Ginny down 6 Mar 07 - Bike & Rider OK

**Grub** · 6th March 2007, 19:10

Paekakariki Hill Rd 17:25, right in the deepest part of the valley. A young guy 18ish (not KBer), heading north suddenly found himself on the road beside his 3,550 km old 2006 Ginny.

He has no idea what happened but the chain was wrapped around the front sprocket and had wiped out a bit of the front chain guard. It was locked in TIGHT. When we arrived he'd got it to the side of the road and was looking a little pale. Perhaps a little teary he just sat on the armco while 3 of us worked on the bike. Eventually a large cresent was produced by one of the locals (biker of course, ex1979 Bonneville) to turn the sprocket nut and free the chain. The bike wasn't bad; indicator, mirror, blade and handgrip can all be replaced. The muffler was a little dented, not scuffed. I'd bet he hit the road at about 20kmh or less. He rode off on it - slowly.

His jeans were shredded and just reminded me how all wrong things get when young guys with no experience can only afford a bike and not the extra $1,000 of protection they really need. The three oldfart bikers who were putting the Ginny back together had leathers and cordura gear head to toe.

I'm betting it's a warranty job anyway. Well at least from our observation of how little damage, he wasn't going quick and the chain doesn't do that without some adjustments not being done.

**sunhuntin** · 6th March 2007, 19:21

chain had likely loosened and jumped off. had that happen to me [the day before i was going to take it in!] luckily was going slow and was able to pull over without any troubles.

i ride in jeans, and always will. my left leg is numb from my one accident, but doesnt bother me much cept for when its cold.

EDIT: not likely covered by warrenty. almost nothing on the 06 gn is covered. in fact, i think the only thing that is, is the frame.

**Madness** · 6th March 2007, 19:56

I'd say the frame temporarily flexed mid-corner, allowing for the chain to loose all tension leading to catastrophic transmission failure.

PM Crasherfromwayback, he's open 24/7 and will likely replace the bike outright under full factory warranty.

Bugger.

**Hawkeye** · 6th March 2007, 20:10

No dis-respect at all meant to newbies but Paekakariki Hill Rd at that time of night (unless you live along there) is not the place to be if your a newbie.
Too many cages crossing the centre line.
I've been along there regular in the cage but only tackled it for the first time on the bike a few weeks ago. Fun but scary as a first time. Thankfully, I only met a couple of cages and that was on a straight section.
Qdos to folks like Grub who do their daily commute there.

It sounds like the young guy got off lightly. Hopefully he will learn from the experience and go buy some protection. How many times do we have to shout from the roof tops about gear.

**pzkpfw** · 6th March 2007, 20:18

Mate of mine with a 2005 GN is on his third chain. It's partly lack of maintenance, but I start to wonder.

He's also just paid $360 to have [I'm guessing a regulator or something] fixed after he lost all electrics on the motorway going home from work (and it immediately blew the replacement fuse the A.A. put in for him).

I'd be recommending those Yamaha Scorpio things to people.

Big ups to you "old farts" for helping this guy.

Cheers,

**Quartermile** · 6th March 2007, 20:21

Yep I only had jeans for a while, still wanting full leathers rather than textile pants, the rest of my gear is all good,

Glad to hear he was ok I guess it would be quite trumatic.....

**sunhuntin** · 6th March 2007, 20:24

Originally Posted by pzkpfw

Mate of mine with a 2005 GN is on his third chain. It's partly lack of maintenance, but I start to wonder.

He's also just paid $360 to have [I'm guessing a regulator or something] fixed after he lost all electrics on the motorway going home from work (and it immediately blew the replacement fuse the A.A. put in for him).

I'd be recommending those Yamaha Scorpio things to people.

Big ups to you "old farts" for helping this guy.

Cheers,

i went through 2 chains before i sold. first time, it loosened after a tour to paeroa [to be expected. same trip i also lost my speedo, so know clue about how fast or how far between gas stations]
got it tightened, and had service at same time [had to pay] second time, same chain came loose heading back from wellington. chain came off, dented my guard and had to be replaced. paid for that too.
bike was serviced regular [usually within a few k's of due.]
the virago, i took to invercargill and back. only needed oil in invers, and chain was only slightly droopy by the end. no where near as saggy as the gn ones.

no way would i buy a NEW gn250 again. an 80s one, yeh, id buy it. but not a new one.

**jtzzr** · 6th March 2007, 20:43

Fortunate for the young fella you guys came along ,well done , hope he said Thanks.

**Grub** · 6th March 2007, 20:52

Originally Posted by jtzzr

Fortunate for the young fella you guys came along ,well done , hope he said Thanks.

Yeah he did, he was real quiet and super embarrassed but he was a good kid. His parents turned up looking a bit overwhelmed by all the activity. The ex Bonneville local sent his son off to call them as there's no cell coverage down there.

Yep feel sorry for him but it was really something to see 4 guys (you couldn't fit any more around the bike without somebody falling 20m over the bank!) turning what the rider must have thought was a catastrophy into a bike he could ride home.

Was real nice to be part of it.

**Steam** · 6th March 2007, 20:57

Ah this may sound a bit soft, but that's a nice story, makes your heart a bit warm. Hooray for motorcyclists and parents and friendly people!

**Lissa** · 6th March 2007, 21:00

Good on you Grub.... Awesome. I hope if I ever break down, theres someone like you to help me out... not that is ever going to happen... *knocks on wood*

Originally Posted by sunhuntin

i went through 2 chains before i sold. first time, it loosened after a tour to paeroa [to be expected. same trip i also lost my speedo, so know clue about how fast or how far between gas stations]
got it tightened, and had service at same time [had to pay] second time, same chain came loose heading back from wellington. chain came off, dented my guard and had to be replaced. paid for that too.
bike was serviced regular [usually within a few k's of due.]
the virago, i took to invercargill and back. only needed oil in invers, and chain was only slightly droopy by the end. no where near as saggy as the gn ones.

no way would i buy a NEW gn250 again. an 80s one, yeh, id buy it. but not a new one.

Ok, now thats got me paranoid... because I know nothing about bikes, or to even check my chain. Going to have to get someone to show what to look for... I don't want that to happen to me.

**Hawkeye** · 6th March 2007, 21:05

Originally Posted by Lissa

Good on you Grub.... Awesome. I hope if I ever break down, theres someone like you to help me out... not that is ever going to happen... *knocks on wood*

Ok, now thats got me paranoid... because I know nothing about bikes, or to even check my chain. Going to have to get someone to show what to look for... I don't want that to happen to me.

Where is Elle when you need her?
If you're out on the Wed night ride tomorrow, ask one of the other riders to check the chain for you and show you how to adjust it if need be.

**Steam** · 6th March 2007, 21:08

Originally Posted by Lissa

... because I know nothing about bikes, or to even check my chain. Going to have to get someone to show what to look for... .

Lissa, you have biker boys everywhere around you, who would love to show you how to tighten a chain... aarg, it's so easy to get rude when talking about women and bikes. ANYWAY, I've seen you around guys on big bikes, it's easy to show, easy to do. Just ask, 10 minutes is all it takes. I might see you at the Quasi show? I'll show ya!

**Lissa** · 6th March 2007, 21:11

Yea thanks I'll ask them - tomorrow on our ride.... just didnt realise that the chain was THAT important.

God thats bad right?

**NighthawkNZ:Me** · 6th March 2007, 22:09

Originally Posted by Grub

Paekakariki Hill Rd 17:25, right in the deepest part of the valley. A young guy 18ish (not KBer), heading north suddenly found himself on the road beside his 3,550 km old 2006 Ginny.

He has no idea what happened but the chain was wrapped around the front sprocket and had wiped out a bit of the front chain guard. It was locked in TIGHT. When we arrived he'd got it to the side of the road and was looking a little pale. Perhaps a little teary he just sat on the armco while 3 of us worked on the bike. Eventually a large cresent was produced by one of the locals (biker of course, ex1979 Bonneville) to turn the sprocket nut and free the chain. The bike wasn't bad; indicator, mirror, blade and handgrip can all be replaced. The muffler was a little dented, not scuffed. I'd bet he hit the road at about 20kmh or less. He rode off on it - slowly.

His jeans were shredded and just reminded me how all wrong things get when young guys with no experience can only afford a bike and not the extra $1,000 of protection they really need. The three oldfart bikers who were putting the Ginny back together had leathers and cordura gear head to toe.

I'm betting it's a warranty job anyway. Well at least from our observation of how little damage, he wasn't going quick and the chain doesn't do that without some adjustments not being done.

Great to see the the conradminship is still there, and that bikers are still looking out for each other...

Originally Posted by Lissa

... just didnt realise that the chain was THAT important.

God thats bad right?

Ummm yes it is