Oh fu*k, lack of situational awareness

[Blackbird]

I attended a 1 day conference yesterday in Rotorua and as it was such a stunning day, took the Blackbird and programmed the GPS to take in all the country backroads. Wonderful ride down. Anyway, I was equally looking forward to the return trip and set off merrily on my way. In the back of beyond, I overshot a turn-off and did a quick U turn to address that error. During the U turn on the narrow country road, I did a quick dab with my foot which shot out from under me on loose road metal and down we went! In picking it up, I felt something let go in my lower back which got rather more painful as I chewed up the miles towards Coromandel. About 50 km from home, my left leg started aching too (took its time). I got Mrs B to help me off with my leathers and my leg had swollen enormously with a lurid purple mark in the centre. I suspect that the inside of my leg had forcibly connected with a crash bobbin – ironic really!

I was in a lot of discomfort and went to the doc this morning. Got prescribed a whole bunch of anti-inflammatories and a compression bandage was put on the huge haematoma which has improved things enormously. Even my back has improved somewhat and the doctor said to take things easy for a few weeks and it should take care of itself. Darn, there goes my housework chores(not)!

The bike only has a bit of gravel rash on one side of the lower fairing which I’ll have fixed in due course but that’s a consideration for early 2009, not right now. The question is, who is a REPUTABLE bike resprayer who is capable matching the candy blue translucent paint of the 'bird? Reflections in Glenfield did a flawless job when I had to have a panel resprayed some years ago but understand it's changed hands in the last year or so.

[Jantar]

Ouch, Bad luck Geoff.

Hurry up and recover, the good riding weather has arrived.

[vifferman]

Sorry to hear your bad news, Geoff! Hope you heal quickly.

The question is, who is a REPUTABLE bike resprayer who is capable matching the candy blue translucent paint of the 'bird? Reflections in Glenfield did a flawless job when I had to have a panel resprayed some years ago but understand it's changed hands in the last year or so.

I had heard that Reflections are still good.
The thing with the Candy Dandy Randy Tahitian Blue is it's actually at least two coats if done properly. On my VFR, there's panels that have obviously just been done with just a one-pot mix. If the paint is obtained from Smits (or whoever) they'll supply it in two pots: a base coat with silver and blue, and a top coat with purple and blue. Or the other way round - I forget. (Then of course, some clear coats). This should ensure a perfect match no matter who does it, if they're at all competent with a spraygun.

[Gremlin]

Had the same lack of concentration myself a couple of weekends ago. Tracking side streets in the country, I went from one dead end into another, around 30-40kph. Didn't realise there was a huge area of marbles where no-one travelled.

First time I realised I shouldn't have treated it like a tar road was when I was lying on the ground

[BOGAR]

Sorry to hear. Cant help with who to use but wonted to wish you a speedy recovery.

[fergie]

bad luck geoff,im sure you can still do dishes etc.i can and i have my left arm in plaster after a tumble from the trail bike,hang in there!

[Blackbird]

Thanks for the good wishes guys. Damage to the ego might take a little longer to recover.

Thanks for the update on Reflections Ian. They did a wonderful job last time and it cost me accordingly ~$500!

Malcolm - unlike Alexandra, I can ride all year in Coro haha.

Devil - sorry to hear. Fergie - you don't think we're getting a bit old and don't bounce too well now?

[KiwiRat]

Bummer Geoff, I had the same type of thing happen on an on-ramp about 3 months ago.

Taking the tight bend from a standing take off at about 15-20 km/hr. Rolled on the throttle, found the stripe of diesel, and watched my bike slide up the central island oh so gently, crushing a muffler in the process.

Darn it.

[emaN]

Good to hear no long term damage done G!

[insomnia01]

What a Bugger Geoff !! it certainly shoulds like you are on the mend Damn shame to hear about the bird touching down she was looking Mighty fine the other week when I seen you & Jennie last, no doubt she'll be back on the road again ASAP & Gleaming !!!

[gijoe1313]

Ahh poopers, sorry to hear about that mate - hope you leg heals up quick and good and you find some good keen skilled person to work on restoring the ride back to ridey ride condition

[beyond]

Sorry to hear that Geoff. Bummer
Nothing worse than dropping the bike and getting some damage

Pleased things aren't as bad as they might have been with your bruising. Weird though aye? Sometimes it's just the angle and right amount of pressure and even though you might not feel much, things can come up pretty bad.

[Ocean1]

Bugger.

Not fookin' surprised the back's a tad sore. Not sure I'd want to be picking it up, the Buell's enough of a handfull... umm, if, indeed anyone ever found the need to lift one.

Don't do it again eh?

[Blackbird]

Thanks again everyone - ego was in tatters at the time but slowly coming right!

I've been in a fair bit of pain and anti-inflammatories are still needed but there are a lot of people worse off than me. How do you like the Technicolor leg?

[Swoop]

Yowwwza!!!