[Author Index] [Date Index] [Thread Index]
[Date Prev][Date Next][Thread Prev][Thread Next]

[ST] Bench Dawg bends buddy's bike, bruises body



I'm typing one-handed -- other is in cast.  I'll be going to ortho
specialist soon.

Thomas "Dilbert Dawg" Emberson rode his new ST from Dallas. TX to
Clearwater, FL to visit this weekend.  I was guiding him out of the city for
his return trip.  We'd swapped bikes so he could try Pirelli Dragon GTS and
Genmar risers.

Truck carrying construction eqip. ahead.  Plastic pail with tools bounced or
blew out of truck into my lane.  Missed tools.  Pail bouncing right to left.
I slow and move right, prepping to swerve around.  Lip of bucket bounces it
back to right, so I commit to last moment left swerve.  Then gusty wind
blows bucket left, under front tire.  Catches under tire, against faring.
Tire immediately slips out to left, snapping steering (and left thumb),
dropping bike on right side.

Right hip is bruised from initial contact with road, but gear did work to
protect me.  Now know Draggin (kevlar) jeans work!

Broshtex jacket (kevlar sleeves) worked great -- I was sliding on right arm
and not even a bruise!  Jacket is a write-off, but who cares?  I'm OK!

Helmet side is well scraped (riding on right side of helmet) -- tore visor
mechanism off.  Left boot toe ground down.  Gloves scuffed.  Chatterbox
broke.

If it wasn't for my thumb I'd be no worse than bruises and pulled muscles.
Thumb hurts like a son-of-a-gun.  Vicodan (sp?) is wonderful!  :-)  Better
living through chemistry.

(Hmmm ... figuring out how to type 2 handed with 1/2 cast on.  Left index
finger hurts too, but I'm managing.)

So now we deal with the other guys insurance, my insurance and Thomas'
insurance.  Plus Thomas now has to fly to Dallas, leaving his bike here for
repairs.  Fly back later for bike.

Replacement gear will be better.  Helmet MUST have removable liner next time
(to warm and sweaty in FL).  Thinking of Triumph perfed leather pants ...
complete with armor.  Thinking about what to do about jacket and boots.
Suggestions welcomed (please consider FL climate).

Oh, the bike.  Might be a write-off.  Possibly frame is twisted (rear
sub-frame).  :-(  All right-side body work abraided, and all metal bits.
Muffler is mangled, ripped open at leading edge.  Rear brake lever snapped
off.  Bar-end weight, mirror, etc.

Bike is in bed of my pickup, about to go to dealer.  Thomas driving.  I hear
the siren song of drugs calling.
- --
Bill "Bench Dawg" Flowers
Clearwater FL
'00 Sapphire Blue Triumph Sprint ST "Jewel"


     *   *   *   *   *   *   *   *   *   *   *   *   *   *   *   *   *   *   *
      The ST/RS Mailing list is sponsored by Jack Lilley Ltd.
          http://www.TriumphNet.com/st/lilley for more info
   http://www.TriumphNet.com/st for ST, RS and Mailing List info

=-=-=-= Next Message =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=