Almost stranded today...

[beachz]

I went out for a short ride this evening before we were supposed to meet up with friends. Got to some back country roads before I grabbed an hand full of empty clutch lever. The pivot bolt was gone. I hadn't noticed it was loose. I rev matched it down into nuetral and coasted to a stop at the end of a gravel driveway. A teenager from across the street came over to offer tools as I fiddled with the lever then went to dig through his dads bolt bucket to find me something that would work. His dad came back out with him and then went to the neighbors (the driveway I was in) to see if he had anything. They finally found me a bolt the same size as the pilot diameter of the original and although it wouldn't screw into the threads, it worked enough to get me home. It was VERY cool that they came out and helped me!!! I think I will take the dad back a 12 pack of the brand he had in his hand and the son a movie gift card or something. If they hadn't helped me out I would have been calling my dad to bring me a trailer from about an hour away.

Just a note: smaller diameter bolts that fit the threads will not allow the clutch safety switch to be depressed to allow the bike to start.

When I got her stopped and let go of the clutch lever:

The long bolt that got me home:

 

[Merlot]

That's innovative and smart of you to get your ride home.

 

[Big E]

Sorry to hear about the mishap. One thing I always do to new bikes is change the nut that holds the bolt to a plastic lock nut.

 

[beachz]

Thanks guys. I am just glad it was the clutch and not the front brake lever... as I was half way through third gear aproaching a 90 degree turn. lease: I did verify that there is a Nylock nut on the bottom of the brake lever. I will be going over the rest of the fasteners this week.

 

[kromdom]

glad story had a good/safe ending

 

[ssg_petty_210]

Sorry to hear. It always sucks getting stranded on a bike. Once I had two blow outs at the same time doing 80 on the hwy in the middle of a turn. Was so scary but I managed to keep the bike steady and coast to a stop. I couldnt find anyone to help and nobody with a trailor. I even seen a few low trailors and nobody would stop to help. Sad.

 

[fallenarch]

People around here are generally pretty friendly.I've only had one bad incident and I'm pretty sure that guy was drunk. I try to be a good neighbor and be respectful. I even stop and shut the bike down when there are horses on the road giving people rides so I don't spook them.

It's funny because there are a ton of bikes racing around the roads down here in southeast Virginia Beach but the locals hate bicycler's. There is an out right war between the locals and the cyclists because they ride 3 & 4 wide and take over the roads.

 

[card16969]

there are some good people out there

 

[black diamond busa]

Cool that they helped out. Glad you got home safe too:thumbup:

 

[dadofthree]

 

[chrisjp]

glad you had good people helping you...they are out there...but getting harder and harder to find

 

[sanket_420]

nice of them folks to help you out. glad you didnt get stranded

 

[newman]

Glad it all turned out ok.

 

[VaBusa]

Glad that turned out well!

 

[lil charlie]

 

[mabupa]

Glad you made it home !!!!

 

[mr8ball]

Glad everything worked out for you and you made it home safe. I am sure they will never forget it if you were to take them things back to them just to show their goodness was appreciated. It will also make the kid a better person in the future

 

[StromBusa]

How many miles? Was it stock? I'm going out & look at mine right now... Thanks for the info

 

[beachz]

Thanks everyone for the positive feedback! Wife and I stopped by the store to grab a few things to grill out so... I grabbed some ice cold beverage for pops and a $15 Coldstone gift card for Jr. We rode by the house and Jr. was up under his Mazda truck and pops was elbow deep in grease too. They were soooooo appreciative and pops told me over and over that I "didn't need to do that". IT WAS AWESOME.

Just putting a little good karma out there. I think I may have had used it all up earlier today but that is another story and I am tired. I will post that tomorrow... but here is a preview question: Have you ever been escorted to the state line? Stay tuned youngins...

 

[98crewcab]

ha ha!!! escorted?! lol, cant wait......