I should have seen it comeing. Came home from work yesterday and parked in the gravel driveway,put her on the centerstand. Later I was gonna put it in the garage, so I stood on the left and pushed her off the stand. Well, the right side dug in and down she went, and down the slight incline of my yard. I ran to the right side to pick her up, but couldnt do it...I yelled at the house for help and my wife came out and we got it upright again, now I'm not a weak-tit, but I sure felt like one! I didnt realize how strong my little woman is...or how heavy these things are when they're tipped over.No damage but a bent front t/s. I wont do that again. Side stand only in the gravel!!! :dash2: Humbled by my wife again! Charley
Don't feel bad. I did almost exact same thing. I park on an angled gravel lot at my house. One day I wasn't paying attention and I had one of those "no no no" moments. Down she went and bye bye to the left mirror that day :dash2:
Quote from: Vsekvsek on July 08, 2014, 07:08:18 AM
Don't feel bad. I did almost exact same thing. I park on an angled gravel lot at my house. One day I wasn't paying attention and I had one of those "no no no" moments. Down she went and bye bye to the left mirror that day :dash2:
:dash2: :dash2: :drinks:
I always sit on my bike whilst taking it off the centre stand. I've had a couple of close calls while standing beside it, removing it from the c/stand. They are a heavy bike and once the downward motion starts, it's bloody hard to stop. :wacko3: Pete.
As a mechanic I would take bikes on and off stands and move them around in close quarters all day long. A dropped bike in that environment usually means at least two or more damaged bikes.
As an apprentice, the mechanic regularly made me "walk" 360's around a big heavy bike off the stand, the goal being to do so speedily and with a light touch. It's amazing how much easier this became with a bit of practice. The thing I quickly figured out for myself was never look at the bike, always have your eyes on the "horizon", it seems to improve your sense of balance and give you a much finer feel.
I also have a preference for rocking big bikes off the centre stand while astride them, for a number of reasons.
Big bikes often knock the side stand over centre as they come off the main stand leaving it with the appearance of being down.
Having said all that, the odd one still used to get away from me.
The only time I've dropped mine was when I first got it and while idling I was feeling for the side stand with my foot and kicked it into gear, it lurched forward and fell over.
Noel
Quote from: Vsekvsek on July 08, 2014, 07:08:18 AM
Don't feel bad. I did almost exact same thing. I park on an angled gravel lot at my house. One day I wasn't paying attention and I had one of those "no no no" moments. Down she went and bye bye to the left mirror that day
Some idiot from Florida did this very thing his first day at the WCR. Right next to Pat Conlon's BEAUTIFULLY POLISHED `84!
...oh, that was me.
That was a close one Steve....
Note to self: ABS glue on broken mirrors is better than JB Weld.
Don't feel bad, stuff happens. I have had a habit (bad one) of when I stop to get off the bike I would put it in neutral, turn the ignition off and get off the bike.
Well, I did that and my bike rolled down and just "kissed" the back of Ron's bike... No damage but a close call ! Now I always put it in first gear, then shut it off and dismount. Lesson learned.
On the bike pick up. You Tube has some good vids on how to pick up a dropped bike. FJ's are heavy, but if you can pick up a Harley it should work with the FJ.
Charley show this to your wife .... Just need a "practice" bike :drinks:
HOW TO PICK UP YOUR MOTORCYCLE - FALLEN OR DROPPED BIKE (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=84YfDGKA4Og#ws)
George
Quote from: Steve_in_Florida on July 08, 2014, 08:17:11 AM
Quote from: Vsekvsek on July 08, 2014, 07:08:18 AM
Don't feel bad. I did almost exact same thing. I park on an angled gravel lot at my house. One day I wasn't paying attention and I had one of those "no no no" moments. Down she went and bye bye to the left mirror that day
Some idiot from Florida did this very thing his first day at the WCR. Right next to Pat Conlon's BEAUTIFULLY POLISHED `84!
...oh, that was me.
How would ya like ta turn up to a manshed day, park the bike with mates watch`n, then stroll away to the meet n greet as your FJ slowly keels over and dies in front of everyone!....Interestingly, I only found out recently he`s a right foot down man cause he`s got flat feet!
ummmm.....at our anniversary rally an attendee became a left foot down man as his FJ did tha same thing! Concerned at a domino affect when parked beside in excess of 30 Yamaha relatives he attempted ta save her, using his leg as a stopper!....didn`t work and she continued to keel over. (crunch...ouch!)
Personally, I was dissapointed at the disrespect shown by onlookers in both cases! :sorry:
Quote from: movenon on July 08, 2014, 11:59:41 AM
Charley show this to your wife .... Just need a "practice" bike :drinks:
HOW TO PICK UP YOUR MOTORCYCLE - FALLEN OR DROPPED BIKE (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=84YfDGKA4Og#ws)
George
I found it best to stand on her toes if there`s gravel around!...Oh, and remind her to check the side stand is in position! :drinks:
I remember the day I dropped my three day old GSXR 1100. The anger and then the tears come. :hang1:
Where I was living at the time, I'd park on the road and then when it was time to put It away in the back I'd push it to
the incline and jump on side saddle. I did this every day with my previous bike without incident. The new bike was wheeling a little to fast and I touched the front brake on a patch of grass and she turned right over. Scratched the living **** out of the lower fairing and then some on the upper. The dealer said $900 dollars to fix it. I had $500 deductible so I ended up leaving it like that till I sold it.
Try and pick one up that's fallen off camber into a garden bed surrounded by hedges and a fence near the handlebars. :dash2:
OK... :lol: It's clear this guy doesn't have a wife........
Pro Tip: How to lift a Motorcycle (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OOCTsna2jiI#ws)
George
Quote from: Bones on July 08, 2014, 02:31:22 PM
Try and pick one up that's fallen off camber into a garden bed surrounded by hedges and a fence near the handlebars. :dash2:
Or off camber freshly chip-sealed shoulder / steel guard rail. :dash2:
I couldn't wait to get home and see the replys to my post! You all are so dam funny...I thought alot today about guys who have crashed and had real accidents got hurt and wrecked they're bikes for real. My heart goes out to you all...especially you Dan, you are so f-kn lucky!!! Anyway thanks all. This is the kinds of comradarie that makes this group really special!!! Oh, and for the record, I usually am sitting on the bike when I take her off the center stand. :good2: Be safe everyone! Charley.
I "soft dropped" my 90 the first week I had it. I had bought new riding boots. The width of the grooves in the sole of the shoe just happened to be the right size for the ball at the end of the side stand to squeeze into. While parking on a slight slope on concrete, I put the side stand down. As I lifted my foot back up, it lifted the side stand back up. I leaned the bike to the left and it continued downward, as slowly as I could manage. Love the renntecs. A helpful passerby immediately rushed over to help pick it up. Total ground time was not more than about 40 seconds. Only damage was my ego.. and it probably needs it from time to time..
+1 on the engine guards from RPM. I got gas and went inside a Chevron station in Santa Cruz area one weekend. Parked slightly uphill and in gear on side stand... I sure thought I did it right. Came out and found Wiz on the engine guards, left mirror, and Givi top box. I rush over and a stranger helps me get the heavy beast up, still in gear. Maybe I had pissed someone off and they took their revenge. Likely I had my head up my ass and locked... happens.
Slight sanding and respray of the bar and we're good to go with just a bit of rash on the mirror to prove it happened.
Frank
A while ago had my bikes lined up like soldiers and while having some beers i noticed one was not the same distance apart as the others so i jumped on the XJ to move it a bit closer to the CB and somehow overbalanced and ended up wedged between the 2. The only thing i think that saved the bikes from any damage was a milk crate on the other side of the CB so it didn't fall all the way over and me in between them. It felt like it was in slow motion.
During my first year of ownership of my current 91 FJ, it had a tip over all on it's own.
My routine in the morning for work, had me moving the bike out side on the gravel driveway, start engine for a warm up, and return to the garage the put my gear on. So, as I was turning my back to go into the garage, I hear this sound of an FJ doing the slow motion slide towards the ground. I was unable to stop it before in bottomed out on the left side. No Rennecs at this point, but as luck would have it, the handle bars were turned to the right , with the weight of the bike landing squarely on the left bar end, and only slightly on the left mirror, left side scoop and the timing cover. All pretty minor damage, but the scoop and mirror still show the signs of that day.
Further investigation found that the FJ was on a down hill angle (very slight), and with the engine running on choke (high RPM), front of the bike facing down hill, had just enough room on the gravel to allow the bike to roll forward and retract the side stand, and down she came. Great learning lesson, and I think the adrenaline lifted the FJ more than anything else that day, as I was so pissed at myself for allowing it to happen.
Leon
I dropped mine three times the first month I had it.
There's some good youtube videos on how to pick the bike up by yourself, and it works.
Friend of mine dropped his Seca turbo on it's side. Was so pissed off. He heaved it up too hard. And dropped it on the other side. picked it up.put it on the kick stand. Picked up both mirrors. Handed them too me. Didn't say a word. Got on his bike and rode away.
Quote from: ken65 on July 08, 2014, 07:58:08 PM
A while ago had my bikes lined up like soldiers and while having some beers i noticed one was not the same distance apart as the others so i jumped on the XJ to move it a bit closer to the CB and somehow overbalanced and ended up wedged between the 2. The only thing i think that saved the bikes from any damage was a milk crate on the other side of the CB so it didn't fall all the way over and me in between them. It felt like it was in slow motion.
Yep, that does happen after drinking 30 of them Ken. :sarcastic:
Quote from: Bminder on July 08, 2014, 08:57:11 PM
There's some good youtube videos on how to pick the bike up by yourself, and it works.
The quickest way to pick up a bike is to drop it with an audience.
Noel
Oh ok. Many years ago after a long days ride, got home into the shed, flicked down the side stand, although my boot quickly pulled it straight back up again as I got off. The FJ dragged me over, just swiping the front of the trailer on the way down ( 1" very deep scratch just below the headlight reminds me) and I was trapped underneath.
It didn't hurt but with the bike laying on my left leg, I had to wait for my wife to grab the neighbour to lift my baby off me, there's no way I was getting out on my own. :biggrin: Just a bit overtired and silly things happen.
Quote from: giantkiller on July 08, 2014, 11:20:18 PM
Friend of mine dropped his Seca turbo on it's side. Was so pissed off. He heaved it up too hard. And dropped it on the other side. picked it up.put it on the kick stand. Picked up both mirrors. Handed them too me. Didn't say a word. Got on his bike and rode away.
[/quote :morning1:Thats pride man!!! :lol: ]Hope youre feelin better!!!
I let a friend ride my zx9r, well he got about 20 metres down the road and freaked out. He pulled over and tried to put his foot down and missed and over the bike went, in his hast to pick the bike back up tipped it over the other side and dropped it. Funniest thing i ever saw, never let him live it down.
Thanks. Just a little sore. And black n blue all over.
Quote from: ken65 on July 08, 2014, 07:58:08 PM
A while ago had my bikes lined up like soldiers and while having some beers i noticed one was not the same distance apart as the others so i jumped on the XJ to move it a bit closer to the CB and somehow overbalanced and ended up wedged between the 2.
I don't blame the beers, I blame the obsessive/compulsive behavior that makes us not leave well enough alone.. :smile:
My FJ has been down three times. In the twenty years I have owned it. The first time, I was on a ride in southern Utah, turned on to the Devils highway and stopped at restaurant. Decided not to eat there. While turning around in the gravel parking lot. Some car came sliding through there at thirty plus. Did a quick stop so he would not hit me. This was right next to a big hole. My foot was about six inches form the ground. Just tried to slow it down as it tipped over on the left side. Timing cover and scoop protector got replaced after the trip.
Kurt
My biggest fear is not if I drop the FJ but when. I'm very deliberate moving it around the garage and such. Haven't had any big scares yet but it's only a matter of time before I slip on sand or oil residue at an intersection or lose it on grass/gravel in a parking lot or at a campsite. At 600 lbs once this baby starts going over the chances of saving it will be slim to none. I'd really hate to mess it up. Hopefully it happens after the newness wears off. The Concours guys have a special group for those who have had a tipover, CDA, Connie Droppers Anonymous. It has a pretty healthy membership. :sorry:
Back in 86 when I purchased my new FJ, I drove home to show my parents. Slight down hill slope. On the side stand. Neutral. Inside I went. Come look at my new bike. Everyone walks outside and there she is laying on her side. Scratched mirror, bent clutch lever and side scoop scratched. I will always park in gear. Yet the motorcycle council tells people to park in neutral.
So whenever a motorcyclist friend comes over I always tell them. Leave it in gear. There is enough slope for it to fall. Most people pay no attention to me. Until......... buddy on a Suzuki cruiser comes over. Lets it warm up, pointing downhill. I tell him not to do that. He looks at me like I am an anal moron...... until his bike crashes to the ground.
Quote from: fj johnnie on July 18, 2014, 11:41:24 AM
Back in 86 when I purchased my new FJ, I drove home to show my parents. Slight down hill slope. On the side stand. Neutral. Inside I went. Come look at my new bike. Everyone walks outside and there she is laying on her side. Scratched mirror, bent clutch lever and side scoop scratched. I will always park in gear. Yet the motorcycle council tells people to park in neutral.
So whenever a motorcyclist friend comes over I always tell them. Leave it in gear. There is enough slope for it to fall. Most people pay no attention to me. Until......... buddy on a Suzuki cruiser comes over. Lets it warm up, pointing downhill. I tell him not to do that. He looks at me like I am an anal moron...... until his bike crashes to the ground.
Yup, ALWAYS PARK IN GEAR! We had a minor case of FJ Dominos at the WCR when a rider neglected to park in gear, which rolled forward & fell into another one. Glad I arrived just AFTER that happened!
Get in the habit to use your sidestand switch to turn your engine off....that way when you dismount, you know that your sidestand is down and your bike is in gear.
You just have to remember to turn your key off....but that's a different story.
Quote from: charleygofast on July 08, 2014, 06:56:50 AM
I should have seen it comeing. Came home from work yesterday and parked in the gravel driveway,put her on the centerstand. Later I was gonna put it in the garage, so I stood on the left and pushed her off the stand. Well, the right side dug in and down she went, and down the slight incline of my yard. I ran to the right side to pick her up, but couldnt do it...I yelled at the house for help and my wife came out and we got it upright again, now I'm not a weak-tit, but I sure felt like one! I didnt realize how strong my little woman is...or how heavy these things are when they're tipped over.No damage but a bent front t/s. I wont do that again. Side stand only in the gravel!!! :dash2: Humbled by my wife again! Charley
I think a lot of us have done this, I know I have, more than once, once it was fresh asphalt on a really hot day, so it's best to carry some type of plate (board), with a larger surface area, reducing the psi, by increasing the stands footprint. If it's the only way she goes down, well that's actually a good thing. :smile: Unless of course, she goes down in an elevator. :lol:
Quote from: charleygofast on July 08, 2014, 06:56:50 AM
No damage but a bent front t/s.
Charlie glad the only thing hurt is your pride and a turn signal (BTW I've got a spare if you need one).
Quote from: Paul1965 on July 20, 2014, 03:53:41 PM
Quote from: charleygofast on July 08, 2014, 06:56:50 AM
No damage but a bent front t/s.
Charlie glad the only thing hurt is your pride and a turn signal (BTW I've got a spare if you need one).
Thanks Paul, just a bent front r/h bracket. Easily straightened... while I had it off I took 'em all off and shortened the stems as in Joe Sulls June post. Much less ugly, when I get my other fairing done I'll be getting some fairing mounted ones like yours thanks man Charley