Newbie Mistake.

[mrhedges]

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

 

[steve murdoch]

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/_foru...f-GK-850g-1000gl-and-1100g-and-other-gs-stuff

 

[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.

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.

 

[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.....

 

[mrhedges]

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

 

[mrhedges]

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.

 

[Guest]

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

 

[Brendan W]

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.

 

[GSXR7ED]

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

 

[alke46]

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.

 

[Charlie G]

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.

 

[mrhedges]

The only problem is that my unit now has this smashed out hole on the bottom

 

[Guest]

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.

 

[Charlie G]

The only problem is that my unit now has this smashed out hole on the bottom View attachment 52916

Isn't this piece a separate part from the speedo?

 

[80GS850GBob]

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/oemparts/a/suz/50d4017cf8700230d8b4e4d9/speedometer-tachometer

 

[mrhedges]

Isn't this piece a separate part from the speedo?

Yes, I looked at the parts fiche and realized this was a separate part. I found one on ebay I might buy. Where do you get new glass?

 

[waltergs1000]

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.

side stand switches can be mounted with a simple modification. here's how I did over 15 years ago and still work fine.


this my job: http://www.digitalimage.it/mitichegs/TECNICA/cavalletto.html


sorry for my english google!

 

[Steve]

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.

If it worked like the one on your Honda (and on my Honda, too), it would be just fine. Starter operation with side stand down is OK, if bike is in Neutral, but bike dies if put into gear with stand down.

The only problem is that my unit now has this smashed out hole on the bottom View attachment 52916

I have one of those I can send you. Not quite perfect, but certainly intact.

As 80GS850Bob mentioned, check the back of the speedo itself, look for damage to the orange housing.

.

 

[80GS850GBob]

In the back of both the tach and speedo are a pair of molded in studs the allow the meters to attach to the steal inner frame and attach that outer trim piece. If the studs are broken or cracked I wouldn't worry about replacing the glass up front...and that glass is crimped onto each meter and has it's own little bit of fun to do the removal and re-install....not impossible, but tedious to do it right.

 

[mrhedges]

I have one of those I can send you. Not quite perfect, but certainly intact.

As 80GS850Bob mentioned, check the back of the speedo itself, look for damage to the orange housing.

.

That be great steve. Shoot me an Email, more then willing to pay shipping.