Triumphrat

Trophy1298 · 08-20-2006

Had one of the scariest experiences in my 20+ years of riding. Friday I am coming back home from an afternoon of cruising lil county roads. Had been on the interstate for about 15 miles. The interstate curves and there are a couple exits in the cure so traffic was tight. There was a semi on my left that either dropped or ran over a 2.5 to 3 foot 4x4 piece of lumber sending it into my front tire. The effect was my bike attempting to go down on it's side at 70MPH in traffic. I was able to fight it up and then back straight, but stayed in my lane. Once I had control I pulled off the road to check for damage, and catch my breath. A few guys in cars slowed down and applauded me and gave me the thumbs up (they must ride). I didn't see any damage, at the time and road on home.

I noticed that I had a vibration in the front and figured the impact had knocked a weight loose so I took back roads home at 40 to 50 MPH. Got home had a few beers and decided not to go mess with it til morning. Saturday morning I went out to take the front tire off and get it to the local shop. As I was taking off the tire I noticed there were no weights missing, the tire was low(15psi) and there is damage to the faring and belly-pan. Both have large cracks in them with the belly-pan actually being broken at the attachment points. Went through the whole bike and found the shifter lever is bent and loose and, one of the side covers that runs below the seat is cracked, had to be from the death grip my legs put on it to stay up.

Insurance people are to look at it Monday. It will for sure need new tires, left fairing, belly pan, side cover, and shifter linkage. Have to take it to the shop to see what else. I am thinking possible new wheels if they were knocked out of round. I am hoping repairs won't exceed the value.

As for me, I was shaken but not spilled, so all is well.

Anyone have any other suggestions as to what kind of damage to look for and how to assess it?

jimballard · 08-20-2006

Check your front end for anything bent, this includes brake parts; check the underside of the bike real good, all the way back and check the rear wheel and tire. In other words...check everything. Try to have it checked at with a mechanic on hand (I know, that'll be hard) or at a dealer, when the insurance adjuster comes to call. Hope you make out ok...you certainly did on the road!!

You were VERY fortunate: Jim

trophyrider00 · 08-20-2006

I can't think of anything to add to what Jim said. Glad to hear that you came through it unscathed.

Trophy1298 · 08-21-2006

Thanks for the information and kind words. I took the bike to my local Triumph dealer today. They are going to go through the whole bike. I checked it out and didn't find anything else. I aired the front tire back up Sunday morning and it was still holding the pressure this morning so I took a slow ride to the dealership. I did notice the tach was no longer working, guess something got knocked loose. It is in the hands of Capitol Sports Center and Progressive Insurance now. Feel like I need to be there holding it's handlebar or something. I'll keep updating as I find out.

Thanks again
Brian

Trophy1298 · 08-29-2006

Got the report back from Progressive. They're paying for: fairing upper, lower, and exhaust pipe. The wheels were not damaged. I am going to try and encourage them to pay for new tires b/c I am not riding on the ones that hit a 4x4 at 70mph.

Just thought I would post an update.

12004 · 09-03-2006

Progressive treated me really well. I could not be happier with them.

Good to hear the God wants you around us for a while longer.
I would agree with everyone else. CHECK everything. I have PIAAs' and that is what bent the subframe when she went down. I made the tech take everything off and examine the subframe before he ordered all the parts...Good thing too, it was bent.

C-Ya on the road soon,
Cheers,
Tom.

09-05-2006

***** lucky... I always try to give flatbed trucks, or anything with loose cargo (Junk, wood, debris, etc...) a wide berth. I had a chunk of 2x4 flop off a flatbed hauling wallboard in front of me. I was far enough back to avoid, but it did make me think clearly on safety.. And watch those matresses. Ever see someone move a matress on the roof of their car, you know, the ones who use twine and one hand to hold it down. Ever see one let go??? not an easy thing to avoid when you are right behind one as I was in my car. But again, left enough room to avoid it.

Bill

bigern2300 · 09-05-2006

Good to hear your doing OK, and that Progressive is treating you right. Over here in NE Oklahoma, we've got snapping turtles as big as ten gallon cowboy hats, covered in slimey green pond yuck. It's fun to come around a backroad curve and find one of those crossing the road!

Trophy1298 · 09-11-2006

Yep... Checked everything, or so I thought.

Had the shop I use for tires and general mechanical stuff putting on new rubber. The mech said "come feel this" kinda concerned me at first since he is an odd guy, but I went anyway :-D . With the wheel off and turining the front end you could feel a click and stick. The impact damaged the head bearings. Have a call in now to Progressive and the Triumph dealership. I'll just be glad to get it all back right and on the road.

I went with Avons this time. Figured I'd try something new. Sprint rider I know swears by them. We'll see.

trophyrider00 · 09-11-2006

I'm glad he found the bad head bearings before you put some miles on the bike. I'm really kinda suprised that the dealer didn't catch it. Seems like something that should have been checked. Then again, I probably wouldn't have thought of it either.

I think you will like the Avons. I have had good luck with them and a lot of others on here like them also.