The New And Improved Unofficial R65 Forum V2
General Category => General Announcements => Topic started by: steve hawkins on October 07, 2008, 03:40:41 AM
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Not as bad as poor Rob but......
I have just had my second accident on the R100 I bought recently This was the bike I was proposing to change the trail on (R65 yokes).
I was rear-ended yesterday morning by a car whilst I was stationary. My 13 year old son was riding pillion. Forunately both myself and my son were knocked out of harms way as the bike was punched from under us and we are both relatively unscathed. The driver was driving into direct sunlight (early morning) and did not see us till it was too late (no excuse as she was going too fast for the road conditions). However it was a relatively low speed collision - sub 20mph.
However this does mean that my changing yokes experiment is put on indefinate hold whilst the insurance, etc, is sorted out.
The bike is likely to be written off, due to its low market value and the fact that prices are specified by new parts and labour.
Damage as far as I can see is as follows:
New rear mudguard(fender) smashed.
New rear light cluster smashed.
New rear seat cowl dented.
Right hand exhaust silencer dented and pushed forward.
Frame bent where right hand silencer fixes to it - pillion foot rest area.
Right rocker cover scratched when bike when over on it.
Who knows what else?
Not been assessed yet - but the price list of new parts alone exceeds the money I paid for the whole bike.
Not even sure I want to fix it up at the moment as this is the second close call I have had on this bike in as many weeks, with 15 years of clear motoring before that.
Weirdly enough both collisions were by the same make and model of car; Nissan Micra - Turquoise in colour. Two different female drivers though - i.e. not the same car. But I will be watching out for Turquoise Nissan Micra's (Small town car - popular with the ladies in the uk for being small, cute and easy to park) in the future as my life seems to depend on it.
I have been riding the noisey bright red R65 Cafe Racer for 7 years without incident and am now starting to wonder if the quiet, dark R100 is possessed! Or is it just that Turquoise Nissan Micra's are so attracted by it that they have to try and hump it!
Grumpy/bemused and confused - Steve
lighter faster - where is my hacksaw?
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At least it wasn't YOU that was asleep at the wheel, unlike some crashers I know...
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Good heavens, Steve ! I am glad that you are your son are OK ! Still, take it easy the next few days and be watchful for signs of whiplash injury to your neck, shoulders, and back. Those rapid acceleration impulses from behind can really do a number on the human frame as well as a motorcycle's.
You might be onto something about those turquoise nissans... but more likely it is the inattentive drivers that tend to own them that are the problem. I know when I see certain makes/models of cars, or cars with certain aftermarket exhausts and pink/orange flames added on, to be wary of an oblivious young driver with delusions of immortality at the wheel - I give them a very wide berth - though when one is stopped at an intersection, there isn't too much one can do. I try to follow the MSF course rules of keeping the bike in 1st gear at the light, and checking my mirrors in case I need to plan an escape forward or to the side in a hurry.
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Y'all are making me wonder if I should cage it for a while! :o Glad you and your offspring are relatively unscathed. And to the cager... [smiley=rifle.gif]
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Y'all are making me wonder if I should cage it for a while! :o Glad you and your offspring are relatively unscathed. And to the cager... [smiley=rifle.gif]
Wouldn't help me much. Like, I'm so much more visible in my tiny silver CRX....
Steve, maybe you could just hang on to the motor, in case the one on your R65 ever bites it? Glad you're OK.
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I agree with Ed, a light, SWB R100... ;D
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(https://bmwr65.org/smf/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi129.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fp210%2Fcabcgec%2F207426_Groaner.gif&hash=48e453d6ad63c1932c54181f9f2969b184fa8e42) What's going on around here these days? There is just TOO much of this crashing going on - and Steve you've had more that your fair share!
I also wonder if the stealthy black quiet R100 has anything to do with your visibility. I've never really believed in the 'loud pipes save lives' theory, but maybe this is more than that even. Glad to hear you and your son both same out unscathed (at least physically) from this little incident. I hope you make good use of your R100 in whatever form you can - you are so clever, there's no telling what you could do with this wreck now!
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Steve,
Not you too! [smiley=wall.gif] And twice? What is going on here? :-?
I'm so glad that you and your son are okay, besides the bruises to body and ego. I'd start being more aware of all of those small Nissan Micras. There might be something about the windshield that lets the sun get into the drivers eyes easier. (Darn car manufacturers don't think about those things I'm sure).
Maybe we all (in the US anyway) need to take the Advanced Rider Course just to keep us on our toes. I'm surely thinking about it.
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another of my idiosynchrasies: Younger female drivers in cars. They seem to be blind, at least to two wheel drivers and they scare me as do cars turning left, cars driving fast on a side road up to the road I'm driving on, drivers waiting to enter my road and looking the other way.
Sorry to hear about your accident and glad to hear that your son and you weren't seriously hurt.
greetings from a grey and relatively warm north - mediocre driving conditions
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Hmm and small frame R100....Now you are talking..I have my old R65 wheels......some yokes,
However, it is early days yet. The Insurance Assessor is not here yet, so currently I am in 'Limbo' - wherever that is?
I rode to work on the R65 Cafe Racer this morning just to chase the 'goulies' away.
Very pleasant - nice to have a second bike.
Cheers All
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Stop it ...just stop this!! I hate to hear any one of you are hurting. Thank goodness you are alright Steve!!! Do not do as I do...do you all hear me??? What in the world is going on? If this many of us are getting into trouble..no fault of yours Steve...I wonder how many bikers out in the whole world have gotten hurt?
We do not want to have to set up a new section on this forum entitled "My stunning progress in rehab! How I am Feeling now"
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Do you want to moderate that one? ;)
I feel you're probably healed up enough for me to pick on ya a little! [smiley=beehive.gif]
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Trolle wrote: << Younger female drivers in cars. They seem to be blind, >>
In my area, they tend to be on cell phones. Same thing. ::)
Also, nhmaf wrote: << I know when I see certain makes/models of cars, or cars . . .. >>
Re both quotes: Some people call that "profiling"; others refer to it as having "a high level of predictive validity." ;)
Seriously, both David Hough (Proficient Motorcycling and More Proficient Motorcycling and Lee Parks (Total Control) talk about this in their books. They contend that one can infer possibilities from the kind of vehicle, the age of the driver, and the driver's bahavior, and take appropriate precautions. Of course, that's useless when someone comes up your exhaust pipe!
Steve, I'm sorry for your misfortune, but I'm happy that there were no injuries.
Don't know how things work in the UK, but in the US, it's sometimes possible to buy back your own damaged vehicle from the insurance company at a very good price after the insurance settles the case. At that point, the person has both wrecked bike (for parts) and the insurance settlement proceeds to help obtain another machine. Who knows -- perhaps the insurance adjuster will not have a clue as to the market value of a serviceable R100 boxer and its appurtenances.
Good luck!
John
Good luck! Hope you find another bike.
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I could have this bike running again by the weekend, if I did myself and had a few spares. All be it with a few dents and stuff.
It was a pretty low speed hit. Fortunately the other driver only had 100yrds to accelerate uphill with a 1000cc engine from where she turned out from. She did not brake but she was going less than 20mph. A stout thump that punched the bike from under us and knocked it sideways, or we would have been sat on her bonnet(hood) instead of the road - rather than a serious wipe-out.
Un/fortunately, insurance companies generally talk about 3 year warrantees and paint, new parts with top labour rates, whereas I would be using some second hand parts and fixing some of the parts that have been damaged - buying new where there is no other sensible option.
I took the bike out tonight and run it up the street. She does not seem to be bent, she steers okay, so there is every reason to be hopeful that I can keep the bike and get some cash to bring it back up to spec.
But you never know with insurance companies and policies do change.
Steve H
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Now I have to add another one to my idiosyncrasies: German tourists in old cars. The day before yesterday one of those tried to ram me from my left. I was doing about 50 mph when he drove out from a side road on my left. Luckily he saw me as soon as he was in my path and had room to keep to the left making it possible for me to overtake him on his right side.
Sometimes the margins are rather thin!
greetings from a sunny and cool north with excellent riding conditions.
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Steve,
You need to take the nasty cage driver to small claims court after you find out how much it is going to take to get your bike fixed. Get a symapthetic lawyer and get your bike fixed. Ignore the insurance company, they do not want to help. When ever the cage driver's insurance calls, chew them out up and down, every time for their client's attempting to kill you and your son. Remember no matter what the fracking insurance company says, no matter what they say, do not be satisfied!!! Be polite and professional while at the same time be unreasonable and demand the world and let them know you are not going away.
This is how I got my 1985 Buick fixed despite the fact that Georgia Law is 100% against me. I had it fixed (with parts from Pullapart) and back in my driveway before just before his insurance company tried to have it towed away from the body shop!! The only thing left was for the insurance company to PAY ME for my trouble their client caused ME. Which they did!
Squeaky wheel gets the grease dude!
Good luck.
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Finally, I have the insurance assessor comming round tomorrow. Had to chase the insurance brokers(Carol Nash) up on Monday to find out why not much was happening. Turns out that they had not bothered to tell the company that I am actually insured with, that I have had an accident.....Not best amused! Things are moving now though.
It seems to me that these people look at this as business opportunity - rack up as much expense as you can and pass it on to the third party. What with replacement bikes, storage, injury lawyers, and recovery of costs and kit etc - just forgot about the 'fix the bike' bit! - which is unfortunate, as all I need is the 'fix the bike' bit!
I apreciate, it could have been very different and this stuff could have been useful. But in my case it was not:
"Mr Hawkins we are carrying out a survey on how you rate our service on this call, on a 0 to 10 basis"
"So do you want me to rate your service, or just the call?"
"Er, just this morning's call, please"
"Hurumph!"
I am actually thinking of painting my R100 Orange - non-metalic, with black frame and wheels.
I am getting fed-up with people trying to knock me off it. Rather than dress in hi viz, I'll just make the bike bright.
Might fit some loud pipes to it as well - seems to work with the R65 Cafe Racer.
Sounds like I should have bought a Laverda, though!
Let y'all know how things progress - when we get some.
Could have had it all fixed by now, if it was left up to me!
Steve H
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Sounds like I should have bought a Laverda, though!
Steve H
Ah, yes, a nice orange Laverda Jota 1000cc triple would be verra nice !
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I think I have finally made up my mind with the exhaust.
For the time being I am going to run with the current headers with the two cross-overs. There's plenty of life left in them and only need a bit of fettling. Then I am going to fit some reverse cone mega's from Armours. (38mm=1 1/2 inches bore and free flow). The only thing I have to do is to decide whether I want short (16 inches) or long (26 inches). They will be heavy duty chromed rather than stainless, and they will be loud! At least as loud as the R65 Cafe Racer. No more stealth bike! ;)
That way when I drive past someone, or am just in front of them, they will hear me as well as see me! Orange paint still seems favourite.
Its all still in bits, but I am ordering spares now, and the welding is prepped and ready for the weekend! Time to clean up/paint the subframe, swing arm and battery box etc.
Cheers
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All the Harley-D riders in Britain will salute you for joining their "loud pipes save lives" ranks !
I think that this also means that you need to get a tattoo - if you haven't already !
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I am not yet old enough for a Harley.
I will probably miss them out and go straight for a wheel chair in my dotage.
Cheers
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I am not yet old enough for a Harley.
I will probably miss them out and go straight for a wheel chair in my dotage.
Cheers
With a V-Twin or horizontally opposed engine?
Oh - and will it too be orange?
Cheers
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The black orange and white on the Harley Race bikes is really quite sharp. I've got a picture somewheres of an Aermacci ..... 8-)
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Here is a picture of the inside of my garage:
R100 in bits and R65 Cafe Racer next to it. Sorry its a bit blurred. Phone camera :(
Not a lot of room to work.
However the R100 seems to be a bit shorter than it should be.
The right hand footrest hanger is not yet on and there ain't no painting being done yet.
Steve H
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Not a lot of room to work.
Steve H
Dang Steve - did you have to take the motto of 'where's me hacksaw' to the garage as well as the bike?
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Even if my garage were empty, I would struggle to fit a car in it. That is the way they are built in the UK. We all drive old Mini's after all. Virtually nobody parks their car in the garage anymore. They are used for other storage - as the houses are not that big anyway! :(
I have an office/study built in the back - for the computer and hobbies etc. I have work bench and room enough to park two bikes - as long as they are not in bits.
To work on a bike, I have to wheel the other out.
I also have a wife who is continually dumping stuff in there when she cannot be bothered to put it away or throw it away. One of life's little trials.
Every time I tidy it up she dumps more stuff in it. Might as well leave it as it is. It looks full. ;)
Hey ho!
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I also have a wife who is continually dumping stuff in there when she cannot be bothered to put it away or throw it away!
Is that why you're out there so much? ;)
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Aussie,
You are very astute for one so far away.....too close to the truth! :o
As for the exhaust - they are fitted with a baffle, so will have some muting. Not quite the Harley cacophony.
No, I do not have a tattoo, or a beard and I do not have money to burn. However my belly is bigger than I would like ;) So not quite your average UK Harley Rider, but closer than I would like to be.
Toodle Pip!
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Still wish I had an R65 frame and forks though....for that R100 motor.
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I no longer have an R100 with which to measure, but I don't think you'd be happy with those long cylinders poking out each side on a shorter/lower to the ground
R65 frame. Unless you design some brackets with which to "lift" the engine up like the old racers used to do, you'd have less lean angle than you are used to !
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Pretty Cafe Racer, Steve.
Where did the front fender come from?
I will no longer complain about working too close to my car with the bike apart. I too have way too much junk in my garage that interferes with working space when I can't/won't expose the car to the elements.
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Sorry Ed,
The front fender was a 'blank' bought at a show. I cut it down and mounted it using some home made brackets.
Not a professional job - but okay.
Steve H
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It's nice to see how minimal you have made the R65 cafe racer. I now understand what "Where's me hacksaw?" is all about! The red frame really pulls it together. Lean and mean looking. 8-)
Are turn signals not required equipment in the UK? I noticed while traveling in England and Wales this summer that turn signals are used even less frequently than here in the US.
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There is a date when they become required equipement. But its after 1979 - possibly 1981 or something like that.
Having said that, hand signals are a pain, and if I was doing it again, I would have indicators......But I still would not use them ;D
Cheers
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Steve,
That is a sweet R65 cafe. Nicely done!!! :)
TTFN,
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The welder chappie turned last night so I now have my right hand ear welded back on.
Need to get the grinder out to tidy things up a bit now, before paint.
Just contemplating welding the subframe on to the main frame to stiffen things up further.
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I have to return the short reverse cone meggas I bought from Armours that turned up yesterday. Unfortunately they have 'Not for Road Use' stamped on them, for all to see.
Although I do not mind fruity pipes, if they have that on displayed on them, then they will probably be far too loud - even for me - and I will fall foul of the law if I fit them. There is no room for manouvre with a policeman, if the silencers are marked up in this way! ;)
And they will fail an MOT. We seem to have got our wires crossed a bit.
I have rung Armours and they are quite happy for them to be returned. The longer versions they have, are legal for road use and are BS stamped, so that is what I will go for - but they are still a bit fruity - so I will appease the 'wowdy webel' in me. ;D
Watch this space.
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Go for it, Steve!
I'm dying to hear the new "silencers".....
Figure out a way to post their sound.
;D
Ed
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The longer exhaust silencers have arrived. They are called 'Bituro Decibel' 29" long reverse cone meggas. They are made in the UK, and are for pre 1985 bikes only as they are too loud for bikes built after that date.....I will enjoy listening to them!
I am quite pleased with the look of them. But it will be some time before they will be fitted and running.
Cheers
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Enjoy, but protect your ears. I do now, but a little too late for me. :-[
Ed
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I always ride with ear plugs. Got into the habit on the flight line!