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Went down hard this morning...mashed my tank

10K views 71 replies 49 participants last post by  NORTY FLATZ 
#1 ·
Took my usual commute through the city (Toronto) this morning. It had rained early in the morning but had stopped about half an hour before I left, so it was a bit wet.

There are streetcars that run on steel tracks on many of our main streets. Changing lanes over them in wet weather can be a bit tricky. I've done it hundreds of times before. I'd say about 30% of the time I'd get a slight wobble in the rear and that's it. Since my tires only have about 1500km on them I felt confident with them in the wet.

Well, this morning as I was changing lanes my rear tire seemed to catch on the track and lost all traction. I kept a steady throttle hoping to regain the rear, but it just kept going sideways until I had to bail.

My knee is quite banged up, but of course I don't care about that. My bike took a beating. Here is the damage:

1. Right controls were smashed. Front break lever snapped off and master cylinder reservoir cap badly damaged.





2. Right side foot peg snapped off and the rear brake pedal appears to be slightly bent and scraped, but still functions.





3. Right side stainless steel muffler is scratched to hell.



4. And the big one; the result of having dropped M bars, my tank has three large dents in it.





I actually managed to ride it back home with only a rear brake. Luckily it was only about 3km through the city.

I'm very depressed right now. Any winter project plans I had with the bike are now changed to just fixing it. I'll be fine with everything except the tank. Does anyone have any advice for the tank? It's an EFI model.
 
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#8 ·
Physically OK - super. replace the pegs even it the rear is only slightly bent. Look to some of the salvage yards, the classifieds here and ebay for parts. Another tank is probably the best bet. Keep that one as a trophy of the escape from serious injury. I might re-think the m bars.
 
#10 ·
Thanks everyone. I figure I can get cheap pegs and levers off ebay for now. But I have until March to figure it out. The dealer said a new tank would be $829 Canadian dollars (about $620 USD). So that's the most I would have to pay. So far I have only seen a green used Thruxton tank on ebay for $499 USD and it is slightly dented. I'll see what a repair place will quote me. The tank paint alone will be about $300, so it all comes down to fixing the dents.
 
#59 ·
Hope your knee and heart heals quickly from the hit (physical and emotional). For pegs, get a set for Yamaha FZR/FZ6/FJR/YZFR1 for $15/shipped (for the set, Amazon). Work great, look stock (except they don't say "Triumph" and they're not made by the genuine SnapOff footpeg Co. of England, LLC. For the lever, lots of us can send you one, no prob. For the tank, this seller (a local to me, I actually go in and buy parts from them, good people, honest), odlidle (TD MOTORCYCLE is their store), had a black tank with some very small dents (unnoticeable to most, could be massaged out). I think cheap.

Might check them for the pipe too.

We all feel your pain (emotionally, wallet, etc.). Glad you're still with us to be depressed!
 
#11 · (Edited)
Tank

I have a spare tank taking up space in the garage. It's a green one off a 2014 Thruxton but with no fuel pump. I used the fuel pump in my new tank. It's no use to me so I'll let it go cheap if it helps you out. PM me.

It is straight and has no dents. Condition is perfect. Also have a JM flip to petrol cap I'll throw in with it as it didn't fit the new tank.

Just remembered. I also have some OEM levers kicking around in the garage you can have if it helps.
 
#14 ·
I have a spare tank taking up space in the garage. It's a green one off a 2014 Thruxton but with no fuel pump. I used the fuel pump in my new tank. It's no use to me so I'll let it go cheap if it helps you out. PM me.

It is straight and has no dents. Condition is perfect. Also have a JM flip to petrol cap I'll throw in with it as it didn't fit the new tank.

Just remembered. I also have some OEM levers kicking around in the garage you can have if it helps.
Good onya mate!
 
#13 ·
There's no way I'd pay $500 for a dented tank that needed to be painted too. Might as well go new and get it the right color.

Tanks can be found used in good shape. I was fortunate enough to find one for sale right here in the classified section for $400 shipped. It was even black! I mighta gone for a new one if they were in fact $620, but when I looked they were $825 with my black and cranberry paint. Even at that I was thinkin' about it.

I'd say be patient....and vigilant. Maybe one will come along at a decent price.
 
#15 ·
An EFI tank you can get into the tank once that fuel door is removed to push the dents out. You can always rattle can the tank, just go with a flat paint job, that plastic dip stuff is easy to work with. Then just get some body filler and fix it like new.


If you want to go gloss just go on line and you can get some very good tips on painting with rattle cans.


I just painted a rear seat cowl black and it came out very nice. I just followed some on line instructions with rattle can paint. 4 coats of black and 6 coats of clear, looks very nice.....factory looking.
 
#68 · (Edited)
...If you want to go gloss just go on line and you can get some very good tips on painting with rattle cans.
...
I doubt any rattle can will give you what professional gear can, but I've used a 2-part can that has the catalyst in a separate, internal container. The catalyst is released with a plunger and then you have only about 12 hours to use it - hardens rock hard in about 4 hours. It's the real-deal and toxic - a cartridge mask is required. I've used it maybe 10 times for several bike parts and it's the best thing from rattle can imaginable.

ebay.com/itm/111298452665
 
#20 · (Edited)
Thanks for all the help everyone! I really appreciate it.




No snow in Toronto yet. It was 4 degrees Celsius this morning and we have daytime highs of about 5-7 degrees Celsius this week and probably next. It's a bit nippy but not bad for a city commute. Although, I guess my tires were not performing at their best at that temperature.
 
#19 ·
I know it's easy to say that it's just a bike, and parts can be replaced. Anybody would be depressed to see that damage to the bike. But, you made it okay and that's good news. Good luck getting the bike back to normal, it will get there.
 
#22 ·
Glad you're OK.

In my world, that bike is totaled. Don't know how you Canucks handle insurance claims. But here in the US, that's a right-off. Hopefully you'll be on a new 2016 model soon.

/M
 
#62 ·
Indeed, great bunch of folks here. Some 5-6 years ago when I was living in So Cal, I had a gentle put-down in a construction zone, something I related here on the forum. The most significant damage was a scratched mirror and muffler. A gentleman 15 minutes away in Laguna Beach had take-offs from his own bike and suggested I come down and get them. When I got down there and offered to pay, he simply said "Merry Christmas."

To the OP, I'll pile on about being glad you're okay. You'll get it back together, and all will be well.
 
#25 ·
Looks like you have a good offer for a replacement tank but just in case, I found a tank on E-bay for $350 shipped and all it has is a minor scratch. I bought it to experiment with so the scratch is no big deal.

I imagine that knee will be a little more sore in the morn then it is right now, glad thats all thats the matter, take care.

Doug
 
#26 ·
Ditto to a couple of the others posts - Your ok & the bike can be brought back to new again. That's life as a motorcycle rider - but we do it anyway.

Take care,
Neil
 
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