Merde happens

[Mr Merde]

I ate tarmac again last night.

Auckland motorway, 5:45pm, rush hour traffic, wet and dark.

As is my habbit in such conditions I tend to throttle off a bit and leave a lot more gap between me and the proceeding cage.

Last night I was doing this and some idiot saw what he thought was a gap and suddenly just crossed into the gap. He suddenly realised that he was going too fast in the lane (right hand) and slammed on his brakes. In the fraction this took place I saw the problem, applied the brakes, realised I didnt have the distance to safely slow down or stop so I swerved into the left hand lane. Front wheel hit something slippery whilst doing all this and down I went. Car behind me stopped. Arsehole in front who caused this apparently sped off at a great rate.

My thanks to the Armourguard security guard who stopped and helped me get up and get the bike out of the way of the traffic

My thanks to SPEEDIE and his work mate for making my trip to Auckland so comfortable and for looking after me.

My thanks to the bike cop who came to the scene. He arranged for the bike to be towed (where I have no idea).

How am I?

Bruised, battered sore and such. Grazes all down my left side, another damaged shoulder, the left one this time. No breaks thank goodness. Doctors advice to take a week off, see my GP, arrange physio.

Anyway, to all those still on the road.

Watch out for those damm cages. After 35 years and over 1 million kilometers on a bike I still dont get it right.


Mr :shit:

[Sniper]

Fuck man, that aint good. No one catch the arseholes plate?

Heal up soon mate

S

[Mr Merde]

Fuck man, that aint good. No one catch the arseholes plate?

Heal up soon mate

S

Happened too quickly. I was a little busy writing off a helmet, admiring the lovely lights of the cars I felt were going to go over top of me and generally damaging the ride.

No serious damage to me. Ego bruised as much as the body. Worried about the bike. My only means of getting to work. Will have to get it going as fast as possible. Just bought a new home so cash is real tight.

Oh well as the topic headline says

SHIT HAPPENS


Merde

[Sniper]

As it does, but it still fucken sucks.

Heal up well, hope you get the bike sorted ASAP.

[gijoe1313]

Ahhh bugger ... sorry to hear about that mate. You've been through the wars lately haven't ya? I can only say thank gosh you are "okay" and not been hit by a following car :eek5:

Kudos to those who helped you out and I hope you find out where your bike went. I've got a week of school hols left. If you need a hand (one since my left is still a bit swollen) I'm there!

[007XX]

Bugger, that really sucks!!!

Sorry to hear about all of this.But its a blessing you're not broken. Do you know where your bike is?

[janno]

I ate tarmac again last night.

After 35 years and over 1 million kilometers on a bike I still dont get it right.


Mr :shit:

Don't be down on yourself. A less experienced person might have sat there in LaLa land oblivious to anything around them, and been really hurt.


You did well to take as much evasive action as you did - just stinks that you hit that wet patch of oily whatever.

Fingers crossed that a witness might have jotted down the licence plate of the guy, I know I would have.

You might find out some good news on Monday perhaps :yes:

[ajturbo]

looks like you need more training......

i thought the new licence system is faulty....

found ya bike yet?

[scumdog]

Bugger, bad luck shag!
Bloody drivers that create mayhem and then bugger off - grrr!

[Mom]

Thank goddness you did not get an even closer look at the car behind you! What a shocker. Rest up and get better, hope the damage to your bike is easily repairable. Take care eh? Yes shit happens I agree. Hope that someone got that rego#.

[86GSXR]

Condolences to you mate, hope all is fixed up soon!

[Mr Merde]

Feeling a little sorry for myself at the moment. Sharron wont let me do a lot. Comes from living with a nurse.

Going to ring up the police this afternoon to find out what happened to the bike.

Saw some plastic on the road, clutch lever a definite gonner, gear lever intact. Probably all cosmetic. Couldnt start it as it needs the clutch engaged do do this. Indicators whole, rubber mouted to fairing. Lights were intact.

Gives me a reason for a "tart up" job on the bike rather than just feeling like it.

On the way in to hospital to pick me up last night Sharrons car's wipers packed up. Dead opposite side of the Southern motorway to where I had my off. She had to catch a taxi to hospital and leave the car on the shoulder. We got back to the car and limped home along Gt Sth Road at a max of 50kph. Arrived home 8 hours after I left work. Not bad for a 71km journey.

Morale of the story.

We all have a bad day sometimes. Watch out for the arseholes on the road, they dont care.

[Maha]

No one catch the arseholes plate?



Yes it simply read....MRRSOL....:yes: (Mr R Sol)

[Macktheknife]

Bugger about the off mate, let me know if I can help in any way. Very happy to hear you are basically ok, even if not fully functional just yet.

[Beemer]

Not good to hear at all. Hope you and the bike are back in action again soon.

Pisses me off when you leave a gap and some other inconsiderate arsehole jumps into it and causes an accident.

I'm just glad you didn't then get run over by the following motorists, so at least we're not lamenting the permanent loss of another fellow rider.

[BIGBOSSMAN]

A typical brain dead dickhead. The driving in Auckland has to be seen to be believed. Get well soon bud :yes:

[Hitcher]

Indeed, shit happens. Quickly and unexpectedly. It's good to hear that you survived this encounter well.

[Swoop]

You never know when the shit will go down... (sorry. Couldn't resist...)

Bummer about the off. Bloody D'aucklanders!

So you found your bike fairly quickly then? Piccies???

With the cage wipers. I put wax on the windscreen (full cut and polish when the whole cage gets done) and the rain runs off easily. Anything faster than 80kph and the wipers get switched off. Far better! (Does confuse other road users though - especially when they are being overtaken...).

Heal up well!

[Grumpy Gnomb]

Glad your ok and not another stat on the road

[kiwifruit]

:(
i hope you aren't in pain

[chanceyy]

echo everyone else .. glad your about to tell us about it :yes: bike & bits can be replaced ppl can't :nono:

[Skyryder]

Yep those "It was a dark and stormy night," riding conditions sure bring out the dickheads. Hope you get back on the road soon and heal up.

Skyryder

[_Gina_]

Bummer!

Don't start thinking that you are in some kind of doomed "bad things happen" place, cause it'll keep coming... :yes:

Glad to hear that your experience counted where it mattered and you were able to change direction, even if it was greasy and aided the off.

Tart the bike up, go on! The land and stuff will wait :)

Gg

[swbarnett]

I had the same thing happen to me around East Tamaki. I managed to stop but the idiot behind me didn't - shunted me in to the dick that cut me off. Thankfully I was in a cage at the time, hate to think of the damage from this kind of sandwich on a bike...

Better to low-side than hit the cage. Good reactions.

Glad you're OK.

[Disco Dan]

Bugger about the crash...

....the Auckland motorways turn into a bumper car attraction when it rains.

I was lucky yesterday on the northwestern... about to change lanes, indicated and head checked, began moving over... only to see a brand new VW beetle about 6 inches to my right! sweerved back, narowly missing the now braking car in my original lane! Split between them and powered out of the situation... could have been nasty.

Moral of the story? I got a bit lazy with the headcheck... need to look further over my shoulder than I was. Funny thing was, the driver of the beetle had no idea what happend!

Keep safe out there folks!

[terbang]

Oh merde! That Auckland motorway is a mess on a wet night and the resident careless cages are a real nightmare for motorcyclists. Sounds like a rough patch for ya, so if you need any help getting the bike back into shape and on the road, give me a yell via the PM.

[Mr Merde]

Feeling very sore and tired, amazing how uncomfortable it is trying to sleep sitting up is.

Bike cop rang me last night, the bike is in Otahuhu. Going in in the morning with Black Katana and a trailer to pick it up and see what the damage is. Pretty fatalistic. Hopefully it is mostly cosmetic and minor. It was only a slide down the road on its side. Never hit anf thing other than the tarmac. Plastic and junk metal can be replaced and painted.

If its more then I will be working a shit load of overtime to pay for it.

Having real trouble typing one handed. One of those slings that straps to your body with orders to wear it for a few more days.

Terbang if I need to then I will gladly avail myself of your offer.

Frosty I may very well be in touch regarding your offer.

Gotta get a new lid as the one I had on is well munted now. Thank god for padded bike jackets. Abraised but not worn through.

Bike pants are stuffed. Leg is all ripped apart.

Cheapo gloves I bought for warmth from Foodtown held up well.

Boots have more scuff marks on them.

Battered, bruised, feeling my age but definitely not down and out.

Really missed getting onto the saddle today. I was planning on going down to Meremere and watch the boys drag their bikes.

Maybe I have the makings of a good drag bike left? Mmmmmm

Thanks for all your best wishes, your offers and your tales of similar.

Just like ARNNIE

"I'll be back"


Mr :shit:

[Mr Merde]

Just got the bike home.

South City had it in their yard in Otahuhu.

I am really pleased.

Not too badly damaged.

Lots of scrapes as one would expect and some broken plastic but no major mechanical damage.

Left hand engine cover cracked and oil leaked out. Clutch lever gone.

I found out why I went down. I must have clipped the bugger. there is a scrape mark on the right hand fork lower and a couple of engine fins have been chopped.

Also on the exhaust there is a long line of red paint. The bits of plastic I saw on the road must have been from his car as there is nowt missing from the bike. The cage driver must have realised he must have been in the wrong as he didnt stick around even after loosing what must have been the rear quarter of this car.

Forks seem fine. Now to get the fairing off and start the clean up. Have to drain the sump so I might as well change the oil filter. Get a new left side engine cover, new clutch lever, bar end weights munted. Left footpeg stuffed but useable. Off work for the rest of the week.

Anyone have any ideas as to best place to get engine covers for a Suzuki GSF 1200.

My thanks to Black Katana for driving me to the salvage yard in his car and trialering the bike back to Onewhero for me.

I'll keep you posted.

Chris

[ManDownUnder]

oooooooooo just caught this thread... bugger dude. If I can do anything - yell
NK

[janno]

Hooray that your bike wasn't as bad as you thought.

Let's hope the arse end (or wherever you hit) of the bastard's car is well and truley munted. :angry:

[crashe]

Shite, glad to hear that you are ok.

Hope it won't be too costly to get your bike back on the road.


So the car driver left parts behind on the motorway... there has to be a panelbeater fixing or a wrecker selling off parts for this driver.
There must be a way of finding the driver.
Yeah I know there are heaps of places that one can get parts for....
but only so many for that brand of car.
Maybe that way you can track him down and then let the police know who it is.

Cos the driver did a 'Hit an Run' and left you injured.

If the driver doesn't report the accident to the police then once caught he can be charged with 'failure to stop and assist and also failure to report the accident'. As well as what ever other charges the cops want to throw at the driver.

[Mr Merde]

Thanks MDU,

Bloody sore and bruised at the moment. Elated that the bike isnt too badly damaged. Now just gotta sit down, take a breather then go to the bike and take stock.

As said earlier the most damage (visible on first inspection) is the left hand crankcase cover, the clutch and the left footpeg. Plastic is not pretty, never was really (for those that know the GS1200 SS) but now it has scars. Lights, indicators, intruments reservoirs all OK.

Worst part is that all my riding kit is pretty much stuffed. Helmet is now just a shell, Left side of such is spongy, Jacket has almost worn through, waterproof (and warm) leggings totaled, Gloves did their job, for a $10 pair from Foodtown, but have had it as the are comming apart, boots should now be retired.

For a side swipe on a car and a slide down the Auckland motorway I have come off lightly. Clothing not coverd by insurance and not worth involving them for repairs. Screw my no claims and I would still have to pay 3/4 of the cost.

Tool wise all I seem to be lacking is a torque wench and an oil filter wrench. The latter can be replaced with a leather belt.

Cheers mate.

Chris

[ManDownUnder]

There must be a way of finding the driver.
Yeah I know there are heaps of places that one can get parts for....
but only so many for that brand of car.

Maybe that way you can track him down and then let the police know who it is.

Cos the driver did a 'Hit an Run' and left you injured.

If the driver doesn't report the accident to the police then once caught he OR SHE can be charged with 'failure to stop and assist and also failure to report the accident'. As well as what ever other charges the cops want to throw at the driver.

Quite right but a lot of work... Will avoid a no claims loss anyway...

[Guided_monkey]

Luckily you got away with only getting a few bruises and not getting run down. It looks as if the protective gear did it's thing so that's good.

Time to get the old tools out........

[Grub]

Merde! That sux. I really feel for you, the aches and pains that seems so trivial juust don't seem to want to go away quickly I've discovered.

The physio's are good value as they stop the issues being long-term. Glad to hear the bike is near enough to being ok and like everyone else, would love to see the car driver caught.

Crashe's right, the driver (if caught) is now in deep shit for leaving the scene and more importantlyy, failing to see if anyone was injured. As it was an "injury accident" that's a very serious offence as I understand it.

[shafty]

Mr Merde, real sorry to hear of your "off". Don't feel bad about it Mate - I know when I had something similiar happen years ago, I kept replaying it in my mind and feeling guilty - bugger that merde - congratulations on surviving and being positive!

Hang in there Buddy

[gijoe1313]

Glad to hear you got your pride and joy back home, guess you're in that holding pattern with the bike repairs (I know what you're going through! :no:)

Hope you been taking all the usual painkillers and ointments - and big ups to all those who've helped you out! Glad you had the right gear on and it all held up to stop any more injuries :pinch:

[Mr Merde]

My story continued.


Thanks to my partner for running transport for me.
Thanks to Chris Haldanes for their fast spares service.
Thanks to all of you for the encouragement.

I got the bike back on Monday. Not as bad as I feared. Fairing took a load of the damage.

Coudnt do a lot but managed to identify all the parts needed to get the wee beastie going again.

Rang around the wreckers and the shops for all the bits.

Haldanes in Ellerslie came through. Engine cover was there the next day. Another shop told me they would have to order it fron japan.

Wednesday I stripped the bike of all the damaged parts and took the opportunity to clean her up a little. Got mostr of the parts together and on Saturday morning I hunkered down and got on with the job.

Not easy whith a left arm thats bloody near useless for most jobs that require strength.

2 hours later I had the bike back together. New oil, filter, plugs, as well as the replacement parts.

Went to turn her over and battery had lost power. Luckily I live on a hill. Push start was in order. She started OK then I left her in the garage just idling for abour 1/2 hour.

Squeezed myself into my partners helmet. My large head in her small helmet. Thought my ears were going to get ripped off.

Got on the bike and from Onewhero I went to Tuakau and then Pukekawa down 22 and back home.

Wrong move. It felt great to be back on the bike but my shoulder didnt like it at all once I stopped.

I havent put the fairings back on yet and the bike felt smaller than previous. I am off the rest of the week and will take the time to change the steering head bearings as there is a shit load of shake there.

All in all a satisfying weekend so far.

Physio has given me some exercises to do to loosen up my shoulder. Also found that my left wrist must have been hurt as using the clutch was bloody painful.

Oh well, the crux of this missive.

Bike on her way back to good repair, rider progressing slowly but likie all old things, taking his time.

Mr :shit:

[gijoe1313]

:o I'm embarassed now. I have been nursing my wee poor hurt left hand and been getting others to do the hard stuff ... and then I read your post :weep:

I am ashamed! Once again a triumph of will over adversity and your bloody minded determination to get the job done regardless! You sir, are an inspiration!

Now that I have been given the learn, it now transpires I have my little ol'Hornet back on the road along with Daisy. And on an insignificant note - my cage is also back in action!

Will have to come and visit you during your week in recovery so I can be reminded what a soft-touch I am! :doh:

Good to hear that you're on the bounce and conquering your challenges with the usual aplomb! :Punk::rockon:

[Mr Merde]

:o
..... Once again a triumph of will over adversity and your bloody minded determination to get the job done regardless! You sir, are an inspiration!

.......
Will have to come and visit you during your week in recovery so I can be reminded what a soft-touch I am! :doh:

Good to hear that you're on the bounce and conquering your challenges with the usual aplomb! :Punk::rockon:


GiJoe1313,

I am a stubborn minded, cantanquerous, pig headed old man with about as much subtilty as a pork pie at a barmitzpah.

I just wanted to get the old girl back on the road and me with her.

Still some prettying up to do and that will come with time.

Basically a lazy person so I try to do things as fast as possible so that I can finish up doing nothing.

You are welcome any time. I have told you that. As is anyone else who needs a coffee/refreshment/comfort stop when doing the SH22 trip. I'm not far from that road.

Mr :shit:

[_Gina_]

You are welcome any time. I have told you that. As is anyone else who needs a coffee/refreshment/comfort stop when doing the SH22 trip. I'm not far from that road.

Mr :shit:

LOL, not far at all, you lucky boy :)

Well now I got me Repsol, will definitely have to pop over to 22 and with that we'll definitely take you up on your offer(s).

G

[stify]

Well now I got me Repsol, will definitely have to pop over to 22 and with that we'll definitely take you up on your offer(s).

G


Bloody repsol this repsol that.....anyone would think you just got a repsol :yes:

[Mr Merde]

Bloody repsol this repsol that.....anyone would think you just got a repsol :yes:

Oh dont be mean. She loves her Repsol.

Even though you say its half yours.

Whats yours is hers, whats hers is hers.

:innocent:

Mr :shit:

[Nefarious]

anyway, harden up grandad and learn to fuckin ride.

even your bro said that to me.

have you got beer at your place?

[Mr Merde]

anyway, harden up grandad and learn to fuckin ride.

even your bro said that to me.

have you got beer at your place?

Such welcome repartee. I've missed your cheerful comments. I'm guessing you are that person I saw eating tarmac a few weeks ago.

My bro would say that. maybe one day i will learn to ride.

As to hardening up well I do, often, but we must keep this seemly.

I take exception to the GRANDAD bit. Not yet but my bro is. Great Uncle I do own up to.

Yes I have beer, though after my mate was here last weekend it is depleted somewhat. Still a dozen or so left. I do have a litre bottle of dark rum just yearning to be imbibed. Also a third of a bottle of cask strength single malt 100 proof.

If you are thinking of coming over then welcome.


Mr :shit:

[Nefarious]

How's now? send directions.

Do they deliver pizza out that way?

[gijoe1313]

Now is fine.

Not working tomorrow.

105 Allen and Eyre Road, RD2 Tuakau.

No pizza deliveries.

Go ovder Tuakau bridge, second turning on right to Onewhero, go through Onewhero bearing to left. Follow road 6 km, you will pass Kauri road on the left. Just keep going down the hill, when you get to the single lane bridge just turn left straight after it. 1 km up the road. red letter box.

09 232 8225

Hmmm mebbe Sunday would be a good time for me to pootle on in... for that visit I've always been meaning to get around to! :doh: On Daisy even!

[Bass]

Hmmmm... interesting.
Been out that way a couple of times just lately.
Our drummer lives in Onewhero and we played at the Wairamarama hall last week. Excellent gig and really enthusiastic crowd.
Good biking roads but the seal runs out a few km past your turnoff.
Has got me thinking seriously about adding an adventure bike to the stable.

[stify]

Oh dont be mean. She loves her Repsol.

Even though you say its half yours.

Whats yours is hers, whats hers is hers.

:innocent:

Mr :shit:

ummm..... more like,

what was mine is hers-I brought it for her

whats hers is cooler than what was mine

although I will add, the repsol has a very HWF-and I likes

[YellowDog]

Good to see you are well on the mend Chris. Will be especially careful on the motorway.