Construction workers = bane of 2 wheelers.

JoHo22 · 07-30-2008

I work at a local bar in the Orchard Park NY area.
I got out of work about midnight cause it was Tuesday and there wasn't too much business. So I didn't take my bike out much today so I felt that I would take it for a quick spin, head home and sleep.

Summer is the time construction zones are like rabbits and multiply and make the area look like crap. What I did not notice was that there was gravel all over the intersection I was turning into. I take full responsibility for what happens next, though I feel like I am the parent stepping on a child's sharp edged toy.

I don't recall the speed I was going. It couldn't have been too fast, I'm still here, and this is the only injury I suffered.

The gravel from the construction zone was so dense that I dumped the bike in it. Felt like I was trying to ride a bicycle in the sand. Needless to say, that was a feeling I was not familiar to. I finally dumped my bike. It kills me too, because its the first time its ever been dumped.

The damage isn't anything astronomical. I scratched the faring on the right in about 2-3 spots and the muffler has a few scratches. I think buffing will take care of most of the damage, but the top edge of the faring has been scratched down too far and will need touch up paint. The turn signal broke off but was able to be put back into the socket. I didnt even break the bulb. The yellow plastic shell wont stay on though, but it looks like it may have been glued on, but thats just me.

I think I might be able to put the rear shells over the front bulbs, but I cannot find them right now and will look tomorrow. My biggest concern though is that the handlebars seem to not be centered anymore. I may have been disoriented from the fall and whatnot, but it feel right. Getting into first wasnt that easy either, though was fine to ride home. I do plan to continue riding.

I was curious if anyone could point me in the right direction on this now, for where to find touch up paint (my bike is plasma candy blue). What to do about the steering bars. What to do about the front marker/turn signal.
Any and all info will be appreciated.

PS
sorry bout the chest hair.

JoHo22 · 07-30-2008

oh yeah, and props to me for standing that bike up on my own.

A2rider · 07-30-2008

Good for you for getting it back up and continuing on.

You can get paint at colorite.com.

And don't be sorry about the chest hair, we women need something to look at, too!

JoHo22 · 07-30-2008

Quote:

Originally Posted by A2rider

Good for you for getting it back up and continuing on.

You can get paint at colorite.com.

And don't be sorry about the chest hair, we women need something to look at, too!

wow. that made me crack up this morning.
still curious about my turn signal and the handlebars. think i might take it to berts on my lunch.

ozyran440 · 07-30-2008

Eesh. Sorry about the scrape! That injury doesn't look too bad - what kind of jacket were you wearing? Looks like the gravel cut right through it.

Glad you got everything back up on your own. Keep the shiny side up and good luck getting everything fixed up!

JoHo22 · 07-30-2008

Quote:

Originally Posted by ozyran440

Eesh. Sorry about the scrape! That injury doesn't look too bad - what kind of jacket were you wearing? Looks like the gravel cut right through it.

Glad you got everything back up on your own. Keep the shiny side up and good luck getting everything fixed up!

The scrape isn't as bad as my left wrist. I must have grabbed that clutch on the way down like there was no tomorrow. Feels like it might be hyper extended, but there's not much you can do for that. The scrape just throbs and bleeds a bit. No worries, good thing I didn't have to wear a dress shirt today.

I gotta be honest with you, there was no jacket involved. I know everyone is gonna kick my *** via text based abuse, but the only reason I don't wear a jacket to work, we had a few go "missing" in the last few weeks. Can't always trust the bar crowd. I did have my gloves on, and wow did they save my knuckles, looks like someone took a blender to the hard pads.

Your pun made me wonder though. "Keep the shiny side up" is great logic, but is there a way to rotate my right muffler? Like turn the scraped side towards the bike. I'm at work right now and don't have lunch for another few hours. Just was curious.

I still think the handlebars are off center. I might take it to berts to have them look at it. Would this be an easy fix? If I just get the appropriate socket (looks like an over sized 8 sided one will do the trick) would I be able to do this myself?

turbo_lag2 · 07-30-2008

Glad to see your ok. What kind of bike do you have if you don't mind me asking, I didn't see it anywhere at the top...

JoHo22 · 07-30-2008

Quote:

Originally Posted by turbo_lag2

Glad to see your ok. What kind of bike do you have if you don't mind me asking, I didn't see it anywhere at the top...

whoops. thought it was listed.

its hayabusa

I'm a beginner, so I started small. 2007 250R

nvbirdman · 07-30-2008

I hope that's an after picture, but I'm afraid it's probably a before.
Glad it was only a couple of minor scrapes and bruises.

JoHo22 · 07-30-2008

Quote:

Originally Posted by nvbirdman

I hope that's an after picture, but I'm afraid it's probably a before.
Glad it was only a couple of minor scrapes and bruises.

Definitely a before friend.
Yeah Im aright with the outcome on my body. Left wrist is seriously the worst of it. Had to have just jammed it or hyper extended it.

The cosmetics are not too bad, Ill take a closer look at my lunch break. Still trying to figure out why my turn signal lens wont stay snapped on. Also I still am wondering how tough it will be to center those handlebars.

bross · 07-30-2008

Quote:

Originally Posted by JoHo22

Your pun made me wonder though. "Keep the shiny side up" is great logic, but is there a way to rotate my right muffler? Like turn the scraped side towards the bike. I'm at work right now and don't have lunch for another few hours. Just was curious.

I still think the handlebars are off center. I might take it to berts to have them look at it. Would this be an easy fix? If I just get the appropriate socket (looks like an over sized 8 sided one will do the trick) would I be able to do this myself?

Very much doubt it, the muffler hangers etc, would all be welded to the pipe, plus there's probably a specific bend to the pipe that lines up with the header.

As for the handlebars, just try holding the front wheel with your legs/knees and giving the bars a good yank, just like you used to do with your bicycle. If they won't move, you may have to loosen the bolts on the triple trees a bit to allow you to straighten the bars. Then torque the bolts back down once the bars are straight.

Don't beat yourself up for dropping your bike, I just dropped my new bike as well and I don't even have gravel to blame, just my own stupidity. I will beat up on you for not wearing your jacket though, just buy a cable lock, one of those long thin aircraft cable jobs that you thread through the sleeves, then lock your jacket to your bike. There's a million excuses why NOT to wear your gear, but only one really good reason TO wear it and you just found that out, crashing and bleeding sucks.

Good luck, hope you get it sorted, you basically have cosmetic damage to your bike and it could have been a lot worse.

JoHo22 · 07-30-2008

Oh absolutely, I'm not hurting too bad. 20 years of hockey better have toughened me some. Sorry to hear about your dump though. What happened to you?

Ill try that yanking the wheel idea in an hour when I get my lunch, or Ill get my brother to sit on and yank while I hold the wheel. Worst case scenario I have to use some tools.

dinoSnake · 07-30-2008

Don't necessarily take "full responsibility" for this occurrence - road construction crews are supposed to leave the work area in a safe and passable condition after their workday is completed, and / or mark the area properly to warn of any dangers.

2 years ago, in my own home town, I was in my car passing over a construction site in my Jetta. Then WHAM!, the car bottoms out over some spot in the construction area and I think "Oh no...". Sure enough, about 600 yards later...the oil light comes on!

The impact had punched through my car's (aluminum) oil pan.

I went back to look at the area that bottomed against my car - when the work crew temporarily recovered the area for traffic they left the manhole, smack dab in the middle of the road, about 6 inches higher than the roadway itself. Add in a "convenient" dip, just before the manhole, that the clueless b'tards also 'left'...and the car, with its suspension compressed after the dip, bottomed out against the manhole. No warning signs were posted at all.

I immediately called for the police and, as I had my camera in the back seat, started taking pictures of the scene. The police not only filed a full report but also, upon inspecting the condition of the roadway, put up warning signs and rerouted traffic around the manhole.

I filed with the state for damages and included my pictures and the police report. Guess what? They paid for my repairs in full. Took about a year, but I got every penny back from the construction company's insurance company.

If they left gravel smack in the middle of an intersection that is dangerous and negligent of the work crew during cleanup, especially if they did not post significant warning signs of any impending problem to legal motor vehicles (your motorcycle) using the roadway. I would see if I could get the money back for every single repair you have to make to your ride.

Oh, and chest hair shows you're a man!

bross · 07-30-2008

Quote:

Originally Posted by JoHo22

Oh absolutely, I'm not hurting too bad. 20 years of hockey better have toughened me some. Sorry to hear about your dump though. What happened to you?

Ill try that yanking the wheel idea in an hour when I get my lunch, or Ill get my brother to sit on and yank while I hold the wheel. Worst case scenario I have to use some tools.

Rolling it off the center stand.

Yes, I'm an idiot. Bike wasn't even a week old. I couldn't even wait until my frame sliders arrived, which would have saved the fairing but not the hard bag. I was totally bummed when I did it, but I've dropped every bike I owned so at least I got this one out the way early.

bross · 07-30-2008

Quote:

Originally Posted by dinoSnake

Don't necessarily take "full responsibility" for this occurrence - road construction crews are supposed to leave the work area in a safe and passable condition after their workday is completed, and / or mark the area properly to warn of any dangers.

2 years ago, in my own home town, I was in my car passing over a construction site in my Jetta. Then WHAM!, the car bottoms out over some spot in the construction area and I think "Oh no...". Sure enough, about 600 yards later...the oil light comes on!

The impact had punched through my car's (aluminum) oil pan.

I went back to look at the area that bottomed against my car - when the work crew temporarily recovered the area for traffic they left the manhole, smack dab in the middle of the road, about 6 inches higher than the roadway itself. Add in a "convenient" dip, just before the manhole, that the clueless b'tards also 'left'...and the car, with its suspension compressed after the dip, bottomed out against the manhole. No warning signs were posted at all.

I immediately called for the police and, as I had my camera in the back seat, started taking pictures of the scene. The police not only filed a full report but also, upon inspecting the condition of the roadway, put up warning signs and rerouted traffic around the manhole.

I filed with the state for damages and included my pictures and the police report. Guess what? They paid for my repairs in full. Took about a year, but I got every penny back from the construction company's insurance company.

If they left gravel smack in the middle of an intersection that is dangerous and negligent of the work crew during cleanup, especially if they did not post significant warning signs of any impending problem to legal motor vehicles (your motorcycle) using the roadway. I would see if I could get the money back for every single repair you have to make to your ride.

Oh, and chest hair shows you're a man!

While I agree with everything you said and in your case I believe you were totally justified and glad you got compensated, but I also believe it's up to us as riders to be vigilant in scanning and see sh!t like this about to happen and react and deal with it before it causes a crash. We're the only ones looking out for ourselves and I bet joho learned from this and he'll be a better rider because of it. Not saying it was OK this happened, or that the construction company isn't at fault here. Just trying to stress how important it is to be careful.

JoHo22 · 07-30-2008

Quote:

Originally Posted by dinoSnake

Don't necessarily take "full responsibility" for this occurrence - road construction crews are supposed to leave the work area in a safe and passable condition after their workday is completed, and / or mark the area properly to warn of any dangers.

2 years ago, in my own home town, I was in my car passing over a construction site in my Jetta. Then WHAM!, the car bottoms out over some spot in the construction area and I think "Oh no...". Sure enough, about 600 yards later...the oil light comes on!

The impact had punched through my car's (aluminum) oil pan.

I went back to look at the area that bottomed against my car - when the work crew temporarily recovered the area for traffic they left the manhole, smack dab in the middle of the road, about 6 inches higher than the roadway itself. Add in a "convenient" dip, just before the manhole, that the clueless b'tards also 'left'...and the car, with its suspension compressed after the dip, bottomed out against the manhole. No warning signs were posted at all.

I immediately called for the police and, as I had my camera in the back seat, started taking pictures of the scene. The police not only filed a full report but also, upon inspecting the condition of the roadway, put up warning signs and rerouted traffic around the manhole.

I filed with the state for damages and included my pictures and the police report. Guess what? They paid for my repairs in full. Took about a year, but I got every penny back from the construction company's insurance company.

If they left gravel smack in the middle of an intersection that is dangerous and negligent of the work crew during cleanup, especially if they did not post significant warning signs of any impending problem to legal motor vehicles (your motorcycle) using the roadway. I would see if I could get the money back for every single repair you have to make to your ride.

Oh, and chest hair shows you're a man!

You just answered my question that was in the back of my head. I am heading home for lunch, getting the camera. Taking pics of the area, my bike, my arm, and my chest hair.

I totally thought this was neglect but I wasn't going to be a child about it and cry its not my fault. Thanks a million!

Quote:

Originally Posted by bross

Rolling it off the center stand.

Yes, I'm an idiot. Bike wasn't even a week old. I couldn't even wait until my frame sliders arrived, which would have saved the fairing but not the hard bag. I was totally bummed when I did it, but I've dropped every bike I owned so at least I got this one out the way early.

Dude... that blows so bad. How did you roll it off the center-stand? I usually just use the kickstand, unless I'm changing my oil.

bross · 07-30-2008

Quote:

Originally Posted by JoHo22

You just answered my question that was in the back of my head. I am heading home for lunch, getting the camera. Taking pics of the area, my bike, my arm, and my chest hair.

I totally thought this was neglect but I wasn't going to be a child about it and cry its not my fault. Thanks a million!

Dude... that blows so bad. How did you roll it off the center-stand? I usually just use the kickstand, unless I'm changing my oil.

Just standing beside it, which I have done a hundred times before with much heavier bikes as well, but this time I just pushed a little sideways I guess. Never again, I'll be seated when I roll it off the center stand from now on. There's that learning thing again.

JoHo22 · 07-30-2008

Ok so a lot happened on lunch.

After my mother saw my arm she asked me what happened, and I am not going to lie about it though I was tempted to so that she wouldn't wig and worry. I told her what happened and drove her, in my car (was raining over lunch here in Orchard Park) and pointed right to where i bit it. Even she said that was a lot of gravel and debris. Luckily my mother knows a cop in a surrounding area (more on that in a minute).

After I dropped my mom off I grabbed my camera, took pictures of the area. All four ways the street leads. No signs for debris, just an "Expect Delays" flashing light and a Bump sign for a few yards down where there is a curb bump indent is. The debris was still there, Took two pictures of it from different angles.

I then went into the bar where the people who saw me spill were. I spoke to a very motorcycle friendly owner, who is partially responsible for the "Bringing of the Bikes" here in Orchard Park. Luckily his son was working last night and didn't SEE but heard what happend and saw my bike on its side.

Apparently the owner has been yelling at these guys since day one to keep the road clean cause bikes are always in the area. He was very helpful, gave me his sons name and number and his bars number and his name as well.

I called the detective up as soon as I got to work to ask him what I should do after I gave him the situation, and that the owner has told them repeatedly to clean the street up. Told me I have a really strong case for negligence and that I need to get over to the OPPD and file an accident report and speak to a lawyer.

Telling my friend about this, he tells me his roommates father is an accident / injury lawyer. Right now Im waiting on the number to call so that I can get the ball rolling but it looks like things might work out for he better.

Ive never had to talk to a lawyer in my life so Im slightly nervous and not sure what else to do from here. Anyone have any advice?

dinoSnake · 07-30-2008

Just that I am surprised that a lawyer is needed - a police report (along with, hopefully, an actual police inspection of the area), photos and depositions from the bar owners may settle things with the construction company directly. It shouldn't be expensive in terms of repairs to both parties if settled that way, I'm sure. But maybe its never bad to be too safe...

If the lawyer really is necessary, remember to state all relevant facts. Did you get any warnings from posted signs prior to crossing the intersection about possible road conditions? (the answer is "NO" from your story), etc. And then just be calm.

07-30-2008	#1 (permalink)
JoHo22 Uber Noob BTK Beginner Join Date: May 2008 Location: Orchard Park, NY Posts: 41	Construction workers = bane of 2 wheelers. I work at a local bar in the Orchard Park NY area. I got out of work about midnight cause it was Tuesday and there wasn't too much business. So I didn't take my bike out much today so I felt that I would take it for a quick spin, head home and sleep. Summer is the time construction zones are like rabbits and multiply and make the area look like crap. What I did not notice was that there was gravel all over the intersection I was turning into. I take full responsibility for what happens next, though I feel like I am the parent stepping on a child's sharp edged toy. I don't recall the speed I was going. It couldn't have been too fast, I'm still here, and this is the only injury I suffered. The gravel from the construction zone was so dense that I dumped the bike in it. Felt like I was trying to ride a bicycle in the sand. Needless to say, that was a feeling I was not familiar to. I finally dumped my bike. It kills me too, because its the first time its ever been dumped. The damage isn't anything astronomical. I scratched the faring on the right in about 2-3 spots and the muffler has a few scratches. I think buffing will take care of most of the damage, but the top edge of the faring has been scratched down too far and will need touch up paint. The turn signal broke off but was able to be put back into the socket. I didnt even break the bulb. The yellow plastic shell wont stay on though, but it looks like it may have been glued on, but thats just me. I think I might be able to put the rear shells over the front bulbs, but I cannot find them right now and will look tomorrow. My biggest concern though is that the handlebars seem to not be centered anymore. I may have been disoriented from the fall and whatnot, but it feel right. Getting into first wasnt that easy either, though was fine to ride home. I do plan to continue riding. I was curious if anyone could point me in the right direction on this now, for where to find touch up paint (my bike is plasma candy blue). What to do about the steering bars. What to do about the front marker/turn signal. Any and all info will be appreciated. PS sorry bout the chest hair.

07-30-2008	#5 (permalink)
ozyran440 is thinking... BTK Expert Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Opelika, AL Posts: 1,917	Eesh. Sorry about the scrape! That injury doesn't look too bad - what kind of jacket were you wearing? Looks like the gravel cut right through it. Glad you got everything back up on your own. Keep the shiny side up and good luck getting everything fixed up! __________________ Donald 2008 Kawi Versys Why I Wear My Riding Gear

07-30-2008	#9 (permalink)
nvbirdman Turtle Wax Taster BTK Intermediate Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Fallon, Nv. Posts: 159	I hope that's an after picture, but I'm afraid it's probably a before. Glad it was only a couple of minor scrapes and bruises. __________________ 2008 VN900 Classic

07-30-2008	#2 (permalink)
JoHo22 Uber Noob BTK Beginner Join Date: May 2008 Location: Orchard Park, NY Posts: 41	oh yeah, and props to me for standing that bike up on my own.

07-30-2008	#3 (permalink)
A2rider Banned BTK Expert Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: KCK Posts: 19,729	Good for you for getting it back up and continuing on. You can get paint at colorite.com. And don't be sorry about the chest hair, we women need something to look at, too!

07-30-2008	#7 (permalink)
turbo_lag2 Still On The Kickstand Join Date: Jun 2008 Posts: 36	Glad to see your ok. What kind of bike do you have if you don't mind me asking, I didn't see it anywhere at the top...

07-30-2008	#12 (permalink)
JoHo22 Uber Noob BTK Beginner Join Date: May 2008 Location: Orchard Park, NY Posts: 41	Oh absolutely, I'm not hurting too bad. 20 years of hockey better have toughened me some. Sorry to hear about your dump though. What happened to you? Ill try that yanking the wheel idea in an hour when I get my lunch, or Ill get my brother to sit on and yank while I hold the wheel. Worst case scenario I have to use some tools.

07-30-2008	#13 (permalink)
dinoSnake Uncle Bob's Satan spawn BTK Expert Join Date: Feb 2008 Posts: 851	Don't necessarily take "full responsibility" for this occurrence - road construction crews are supposed to leave the work area in a safe and passable condition after their workday is completed, and / or mark the area properly to warn of any dangers. 2 years ago, in my own home town, I was in my car passing over a construction site in my Jetta. Then WHAM!, the car bottoms out over some spot in the construction area and I think "Oh no...". Sure enough, about 600 yards later...the oil light comes on! The impact had punched through my car's (aluminum) oil pan. I went back to look at the area that bottomed against my car - when the work crew temporarily recovered the area for traffic they left the manhole, smack dab in the middle of the road, about 6 inches higher than the roadway itself. Add in a "convenient" dip, just before the manhole, that the clueless b'tards also 'left'...and the car, with its suspension compressed after the dip, bottomed out against the manhole. No warning signs were posted at all. I immediately called for the police and, as I had my camera in the back seat, started taking pictures of the scene. The police not only filed a full report but also, upon inspecting the condition of the roadway, put up warning signs and rerouted traffic around the manhole. I filed with the state for damages and included my pictures and the police report. Guess what? They paid for my repairs in full. Took about a year, but I got every penny back from the construction company's insurance company. If they left gravel smack in the middle of an intersection that is dangerous and negligent of the work crew during cleanup, especially if they did not post significant warning signs of any impending problem to legal motor vehicles (your motorcycle) using the roadway. I would see if I could get the money back for every single repair you have to make to your ride. Oh, and chest hair shows you're a man!

07-30-2008	#18 (permalink)
JoHo22 Uber Noob BTK Beginner Join Date: May 2008 Location: Orchard Park, NY Posts: 41	Ok so a lot happened on lunch. After my mother saw my arm she asked me what happened, and I am not going to lie about it though I was tempted to so that she wouldn't wig and worry. I told her what happened and drove her, in my car (was raining over lunch here in Orchard Park) and pointed right to where i bit it. Even she said that was a lot of gravel and debris. Luckily my mother knows a cop in a surrounding area (more on that in a minute). After I dropped my mom off I grabbed my camera, took pictures of the area. All four ways the street leads. No signs for debris, just an "Expect Delays" flashing light and a Bump sign for a few yards down where there is a curb bump indent is. The debris was still there, Took two pictures of it from different angles. I then went into the bar where the people who saw me spill were. I spoke to a very motorcycle friendly owner, who is partially responsible for the "Bringing of the Bikes" here in Orchard Park. Luckily his son was working last night and didn't SEE but heard what happend and saw my bike on its side. Apparently the owner has been yelling at these guys since day one to keep the road clean cause bikes are always in the area. He was very helpful, gave me his sons name and number and his bars number and his name as well. I called the detective up as soon as I got to work to ask him what I should do after I gave him the situation, and that the owner has told them repeatedly to clean the street up. Told me I have a really strong case for negligence and that I need to get over to the OPPD and file an accident report and speak to a lawyer. Telling my friend about this, he tells me his roommates father is an accident / injury lawyer. Right now Im waiting on the number to call so that I can get the ball rolling but it looks like things might work out for he better. Ive never had to talk to a lawyer in my life so Im slightly nervous and not sure what else to do from here. Anyone have any advice?

07-30-2008	#19 (permalink)
dinoSnake Uncle Bob's Satan spawn BTK Expert Join Date: Feb 2008 Posts: 851	Just that I am surprised that a lawyer is needed - a police report (along with, hopefully, an actual police inspection of the area), photos and depositions from the bar owners may settle things with the construction company directly. It shouldn't be expensive in terms of repairs to both parties if settled that way, I'm sure. But maybe its never bad to be too safe... If the lawyer really is necessary, remember to state all relevant facts. Did you get any warnings from posted signs prior to crossing the intersection about possible road conditions? (the answer is "NO" from your story), etc. And then just be calm.