I never dropped my bike....

27yo kid · Renault 5 Driver Joined: 08 Oct 2004 Karma :

Went home last night after having had my bike for three weeks. Three WHOLE weeks. Never riden a bike before and was driving it on my car license. Perfectly legal, (and I must say I'm getting the hang of it!)

Anyway, after having been told numerous amounts of time that I WILL drop my bike, I was so careful not to put it down or drop it at all.

I never dropped it once. OR even came close.

BUT, I got a knock on my door at 5 this morning and was greated by the police. Totally shat myself.
They asked if I had a motorbike.
"yes"
"is it the one lying on the pavement outside?"
"no, its the one locked up and standing on the kickstand outside"
"have a look out of your window"

"B******S!!!"

Damage didnt look too bad, just bent handlebar ends.
But, rode it this morning.
Handlebars are out of alignment.
and.....came up to a set of lights, front brake on...back brake....wheres the back brake? where is the bloody back brake pedal!!!!!

SQUEEEEEEEEEZE as hard as I can with my feet on the ground like some kind of mad man. (well not that hard but it was a bit scary!)

Sorry about that. Had to have a rant and a rave about it.

Feel better now!
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Ashes to ashes, dust to dust, if you don't ride it, it will turn to rust

Jrod · Page 3 Girl Joined: 02 Aug 2004 Karma :

Unlucky but you kinda did bring it upon yourself, you should of checked your bike. I always check my brakes before i ride off Confused

They are the only thing that makes me not die.

27yo kid · Renault 5 Driver Joined: 08 Oct 2004 Karma :

It didnt even occur to me to check the brake pedal was still there! I had my front brake and gears so didnt even think about it.

Sad

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Ashes to ashes, dust to dust, if you don't ride it, it will turn to rust

Demonic69 · The Pink Rhino Joined: 31 May 2002 Karma :

Who needs a rear brake anyways? I rode the blade for 2 months without one just fine Very Happy

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Back on a Blade. Just feels so right.

27yo kid · Renault 5 Driver Joined: 08 Oct 2004 Karma :

True, I just wasnt expecting it!!!
Besides, my major problem was the handlebars not quite being straight!
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Ashes to ashes, dust to dust, if you don't ride it, it will turn to rust

sv_cath · Could Be A Chat Bot Joined: 19 Apr 2004 Karma :

It would probably take me ages to realise my back brake pedal wasn't there - I only use it in the wet!

Sparks! · Sir Tart-a-lot Joined: 30 Aug 2003 Karma :

mchaggis · World Chat Champion Joined: 10 May 2004 Karma :

iCraig · World Chat Champion Joined: 05 Jun 2004 Karma :

If the bikes been on its side all night then the air in the top of the brake reservior will be in the pipes.

Best thing to do is engage both levers and keep them that way overnight that way the air comes back to the top.

You may even find even after only a few minutes the pressure will return to normal.

My bike was blown over last week actually and damaged the handlebars and indicator. How do you reckon yours got on its side, the wind or kids?

Sparks! · Sir Tart-a-lot Joined: 30 Aug 2003 Karma :

Yeah if you lock the front in wet you're going to bin it too, but that's why I said be smooth with it, IMO it's far far easier to lock the rear wheel and loose control than it is to do the same for the front, which is why I've always used the front brake in the wet etc

Only time I actually use the rear brake now (on the R6 that is..) is around town/slow stuff... the WR is a different matter though. Twisted Evil

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Current Toys: 06 Yamaha WR250F | Nissan 350Z GT | Tech 4 Homes

mr.z · World Chat Champion Joined: 04 Feb 2004 Karma :

Not that its any consolation you technicaly have not dropped the bike, it fell over (hopefully it wasn't pushed, get an allarm!)

The only reason the rear brake is there on modern bikes is for low speed controll, turning in the road, creeping allong in raffic e.t.c. used properly the rear brake is handy... slaming the back brakes on even on crappy drum brakes will get the back end slideing, worrying at first but sorta fun Razz

(simpley let go to stop the squirming)
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>RidingSkills<->Tech Tips<->MyBikes<

Claud 14.7 to 1 · World Chat Champion Joined: 06 May 2004 Karma :

I don't get that "only use the front brake thing". Using both in all situations is so much better/easier/safer.

Question

Just using the front brakes on their own even in the dry feels wierd. Like the front dips down way more (than I'm used to). It doesn't feel right. The bike feels much more "under control" when using both brakes. Less movement, more stable.

Instructors tell you to use 50/50 in the wet. I don't see how you can lock the rear in the wet. Unless you are really stomping on the rear brake... If you need to do that you are going too fast for the situation or braking too late. Too aggressive.

Rear brakes rule, and are really useful. Thumbs Up

27yo kid · Renault 5 Driver Joined: 08 Oct 2004 Karma :

well ok, I didnt drop it, but its still damaged, my brand new baby.
It was definately someone else, I'd like to think kids but they must have carried it ten yards as it was chained as well, thank god I had the steering lock on otherwise they'd have been away with it!
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Ashes to ashes, dust to dust, if you don't ride it, it will turn to rust

Nath · World Chat Champion Joined: 28 Jul 2004 Karma :

They actually physically picked it up and carried it Shocked

I guess that's what you get for buying a 50...
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Hard livin', hard luck.

27yo kid · Renault 5 Driver Joined: 08 Oct 2004 Karma :

weighs over 100k though!!!
They may have just lifted the front wheel then given up. I'm going to have a look when I get back home as the pizza joint next door has cctv!
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Ashes to ashes, dust to dust, if you don't ride it, it will turn to rust

RealNinja · World Chat Champion Joined: 18 Mar 2004 Karma :

I know this will sound obvious, but is there nothing you can lock the bike to?

It's all very well 'immobilising' the bike with a chain, but way, way better to lock it to something.

I would consider a ground anchor.....

27yo kid · Renault 5 Driver Joined: 08 Oct 2004 Karma :

well normally I lock it up round the back of the flat, but when I got back last night I was knackered, and as it was a weekday I didnt think there'd be little shits going around pinching bikes. (it was about midnight when I locked it up)

Before anyone asks, I have learnt my lesson though!
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Ashes to ashes, dust to dust, if you don't ride it, it will turn to rust

Mister James · I want to believe! Joined: 10 Aug 2004 Karma :

I feel ya pain fella - I too have been extra careful thanks to horror stories from other bikers about me being bound to drop my pride and joy.

Suffice to say, I was more than a little peeved when I walked out of a takeaway to find it lying on its side in a well lit road having been reversed into by some hit-and-run prick.

£350 later, and James is both very broke and still pissed off, just in time for xmas!