Newbie Mistake.

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  • mrhedges
    Forum Mentor
    Past Site Supporter
    • Apr 2016
    • 197
    • New Orleans

    #1

    Newbie Mistake.

    I pulled out from my house and felt a clunk, then it felt like someone grabbed on the brakes and I was down. I got the bike back up (the proper way) she started right back up like nothing happened. I took her slow around the block. Confused I parked her and looked around. Nothing seemed amiss. I iced my elbow. I fell pretty hard on it. Later I figured it out, I forgot to put the sidestand up. I always told myself I'd never do that. So I feel pretty stupid. Luckily I had crash bars fitted. I got them from Burque73 and I would probably have a nice sized hole in my engine right now if it wasn't for this forum. So Thanks guys!

    Take a look

    I have to say she's a sturdy girl. The mirrors are broken now and the Gauge cluster is busted but still works. I plan to take her off the road for a couple weeks this winter and fix her oil leak and now I guess I'm gonna replace the gear cluster. I thought about getting an aftermarket one but I prefer the look and feel of the OEM. Plus the OEM one can take a smash on the pavement and still keep working which means alot. Anyone know what years/models would work? Anyone have one for sale? I'm also looking for suggestions on mirrors.

    Thanks
    Attached Files
    1981 GS 850G

    sigpic
  • steve murdoch
    Forum Guru
    Past Site Supporter
    • May 2004
    • 8484
    • St. Catharines, On.

    #2
    Not only newbs make that side stand mistake.
    Small comfort i know but it could have been a lot worse than a sore elbow and bashed gauges.
    Check with Marc for guages. http://www.thegsresources.com/_forum...other-gs-stuff
    2@ \'78 GS1000

    Comment

    • Burque73
      Forum Sage
      Past Site Supporter
      • Mar 2016
      • 4708
      • Albuquerque, NM

      #3
      You'll get a kick out of knowing I did that yesterday. Just about ten feet traveled though and heard it scrape. I wanted to catch up with my wife in her car as we left our lunch spot. Thats when it happens to me, I'm thinking about where I need to be rather than where I am.

      That's one reason I'm a fan of the big Windjammer on front of my bike. It's protected the front end from low-speed tip-overs like that and only gets a couple of scratches when that happens. Not to mention keeping the cold air from going up the front of your jacket in the winter.
      Roger

      '83 GS850G Daily rider
      '82 GS1100GK Work in (slow) progress

      Comment

      • Charlie G
        Forum Guru
        Past Site Supporter
        Super Site Supporter
        • Feb 2009
        • 6440
        • Siskiyou county

        #4
        Be aware that the glass can be removed and replaced if the speedo still works. I'll describe the process if you're interested. Not too hard at all.....
        Last edited by Charlie G; 10-09-2017, 11:41 AM.
        sigpic
        83 GS1100g
        2006 Triumph Sprint ST 1050

        Ohhhh!........Torque sweet Temptress.........always whispering.... a murmuring Siren

        Comment

        • mrhedges
          Forum Mentor
          Past Site Supporter
          • Apr 2016
          • 197
          • New Orleans

          #5
          Originally posted by Charlie G
          Be aware that the glass can be removed and replaced if the speedo still works. I'll describe the process if you're interested. Not too hard at all.....
          Yes. That seems like a much cheaper fix
          1981 GS 850G

          sigpic

          Comment

          • mrhedges
            Forum Mentor
            Past Site Supporter
            • Apr 2016
            • 197
            • New Orleans

            #6
            Originally posted by Burque73
            You'll get a kick out of knowing I did that yesterday. Just about ten feet traveled though and heard it scrape. I wanted to catch up with my wife in her car as we left our lunch spot. Thats when it happens to me, I'm thinking about where I need to be rather than where I am.
            I wouldn't say I'd get a kick out of it but I'm glad your ok. I don't think i'd ever put a windjammer on my bike but I'd be tempted to keep it if I got one that came with it. I don't think i'd ever buy a new goldwing but I like those 80s goldwings with full fairings and cassette players.
            1981 GS 850G

            sigpic

            Comment

            • Guest

              #7
              Originally posted by steve murdoch
              Not only newbs make that side stand mistake.
              +1. I seem to do it about every other season just to remind myself. I have always managed to stay up, so it has been nothing more than a moment of excitement and a reminder.


              Mark

              Comment

              • Brendan W
                Forum Sage
                Past Site Supporter
                • Jul 2013
                • 4918
                • Wexford, Ireland

                #8
                It's not a newbie thing. I still do it.
                Generally if my routine is disrupted or I have other things on my mind.
                I would suggest a check list before moving off.
                Brakes
                Fuel
                Sidestand
                Charging
                Billy Fox Seldom Cries.
                Flying it gets burned into you early on, but then the consequences are different.
                97 R1100R
                Previous
                80 GS850G, 79 Z400B, 85 R100RT, 80 Z650D, 76 CB200

                Comment

                • GSXR7ED
                  Forum LongTimer
                  Past Site Supporter
                  • Dec 2012
                  • 10130
                  • DE via L.A.

                  #9
                  Geeze, it's been a while since I've ridden but I've been guilty of doing this too. I second doing the checklist before taking off.


                  Ed
                  GS750TZ V&H/4-1, Progressive Shocks, Rebuilt MC/braided line, Tarozzi Stabilizer[Seq#2312]
                  GS750TZ Parts Bike [Seq#6036]
                  GSX-R750Y (Sold)

                  my opinion shouldn't be taken as gospel or in any way that would lead you to believe otherwise (30Sep2021)

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                  • alke46
                    Forum Sage
                    Past Site Supporter
                    Super Site Supporter
                    • Sep 2008
                    • 3210
                    • Harrison, Ar.

                    #10
                    Too bad these old bikes don't have a safety switch that would prevent starter engagement if the side stand is down. My Honda has this feature and it has saved me many times.
                    Larry

                    '79 GS 1000E
                    '93 Honda ST 1100 SOLD-- now residing in Arizona.
                    '18 Triumph Tiger 800 (gone too soon)
                    '19 Triumph Tiger 800 Christmas 2018 to me from me.
                    '01 BMW R1100RL project purchased from a friend, now for sale.

                    Comment

                    • Charlie G
                      Forum Guru
                      Past Site Supporter
                      Super Site Supporter
                      • Feb 2009
                      • 6440
                      • Siskiyou county

                      #11
                      Originally posted by mrhedges
                      Yes. That seems like a much cheaper fix
                      I would think it would be nice to keep the original speedo with the actual mileage rather than someone else's miles.

                      Basically there is a metal bezel which holds the glass on the speedo. It is rolled over the edge of the unit and you need to carefully slip something under that bezel and gently pry it away from the plastic housing around the unit. I used a couple of small screw drivers, whose shanks were about the diameter of a round tooth pick. One was a slotted and the other was a Phillips. I also had a metal pick of about the same diameter and some fine needle nose. Try not to kink the metal as it is difficult to remove the kinks. Get it started with a flat blade and then as you have clearance insert something round like the pick or Phillips and pull it along, spreading the bezel away from the housing. I would think a glass shop could cut you a piece fairly cheaply. Measure the thickness and diameter for the shop. Once you get the new glass be sure to check that the two screws that hold the face/dial are tight and secure. I lock-tighted mine as that is why I opened it to begin with. With the new glass in place, bend the bezel back over the plastic housing by pushing on it with a round shanked tool. Push back and forth smoothing it out.
                      sigpic
                      83 GS1100g
                      2006 Triumph Sprint ST 1050

                      Ohhhh!........Torque sweet Temptress.........always whispering.... a murmuring Siren

                      Comment

                      • mrhedges
                        Forum Mentor
                        Past Site Supporter
                        • Apr 2016
                        • 197
                        • New Orleans

                        #12
                        The only problem is that my unit now has this smashed out hole on the bottom IMG_20171006_142144323_HDR.jpg
                        1981 GS 850G

                        sigpic

                        Comment

                        • Guest

                          #13
                          We all do newbie mistakes. I have a bit of a steep driveway. A few weeks ago, I pulled my Honda out and parked it next to my Escape. I heard a grinding sound and looked to see the bike rolling backwards on the sidestand. Luckily, it was close enough to the car that the car actually kept it upright and the handlebar caught on the rear window, keeping it from rolling out and falling over. I'll never park a bike again in my driveway without it being in gear.
                          Last edited by Guest; 10-10-2017, 07:55 AM.

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                          • Charlie G
                            Forum Guru
                            Past Site Supporter
                            Super Site Supporter
                            • Feb 2009
                            • 6440
                            • Siskiyou county

                            #14
                            Originally posted by mrhedges
                            The only problem is that my unit now has this smashed out hole on the bottom [ATTACH=CONFIG]52916[/ATTACH]
                            Isn't this piece a separate part from the speedo?
                            sigpic
                            83 GS1100g
                            2006 Triumph Sprint ST 1050

                            Ohhhh!........Torque sweet Temptress.........always whispering.... a murmuring Siren

                            Comment

                            • 80GS850GBob

                              #15
                              I think we've all done it at one point in time...at least you were going slow.
                              Part number 23... but I'd check the back of the speedo posts to make sure you didn't crack the plastic cup.
                              http://www.babbittsonline.com/oempar...ter-tachometer

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