To preference things, At the WCR rally I had a little mishap with my FJ.... My bad... To make it short and sweet, I lost it in a corner.
There isn't enough words in my limited vocabulary to thank all that helped. Thanks to Jeff for back tracking and helping at the at he the scene. Thanks to Randy and Chandra along with "Mr Bean" (Thermite man) for retrieving me and the bike. Thanks to Nora for checking me over back at the KOA, Klavdy for the words of support and that other stuff which did come in handy. Thanks to Pat, Paul, Mark, Mike, Steve, Derek, Andy, Baldy, Frank and Diane, Marsh, LA Mke and Leon for being there and keeping tabs on me though out the evening and next morning. This was my first rally with the group and there were a lot of new names a faces so if I left someone out please except my apology. Words are not there to express as a group how wonderful you are. For those that are reading this and have never been to a rally please consider attending one.
As to the event, like I said. My bad. No cars or other bikes were involved. No tickets, no hospital, no broken bones. The HJC flip up helmet worked great. It suffered frontal face shield and top damage, it stayed locked and worked as it should. I was wearing glasses, the glass's dug into my cheek skin and scoured me up a bit.
I had a ¾ Tour Master jacket with liner with CE protection. In the parting of ways I believe I slid under a guard rail and my right shoulder probably impacted a about 10 by 10 wood post. I sustained a lot of bruising in the shoulder area but no broken bones probably thanks to the shoulder protection. I was wearing jeans with no leg protection. I had one small tear in the jeans but no skin damage there. I did get some "jean burn" on my left leg. The jean material didn't break or tear there. In fact you could see no damage to the jeans there... Just the friction of skin against the jeans. Very minor. (lucky). In short gear is good... I am not sure about wearing eyeglass's under a helmet.
At the scene. After the crash two cars stopped to assist and were very helpful. I had them help me get the bike back upright. They of course told me not to worry about the bike and I explained to them that there was about a 3 foot diameter puddle of fuel under the bike and I didn't need to start a fire here (the area was covered with very dry high grass). The area was a tender box. We got the bike up and I moved it down the road about 50 feet to get it out of the road and policed up the aftermath...
Jeff (CatTomb)came back after not seeing me in his mirror's for a while and called the KOA so the word got out what happened. Shortly after more of the group came back to check on things. An ambulance arrived and did a the normal checks (questions like what day is it, my name, who was president, I told them "unfortunately it was Obama", I am glad we didn't get into that discussion. They wanted to haul me off (that's there job) I declined as nothing seemed to be broken and no unexplained bleeding. I am aware of concussion problems. I figured I could always call 911 if things got worse. Randy and crew were on there way with a trailer and support.
LEO number 1 arrived and we had nice talk, he checked my license, insurance and registration and all was good, a little more nice chit chat and in the mix out of the blue is the question, "how fast were you going", I responded "pretty slow, probably at the speed limit", more friendly chatting and again out of the blue the question "how fast do you think you were going", I responded pretty slow.... (I might be from Idaho but I am not totally stupid).
He gave up after that. Then LEO 2 arrives. Same routine... Same answers.... They were very professional and I am glad they are and were there. I thanked them and shook there hands. They then went down to the corner to measure some skid marks and scratchs in the pavement that were left there by somebody...........? (remember I moved the bike and policed up the area), and there were no witnesses...
Randy and crew arrived so they loaded the poor FJ and we departed the area and on to the next event.
Back at the KOA Nora was kind enough to look me over and clean my cut up. Thank you again. That was Friday.
Called home and had my wife and son drove down for a ride home on Saturday. Randy was kind enough to haul the bike over to his place to be stripped down and see what's needed for repair. It's future is undetermined at this time. It s either fix it or part it out or buy another FJ and have some nice spare parts... or.......
Pat asked about how my wife felt about all this. Mary and I are high school sweethearts and have been down many roads togethter. She rode with me for years until a pinched nerve was to in her back became to much for her. She cares and gives me the "look" when it comes to motorcycles but she also knows that's what I enjoy and supports me. I will probably get back on shortly.
Again many thanks to everyone. I just wanted to post what happened as best I can can recall.
George
Glad to hear that you made it through the get-off relatively unscathed and the good testimony of what good riding gear can do in a mishap. Sorry to hear that the bike didn't come out as fortunate.
Our bikes are 100% interchangable. I have a few spare parts. All you need to do is let me know what you will be needing to get her road worthy and I can send what parts I have for the cost of shipping.
Fred
George, I was late to the seen and was sorry to see that a rider went down. I was happy to see that you had minor issues and had some gear on that protected you. Glasses are currently my only choice (Rx issues till Laser and $$$ can fix that). I also know from having been down a few times that what is not seen still hurts days after. I am also happy to profess that my wife was a passenger for many years but no longer and still supports my passion for life behind bars (handle bars) and kept me from selling my FJ. It is therapy in the best way.
By the way.... How fast were you going???? :rofl2: Heal well and I know Randy will treat you proper.... Keep Movenon my friend, very happy to shake you hand and BS around a real campfire...
Glad to hear nothing wrong with that shoulder... I hope all goes well from here and you're back ASAP.
What's up with your bike? Randy going to fix it up?
Frank
Glad to hear confirmation that you sustained only minor injury. Your a tough guy man. It was great meeting you and sorry the rally did not go better for you (record understatement) :pardon: . Maybe I will see you when I visit Idaho. Know any good fishing spots? If you run into a Mike Anchondo in the Boise area that's my son. If you know the Drake family, Caldwell area, (Gary Drake has a camel) that my family too. I'll be there in August.
Thanks for posting, we all wanted to know how you are doing.
Mike
PS. Just how fast were you going???? :wacko2:
George,
sorry to hear about the get-off...............I'm glad you only have some minor scrapes/bruises..........
The wounds will heal, and you'll be back on 2 wheels in no-time! :good:
I'm sure the greatest support came from all the fellow FJ crew..........Really is an awesome bunch of people here......
I'll see you on the next go-round......
Great to read you`re okay George. FJ Comraderie can`t really be described in text, ("Awesome" is the best I`ve got) nice to hear of it in action. Can`t wait to read about your next Ride. :drinks:
I hate reading these accounts of "get offs". Great to hear you're mostly un-damaged, shame about the bike.
The ambo's didn't need to ask you those concussion questions if they'd known you'd dodged the cops' "how fast" attempts :-)
Heal well and quickly
Arnie
George,
Glad you made it home safe. :bye2: I hope the drive wasn't too excruciating. That's a long way to go when your body is talking back to you.
I could see the tolerance in your wife's face. It's a good woman that will put up with our moto-shenanigans.
It was a great pleasure to meet you and thank you again for the offer to share your campsite. :nyam1:
I'm hoping we can ride down together next year! :good:
Your friend,
Jeff (CatTomb) :wacko1:
George,
Thanks for the account of what happened and mostly the report of your well-being! :drinks: It was great meeting you and after meeting all the rally folks, I'm not surprised at all the support!
Very glad to hear you're looking at options to get riding again! Would love to see you at the next rally!
Cap'n Ron. . .
George
Hey bud was pleased to meet you at the rally, glad you were not injured worse in the get off and that your wife is so understanding, your bike is damaged but the important thing is you can fix your bike, you on the other hand is a little harder :crazy:
I must apologise for Friday, the four of us that pulled up should've hung around just in case things went pear shaped, helped Randy to load the bike then taken Jeff with us.
Heal well and return to the fold with another FJ plenty out there looking for a new home where they will be taken well care off :empathy2:
Baldy
Hi George. Donna and I are glad to hear you are doing well.
I am glad your wife is understanding of your passion for motorcycles. Last year Donna was behind me and watched me crash. That same night she said to me "you need to get another FJ right away!" She got me to ride her bike until I could find another FJ. The support of our significant other is very important to both our healing and to "gettin back on the horse".
We hope you heal up and get back on the horse quickly George.
It was a pleasure meeting you. Looking forward to seeing you next year.
Derek
Sorry to hear about your unintentional dismount..... Hope you and the FJ get to feeling better real soon!
KOokaloo!
George-
It certainly sounds like it could have been MUCH worse. Glad it was not. Hope you and the FJ heal well and true.
Dan
I was only going 25 and that's my story.... That other guy that left the peg scratches and skid marks I don't know anything about :lol:.
Did a little digital bike shopping today. Looked at a FJR, but damn, 650 lb's plus... Looked at a FZ1, not crazy about the seat, so in the end I am back looking at FJ's...
Might end up blending 2 bikes. My bike is at RPM's place at the moment. If anyone has a salvageable fairing for 1990 feel free to PM me. I can fix about anything if the pieces are there. Open to a lot of options.
Thanks again for all the wish's you guy's and gals are the greatest. Hope to be there next year !
George
I just wanted to add, George, that I'm proud to have met you in person and spend time together, you are a wonderful guy with a heart of gold!
You have that "something special " about you that I admire!
I remember when I had my motorcycle accident, I was grateful that I too, had an understanding wife to support me during my "down" time and also support my decision to get back on two wheels when I was ready.
Your wife sounds like, just the right kind of a woman to be married to a biker, good for you both!
Happy to hear you are home and safe, and I look forward to reading about your next FJ project!
Take care,
Leon
Quote from: 1tinindian on June 04, 2013, 10:41:41 PM
I just wanted to add, George, that I'm proud to have met you in person and spend time together, you are a wonderful guy with a heart of gold!
You have that "something special " about you that I admire!
I remember when I had my motorcycle accident, I was grateful that I too, had an understanding wife to support me during my "down" time and also support my decision to get back on two wheels when I was ready.
Your wife sounds like, just the right kind of a woman to be married to a biker, good for you both!
Happy to hear you are home and safe, and I look forward to reading about your next FJ project!
Take care,
Leon
Also happy to hear you made it home safely. You had a very long drive. Hope to meet you again and if you are in the area let me know !
Jeez what I won't do to change colors....... :rofl2:
George
Although I didn't make the rally(sad face,tears close to surface) it doesn't surprise me the support given and offered during and after your mishap. It's been just a couple weeks shy of my crash last June and I can tell you it was a lonely and painful solo ride back home on my smashed FJ. I had just finished getting the bike all tiddled up to sell in order to make the jump to a FJR when I crashed during the last shakedown run. Eventually I decided to start to fix it and during the process have come to recognize (as I have been reading and interacting with the group) the great bunch of fellow riders that belong to the FJ fraternity.
Kudos to all!
Andrew
BTW: I'm keeping the FJ! I think I may have the virus......
Good to hear your dwelling in the positive George.
Nice meeting you and hope you can make another rally.
If your bikes at Randy's, it's probably already fixed. Just put down the money and get back on.
Yee ha
Andy
This group has really grown on me like a skin I don't want to remove. Each rally and ride I have with fellow members just makes the skin grow in deeper and deeper. Family, just like family... Kookaloo all....
Sorry about the off mate, glad your ok :good2:, hope the girl is fixable
:hi: Hey George, sorry to learn of your slip/slide mate...premature ejection can be a bit of a bugger eh!!! Wearing the right gear obviously saved you some more pain and suffering...Your here to tell the tale and we are all thankful for that!!!
Like you and one or two others here, I thankfully have an understanding wife who didn't give me any grief a few years back, when my Vision and I limped home after a premature ejection :blush:
Get yourself up and running first...you'll be back on an FJ, old or new-to-you, at some point I'm sure :good2:
John.
George sorry this happened. Once again just glad you are ok. If I can help let me know. Have my own tools and will travel.
"25 MPH, that's my story and I am sticking to it". Sounds like a country song.
Kurt
George, I am glad to hear you are up and ok .
It was a pleasure to meet you at the rally.
Hang in there , you will ride again soon.
the FZ1 is a decent fj replacement with a sargent seat and the faring kit so it doesn't look so naked.
MarkO