Hey guys, haven't been around much lately, but now in my hour of need I return like the prodigal son. In my defense, I've been busy writing my thesis so I can justify my existence at the University. It keeps me in gas money. 8)
Here begins my tale of woe:
I was up in the hills above Santa Barbara last night, celebrating the beautiful solstice evening with some rock climbing (and a ride up into the hills!). Well, while we were all climbing on rocks, the wind picked up and I heard that saddest of sounds, the crunch of metal on gravel. Yes, my poor baby took a spill. Luckily nobody was around to get hurt, except of course for the bike itself.
The damage was as follows:
1) Front left turn signal pulverized. Picked up the pieces but I fear it will be a closed casket funeral.
2) Clutch lever bent double, snapped in half when I tried to put it back into a more usual position.
3) The stalk that holds the left mirror now bends in a pleasing S curve and the nut at the bottom is bent, so it is now only possible to adjust it to look at me or the sky.
4) Left rear turn signal knocked cockeyed, but the bracket held when I returned it to it's full upright position.
Looking at the preceeding list we notice that I'm batting .250 on the fixing process so far. Hot damn. I did a possibly stupid thing and ordered a new signal assembly. I realized after I left the shop that I should have gotten one used, but you live and learn. I also ordered a new clutch lever.
I know how to put the signals back together again, as I tore them open in a mad search for a short a few months ago. For the mirror, I think maybe I'll just get a cool pair of aftermarket mirrors and look at this as an opportunity for change. It's the clutch lever that I'm worried about. Is it easy to put a new lever on, or am I going to lose fingers in this process?
Ben
Clutch lever takes about 5 minutes to replace providing the clutch lever perch is not damaged. One bolt holds it on and the clutch cable end slides into the notch in the lever. No mess, no fuss.
On the mirrors, not all mirrors are created equal.....A lot of folks whom put on aftermarket mirrors have said they are not as good for rearviewing as the factory units. Just a thought.
Sorry to hear of your bike falling off its stand.
Gloveberg, that's exactly what I wanted to hear.
And Greg, thanks for the condolances. I looked at some websites and was disturbed by the number of mirrors that were more like fashion accessories than rearward viewing devices. What possible purpose can a bit of reflective glass shaped like an iron cross serve?
Do you have any suggestions for functional rearviews? I have the glass part, it's just the stem is bent all to hell. I was actually thinking about trying to make a new one out of plumbing supplies, but that may be a bit too steampunk. :)
If it is just the stem that part can be replaced..
You also might try finding a local junk yard to find a replacement mirror.
Heh. This is Santa Barbara. I'm pretty sure the city pays homeless people to remove junk to beyond the county lines and then has them quietly killed and disposed of. Two birds with one stone. =)
Well, I have always said I wanted to help out on the forum, so I guess now is as good as any. I'm not smart enough to solve any of your problems, but I do have a set of stock mirrors sitting in my basement. They came off my '95, so they are probably showing some wear, but they do not look like an "s" (or any other letter for that matter). Nonetheless, they are certainly yours for the taking. Let me know if you'd like them.
Oh ya, I'm one of those putz's who took off two good working mirrors to replace them with sleeker ones. The new ones are big enough to see behind me, but not like the old ones. When I first got them, I had to do the ol "bob & weave" with my head to see out of them. Now that I am used to them they are ok.