Hit debris on my VF500 today... not my lucky day!!

[Tim Hancock]

Riding into the sun this am on the way to work, about 1/2 mile from work, I caught a glimpse of something small and rectangular in the road about 15' before I hit it at about 50mph. It made a horrendous loud clank noise and I got the wobblies for a second or two. As I approached the two curves in the industrial park I work in, I slowed way down thinking I could possibly have a tire going down. On the second curve at maybe 15-20 mph, I almost lost the rear end.... d@mn, I just bought these new Pirellis

Well when I pulled into the parking a co-worker was oddly gawking and signaling me. As I climbed off to look at my rear tire, I instantly noticed what my co-worker looked so concerned about...... The whole rear of my bike was soaked in oil and a steady stream was running out of a hole in the bottom of my engine

Whatever I hit had flipped up and busted some cooling fins and knocked about a 1/2" dia hole in the bottom of the engine..... great.... I lived 40 miles from home and my wife had to work today also.

Oddly enough, after we hoisted it up onto a work bench with a forklift, it turs out that the VF500's have a seperate removable oil sump, so after about 1 1/2 hrs with the help of one of the guys in our weld shop, I pulled the complete exhaust then pulled the sump and we tig welded a patch and I was good to go after a trip to the local auto store for oil.

I still can't believe something so small did so much damage. Good thing it happened 1/2 mile from my destination!

[nostatic]

better the bike than you. Go buy a lottery ticket

[Gogar]

Bummer!

I agree with Nostatic, you should change the title of the thread to "My lucky Day!!", because you're upright.

I bet you can find a replacement at the junkyard, no?

[the]

Originally Posted by Tim Hancock

Oddly enough, after we hoisted it up onto a work bench with a forklift, it turs out that the VF500's have a seperate removable oil sump, so after about 1 1/2 hrs with the help of one of the guys in our weld shop, I pulled the complete exhaust then pulled the sump and we tig welded a patch and I was good to go after a trip to the local auto store for oil.

You continue to rock! LOL.

(But it's another example of the uncontrollable dangers one faces on a motorcycle. Certainly could have been a lot worse - you get hit by debris, or the debris punctures the case and sprays the back tire with oil at 50 mph, etc.)

[Jeff Higgins]

Originally Posted by Tim Hancock

The whole rear of my bike was soaked in oil and a steady stream was running out of a hole in the bottom of my engine

You make that sound abnormal. Us Harley riders just go buy more oil.

Glad you're o.k.

[Tim Hancock]

Originally Posted by the

You continue to rock! LOL.

(But it's another example of the uncontrollable dangers one faces on a motorcycle. Certainly could have been a lot worse - you get hit by debris, or the debris punctures the case and sprays the back tire with oil at 50 mph, etc.)

It did puncture the case and it did spray oil all over the back tire and I was doing about 50mph

Luckily I don't need a new one Gogar, as we fixed it good as new (minus a couple of fins) by welding an aluminum patch over the hole. I just rode it home after first stopping at the nearest car wash to degrease the tires and brakes..... Everything works fine and not a drop of oil to be found around the repair or the the sump gasket/seal. Ultimately I guess I did luck out, as I was just sure I would have to pull the engine to repair it properly, but that "removable" oil sump was my saving grace.

[Porsche-O-Phile]

Seriously. I friggin' hate road debris - one of my biggest fears and pet peeves. The only incident I've ever had on a bike (lay-down) involved road debris. Thankfully it was at slow speed and really only my pride got hurt (that and a skinned knee - and about $500 worth of new parts for the bike).

Glad you're okay.

[VINMAN]

Originally Posted by Porsche-O-Phile

Seriously. I friggin' hate road debris - one of my biggest fears and pet peeves. .

The worst road debris out there is, the inattentive soccer mom on her cell phone!

[dzls rok]

altough you mishap sucks. it could have been much worse. glad your o.k.

[masraum]

I'm with the other folks, I'd say this is your lucky day. Hitting debris at 50 on 2 wheels could have meant an arm or leg glued and pinned back together in a cast. Very lucky that not only you, but apparently the bike is also good after what sounds like a relatively cheap easy fix.

Don't bother with the lottery ticket, I think you used up your weekly/monthly quota of luck, maybe for the year.

[MRM]

Your collision/comprehensive insurance policy should cover damage from debris on the road. Call your insurer and find out. It shouldn't raise your rates because it should go down as a not at fault accident. The at fault party is the one who left the debris. Since that person is unidentified he is considered an uninsured motorist, giving you coverage under your policy. Check it out. It doesn't cost anything to call your agent.

[the]

Could you even get comp/collision on an old VF500 like that?!?

[Danny_Ocean]

Most motorcycle policies do not have collision. Liability/theft only has been my experience.

[Tim Hancock]

I am a gambler when it comes to insurance. I only keep collision on one airplane and my wife's Audi. All the rest of my vehicles just get liability. If I had to pay collision on all my old cars/bikes I typically keep roadworthy, I would be paying about 5 grand a year more. Most of my cars were all bought in need of work for about that figure. I figure when/if I ever lose one, I will still be money ahead over the years (5k per year x 10 years = 50k and thus far myself, my wife and my kids have never totaled one...knock on wood).

[livi]

Unlucky still lucky.

Glad you are OK Tim!

[ZOA NOM]

Similar story here, back in '97, on the early morning commute. I hit a fully inflated van tire, still mounted to it's rim, lying in the middle of a curve in the road. Talk about a jolt. I remember the handlebars and gauge cluster coming straight at my face as the front end came up, and then the rear end hit and I went for a flight of about 150 feet. I remember having to decide whether to tuck or lay out flat. Fetal instinct took over and I tucked, landing mostly on the back of my helmet and shoulder. The only injury was a broken collar bone, and a totaled '92 FJ1200. I took the next decade off of two wheels, and became a P-car nut and Pelican in the process.

I just bought another '92 FJ1200.

[lendaddy]

Glad you're ok, classic that you fixed a hole in your case while at work...only you

[Tobra]

Originally Posted by nostatic

better the bike than you. Go buy a lottery ticket

no schit, that was the first thing I thought, better to be lucky than good just about every time