OOOPS, I dropped my Bird at a stop sign - Discuss OOOPS, I dropped my Bird at a stop sign on CBRXX, the ultimate on-line community for Honda motorcyclists. Read it in General CBR XX Discussion. (General Discussion of the Honda CBR 1100 XX Super Blackbird that does not fit into the other specific forums.)

fasterspider · 12-02-2008, 4:31 PM

So I was riding up Piuma canyon heading for Stunt Rd when making a right turn, I decided to stop and wait for my buddy on his ZX-14. I should not have stopped before the bike I was 100% vertical, it was a stupid mistake that cost me a lot of money today.

No-one saw me fall but, I could not lift the bike and was laying there when my riding buddy came up the road to see me laying there stuck under my bike. We got the bike upright and away I went like it never happened.

Well, when I got home and looked at my bike after the ride, I saw what I did not want to see. She had a small rash and a bunch of scratches in the right side lower cowl and it cost me $403.57 for the new cowl.
Today when I went to put the cowl on, I found the lower front mount broken off the oil pan. I do not know what that will cost if I can have it fixed on the bike, should not be too expensive.

Catenaccio · 12-02-2008, 5:46 PM

Most unfortunate. I've done the same thing on a different bike. Always a bit humiliating but, honestly, it happens. Good luck with the repairs. Bike looks good even dinged.

VideoMike · 12-02-2008, 6:10 PM

Hi Fasterspider,

I HATE when that happens. I did that too the first night I owned my bird. I was pushing backwards on the walk in front of my house and lost my footing and did everything I could not to drop her, but, I just couldn't hold her up anymore and down she went and my leg was trapped under it. I had to yell for a help and my neighbor and a friend help me out. My leg was black and blue for two weeks! I broke the right peg drag sensor off and added a few more dings to an already badly damaged right fairing that was there from the previous owner. Just take a look at:

Index of /cbrxx02

I wonder if the right mount on my engine is broken too. A good welder can fix that for you without too much grief. I'm glad your ok. I dropped my Nighthawk once when I killed the engine starting out from a stop because it was in second gear. A friend taught me to always stop and start out with the front wheel straight and that has probably saved me a lot of damage reports. The weight of that bike is pretty intimidating especially when your trapped under it.

--mike--

fasterspider · 12-02-2008, 6:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by VideoMike

Hi Fasterspider,

I HATE when that happens.

Index of /cbrxx02

I wonder if the right mount on my engine is broken too.

--mike--

Wow, after seeing the damage to your bike it makes me feel like I got off pretty good.
Did the mount fall off when you pulled the cowling off, mine just dropped to the floor.

shewie · 12-02-2008, 7:37 PM

Ouch! That's a bitch, man. At least you didn't have an audience. My first ride on the bird I was meeting my riding buds at Tim Horton's (THE coffee chain up here) and, lo and behold, there was a parking spot available right in front of the entrance (never happens) so I coolly pulled in and, in the same practiced motion I had executed thousands of times on my former ride, I swept my left foot through the side stand and leaned her over. Unfortunately, the side stand is in a slightly different spot on the bird. Slow-motion drop, with three of my friends among the thirty or so on-lookers with their faces pressed to the glass. Try looking cool after a performance like that. No pics, but there were some nice scars carved into the fairing and gen cover. Now sitting in my shop awaiting paint.

fasterspider · 12-02-2008, 7:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by shewie

No pics, but there were some nice scars carved into the fairing and gen cover. Now sitting in my shop awaiting paint.

I have the correct color code paint left over from the seat cowl painting and could have just had my painter fix up the sratches & gouge in my cowling but, I just got paid good for a small job, I am spoiled rotten and I just wanted a new cowling because there was s few small scratches in it when I bought the bike.
It was humiliating to say the least,

and then I did not have the strength to pick my bike up, I needed help.
When my 675lb CBX fell over in the garage, I yanked the bike up off the floor before her heavy ass was fully touching the ground. When my Bird fell over, I needed help to pick her up. Made me wonder.

shewie · 12-02-2008, 7:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fasterspider

When my 675lb CBX fell over in the garage, I yanked the bike up off the floor before her heavy ass was fully touching the ground. When my Bird fell over, I needed help to pick her up. Made me wonder.

I was able to lift her myself, probably due to the adrenaline, but I nearly blew a pill doing it. The CBX may carry her weight a bit lower than the bird.

fasterspider · 12-02-2008, 8:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by shewie

I was able to lift her myself, probably due to the adrenaline, but I nearly blew a pill doing it. The CBX may carry her weight a bit lower than the bird.

No, the CBX is a top heavy bitch.
I just think being pinned at an awkward position on an make in a hurry ashphault curb had me waiting for help.

Not a drop of fuel spilled out and the lean angle sensor shut her down when she went over. I got lucky I guess

shewie · 12-02-2008, 8:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fasterspider

Not a drop of fuel spilled out and the lean angle sensor shut her down when she went over. I got lucky I guess

What struck me was how much lean it took for the bike to shut off. I think the gen cover was on the ground before the sensor spoke up.

Logoman · 12-02-2008, 8:14 PM

Carolina Cycle lists your right lower cowl at $338.28 online. If you call Leon at the store, its even less than that. $403 is rape. My 2002 lower cowl is listed at $257.04 and I think Leon wanted less than $230 on the phone. Ask a brother for help in these matters and ye shall receive.

My lower mount got bent in my accident, too. I didn't figure that out until I went to put my lower cowl on a couple of days ago. I took that sucker off and banged it into fair shape and then ended up sticking a couple of washers between it and the bolt to make things work. I think I'm going to get my buddy to fab a new longer one for me, although a new one is only $4.41 or less at Carolina Cycle.

The 'Bird sucks at slow tight turns or doing what you did. I can't remember stabbing at the pavement with my foot on any other bike except the 'Bird. I think with a full load of fuel in the tank it would be hell to pick up. Like my 84 VF1000F. I had a wreck on that and had just fueled it up. I had to get help to get that thing off its side.

I did the old slow motion put the bike on the kick stand that wasn't completely down thing on my ST1100. It pinned me against the garage wall and I had to yell for my wife to get it off me.

Be VERY CAREFUL at toll plazas if you aren't already. Those places are slick as snot. I've almost dropped the bike just putting my foot down and having no traction.

fasterspider · 12-02-2008, 8:24 PM

I am just getting older and more out of shape, oh well.
I am ok, my bike will be ok tomorrow.
Life is good.

Nutter67 · 12-02-2008, 8:34 PM

Ooops, that is a bit embarrassing. Speaking of embarrassing, did your bird see the colour of the stop sign and think "oh no, that's what colour I am. Eeeeeek" and the rest is history.

Seriously, glad you could walk away without too much damage.

DragonXX · 12-02-2008, 9:32 PM

Yeah ! Those low speed drops are an ego killer for sure

Glad the accident didn't cost you an arm and a leg ..... literally

deadman · 12-02-2008, 10:30 PM

I did the same just after I got it,almost stationary, the front wheel was a little bit turned, and the weight of the XX is top heavy, and over it went, With the clip ons you just cant hold it up. Lucky no one seen it, phew. a few scratches, luckily, the fold down mirrors are great, saved me dollars. I did it again after I put my risers on, and the leverage I have now, I saved it, But I have learnt,
Pull up only in a dead straight line, Good thing your leg was not jammed on the exhaust.
Brian.

VideoMike · 12-02-2008, 10:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fasterspider

Wow, after seeing the damage to your bike it makes me feel like I got off pretty good.
Did the mount fall off when you pulled the cowling off, mine just dropped to the floor.

I should be pulling my cowl off pretty soon. Can't do much riding with the roads iced up so maybe next week I'll have some time to pull it off of her and see.

--mike--

Strek · 12-03-2008, 12:19 AM

Ray, Sorry to hear about that. It could happen to anyone. If you ride long enough it's bound to happen. The good news is that the bike isn't too bad and you didn't get hurt. Sounds like you almost have the bike sorted.

DeathWish01 · 12-03-2008, 3:15 AM

this is the main reason im getting my skid bars put on.... doesn't do any good at high speed but doing something like this would most likely get spared... plus i almost dropped mine a couple months ago trying to do a slow hairpin u-turn and it didn't turn out so well... the bike tipped over but i JUST got done paying for it and there was no way in hell i was gonna let that bike touch the ground so all 6'4'' and 160# of my skinny ass sprawled out and lifted the bike up just a couple inches before hitting the ground... talk about a pain in the groin... oi

BTW nice color bike you got there

DeathWish01 · 12-03-2008, 3:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by VideoMike

A friend taught me to always stop and start out with the front wheel straight and that has probably saved me a lot of damage reports. The weight of that bike is pretty intimidating especially when your trapped under it.

--mike--

i don't think you would wanna take off on a bird w/ your wheel pointed any other direction then straight ahead.... otherwise your bird might follow the wheel, but youll fly straight foreword over the bird

deadman · 12-03-2008, 7:20 AM

Doing a U turn, not quite straighened up, and give it a tiny bit of go, the back wheel just walks out from under you, Awesome power, Very close to dropping it, but didnt, Scary stuff, hahahahaha,
Brian.

PJNXX · 12-03-2008, 7:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fasterspider

Today when I went to put the cowl on, I found the lower front mount broken off the oil pan. I do not know what that will cost if I can have it fixed on the bike, should not be too expensive.

Sorry to hear of your tip over. The same mounting tab broke off of my oil pan when my bike tipped over last year.
To reattach the tab I first tried JB Weld and it did not work. Then I tried welding the tab back on using an aluminum rod and a propane torch, but to no avail. Although the weld did stick to the broken tab it did not stick to the oil pan. The reason for this is that when you are aiming the flame at the oil pan piece, the heat gets dispersed throughout the entire surface area of the oil pan, not localized at the break. Therefore, my only solution is to buy a new oil pan, or find a good used one. Since I can't afford to buy a new oil pan at this time, I have been riding without my fairing attached at that point and I have had no problems; no rattling or shaking from the fairing.

Perhaps you can find a professional welder that will have better success than I did. I think that he would tell you to take off the oil pan and bring it to him, however.

I hope it works out for you.

BobZ · 12-03-2008, 8:28 AM

For those of you that have replaced your lower cowlings, does the replacement come with the decals already on it? Mine has a few scrapes on it so for the cost it seems reasonable to replace it.

I think a lot of us have had similiar spills, whether we want to admit them or not. But consider it a cheap lesson learned and you were not hurt so all is well!

Bornagain · 12-03-2008, 8:49 AM

Sorry to hear you dropped it. Been there with my Bird and was lucky to avoid any damage other than the odd scratch.

I did pull my CBR6F on top of me off the bike lift, it was in the lowered position but it still hurt and broke DB screen and LH mirror. Sore leg for a few days.

fasterspider · 12-03-2008, 10:55 AM

The worst part of this whole deal is the fact that I actually let my bike go down. The money to fix the damages is a bit expensive but, my Bird is worth it to me.
I really love my Blackbird, she is an awesome bike that will continue to receive the best attention from me that I can possibly lay on her. And I only have 3 pieces left before I have a full new body set.
You all treated me a lot better than I thought you would for dropping my Bird, I appreciate that.

DarkRunner74 · 12-03-2008, 11:36 AM

Don't feel so bad...I bought my bird second hand and look at what I had to deal with in the first pic. He laid it down good and hard on that side.

But with some Automotive paint, Clear coat and some hard work I got it looking and running better. Even had to install a manual switch and other slight mods but I only replaced two minor parts. Didn't come out show room quality in the other pics, But I'm glad she's still runnin strong

amsiegel · 12-03-2008, 12:57 PM

I dropped my 3 feet from parking it in my storage unit. I caused more scrateches from trying to lift and slipping then I did from dropping it. I think it also think it landed right bar end and did something to the throttle becasue there is a slight vibration comming from the right grip now.

fasterspider · 12-03-2008, 1:57 PM

$25.00 and the weld is done.
My Bird is together again and looking better than ever.

TheDuck · 12-03-2008, 1:58 PM

On the broken lug, these can get broken off very easily, a 0mph drop almost guarantees it!
They can be re-welded but you do need a good welder and generally you need to drop the pan. They can distort though.
You can get round the problem by making up a bracket (bent piece of allu) and attaching it to the existing pan mounting bolt.
In the UK I found a good supply of new pans, a 'kit car' builder who uses Bird engines and dry sumps them .................... I bought 3 (along with pipework) for £50 ............. absolute bargain!

PJNXX · 12-03-2008, 3:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fasterspider

$25.00 and the weld is done.
My Bird is together again and looking better than ever.

Good for you. Did you take off the pan and bring it to a welder, or did you do it yourself?

fasterspider · 12-03-2008, 3:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PJNXX

Good for you. Did you take off the pan and bring it to a welder, or did you do it yourself?

He welded it with the oil pan on the bike, it took him less than 3 minutes.
The little bracket was bent but a vice and my Vice Grip pliers made light work of that issue.

shewie · 12-03-2008, 4:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fasterspider

He welded it with the oil pan on the bike, it took him less than 3 minutes.

What did he use to weld it, mig or tig?

12-02-2008, 5:46 PM	#2
Catenaccio Join Date: Aug 06 2008 Location: Southeast Nevada Posts: 1,098	Re: OOOPS, I dropped my Bird at a stop sign Most unfortunate. I've done the same thing on a different bike. Always a bit humiliating but, honestly, it happens. Good luck with the repairs. Bike looks good even dinged.

12-02-2008, 6:10 PM	#3
VideoMike WB9YPA Join Date: Nov 22 2008 Location: South Bend, Ind. Age: 56 Posts: 254	Re: OOOPS, I dropped my Bird at a stop sign Hi Fasterspider, I HATE when that happens. I did that too the first night I owned my bird. I was pushing backwards on the walk in front of my house and lost my footing and did everything I could not to drop her, but, I just couldn't hold her up anymore and down she went and my leg was trapped under it. I had to yell for a help and my neighbor and a friend help me out. My leg was black and blue for two weeks! I broke the right peg drag sensor off and added a few more dings to an already badly damaged right fairing that was there from the previous owner. Just take a look at: Index of /cbrxx02 I wonder if the right mount on my engine is broken too. A good welder can fix that for you without too much grief. I'm glad your ok. I dropped my Nighthawk once when I killed the engine starting out from a stop because it was in second gear. A friend taught me to always stop and start out with the front wheel straight and that has probably saved me a lot of damage reports. The weight of that bike is pretty intimidating especially when your trapped under it. --mike--

12-02-2008, 7:37 PM	#5
shewie Resident Eh?hole. Join Date: Oct 26 2008 Location: Ontario, Canada Age: 43 Posts: 5,713	Re: OOOPS, I dropped my Bird at a stop sign Ouch! That's a bitch, man. At least you didn't have an audience. My first ride on the bird I was meeting my riding buds at Tim Horton's (THE coffee chain up here) and, lo and behold, there was a parking spot available right in front of the entrance (never happens) so I coolly pulled in and, in the same practiced motion I had executed thousands of times on my former ride, I swept my left foot through the side stand and leaned her over. Unfortunately, the side stand is in a slightly different spot on the bird. Slow-motion drop, with three of my friends among the thirty or so on-lookers with their faces pressed to the glass. Try looking cool after a performance like that. No pics, but there were some nice scars carved into the fairing and gen cover. Now sitting in my shop awaiting paint.

12-02-2008, 8:14 PM	#10
Logoman Join Date: Nov 02 2006 Location: SW Florida Age: 53 Posts: 383	Re: OOOPS, I dropped my Bird at a stop sign Carolina Cycle lists your right lower cowl at $338.28 online. If you call Leon at the store, its even less than that. $403 is rape. My 2002 lower cowl is listed at $257.04 and I think Leon wanted less than $230 on the phone. Ask a brother for help in these matters and ye shall receive. My lower mount got bent in my accident, too. I didn't figure that out until I went to put my lower cowl on a couple of days ago. I took that sucker off and banged it into fair shape and then ended up sticking a couple of washers between it and the bolt to make things work. I think I'm going to get my buddy to fab a new longer one for me, although a new one is only $4.41 or less at Carolina Cycle. The 'Bird sucks at slow tight turns or doing what you did. I can't remember stabbing at the pavement with my foot on any other bike except the 'Bird. I think with a full load of fuel in the tank it would be hell to pick up. Like my 84 VF1000F. I had a wreck on that and had just fueled it up. I had to get help to get that thing off its side. I did the old slow motion put the bike on the kick stand that wasn't completely down thing on my ST1100. It pinned me against the garage wall and I had to yell for my wife to get it off me. Be VERY CAREFUL at toll plazas if you aren't already. Those places are slick as snot. I've almost dropped the bike just putting my foot down and having no traction.

12-02-2008, 8:24 PM	#11
fasterspider Join Date: May 16 2008 Location: Studio City, Ca Age: 47 Posts: 839	Re: OOOPS, I dropped my Bird at a stop sign I am just getting older and more out of shape, oh well. I am ok, my bike will be ok tomorrow. Life is good. __________________ Ray#1 The fasterspider You must have bumped your head http://i34.photobucket.com/albums/d1...birdavatar.jpg

12-02-2008, 8:34 PM	#12
Nutter67 Administrator Join Date: Aug 31 2007 Location: Seaford, Victoria, Australia Age: 42 Posts: 5,445	Re: OOOPS, I dropped my Bird at a stop sign Ooops, that is a bit embarrassing. Speaking of embarrassing, did your bird see the colour of the stop sign and think "oh no, that's what colour I am. Eeeeeek" and the rest is history. Seriously, glad you could walk away without too much damage. __________________ *Paul* *Never let a motorcycle take you somewhere your brain didn't get to three seconds earlier*

12-02-2008, 9:32 PM	#13
DragonXX ... Get A Good Lawyer ! Join Date: Dec 19 2007 Location: Gold Coast, Australia Age: 45 Posts: 2,733	Re: OOOPS, I dropped my Bird at a stop sign Yeah ! Those low speed drops are an ego killer for sure Glad the accident didn't cost you an arm and a leg ..... literally __________________ " 'Birds of a feather, flock together " Quote of the month: "Make everything as simple as possible, but not simpler." - Albert Einstein

12-02-2008, 10:30 PM	#14
deadman Join Date: Aug 16 2008 Location: Lilydale Melb Australia Age: 61 Posts: 2,344	Re: OOOPS, I dropped my Bird at a stop sign I did the same just after I got it,almost stationary, the front wheel was a little bit turned, and the weight of the XX is top heavy, and over it went, With the clip ons you just cant hold it up. Lucky no one seen it, phew. a few scratches, luckily, the fold down mirrors are great, saved me dollars. I did it again after I put my risers on, and the leverage I have now, I saved it, But I have learnt, Pull up only in a dead straight line, Good thing your leg was not jammed on the exhaust. Brian. __________________ If ya not boppin, Ya in ya coffin. Rock and roll will soothe your soul. Mods, 6mm Shim, 12 inch risers, Double bubble Windsceen, Homemade Ventura type packrack, Expandable to 82 litre, Rjays rack bag, Lowered rear end frame by 3 inches. Suspension is still stock, home made Cans, awesome.

12-03-2008, 12:19 AM	#16
Strek Moderator Join Date: Jun 25 2007 Location: Chicago, Illinois Posts: 4,591	Re: OOOPS, I dropped my Bird at a stop sign Ray, Sorry to hear about that. It could happen to anyone. If you ride long enough it's bound to happen. The good news is that the bike isn't too bad and you didn't get hurt. Sounds like you almost have the bike sorted.

12-03-2008, 7:20 AM	#19
deadman Join Date: Aug 16 2008 Location: Lilydale Melb Australia Age: 61 Posts: 2,344	Re: OOOPS, I dropped my Bird at a stop sign Doing a U turn, not quite straighened up, and give it a tiny bit of go, the back wheel just walks out from under you, Awesome power, Very close to dropping it, but didnt, Scary stuff, hahahahaha, Brian. __________________ If ya not boppin, Ya in ya coffin. Rock and roll will soothe your soul. Mods, 6mm Shim, 12 inch risers, Double bubble Windsceen, Homemade Ventura type packrack, Expandable to 82 litre, Rjays rack bag, Lowered rear end frame by 3 inches. Suspension is still stock, home made Cans, awesome.

12-03-2008, 8:28 AM	#21
BobZ Join Date: May 20 2008 Location: Palm Coast FL Posts: 505	Re: OOOPS, I dropped my Bird at a stop sign For those of you that have replaced your lower cowlings, does the replacement come with the decals already on it? Mine has a few scrapes on it so for the cost it seems reasonable to replace it. I think a lot of us have had similiar spills, whether we want to admit them or not. But consider it a cheap lesson learned and you were not hurt so all is well!

12-03-2008, 8:49 AM	#22
Bornagain Join Date: Apr 29 2008 Location: North of Scotland Age: 64 Posts: 193	Re: OOOPS, I dropped my Bird at a stop sign Sorry to hear you dropped it. Been there with my Bird and was lucky to avoid any damage other than the odd scratch. I did pull my CBR6F on top of me off the bike lift, it was in the lowered position but it still hurt and broke DB screen and LH mirror. Sore leg for a few days.

12-03-2008, 10:55 AM	#23
fasterspider Join Date: May 16 2008 Location: Studio City, Ca Age: 47 Posts: 839	Re: OOOPS, I dropped my Bird at a stop sign The worst part of this whole deal is the fact that I actually let my bike go down. The money to fix the damages is a bit expensive but, my Bird is worth it to me. I really love my Blackbird, she is an awesome bike that will continue to receive the best attention from me that I can possibly lay on her. And I only have 3 pieces left before I have a full new body set. You all treated me a lot better than I thought you would for dropping my Bird, I appreciate that. __________________ Ray#1 The fasterspider You must have bumped your head http://i34.photobucket.com/albums/d1...birdavatar.jpg

12-03-2008, 12:57 PM	#25
amsiegel Join Date: Mar 02 2007 Location: Florida Posts: 43	Re: OOOPS, I dropped my Bird at a stop sign I dropped my 3 feet from parking it in my storage unit. I caused more scrateches from trying to lift and slipping then I did from dropping it. I think it also think it landed right bar end and did something to the throttle becasue there is a slight vibration comming from the right grip now.

12-03-2008, 1:58 PM	#27
TheDuck Join Date: Oct 25 2008 Location: UK South West Posts: 757	Re: OOOPS, I dropped my Bird at a stop sign On the broken lug, these can get broken off very easily, a 0mph drop almost guarantees it! They can be re-welded but you do need a good welder and generally you need to drop the pan. They can distort though. You can get round the problem by making up a bracket (bent piece of allu) and attaching it to the existing pan mounting bolt. In the UK I found a good supply of new pans, a 'kit car' builder who uses Bird engines and dry sumps them .................... I bought 3 (along with pipework) for £50 ............. absolute bargain!

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