[OldTownRAT]

Hello everyone,

First of all, thank you for all of the advice everyone has contributed to this forum.

Just got an 06 Bonnie in September (anniversary gift....been wanting one for months!) Tonight I was setting the bike on the jack for it's first service when my worst nightmare happened...she fell over....(on the left side.) Bent the clutch lever and the shifter from what I can tell.

At first I thought I got off lucky however the bike doesn't seem to shift correctly now. I can find 1st - 4th but I seem to have lost the 5th gear (sitting still of course.) Also, when it is running, I'll shift from neutral to first with the clutch engaged and the bike automatically stalls, like the clutch was not used at all.

Anyone have any idea what may be going on with the transmission or how much it will cost to fix?

Thanks.

 

[DrPat]

hey mate, don't worry - they stall when you put them into gear with the sidestand down - there's a cutout switch on it to stop idiots riding off with the stand down.

As for 5th - it's usually hard to run through the gears when the engine's off, and esp. hard to get up to top (and worse on a new, tight gearbox!). Roadtest it, she'll be fine, I betcha. These bikes are tough and well-built; a fall likely won't hurt them
good luck mate, enjoy the new ride - Pat

 

[MES]

Always sucks when you drop a bike.
DrPat got you covered.
Take it for a ride. You'll see.

 

[poffypoffa]

Man, I don't think there's anyone here that hasn't dropped their bike in the first 500 miles! :lol

I dropped mine at around 200 miles, parking it on too much of an incline. Fell on the right side, bent the foot and hand brake levers a bit, and scratched the bar end. I replaced the bar ends with chrome ones, and that very day a friend of mine took it for a ride around the garage, came back to a stop, and got off without using the side stand! It fell on the same freaking side, bent the hand brake beyond recognition and scratched the brand new bar end cap.

It was a good excuse to replace the hand lever with a span adjustable one, though...

It won't be the last time you drop her--just part of riding a two wheel vehicle.

 

[RoundSlide]

You may have bent the gearshift shaft when you dropped it. The first time I dropped mine (on the left side) it did bend the shaft, but not bad enough where I couldn't ride for almost two years with the thing bent. The shaft is at the bottom rear side of the clutch cover, and costs about $92 from bikebandit.

 

[clamp007]

Oh man, I did this on my brand new Scrambler only 6 weeks ago, with 550mi on it.
People sympathized with me & it really sucks when this happens. I was on a steep driveway, there was a gate & I had to u-turn the bike on an incline. Got midway thru the turn & the weight of her went downhill & my 1 leg couldn't hold it. She went down on left side, snapped off the clutch lever & bent the shifter into engine. I couldn't shift beyond 2nd & rode home 20mi in 2nd. Anyway, I was worried it'd cost a lot, but apart from parts[+-$100], which was a new lever & a gearshift lever, it cost me only $250. I was stoked, as thought it'd be twice that. Anyway, have it back now & no more hill stopping. Taking my motorcycle test today!

 

[jquattro]

Welcome to the club...dropped my T100 w/90 miles on it as I pulled in my yard. Broke the turn signal light, scratched the mirror, and destroyed my high.

Anyway, sounds like you didn't really hurt the bike - the shifting loosens up for a while (I had a similar issue getting into 1st from N)...probably just breaking in period.

Now go get some good wax and show the bike some love and make up!

 

[customcafe]

yeah...........hate to be the one, but I have never dropped a bike. Come close and probaly pulled a muscle or two but never dumped it.

There is a trick to the lifts. You put the rearmost pad under the sidestand pivot bolt (in up posistion) and that seems to be the balance point.

cheers, jason

 

[2522]

Hey Dr Pat,..
What's this about "idiots riding off with their stand down"? Doesn't this maneuver come under the heading "Things You Only do Once".
I've been riding for 37yrs. and I've done it. Of course that was 36 3/4 yrs ago. Quite a sensation when the bike "pogo sticks" off the pavement with the first left turn, BUT you never forget it!!!! :wink:

 

[OldTownRAT]

Thanks for the advice and words of encouragement everyone.

The stand was up when I was trying to shift into first. Like I said, it would just stall out. Side stand switch maybe? I'll have to check that tonight.

clamp007 - Good luck with the test today. What dealership did you take your bike to for the repair?

Thanks.

 

[johnsime]

and the next...........

Took her out to the wide open countryside to take some pics on the 2nd day - got off, and thought I'd put the side stand down - I hadn't - she fell over , the gear shift scratching the cover and the clutch lever scuffed.

I live with the scuff but sand-papered the clutch lever knob down to a new shiny finish.

The bought some engine bars from Triumph.

Touch wood -no drops since............................

 

[Copper]

The stalling in first definitly sounds like the side stand switch. I had a piece of road debris fly up and cut mine in half once. If you follow the wires from it, they end up under the left side cover where they attach to the wiring harness with a plug. If you unplug the sidestand switch, you can short out the bike side with a paper clip or something, and it will work fine, tricks it into thinking the stand is up all the time. It takes about 3 minutes and you could either rule it out or confirm its the switch....

 

[OldTownRAT]

Thanks Copper and CaspianThrux. I appreciate the advice.

Other than the problems I have already found, is there anything I should watch for or check after a drop like this (internally or otherwise?)

Thanks!

 

[eurochien]

As a new rider buying a brand-new bike, I dropped mine (right side) just on my way out of the dealership! I thought I'd got off without a scratch (no reference point, I'd never ridden a motorcycle for more than 20 miles before, at the MSF course), but it turned out I'd bent the brake lever, as the mechanic at the dealer told me when I brought the bike in for its 500-mile maintenance check a few weeks later: "ah, one of your levers is bent". I quickly put 2 and 2 together and remembered the incident. I haven't replaced it, just straightened it with a wrench, it doesn't look worse for wear but I've learned a good lesson. Your post and all the others remind me that it's part of the deal, and that way I feel less like an idiot.

 

[OldTownRAT]

Well, Dr Pat, you win the bet sir! You were right...looks like she'll be fine. If you ever make your way to the Los Angeles or San Diego area, please let me know. I owe ya a drink, as well as everyone else who was kind enough to reply!

Adjusted the clutch cable this evening and the stalling issue while the clutch was engaged has ceased. Just like Dr Pat said, these bikes ARE tough and well made.

I would also like to take this opportunity to thank my friends at SoCal Triumph in Brea, CA. Good people...especially one in particular. I called them yesterday expecting the "bring it on in, we'll take care of you" speech but instead the person I talked to told me they would call another customer who lived about a mile from me who is well versed in building / repairing Triumphs. Within an hour this person had called me offering to come by my place and take a look at the bike. I was amazed at the generosity of both the dealer and this fellow customer.

Anyway, just wanted to give you an update and say thanks (again) for the advice.

Talk to ya soon.

 

[357Bob]

7000 miles & Bonnie has never been horizonal. I have came close but saved it. I always put her in low gear when parking on an incline. I ALWAYS look for the neutral light before hitting the start switch too. Dropped my 450 Honda because it was in gear. Busted a hole in the alternator case. Drove home with duct tape over it. Our shop floor is painted & very slick. Have to watch where I put my feet. Transmission oil & antifreeze is very slick. Painted floors good for sideways burn outs though.
On e-bay I have bought all 4 turn signals, 1 set of mirrors, new handle bars. I am preparing for a spill. Looking for a brake pedal & shifter. Also bought a take off seat. All items look new.
Side stand is a little sluggish so it makes me make sure it is all the way out.
It WILL happen. I will drop her. Just not yet. Lucky.

 

[DrPat]

Mate! I'm delighted she's OK and you're back on the road with no worries about serious damage - that is excellent!! As for coming your way - I do indeed pass through LA from time to time - usually on my way to Calgary - so you never know, might take you up on your kind offer one of these days - many thanks indeed!! The same goes for you - if you ever get the chance to come down to this half of the planet I'll toss you some keys and we can check a few windy roads around here (and there'll be beer too...!) all the best, Pat

 

[DrPat]

Hey Jimi X, I've got a similar story on an old XS 650 about 1978 in Perth, Australia - same thing, noticed I'd left the sidestand down as the shower of sparks became obvious at the 1st lefthander. Didn't end in tears, amazingly, but never did it again...! Maybe these failsafe thingies on new bikes ARE a good idea, now I think of it...

Snowing in Calgary yet...? cheers mate, Pat

 

[CAPTDON]

Herews a good one. I came back from a 50 mi ride. In the garage not aliogned w/ the other bikes. Backed it up a little & straitened out.The standwas down upon arrival. Didnt bother to check if the stand dragged in that samll manuever. It did ! Down she went pinning me against the garage wall. Good thing friend there or I would still be (a little smelly @ this point) 1 of those things youll nevergo twice! A bent & scratched mirror only Wheeew!

 

[jquattro]

I took the MSF course, and one thing they drilled was how you're more likely to go down/drop the bike as really slow speed. Well, this all proves that point, huh?

Sounds like the bottom line is we've all been there, done it, in some form or another. And most importantly, we're not dropping the same way twice!

Ride, ride, ride!