is it pain or relief?
Discussion
Ive done it.
That moment when you scuff a new bike (6 mths old now), I was (stoopidly) trying to squeeze between a bollard and a parked car and misjudged it.
Now its only a Honda commuter and its only the fairing so its not like ive stuffed a 40k Ducati but do i feel relief that i can be a little less precious about a cheap(ish) commuter, or annoyed that ive got to rectify a scuff on a 6 mth old bike.
What does everyone else feel when theyve been here?
That moment when you scuff a new bike (6 mths old now), I was (stoopidly) trying to squeeze between a bollard and a parked car and misjudged it.
Now its only a Honda commuter and its only the fairing so its not like ive stuffed a 40k Ducati but do i feel relief that i can be a little less precious about a cheap(ish) commuter, or annoyed that ive got to rectify a scuff on a 6 mth old bike.
What does everyone else feel when theyve been here?
The first cut is the deepest. I feel bad for about a day or two, a bit of the lying awake kicking yourself for a night and then move on.
I'll always remember fitting a new pair of aftermarket silencers to my Thruxton, all fitted up, looking great, wheeled the bike out the workshop and managed to scrape one of the cans on a wall before I'd even heard them! Proper face palm moment.
Same with fresh paint jobs or painted frames. At some point putting them back together I'll slip with a socket or piece of trim and gouge paint, doesn't matter how careful I am, just a clumsy oaf. Heartbreaking but we all have scars / even the mona lisa is falling apart / nothing gold can stay. Choose your played out saying.
I'll always remember fitting a new pair of aftermarket silencers to my Thruxton, all fitted up, looking great, wheeled the bike out the workshop and managed to scrape one of the cans on a wall before I'd even heard them! Proper face palm moment.
Same with fresh paint jobs or painted frames. At some point putting them back together I'll slip with a socket or piece of trim and gouge paint, doesn't matter how careful I am, just a clumsy oaf. Heartbreaking but we all have scars / even the mona lisa is falling apart / nothing gold can stay. Choose your played out saying.
Picked up me first bike, got it home, dropped it, snapped brake lever and scuffed exhaust.
Picked up my second bike, rode it home, tail bag came loose and took the paint off the edge of the wheel.
It happens, wouldn't worry. Cars and bikes are consumable items that are given a lot of abuse and can and do get damaged.
Picked up my second bike, rode it home, tail bag came loose and took the paint off the edge of the wheel.
It happens, wouldn't worry. Cars and bikes are consumable items that are given a lot of abuse and can and do get damaged.
This reminded me of when I dented a header pipe going down a steepish curb, that took a while to buff out(of my head) was considering getting a full system just because it but glad I didn't in the end. The bikes had a few tips and incidents since but is a commuter in London so it's going to happen and I don't worry about it anymore. I suppose it add to its character in a way.
My TMax was parked in the little front yard. Fell over in heavy wind and took out a brick wall.
Massive scrapes across the fairing and across the exhaust.
Forgot about it quickly until come selling time and I couldn't convince buyers that the scratches didn't matter.
Must have knocked a great deal off the price in the end.
Massive scrapes across the fairing and across the exhaust.
Forgot about it quickly until come selling time and I couldn't convince buyers that the scratches didn't matter.
Must have knocked a great deal off the price in the end.
I had brand new wheels fitted by Honda on the Uganda Twin, I had work on so couldn't get them the new tyres to fit in time so did it myself. I was still drunk from the night before, didn't heat the tyres enough and slipped with the lever, gauging the new paint. I was so angry I nearly vomited. I think I actually cried.
I also once accidentally set fire to pot of aluminum powder in my shed (this is effectively a "flashbang") this then ignited another pot of chemicals, which I had stupidly placed nearby. A bit of 1500decC+ splash put a great melted hole on my front stickers. To be honest I was just delighted when my eyesight returned.
Oh and I've dropped my bike about 10 times on forestry trails, but there's been little damage due to bars etc. I think if you use an ADV bike you just have to accept it to be honest. Again, I am always just relieved I can get the f
ker back up again and not have to walk about 20 miles to ask a farmer for help.
I also once accidentally set fire to pot of aluminum powder in my shed (this is effectively a "flashbang") this then ignited another pot of chemicals, which I had stupidly placed nearby. A bit of 1500decC+ splash put a great melted hole on my front stickers. To be honest I was just delighted when my eyesight returned.
Oh and I've dropped my bike about 10 times on forestry trails, but there's been little damage due to bars etc. I think if you use an ADV bike you just have to accept it to be honest. Again, I am always just relieved I can get the f
ker back up again and not have to walk about 20 miles to ask a farmer for help.Edited by Prof Prolapse on Friday 6th March 11:37
Brand new Honda 750 F1 in 1976. My wage was £149 for the month. On getting it home dropped it, and in my rage swung a boot at the damn thing took out headlight lens and an indicator. Do you know how long it takes to save for those on just over £35 a week. And to make matters worse there wasn't even a scratch from the drop.
Mid 90s (as a non biker) I saw a 916 for the first time. Was blown away how beautiful it was. Not too long after, and against the wishes of my wife, I started biking. First bike was a ZX6R but after a couple of years bought the dream (well it was a 748 as a new 916 was a bit too much for me at that point). About two months into ownership I dropped it (flip up sidestand - evil thing). Managed to get my body between the bike and the ground so damage was minor but every time I cleaned the bike I noticed it. Felt really bad. But four months later a dozy pensioner in a Renault 5 took me out and destroyed the bike. After I got out of hospital I went to see it at the dealer (it was written off). That was a bit worse.
My very first bike (moped) was a gleaming brand new A reg (1983) Yamaha DT 50. I had never ridden a bike before and so the plan was that I followed my dad (in a car) to a nearby car park to practice some stuff. The flaw in the plan is that I had to ride to the car park. Got to the first junction and stalled when trying to pull away. So, kicked it over and then gave it plenty of revs this time. It shot out from under me and crashed down on its side about 10ft in front of me! Broken indicator, broken clutch lever, scuff on the front mudguard, tore the end off the grip, but worst of all it scuffed the crank case through the black paint in to the metal. I'd had it about 10 minutes at this point and I'd been working and saving for a year to buy it
I could probably fill the entire page alone, but I'll only add the most memorable things to avoid getting a meltdown remembering it all.
No new bikes, but mostly diy restored to almost perfect condition after purchase because of ocd/stupidity
SHL m04 - restored long time ago by a friend, dropped from desk on day one, when my father was messing with wiring - scratched fender
Ural nr. 1 - had to be trailered to equivalent of vosa - scratch on sidecar frame from unloading, dad wasn't paying attention on his side (there's a pattern forming, keep reading)
Ural nr.2 - restoration in progress. Extremely detailed work, way ott compared to russian standards. Dad decides to shorten a bolt with a file - scratches final drive housing like a kid let loose with a sharpie- gets annoyed about me being mad.
And why do you have to literally hammer most pieces together for assembly, I am conviced that it was sprayed after it was finished, considering the spray pattern of the original parts
V-rod - that thing is all chrome, total nightmare material. Not my bike, the old man bought it on pistonheads 10 years ago. Dropped it himself in slo-mo on left side - crash bar scratched. Left two years as is. Replaced by new chrome part recently - on first ride slo-mo drop on the same bar.
He is a brilliant blend of an engineer and Mr Maggoo and now also owns a GS, this one has also been dropped once already
No new bikes, but mostly diy restored to almost perfect condition after purchase because of ocd/stupidity
SHL m04 - restored long time ago by a friend, dropped from desk on day one, when my father was messing with wiring - scratched fender
Ural nr. 1 - had to be trailered to equivalent of vosa - scratch on sidecar frame from unloading, dad wasn't paying attention on his side (there's a pattern forming, keep reading)
Ural nr.2 - restoration in progress. Extremely detailed work, way ott compared to russian standards. Dad decides to shorten a bolt with a file - scratches final drive housing like a kid let loose with a sharpie- gets annoyed about me being mad.
And why do you have to literally hammer most pieces together for assembly, I am conviced that it was sprayed after it was finished, considering the spray pattern of the original parts
V-rod - that thing is all chrome, total nightmare material. Not my bike, the old man bought it on pistonheads 10 years ago. Dropped it himself in slo-mo on left side - crash bar scratched. Left two years as is. Replaced by new chrome part recently - on first ride slo-mo drop on the same bar.
He is a brilliant blend of an engineer and Mr Maggoo and now also owns a GS, this one has also been dropped once already
To have at least one which is my fault. Repainted all silver plastic parts on my new to me 1200rt, to promptly kick the passenger grab rail on first dismount scuffing the damn thing.
Lowsided the bugger and scuffed the freshly painted case lids and valve covers for good measure shortly afterwards too. This was at the Großglockner.
My father is a decent rider, final assembly and low speed manouvres are just questionable sometimes
Lowsided the bugger and scuffed the freshly painted case lids and valve covers for good measure shortly afterwards too. This was at the Großglockner.
My father is a decent rider, final assembly and low speed manouvres are just questionable sometimes
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