Just a wee little accident

**Lteejay** · 2nd February 2007, 13:54

Well, I was hoping I could get away with many years of riding before I had my first off, but one month down the track and those hopes have changed, now I'm hoping I can go many years before having my second.

Pull out of driveway, turned left into slight downhill and another left into side street. Well thats usually how it goes and I must admit I took the same path last night, but managed to travel a few metres down said side street on the left hand side of my bike instead of tyre side down. All it took was a touch too much throttle, a kerb racing up to met me and my natural instincts to pull the bike to far to the left

No damage to me, as I wasn't going very fast and the only damage to the bike is a very bent gear change lever (really happy with my choice now to go with an unfairing'd first bike)

My first error was giving the bike too much gas and if I had looked in the direction I wanted to go instead of the curb 1 metre away that was rushing toward me, I may have made it around.

Anyway, she was flooded for a while (figure thats why she wasn't starting), but once she roared back into life 15 mins later, I went around that corner again and for a 10 min tootle just to make sure my head was in a good space about being on the bike. Kept it quiet when I got home, as thought bf would freak out, but he was pretty cool about it.

Now would there be any nice KB'r people around who have a vice and tools that I can use, to twist the gear lever back into line. At the moment, it takes a lot of effort to change gear.

**WickedOne** · 2nd February 2007, 13:57

Sorry to hear about you accident, glad to hear you're okay!!!

**u4ea** · 2nd February 2007, 13:58

aww bugger!!!!!!glad its not too serious....

**zeocen** · 2nd February 2007, 13:59

Glad to hear it was just a little bin you had!

My bike had a taste of the curb in the first week/month of riding and it bent the gear pedal in as well, we just used a steel pipe to bend it back out without trying to snap it. It worked, but I have an aerodynamic curve in it now ;P

I can imagine you're definitely happy you went for a naked bike for your first, *looks at suspicious lines in fairings and fender* :P

Glad you made it out all okay!

**Jantar** · 2nd February 2007, 14:03

Bikes are easily repaired, riders take a bit longer. I'm glad that in this case the only damage is to the bike.

You very wisely chose an unfaired first bike and that decision has already paid off. Well done.

**NighthawkNZ:Me** · 2nd February 2007, 14:12

Glad you are ok and as Jantar says bikes are easily repair the rider takes a bit longer... And it seems you worked out what you did to cause the sitaution which is also good...

I have had my share of off's and some of them I say to my self well that was silly why did I do that... others (especially one) I am still wonder WFT happened there...???

But best to get back in the saddle and enjoy the ride... ride safe ride right

**Lteejay** · 2nd February 2007, 14:18

Originally Posted by NighthawkNZ

But best to get back in the saddle and enjoy the ride... ride safe ride right

I think I will be bookin in for that in the next month.

**Macktheknife** · 2nd February 2007, 15:25

Well done, a good first accident/cockup. Not much damage and a good lesson learned too, excellent!
I have a vice and tools if you still need it, on the shore, PM if you still need them.
Mack

**Trudes** · 2nd February 2007, 17:25

Glad you're ok babe!!

**apteryx_haasti** · 2nd February 2007, 17:40

Glad: Your're OK!

Sad: Your bike is bent

Bad: Kerb!

**dawnrazor** · 2nd February 2007, 17:41

Originally Posted by Lteejay

Now would there be any nice KB'r people around who have a vice and tools that I can use, to twist the gear lever back into line. At the moment, it takes a lot of effort to change gear.

you might want to think about replacing that level, bending it back straight is only going to weaken it further and its not the kinda thing you want snapping off while your on the motorway or anywhere else for that matter.....

**Ixion** · 2nd February 2007, 17:43

Originally Posted by Macktheknife

..
I have a vice ..

I've heard you have several . Enough to keep a whole squad busy in fact.

I have a BLOODY HEAVY HAMMER if that helps. But is it an alloy lever or steel ?

**Disco Dan** · 2nd February 2007, 17:43

im glad your bin was only minor, sometimes you have to fall off a few times so you know how to stay on...

...not too put you off, but I had a slow speed bin in first month of riding and then a high speed (80kph) a couple months back.

As long as you have learnt what went wrong (target fixation??) and work on it then it wont be in vain...

well done on going naked for your first one

**Scorpygirl** · 2nd February 2007, 17:44

Don't sweat too much about it LteeJay. Good one for posting up on KB for us all to learn from. A good learning curve and at least you are not hurt. Phew!!! Target fixation is a big one for all of us, especially learners. I have done something similar several timees. In fact I did it on Monday with Crashe. I dropped my bike trying to do a u-turn, fixated and tighted up too much, had to let the bike go as I was at the point of no return.

There won't be many on KB that have not had a little bin when learning to ride.

All the best.

**crashe** · 2nd February 2007, 18:21

Lteejay - Im glad to hear that you are ok.....

and that you also got up and went for a wee ride afterwards.....
Thats the best thing to make sure that you dont go and loose that nerve.

When scorpygirl dropped her bike, I wandered over to where she and the bike were and helped her get it back upright... and then made her take a few deep breathes in and then let them out... then I got her to get back on the bike and continue her practise.....

Yep Im a hard taskmistress with my girls when they are learning...

Have you got the lever sorted out yet?