Big thank you to helpers in Matamata

**Grashopper** · 17th August 2014, 19:14

To the two guys at the Matamata petrol station that helped to fix my foot peg and rear brake lever so I was able to ride home, thanks so much again.
I owe you guys a beer or two, so let me know if you ever come through Taupo.

I had already ridden 20 min without being able to rest my leg on something and that was pretty awful. Wasn't looking forward to the rest of the ride.

And also a big thanks to the ladies on my ride who all helped a lot.

**nerrrd** · 18th August 2014, 07:37

Sounds like there's a bit of a story behind this, but looks like you got home OK so

. Helpful people rock.

**TheDemonLord** · 18th August 2014, 07:59

I've had to ride home without a footpeg before - it sucked ass and I was sore as fuck the next day!

Good to hear about GCs helping out - as above - is there an extended version of this story?

**Grashopper** · 18th August 2014, 17:56

Was a 'friendly fire' incident. Cruiser following me didn't notice that I was turning into a side road.

Thankfully no human was hurt in the process.

My bike is a bit scratched up and has the broken foot peg/brake lever bit, but I could ride it home (mostly thanks to these two guys and their handiness with cable ties and wire). The other bike nearly stayed upright, but then proceeded to lie down in a ditch. That one did not go home on his own two tires unfortunately.

**nerrrd** · 18th August 2014, 19:07

Originally Posted by Grashopper

Was a 'friendly fire' incident. Cruiser following me didn't notice that I was turning into a side road.

Thankfully no human was hurt in the process.

My bike is a bit scratched up and has the broken foot peg/brake lever bit, but I could ride it home (mostly thanks to these two guys and their handiness with cable ties and wire). The other bike nearly stayed upright, but then proceeded to lie down in a ditch. That one did not go home on his own two tires unfortunately.

Bugger, hope the wee Spada gets better soon.

**BigAl** · 18th August 2014, 19:20

You've got to watch cruisers behind you as everyone knows they don't have brakes.

Thankfully it didn't take you out big time.

**Grashopper** · 18th August 2014, 19:57

Originally Posted by nerrrd

Bugger, hope the wee Spada gets better soon.

Yeah, hope it won't take too long to get that part. I'm actually using my rear brake quite often and hill starts are horrible without one.

Originally Posted by BigAl

You've got to watch cruisers behind you as everyone knows they don't have brakes.

Thankfully it didn't take you out big time.

I'm really glad, too. That could have gone quite wrong.

Here a pic of the masterpiece of Kiwi handiwork

Click image for larger version.

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It's so solid that I could keep riding until the part is there.

Edit: Amended this from 'can keep riding' to 'could keep riding' because it probably wouldn't be such a great idea and might get expensive if I get stopped. Argh, I feel grounded already...

**Ocean1** · 18th August 2014, 20:08

Originally Posted by BigAl

You've got to watch cruisers behind you as everyone knows they don't have brakes.

Thankfully it didn't take you out big time.

The Buell aint a cruiser, but they don't have much lock. More than once I've had guys turn across my bows in a carpark tight enough to cause me grief.

**hayd3n** · 18th August 2014, 20:45

Originally Posted by Grashopper

Yeah, hope it won't take too long to get that part. I'm actually using my rear brake quite often and hill starts are horrible without one.

I'm really glad, too. That could have gone quite wrong.

Here a pic of the masterpiece of Kiwi handiwork It's so solid that I can keep riding until the part is there.

tig welder

**TheDemonLord** · 19th August 2014, 06:57

Originally Posted by Grashopper

Here a pic of the masterpiece It's so solid that I can keep riding until the part is there.

I see they are well versed in Engineering 101 - if it moves and shouldnt - Duck tape. If it cant be fixed with duck tape - use more ducktape!

**BigAl** · 19th August 2014, 08:40

Originally Posted by Grashopper

Yeah, hope it won't take too long to get that part. I'm actually using my rear brake quite often and hill starts are horrible without one.

Have you tried ringing around the wreckers as I'm sure there'd be some foot pegs around.

**Grashopper** · 19th August 2014, 10:05

Originally Posted by BigAl

Have you tried ringing around the wreckers as I'm sure there'd be some foot pegs around.

Unfortunately it is not just the foot peg, but the entire foot peg/rear brake hanger bracket (I think that's how that part is called at least). The bike was just build between 1988 and 1989 so they are not that common.

(This part: http://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/sh...a-Spada-VT250F)

But we're working on it.