Triumphrat

Stuart_O

Two weeks ago I moved from Ardmore (Phila suburb) to Pittsburgh, to a very nice suburban home. A few months ago I posted my plan on this forum and had a few responses. Last weekend I met with one local Sprint rider and he introduced me to Collins Cycle in Sutersville.

Yesterday (8-11) I took a ride out to Ohio to the BSA rally just across the river. On the way home I decided to take I-79 north and make a stop at Pittsburgh Triumph in Wexford. I-79 had construction for a few miles. Just at the end of the zone, about a mile before the Wexford exit, I hit a major pothole at about 50 mph and blasted both my wheels. The front tire deflated instantly and I managed to ride over to the r/h shoulder, keeping the bike upright.

I called the Wexford dealer but they couldn't commit to picking me up. (eventually they did call back but I had already made arrangements) I also called Steve Collins and he told me to get the bike to his shop and he would wait for me. A few minutes later a fellow rode by on an Indian (wearing shorts and sunglasses - typical safety gear). He stopped and told me that he lived nearby and had a utility trailer. My initial plan was to have him bring me to my home and I would arrange towing from there to Collins. 45 minutes later he appeared; we got the bike secured in his trailer and headed down I79. Randy offered to take me all the way to Collins - probably a 50 miles ride. Our directions there were sketchy, and a few time we stopped so I could confer with the GPS on my bike. Eventually we arrived at Collins where Steve and 5 other guys were waiting to help unload the bike. Everyone there commented how lucky I was to manage to keep the bike up. Steve had a sad look commenting how nice bike to meet with this terrible fate. And that the wheels cost about $700 each, PLUS new tires. "Never mount tires again after breaking the bead in a pothole!"

The good samaritan Randy certainly helped lessen the pain of this terrible ordeal. I hope I can return the favor sometime. He accepted ONLY a tank of gas for 3 hours of his time.

I feel quite fortunate to have Steve Collins looking after my Triumph, and dealing with my insurance company. I spoke to a claims clerk at Dairyland later in the afternoon, and for the first time I realized I had had an "accident". Accordingly, my comprehensive coverage (with $500 deductible) will likely cover this entire repair. And Steve will get me back on the road as quickly as possible.

Stuart Ostroff - very lucky

Catenaccio

Nice to have new friends.

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I like to reminisce with people I don't know.

DaytonaNewbie

I lived out that way for a few years while growing up, still not there yet tho.
Some great people out that way as you're finding out.

mdgore

Isn't the state transportation dept. liable for that kind of damage? In CA we sue the state or city for damage caused by bad roads.

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Balls, I said, forget the track, the track is for punks. We are street people, we are cafe racers.

Tbirdnz

It's the camaraderie of motorbike riders, I think we all feel it and most of us would stop to help a fellow biker, it comes out in the waving.


Isn't there any speed restrictions posted on road construction sites Stuart ? Generally 50mph (80km/h) is a bit high to be passing such works ?

Glad you weren't injured.

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Ride on !

Pauley

Let us know if the insurance company drops you or if your premium goes up. It was a road hazard - in my book.

Consider yourself lucky for a few reasons. A) It didn't happen in the ghetto. C) some people were very willing to help. D) Mother Nature sounds like she wasn't too harsh. And E) You're ALIVE.

Best of luck to you.

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Hey Benefits Lady, Can I retire now??

Iggy762

Sad to say, but that's a typical Pittsburgh welcome =] Pot holes here are big enough to go off-roading in. At least you were able to get to Collins. There has been tons of traffic over the weekends where I live b/c they constantly close off the inbound or outbound Sq. Hill tunnels. PITA......

wenzel850

I stopped to help a kid on a Buell this morning on the way into work. Appears his main tank ran dry. He was trying hard to start the bike. I listened for about 10 seconds and asked him if he had any gas in the bike. The kid turns on the reserve and guess what, the bike started right up.

Simple fix, then I pulled away with the D&D's singing a sweet song.

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Quentin

omaz

Uh, Pauley what is reason "B"?

Glad to read that you weren't injured Stuart. I've hit some potholes but never any THAT huge.

MVP44

Even when caged I always stop to help a fellow two wheeler - good luck squeezing the pot hole damage out of PA - they are tighter than a crabs butt and that is water tight

Good riding keeping that thing up - must have been one heck of a hole