First bike crash

[shanks]

So I had my first bike crash on my hornet 250 three weeks ago.
Went too fast around a corner and lost control and skidded across the gravel road.

Wish I had taken full insurance.

Anyway, the MDs had a look today and the good new is that the engine is back up and running.
What I need to check now is whether the bike is aligned. I know the handle bar is bent but I need to check the forks are straight. Does anyoone know of any certified technician who do that check and are not too expensive?

I also need to buy new instruments like the speedometers and the rear fowler and ofcourse the handle bar. Any suggestions where I can go buy them from? I dont have much knowledge about bikes, so I figured Id learn about the bike as I put new parts, because I dont want to sell it.

Any help is much appreciated :)

[quattro]

Ouch! That's bad luck for sure. I hope it's just the bike that took a thumping.

Have you had an estimate to fix it or are you doing it up piece meal?

[Hellzie]

Awwwww sorry to hear that you crashed! Specially considering that you have a '96 hornet!! Aren't they the best?? I'm still head over heels for mine. :love: good luck with the fix and here's to lots of fun future rides on your hornet!

[tigertim20]

So I had my first bike crash on my hornet 250 three weeks ago.
Went too fast around a corner and lost control and skidded across the gravel road.

Wish I had taken full insurance.

Anyway, the MDs had a look today and the good new is that the engine is back up and running.
What I need to check now is whether the bike is aligned. I know the handle bar is bent but I need to check the forks are straight. Does anyoone know of any certified technician who do that check and are not too expensive?

I also need to buy new instruments like the speedometers and the rear fowler and ofcourse the handle bar. Any suggestions where I can go buy them from? I dont have much knowledge about bikes, so I figured Id learn about the bike as I put new parts, because I dont want to sell it.

Any help is much appreciated :)

a shame about your bin mate, most bike shops will be able to point you to their recommended guy for checking forks and frames for straightness, so go down to the local shop and ask them.
As for the resst of your parts EBAY EBAY EBAY is probably your best bet to get parts at a reasonable price, it might take some hunting, but thats where you're probably going to have the most luck.

If you dont know much about bikes, I also suggest you get involved with a local group of riders, and find someone who is willing to spend some time helping you out, shouldnt be too hard, they can help you learn, show you anything important, plus youll meet some new folks.

Good luck with your rebuild!

[rossirep]

it looks like that will buff out, get some cut and polish and give it a go.. ;-)

[sleemanj]

If it looks straight, then ride it and you'll find out if it has been tweaked, probably a bit of headshake at some certain speed, but if it looks straight... unlikely to be much if any of a problem.

If you're super worried, take the forks out and put a straight edge against the stanchions at various points around the circumference, that will tell you close enough about them.

For alignment, take a length of string, run from in front of the front wheel, around the back wheel, and back to in front of the front wheel again, pull it tight against the far end of the back wheel, and draw the two ends of the string togethor until each string JUST touches the front sides of the back wheel. The front wheel should be equidistant from each string (ie, in the middle). Hard to explain, let me see if I can find a video.

... here is a decent example of the idea

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RBxK-OQ--fg

[tigertim20]

If it looks straight, then ride it and you'll find out if it has been tweaked, probably a bit of headshake at some certain speed,

For Fuck Sakes.

Youve just told someone who said "I dont have much knowledge about bikes" that to test if the crash twisted anything, they should ride it and wait to see if it shakes or does anything weird?:facepalm::facepalm::facepalm::facepalm::fac epalm::facepalm::facepalm::facepalm::facepalm:
Do us all a favour and stop giving other fucking people advice.

OP, Dont do what this retard suggested. get it checked properly. IF your forks are fucked, or if your frame is twisted, riding it could easily cause you a serious injury. You were on the right track with looking for an engineer etc.

[sleemanj]

I stand by my assessment, if it looks straight to the mk 1 eyeball, a brief test ride will confirm perfectly well.

If you're worried, I'm sure somebody experienced would do that test ride for you, because frankly without spending big dollars stripping the bike and sending it to a place that can measure it, that's as good as you are gonna get.

It's a 250, being ridden on the road, it's not some high falutin race bike. Take it up slowly through the range of operation, and any sign of trouble back off.

People are too farkin scared of every little thing these days.

[Maki]

So I had my first bike crash on my hornet 250 three weeks ago.
Went too fast around a corner and lost control and skidded across the gravel road.



Take care with that gravel. All the best.

[cheshirecat]

I'd certainly get a straight edge down those forks and alignment before taking it anywhere near the road, cant really tell from the pics but they don't look right anf the poor bike certainly got clobbered on the way down. Get someone to look at it.

Sorry to hear about your prang.

[nzspokes]

For Fuck Sakes.

Youve just told someone who said "I dont have much knowledge about bikes" that to test if the crash twisted anything, they should ride it and wait to see if it shakes or does anything weird?:facepalm::facepalm::facepalm::facepalm::fac epalm::facepalm::facepalm::facepalm::facepalm:
Do us all a favour and stop giving other fucking people advice.

OP, Dont do what this retard suggested. get it checked properly. IF your forks are fucked, or if your frame is twisted, riding it could easily cause you a serious injury. You were on the right track with looking for an engineer etc.

I agree. That string test vid above will be a great home starting point. But yes take it to somebody that knows. It may cost 1/2 hours labour but it could save a lot of trouble.

[rossirep]

how bad was your crash..? was it a drop and slide or was it a crash into something/one..??
are your forks leaking oil out of them, ..

[DrunkenMistake]

If it looks straight, then ride it and you'll find out if it has been tweaked, probably a bit of headshake at some certain speed, but if it looks straight... unlikely to be much if any of a problem.


Did you fall out of your mothers vagina head first or something? this has got to be the worst advice given to anyone regardless of experience.
I sure do hope to god either your daddy beat your ass every day of your childhood, or your folks put you up for adoption, because fuckkkkkkkk meeeeeeeeee what a disappointment you must have turned out to be.

[bogan]

FYI, wheel alignment only checks the alignment of the wheels, not the frame :facepalm: Both wheels can 'turn' relative to the frame, which, incidentally is how you align them.

There are a few easy checks to tell whether the forks are fucked, but no easy checks to give them the a-ok. First is inspect it all for cracks, and any play in the head bearings. Another good check (especially with conventional forks) is to loosen them and pull them out or up slightly, then check if the impact was sufficient for the yokes to leave little dents in the forks.

[sleemanj]

When did KB become so full of pussies.

Do you lot all bloody break out your tape measures and notebook from your anorak when you buy a second hand bike? Because you don't know for sure if that has been crashed do you, no like hell you don't, you give it the once over, you eye ball it, you check for play in the steering head and wheel bearings, you might even take it for a mother fuckin' test ride to see, if, fuck, maybe if it fuckin' rides straight. And if it don't you don't fuckin' buy it.

I guaran-fuckin-tee you that 99% of the time when anybody here has had an off, especially what sounds like a low side, that they don't go all "oh no, this all looks just fine but what if it's out by a degree and I just can't see it, oh no I better go and get some expert who's gonna take wads of cash out of my pocket to do all this measuring and shit before I even put my pussy ass on the seat", like fuck they do, they pick that fuckin' bike up, get on it and fuckin' see if it rides OK.

Check forks straight, check they compress and return, check seals are not leakin'.
Check alignment ok by eye or string.
Check head for any play.
Check front wheel.
Check rear wheel and swing arm for any play.
If you are really paranoid check front-rear unloaded length against known data (measure another of the same model).
Do all the basic safety checks that your WOF man is gonna do.
Then test ride it sensibly or get somebody to do it for you and see how she fuckin' goes.

Exactly what you'd do when you buy a used bike that you don't know the history of. Exactly what you'd do when you reassemble a bike.

Jeezus. It's the OP's choice to take advice he get's from complete strangers on the internet or not, but that's bloody fuckin' well what I would do, what I have done, and what I will bloody well do again.

http://www.laughingstock.com.au/media/events/heathfranklinschopperinhardenthefuckupnz.large.jpg

[240]

When did KB become so full of pussies.

Do you lot all bloody break out your tape measures and notebook from your anorak when you buy a second hand bike? Because you don't know for sure if that has been crashed do you, no like hell you don't, you give it the once over, you eye ball it, you check for play in the steering head and wheel bearings, you might even take it for a mother fuckin' test ride to see, if, fuck, maybe if it fuckin' rides straight. And if it don't you don't fuckin' buy it.

I guaran-fuckin-tee you that 99% of the time when anybody here has had an off, especially what sounds like a low side, that they don't go all "oh no, this all looks just fine but what if it's out by a degree and I just can't see it, oh no I better go and get some expert who's gonna take wads of cash out of my pocket to do all this measuring and shit before I even put my pussy ass on the seat", like fuck they do, they pick that fuckin' bike up, get on it and fuckin' see if it rides OK.

Check forks straight, check they compress and return, check seals are not leakin'.
Check alignment ok by eye or string.
Check head for any play.
Check front wheel.
Check rear wheel and swing arm for any play.
If you are really paranoid check front-rear unloaded length against known data (measure another of the same model).
Do all the basic safety checks that your WOF man is gonna do.
Then test ride it sensibly or get somebody to do it for you and see how she fuckin' goes.

Exactly what you'd do when you buy a used bike that you don't know the history of. Exactly what you'd do when you reassemble a bike.

Jeezus. It's the OP's choice to take advice he get's from complete strangers on the internet or not, but that's bloody fuckin' well what I would do, what I have done, and what I will bloody well do again.

http://www.laughingstock.com.au/media/events/heathfranklinschopperinhardenthefuckupnz.large.jpg

Yep, I find it hard to disagree with any of that.

[Pedrostt500]

Beg Borrow or Steal a work shop manual for your bike, it wiil be the best tool in your tool box, and see it as a good learning exsperience to rebuild your bike. Good luck

[bogan]

When did KB become so full of pussies.

Do you lot all bloody break out your tape measures and notebook from your anorak when you buy a second hand bike? Because you don't know for sure if that has been crashed do you, no like hell you don't, you give it the once over, you eye ball it, you check for play in the steering head and wheel bearings, you might even take it for a mother fuckin' test ride to see, if, fuck, maybe if it fuckin' rides straight. And if it don't you don't fuckin' buy it.

I guaran-fuckin-tee you that 99% of the time when anybody here has had an off, especially what sounds like a low side, that they don't go all "oh no, this all looks just fine but what if it's out by a degree and I just can't see it, oh no I better go and get some expert who's gonna take wads of cash out of my pocket to do all this measuring and shit before I even put my pussy ass on the seat", like fuck they do, they pick that fuckin' bike up, get on it and fuckin' see if it rides OK.

Check forks straight, check they compress and return, check seals are not leakin'.
Check alignment ok by eye or string.
Check head for any play.
Check front wheel.
Check rear wheel and swing arm for any play.
If you are really paranoid check front-rear unloaded length against known data (measure another of the same model).
Do all the basic safety checks that your WOF man is gonna do.
Then test ride it sensibly or get somebody to do it for you and see how she fuckin' goes.

Exactly what you'd do when you buy a used bike that you don't know the history of. Exactly what you'd do when you reassemble a bike.

Jeezus. It's the OP's choice to take advice he get's from complete strangers on the internet or not, but that's bloody fuckin' well what I would do, what I have done, and what I will bloody well do again.

http://www.laughingstock.com.au/media/events/heathfranklinschopperinhardenthefuckupnz.large.jpg

:lol: Don't get you panties in a bunch bro. Part of giving good advice is critiquing other peoples shitty advice. The fact that you think wheel alignment is an indicator of frame alignment tells me your advice is shitty (unless it is a SSSA bike of course).

And I don't know about you, but if there are signs of significant crash damage, I just won't buy the bike.

[Woodman]

When did KB become so full of pussies.

Do you lot all bloody break out your tape measures and notebook from your anorak when you buy a second hand bike? Because you don't know for sure if that has been crashed do you, no like hell you don't, you give it the once over, you eye ball it, you check for play in the steering head and wheel bearings, you might even take it for a mother fuckin' test ride to see, if, fuck, maybe if it fuckin' rides straight. And if it don't you don't fuckin' buy it.

I guaran-fuckin-tee you that 99% of the time when anybody here has had an off, especially what sounds like a low side, that they don't go all "oh no, this all looks just fine but what if it's out by a degree and I just can't see it, oh no I better go and get some expert who's gonna take wads of cash out of my pocket to do all this measuring and shit before I even put my pussy ass on the seat", like fuck they do, they pick that fuckin' bike up, get on it and fuckin' see if it rides OK.

Check forks straight, check they compress and return, check seals are not leakin'.
Check alignment ok by eye or string.
Check head for any play.
Check front wheel.
Check rear wheel and swing arm for any play.
If you are really paranoid check front-rear unloaded length against known data (measure another of the same model).
Do all the basic safety checks that your WOF man is gonna do.
Then test ride it sensibly or get somebody to do it for you and see how she fuckin' goes.

Exactly what you'd do when you buy a used bike that you don't know the history of. Exactly what you'd do when you reassemble a bike.

Jeezus. It's the OP's choice to take advice he get's from complete strangers on the internet or not, but that's bloody fuckin' well what I would do, what I have done, and what I will bloody well do again.

http://www.laughingstock.com.au/media/events/heathfranklinschopperinhardenthefuckupnz.large.jpg

Please stop being realistic. dunno if i can handle it on here.

[BigAl]

When did KB become so full of pussies.

Do you lot all bloody break out your tape measures and notebook from your anorak when you buy a second hand bike? Because you don't know for sure if that has been crashed do you, no like hell you don't, you give it the once over, you eye ball it, you check for play in the steering head and wheel bearings, you might even take it for a mother fuckin' test ride to see, if, fuck, maybe if it fuckin' rides straight. And if it don't you don't fuckin' buy it.

I guaran-fuckin-tee you that 99% of the time when anybody here has had an off, especially what sounds like a low side, that they don't go all "oh no, this all looks just fine but what if it's out by a degree and I just can't see it, oh no I better go and get some expert who's gonna take wads of cash out of my pocket to do all this measuring and shit before I even put my pussy ass on the seat", like fuck they do, they pick that fuckin' bike up, get on it and fuckin' see if it rides OK.

Check forks straight, check they compress and return, check seals are not leakin'.
Check alignment ok by eye or string.
Check head for any play.
Check front wheel.
Check rear wheel and swing arm for any play.
If you are really paranoid check front-rear unloaded length against known data (measure another of the same model).
Do all the basic safety checks that your WOF man is gonna do.
Then test ride it sensibly or get somebody to do it for you and see how she fuckin' goes.

Exactly what you'd do when you buy a used bike that you don't know the history of. Exactly what you'd do when you reassemble a bike.

Jeezus. It's the OP's choice to take advice he get's from complete strangers on the internet or not, but that's bloody fuckin' well what I would do, what I have done, and what I will bloody well do again.

http://www.laughingstock.com.au/media/events/heathfranklinschopperinhardenthefuckupnz.large.jpg

Best advise on topc so far:yes:

[tigertim20]

When did KB become so full of pussies.

Do you lot all bloody break out your tape measures and notebook from your anorak when you buy a second hand bike? Because you don't know for sure if that has been crashed do you, no like hell you don't, you give it the once over, you eye ball it, you check for play in the steering head and wheel bearings, you might even take it for a mother fuckin' test ride to see, if, fuck, maybe if it fuckin' rides straight. And if it don't you don't fuckin' buy it.

I guaran-fuckin-tee you that 99% of the time when anybody here has had an off, especially what sounds like a low side, that they don't go all "oh no, this all looks just fine but what if it's out by a degree and I just can't see it, oh no I better go and get some expert who's gonna take wads of cash out of my pocket to do all this measuring and shit before I even put my pussy ass on the seat", like fuck they do, they pick that fuckin' bike up, get on it and fuckin' see if it rides OK.

Check forks straight, check they compress and return, check seals are not leakin'.
Check alignment ok by eye or string.
Check head for any play.
Check front wheel.
Check rear wheel and swing arm for any play.
If you are really paranoid check front-rear unloaded length against known data (measure another of the same model).
Do all the basic safety checks that your WOF man is gonna do.
Then test ride it sensibly or get somebody to do it for you and see how she fuckin' goes.

Exactly what you'd do when you buy a used bike that you don't know the history of. Exactly what you'd do when you reassemble a bike.

Jeezus. It's the OP's choice to take advice he get's from complete strangers on the internet or not, but that's bloody fuckin' well what I would do, what I have done, and what I will bloody well do again.

http://www.laughingstock.com.au/media/events/heathfranklinschopperinhardenthefuckupnz.large.jpg
Lay off the coffee bro

:lol: Don't get you panties in a bunch bro. Part of giving good advice is critiquing other peoples shitty advice. The fact that you think wheel alignment is an indicator of frame alignment tells me your advice is shitty (unless it is a SSSA bike of course).

And I don't know about you, but if there are signs of significant crash damage, I just won't buy the bike.
This underlined sections pretty much sum it up. But he's too busy flexing his keyboard's tough-guy muscle to see any sense

[gijoe1313]

Sorry to hear about the crash, glad you are okay (I hope!) I've ridden my lil'ol'hornets for years and also helped out many others with their problems (I love them I does!) :love:

Drop me a PM if you need a hand to help start sorting it out - I also know a few other horneteers who may be keen to help out as well! :yes:

[sleemanj]

The fact that you think wheel alignment is an indicator of frame alignment tells me your advice is shitty (unless it is a SSSA bike of course).

I posted the most common backyard method to check wheel alignment, I didn't say it checked frame alignment absolutely, but when taken in context of visual inspection and other simple checks it adds weight to the a decision making process.

We all make our own judgement calls, I'm sure the OP will make the one which is right for him.

NB: If they should decide to get the frame measured before or after a test ride, these guys have fancy gear (they can do forks too if that should be necessary) - http://www.rapidartnz.com/ - no personal experience with them though.

[ducatilover]

FYI, wheel alignment only checks the alignment of the wheels, not the frame :facepalm: Both wheels can 'turn' relative to the frame, which, incidentally is how you align them.

There are a few easy checks to tell whether the forks are fucked, but no easy checks to give them the a-ok. First is inspect it all for cracks, and any play in the head bearings. Another good check (especially with conventional forks) is to loosen them and pull them out or up slightly, then check if the impact was sufficient for the yokes to leave little dents in the forks.

This.


My ZZR frame was very bent and cracked. But, to the eye, looked fine.
When I dropped the engine out, the frame twisted in to its new position thanks to my "road impaction modifaction".

I myself would do everything sleemanj said.
Including all the fucks. Fucks help.

[Teflon]

So I had my first bike crash on my hornet 250 three weeks ago.
Went too fast around a corner and lost control and skidded across the gravel road.

Wish I had taken full insurance.

Anyway, the MDs had a look today and the good new is that the engine is back up and running.
What I need to check now is whether the bike is aligned. I know the handle bar is bent but I need to check the forks are straight. Does anyoone know of any certified technician who do that check and are not too expensive?

I also need to buy new instruments like the speedometers and the rear fowler and ofcourse the handle bar. Any suggestions where I can go buy them from? I dont have much knowledge about bikes, so I figured Id learn about the bike as I put new parts, because I dont want to sell it.

Any help is much appreciated :)

Looks like you got off lightly. If it was low side and you didnt hit anything solid, I wouldnt worry about it.. just ride the fucking thing, you will know straight away if its fucked or not.

Ive lost count on how many accidents ive been in where the bike has come out in a lot worse condition than yours.. if theres no oil pissing out of the engine, and no broken levers, i just ride it and get to my
destination before the body starts seizing up (and before the cops turn up).. youre good for couple hours

[bogan]

This.


My ZZR frame was very bent and cracked. But, to the eye, looked fine.
When I dropped the engine out, the frame twisted in to its new position thanks to my "road impaction modifaction".

I myself would do everything sleemanj said.
Including all the fucks. Fucks help.

Yeh but in your case there was a few more hints about the magnitude of the accident, like forks with bends and rims with flats.

[hayd3n]

go to http://www.hondahornet.org.uk/messageboard/ and create a profile plenty of hornerteers to help find all the parts you need i got a cowel and a 600cc head including all gaskets for $700 landed at my door

[ducatilover]

Yeh but in your case there was a few more hints about the magnitude of the accident, like forks with bends and rims with flats.
It was all cosmetic bro :bleh:

[shanks]

Thanks for all the responses and advice guys.
This has encouraged me to fix my hornet up rather than giving up on her.

I walked away from the crash with minor injuries. Bruises on ankle and back, splint on my thumb joint and hairline fracture on ribs. The ribs only hurt like a bitch when I sneeze or laugh out loud or when pressed on it so not too bad.

It was a group ride with few young guys like me. But they were experience and had bigger bikes. We went past Pukekohe onto open roads. I had fallen back in the convoy as these guys were really quick. I was struggling to keep up. They were quick, sharp and accurate with their turns. I mis-read one of these corners turning left and came around faster than I should have and there it happened...I realised how sharp the turn was. I braked hard! But there was enough momentum for the bike to swerve to the right across the centre margin. Lost control and we both came down on the other side of road and skidded across the gravel and into the bush. It was pin drop silence for a second.

You never break in a turn. You always break before the turn. Thats the basic rule! How did I forget that?
Riding on motorways and streets is nothing compared to open country roads. You have no speed signs and you only have one lane. When you're in a crash, theres no one but you and only you. You feel isolated. Its just you and the speed!

I should have used my own judgement. I shouldn't have been going that fast around the bend in the first place.
Im glad I survived that. Lucky I had my gear on, it took most of the damage when I slid across the road.

[nzspokes]

I should have used my own judgement. I shouldn't have been going that fast around the bend in the first place.


Thats the key point mate.

Glad your ok. If your down South Auckland come along to SASS once you get your ride going and learn from those that know.

Also if you are down south I can pop over and give you a hand sometime.

[Phreak]

When did KB become so full of pussies.

Do you lot all bloody break out your tape measures and notebook from your anorak when you buy a second hand bike? Because you don't know for sure if that has been crashed do you, no like hell you don't, you give it the once over, you eye ball it, you check for play in the steering head and wheel bearings, you might even take it for a mother fuckin' test ride to see, if, fuck, maybe if it fuckin' rides straight. And if it don't you don't fuckin' buy it.

I guaran-fuckin-tee you that 99% of the time when anybody here has had an off, especially what sounds like a low side, that they don't go all "oh no, this all looks just fine but what if it's out by a degree and I just can't see it, oh no I better go and get some expert who's gonna take wads of cash out of my pocket to do all this measuring and shit before I even put my pussy ass on the seat", like fuck they do, they pick that fuckin' bike up, get on it and fuckin' see if it rides OK.

Check forks straight, check they compress and return, check seals are not leakin'.
Check alignment ok by eye or string.
Check head for any play.
Check front wheel.
Check rear wheel and swing arm for any play.
If you are really paranoid check front-rear unloaded length against known data (measure another of the same model).
Do all the basic safety checks that your WOF man is gonna do.
Then test ride it sensibly or get somebody to do it for you and see how she fuckin' goes.

Exactly what you'd do when you buy a used bike that you don't know the history of. Exactly what you'd do when you reassemble a bike.

Jeezus. It's the OP's choice to take advice he get's from complete strangers on the internet or not, but that's bloody fuckin' well what I would do, what I have done, and what I will bloody well do again.

http://www.laughingstock.com.au/media/events/heathfranklinschopperinhardenthefuckupnz.large.jpg


AGREE... 10char.

[FROSTY]

Hi OP.
I would suggest you make contact with a chap called alex Gee. from Norwest motor mechanix who has all the measuring equipment needed to see if the bike is straight. He also will be able to either sort it out for you or recommend the person to sort it out for you of it is a bit tweaked. Incidently its unlikely you have done much at all so don't panic.by the lack of grazing on the front fender tip but cracked it suggests the forks have twisted a bit.
Ok now regarding fixing your bike. First of all The instruments. Unfortunately they aren't available in NZ second hand .Econohonda had a casing from memory. Usually when they are written off the first bit to get munted is the instruments.
I ended up getting a slightly grazed set from a wrecker in Melbourne.For the record Instruments from ANY model Hornet 250 will fit but they have different information depending on the year.-Ie some had an actual temp gauge some a fuel gauge some an over temp light.
Also the wiring to the displays are a bit different -ie when plugged in it might light up the high beam instead of neutral. Thats easy to fix by swapping things around. So make a note of your setup -what the gauges do and don't have.-temp gauge etc before ringing anyone.
Incidently I did as a last ditch effort concider a VTR250 instrument set but the hornet one came up.
Regarding the handlebars. You could fit a set of trailbike bars (low rise ones) or try Action wreckers who sell aftermarket bars.
One trap for new players is that the Hornet uses little plastic pegs moulded into the switches. You need to drill 6mm holes in the bars. for these to clip into. But youll need to get the bars in the right place first and check where to drill the holes.
Looking at the pictures -The bars have already been replaced once and the tanks already had one repair already (looks like bog around the edge of the damage)

[raftn]

Thanks for all the responses and advice guys.
This has encouraged me to fix my hornet up rather than giving up on her.

I walked away from the crash with minor injuries. Bruises on ankle and back, splint on my thumb joint and hairline fracture on ribs. The ribs only hurt like a bitch when I sneeze or laugh out loud or when pressed on it so not too bad.

It was a group ride with few young guys like me. But they were experience and had bigger bikes. We went past Pukekohe onto open roads. I had fallen back in the convoy as these guys were really quick. I was struggling to keep up. They were quick, sharp and accurate with their turns. I mis-read one of these corners turning left and came around faster than I should have and there it happened...I realised how sharp the turn was. I braked hard! But there was enough momentum for the bike to swerve to the right across the centre margin. Lost control and we both came down on the other side of road and skidded across the gravel and into the bush. It was pin drop silence for a second.

You never break in a turn. You always break before the turn. Thats the basic rule! How did I forget that?
Riding on motorways and streets is nothing compared to open country roads. You have no speed signs and you only have one lane. When you're in a crash, theres no one but you and only you. You feel isolated. Its just you and the speed!

I should have used my own judgement. I shouldn't have been going that fast around the bend in the first place.
Im glad I survived that. Lucky I had my gear on, it took most of the damage when I slid across the road.

So what have you done to ensure you dont make the same mistake again? You you think you need more training? What gaurentee have you got that you wont do exactly the same thing next time you run hot into a corner?

[shanks]

Hi OP.
I would suggest you make contact with a chap called alex Gee. from Norwest motor mechanix who has all the measuring equipment needed to see if the bike is straight. He also will be able to either sort it out for you or recommend the person to sort it out for you of it is a bit tweaked. Incidently its unlikely you have done much at all so don't panic.by the lack of grazing on the front fender tip but cracked it suggests the forks have twisted a bit.
Ok now regarding fixing your bike. First of all The instruments. Unfortunately they aren't available in NZ second hand .Econohonda had a casing from memory. Usually when they are written off the first bit to get munted is the instruments.
I ended up getting a slightly grazed set from a wrecker in Melbourne.For the record Instruments from ANY model Hornet 250 will fit but they have different information depending on the year.-Ie some had an actual temp gauge some a fuel gauge some an over temp light.
Also the wiring to the displays are a bit different -ie when plugged in it might light up the high beam instead of neutral. Thats easy to fix by swapping things around. So make a note of your setup -what the gauges do and don't have.-temp gauge etc before ringing anyone.
Incidently I did as a last ditch effort concider a VTR250 instrument set but the hornet one came up.
Regarding the handlebars. You could fit a set of trailbike bars (low rise ones) or try Action wreckers who sell aftermarket bars.
One trap for new players is that the Hornet uses little plastic pegs moulded into the switches. You need to drill 6mm holes in the bars. for these to clip into. But youll need to get the bars in the right place first and check where to drill the holes.
Looking at the pictures -The bars have already been replaced once and the tanks already had one repair already (looks like bog around the edge of the damage)

Thanks Frosty!!! That info will be usefull! Appreciate it boss.


So what have you done to ensure you dont make the same mistake again? You you think you need more training? What gaurentee have you got that you wont do exactly the same thing next time you run hot into a corner?

Hey raftn,
Firstly I would be more careful of my speed and ofcourse braking before a turn.
Secondly I need to train for emergency brakings.
Thirdly, get full insurance.

[cheshirecat]

Thanks Frosty!!! That info will be usefull! Appreciate it boss.



Hey raftn,
Firstly I would be more careful of my speed and ofcourse braking before a turn.
Secondly I need to train for emergency brakings.
Thirdly, get full insurance.

Good luck, and with the Hornet. Riding within ones envelope is always being tested.
You might like these guys (http://www.devon.gov.uk/index/transportroads/roads/road_safety/driversandbikers/biker_safety.htm)

[raftn]

Thanks Frosty!!! That info will be usefull! Appreciate it boss.



Hey raftn,
Firstly I would be more careful of my speed and ofcourse braking before a turn.
Secondly I need to train for emergency brakings.
Thirdly, get full insurance.

:facepalm: I despair.....

[shanks]

:facepalm: I despair.....

Hmmm..What do you suggest?