Pants on the Ground

[hppants]

Loki came by around 7 to help me change my rear tire.  We planned to ride 1/2 day and we were having a blast ripping some back roads.  Weather was OK - an occasional mist, but the road was dry.

Until....

Back in my home town, we split ways and I'm heading home for the aftrernoon.  It starts raining very lightly as I turn a corner and I'm accelerating nicely toward a gentle left curve.  At the beginning of the curve, before I had any idea what was happening, the bike comes out from under me and I'm sliding down the belt sander.  I instantly let the bike go with both hands.  Both the bike and me slide off the road and into the grass in slightly different direction.  When I come to a stop, the very first thing that comes to my mind is "I'm alive".  The bike is still running, and it finally kills itself.  I get up and my gear is covered in mud and rash.  The second thing that comes to my mind is "ATGATT just saved me".  I lift the bike up and turn the key off.  The adreneline is starting to wane and my ribs hurt.  I walk back to the road and there it is - an oil sheen that is washing toward the shoulder in the curve.  Just started to rain + oil on the road + curve in the road = down you go.  It was like someone pulled the road from under me.

I pick up my stuff (tank bag, gps, etc etc is all over the place) and I mount the horse.  I can't get her to start.  Again, I'm a little shook up so I called Brody and asked him to bring his trailer.  While he is on the way, I realize the bike is still in 3rd gear and that's why it won't start.  I rock her into neutral, hit the key, and she fires right up.  I called Brody back to tell him I got it started, but he says he's just around the corner so hang tight.  10 minutes later he shows up and I realize that he lied to me because he thought I should not ride home.  And he is prolly right.

I get the bike home and give her a good bath.  I took a few pics but I've got to do some family stuff now.  For starters, this is what I know:

1.  Left hand mirror is cracked (anyone got one they will sell me?)

2.  The clutch handle housing has some rash and it's keeping the clutch handle from moving freely.  I'll have to look closer at that.

3.  Left crank cover has a little rash - shoud be OK

4.  Speedo-meter cable mount (at the wheel) is cracked.  Its the part that goes on the cable - I'll have to look closer at it - the cable pulled out.

5.  Rash on the speedo, the headlight bracket, the left crash bar, and the left muffler.  All of that appears cosmetic - but I'll have to look at it closer.

6.  Left front turn signal may be broken - the gasket pulled out, but the stalk is good and it still works.

7.  Spitfire windshield is cracked in 25 pieces - I guess I'll try the National Streetcycle this time.

8.  Small tear on my jacket left sleeve - still seems serviceable.

9.  Rash on my pants - they have to get replaced.

That's all I can see for now.

Other than my ribcage, not so much as a scratch.  Not one pebble touched my skin.  I estimate I hit the pavement at about 40 mph cause I slid about 125 feet.

Wear the gear, friends.  It might save your life.

[OhCrap]

Yay, that sounds like a pretty good slide! Sounds like the bike isn't in to bad a shape though, and more important, you're still walking 

Still sucks though, hope you're back in the saddle soon man.

[Puppysnake]

Good to hear you're okay. What kind of pants were you wearing?

[JordanA]

Glad to hear you came out okay! Since you didn't mention any fractures, I assume your ribs are just bruised or that you haven't been in for X-Rays.

I'm also guessing that this may put a dent in your rally plans?
 

ATGATT (although I'm guilty of often wearing only jeans and my riding jacket/boots).

[SliverXZennon]

Nice job not getting dead! Another reason for AGATT. Glad to hear you are ok, sucks the bike is messed up though...

[Falban]

Pants, happy to hear you came out still standing.
Yea ATGATT!

[Brittles]

Sorry to hear that. Thankfully you didn't get hurt any worse than you did.

[tbante]

So glad that you are ok. Hopefully this wont alter your rally plans. You are one of the biggest ATGATT proponents on this board and it looks like it paid off.
Do your pants have hip armor?

[chromy]

Wow Pants!  I'm sorry to hear you and the NH got roughed up, but glad that you are ok.  Sounds like you've got a really good friend in Brody!  Good on him for stalling you until he could get on the scene.   
I hope all works out for you.

[JB1290]

Glad you're ok, Pantsman.   

[Bumblebee]

Dang. That's no fun at all.

Did your helmet hit the ground?

2.  The clutch handle housing has some rash and it's keeping the clutch handle from moving freely.  I'll have to look closer at that.

If it's clamped a bit on the handle, before you start wedging a screwdriver in there to open the gap, consider that the hardware is likely cast aluminum. It's better to file the inside to the proper dimensions than to bend it since cast aluminum breaks instead of bends.

8.  Small tear on my jacket left sleeve - still seems serviceable.

What kind of tear and where is it? Near or on a seam or in the middle somewhere? Fixes are possible however make sure it's done right.

And, um, welcome to the Faceplant Club. Wish you didn't have to join.

[Soupskin]

Wow, that seriously sucks.

But I'm happy to hear you're unharmed.

How's the family taking it?

[Burgi]

Really glad you're OK, HP.
I'd like to beat you in Photo Tag but not cause you took yourself out of the game. 
Glad Brody came and got you. My husband got right back on after his last off and realized later that he really shouldn't have. Even without any big injury you can be in a mild shock and that is no way to ride. He has made me promise next time to stop him. I'm hoping there is no next time!
How many miles had you put on the new tire? Do you think that played a part in the slide?

[Tryvelcro]

1.  Welcome to the club, I hate that you had to pay the initiation fee

2.  I hate you for getting that song stuck on my head

3.  I have a left side mirror you can have for free

4.  I have a Memphis shades windscreen in the closet, you are more than welcome to it, too.

Send me a pm with your address.

[hppants]

SOQS and I r eating pizza and we just read this thread. We thank all of u for the good thoughts. I should b ok but for now I'm pretty sore. I will respond more later. She says we r goin to church tomorrow.



Yes ma'am 

[ak85lp]

Sorry to hear that, glad you are ok. I'm sure the bike will be fine once you take it easy and have a good look at it.

[hockeyhawk]

That really sucks pants. Glad you are ok. Hope your back to 100% and back on the horse real soon.

[skramer360]

Dude, that sucks! I'm glad you were able to get your pants back off the ground under your own steam. Take it easy for a couple days and get back on that yellow horse.

[green427]

Loki came by around 7 to help me change my rear tire.

Glad you were not seriously injured. More proof that ATGATT is the way to go.

I assume you put a new tire on? It might have contributed to the extra slipperiness.

[Captainkirk]

Sorry to hear, Pants. Glad you're OK.
Just a thought....new tire+mold release+rain slick=PantsOnnaGround? You did scrub that tire, right?

Me; I use acetone followed by sandpaper. Anal, maybe. But I think it works.

[Moustache]

Glad your okay.
It imagine each of us have a spill clock and soon enough whether we want to or not, it will be our time.
tick tick tick

[genespleen]

So sorry to hear this.  The bike's suffered a bit of damage, but you're okay, and that's what matters. 

1)  take some pain reliever before bedtime.  If you're sore now, you'll likely be extra sore in the morning.

2)  have a good look at your helmet to check if it suffered any impact.  You'll want to replace it if so, as you know.

Again, very sorry--what happened to you today could happen to the best rider in the world.  Fresh light rain is the devil's spawn.

[gammer]

Good to hear you are ok Pants.
You are pretty resourceful and have good friends here who will help get your bike fixed up in no time.

Safety Tip - Riding in the rain (Note the '10 minute rule' at 1:10)

[luckylindy]

 Glad the damage to you and your NH is repairable.  Oily road + light rain could get any rider on any bike, new tire or not.  Get 'er back up and running soon my friend.

[cmyers]

Pants: Glad your safe and able to post up about it. ATGATT definitely saved you some skin today. Sorry about the bike man. If you cant find parts here, there is a used parts dealer near me that might have some of you parts.