNG in me, but anytime I stop to get off I plant both feet on the ground and reach back w/the left heal to put the stand down. I then gingerly (yeah, I said "gingerly

), lower it onto the stand, feeling like it's gonna tip over anyway it's so damned heavy!

Banshee · 04-23-2008, 6:18 AM

I put the side down, get off, then lift it onto the center. No problem.

PJNXX · 04-23-2008, 9:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SilverBrd

I don't mean to ask a dumb question but why do you put your bike on its center stand when gassing up?

To fit more gas in the tank. The bike is perfectly upright so gas will fill the entire volume inside the tank. On it's sidestand there will be an unfilled void at the upper right part of the tank.

BigArn · 04-23-2008, 9:22 AM

I never get off the bike while fueling up.
Sorry for your mishap thou.

jsfrv6 · 04-23-2008, 9:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BigArn

I never get off the bike while fueling up.
Sorry for your mishap thou.

SilverBrd · 04-23-2008, 11:36 PM

To me it's not worth the effort for the extra gas to squeeze in your tank and I would never fill my bike sitting on it.

Sandsquidxx · 04-24-2008, 12:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PJNXX

2 weeks ago I went to remove the right side lower cowl to touch up the scratches that I incurred during my first tip over (see my first post) and I made a startling discovery. The tip over not only bent the right lower cowl stay (an "L" shaped bracket), but broke off the mounting tab from the oil pan! I tried using JB weld to try and reattach the tab but to no avail. So I got an aluminum welding rod and my propane torch with the intention of welding the tab back on. As I was heating up the tab and it's attachment point on the oil pan, the tab began to deform, squashing any hope of reattachment.

Fortunately with the fairing attached with all the other bolts and fasteners it remains secure. So I am just going to keep it like this. I'm not going to replace my oil pan just for this one fairing bolt.

The same bracket is broken my oil pan also, this happened with the previous owner everything seems to work okay sofar. As for fueling the bird, I've always sat on the bike and kept it straight up. I guess I just did'nt know any different

jsfrv6 · 04-24-2008, 12:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sandsquidxx

As for fueling the bird, I've always sat on the bike and kept it straight up. I guess I just did'nt know any different

There is no right or wrong method to fuel your bike. The bottom line is that riding a motorcycle is inherently more dangerous than a driving a cage. You MUST PAY ATENTION TO EVERYTHING and take nothing for granted. That goes for what might seem mundane as fueling your bike.

Yall be careful out there

ArmyStrong · 04-24-2008, 1:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PJNXX

To fit more gas in the tank. The bike is perfectly upright so gas will fill the entire volume inside the tank. On it's sidestand there will be an unfilled void at the upper right part of the tank.

'bout how much you think?