I binned the EV

[LowRyter]

Well I binned my Moto Guzzi EV and scraped myself up pretty good.

I was taking a left hand cloverleaf downhill to merge on to the expressway, lightly trail braking and the bike low-sided and scraped the pavement.  I highsided and rolled over and kissed the pavement twice since my modular helmet was open.  The bike was still running on the curb.  All kinds of traffic was barreling down that blind cloverleaf behind me. 

A couple of good Samaritans helped me get the bike up and asked if I wanted an ambulance.  I want to get the bike moved, my shop is couple miles away.  Anyway, we got it up and it started.  The windshield, running boards, crash bar and grab handled were buggered on the left side and handlebar bent.

There was a big bunch of wadded plastic like packing material in the front fender it was wrapped around the caliper.  I didn't consider it at the time but I'm pretty sure that was the culprit. 

I had my gear on but my old mesh jacket ripped and I've got road rash my forearm and elbow, my nose and chin are scraped as well a small spot on my right knee.  Those riding jeans I wrote about aren't ripped.  My Shoei is a little knacked on the chinbar since it was open.  In the mess of getting it all together I lost one of my custom earplugs, this irks me the most.  I call the wife and tell her to meet me at the shop. 

The cops come by and asks if I want an ambulance.  I've got my gear on by then and just want to ride it to the shop.  The clutch won't work, it's lost the pivot pin.  We find a sheet metal screw on the pavement, good enough.  I try to adjust the mirrors and fail.  So I ask the cop to block traffic so I can ride it.  For some reason he's screws around and I just take off down the expressway at the first break.  I get off at the first exit and doubleback 3 miles to the shop.  I finally get the mirrors adjusted half way there.  I'm grateful to be moving to get some air riding back with the helmet still open.

When I get there one of the techs wife is an EMT and they patch up my elbow.  I wait and call my wife again, she misunderstood and is panicked and not left yet.  I try to cool off, wash up and drink lots of water.  Bev picks me up.  I get home have a beer and take a Tylenol and a stashed muscles relaxer.  Take a shower and have scotch and write this story.

I'm going to have to get earplugs.  I've got other helmets and jackets.  My lower back is a little sore.

[Tkelly]

Tough luck John,get well soon.

[LowRyter]

Thanks TK. 

Yeah, I'm feeling sorry for myself.   

[guzzisteve]

Wow, hellofa way to start your day. Plastic trim piece on side of fender did it?  Stay lubricated, heal well.
I always wanted to know how a modular holds up open. Mine is open when I smoke while riding.

[bigbikerrick]

Dang, John, Im sorry that happened to you.That really sucks. That being said, You are one tough, as nails Guzzisti, Sir.    Dusting yourself off, and getting back on the bent bike to ride it home is not for the faint of heart.

heal quick, and take care of yourself. Luckily there are a ton of vintage EV parts out there, to bring the bike back to good shape.  Mark Etheridge has a bunch of take off stuff that he is selling, and some of that may be useful to you.

Take care
Rick Duarte

[bikeridertim]

That Sucks!    Sorry to hear this, Get healed up and hopefully you be back on the road soon.

[fotoguzzi]

It’s really good to know your still with us !!
I can’t quite picture a left hand cloverleaf?

[cliffrod]

Glad you’re typing and pissed about your missing earplug and … instead of this post coming from someone else to update us because you can’t, John.   Don’t beat yourself up over this- no need for that.

I hope the near future isn’t too uncomfortable.  Take it easy and keep us posted..

[Ncdan]

Good that your injuries were minimal.
Let’s all take notice that if this can happen to an experienced rider like LR it can happen to any one of us.


Dan

[LowRyter]

Wow, hellofa way to start your day. Plastic trim piece on side of fender did it?  Stay lubricated, heal well.
I always wanted to know how a modular holds up open. Mine is open when I smoke while riding.

I think it was some packing material, perhaps for roofing.  Some road debris that I never saw it riding.  Getting the bike up at first I thought the caliper had come apart, then pulled out a 4 foot roll of stiff plastic with a bunch writing on it.  I didn't make the connection until later.   I'm just riding and then I'm going down.  Then scrambling to get my shit together.  Luckily a couple of guys helped me out and we didn't get run over by a semi in the process. 

The helmet seems intact but all the trim material has come off.  You're not supposed to crash in one with the facepiece open.  Actually it did do a good job of keeping my face from being a total mess and likely going to an ambulance.  Yes, it should've been closed,  It was hot and I wanted some air, I was going to close it when I got on the highway.  I just didn't expect the bike fall on the ground underneath me while I was going around a corner at 40mph.

My left arm took took the worse.  And I'm a little sore, my lower back.

[inditx]

Heal up bro!
inditx

[LowRyter]

It’s really good to know your still with us !!
I can’t quite picture a left hand cloverleaf?

Thanks for all your thoughts Rick, Cliff, Foto, Tim, at al.  Yeah jus' feeling sorry for myself.

Yes, it's a left lane merge on the highway below.  It's rutted concrete.  I've been down it a million times.  It's in OKC left merge from lane on west east bound of 10th street to I-44 going (north) east.  I was amazed at the crap that was on the road when looking for that clutch bolt.

The roads in the state have been designed by r#$%@#s with half the money needed to it right. 

[travelingbyguzzi]

I hate these kind of posts even tho it is a somewhat happy ending. Best wishes and heal quickly.

[lucian]

Damn , glad you're  going to be ok. No keeping a good man down! I'd say that Moto Guzzi saved you're life, just like my 1400 did for me. Don't let it get you down, just keep the faith and thank you're guardian angles and continue on life's  journey un scaved.

[Caffeineo]

Road rash is the worse. I hope your self medication makes it tolerable. 
I fall off quite a bit trials riding. One thing I have learned is that everything is OK......until it is not.
Wishing a fast recovery for you and the bike. ;)

[LowRyter]

thanks guys!

[Gustav]

Yikes! Glad you're o-k. Paul

[Sykestone8886]

Man S$$T happens Quick, hoping you have a speedy recovery.

[Kane]

So sorry to hear this, but I’m glad that you are ok beyond superficial flesh wounds. I know some people will say that you were probably in shock and should have gone in the ambulance to be checked out. But I am sure that I would have done the same as you, get the bike running and get back in the saddle and take care of the bike. Sounds you took the proper course of hydrotherapy and medicinal spirits. Just think: it could have been your SuperSport.

[Dharma Bum]

Damn, good reminder to be careful out there. Glad to hear it wasn't any more serious than it was.

[jrt]

You lost an earplug?  Man, that bites....

Seriously- glad you are ok.  And thanks for the report; it will help others. 

[twowings]

Heal quickly, John!

Hope you can repair bike

[Huzo]

What is your opinion on modular helmets after testing one “in the field……” 

[Scout63]

I’m so glad this ended up only with bumps and bruises LR.  If you weren’t wearing gear you would probably be much more uncomfortable. If the helmet has any dents I’d hang it on the wall as a reminder and buy a new one.  This is a sobering reminder of what we face every day.

[s1120]

Glad to hear it wasnt as bad as it could have been. My biggest fear is not so much the going down, but as you said, whats coming up the road behind me!!!  Good luck, and I hope the delayed future pain [we all know its coming in a day or two!!] is not that bad.

[kballowe]

Get well soon !

 

[Dave Swanson]

Thankfully it wasn't any worse.  It sounds like you are in the most painful stage right now.  Hopefully things will improve every day. I am very glad the helmet kept you alive.

I have avoided owning a modular helmet and after reading this I have another reason to avoid them.  I hadn't thought about riding with the chin bar up but realize that I would probably do the same thing on a hot day. I think I will be better off not having that option.

[twowheeladdict]

It’s really good to know your still with us !!
I can’t quite picture a left hand cloverleaf?

As described.





Lowryter, thanks for sharing as a reminder that things can go wrong quickly.  Heal up and get back out there.

The fact that you could find a sheet metal screw is why I stay off the shoulder no matter what I am driving/riding.  Pull into a driveway or side street before stopping. 

[LowRyter]

What is your opinion on modular helmets after testing one “in the field……” 

I'm all in.  Despite having the chinbar open it stuck out as a visor and largely protected my face.  I think it still opens and closes.  Yes, I should've had it closed.  I think my goatee protected my chin, it's scraped but not hamburger.  My nose is a little scaped. 

The worst is my forearm above my elbow.  It's wrapped and I don't want to look at it.  But it doesn't hurt too bad.  I must've fallen on it and it ripped the mesh jacket.

One hint, I have some Silvadene from another wreck (hot Yamaha engine fell on my open thigh wearing swim trunks, don't ask).  Anyway, it's the best for burns and scrapes. 

Good news, Cabellas has those earplug mold kits, going there this morning.

You know, folks can learn from my stupidity.  But I did a full work out at the gym in the morning and flew off the bike in the afternoon.  I looked in the mirror and I appeared to be 68 years old...I always though I looked 67.

[LowRyter]

I wrongfully described the cloverleaf.  I was heading EAST on 10th (sorry, got that wrong).  The left lane goes into a left hand downhill cloverleaf (counterclockwise about a tight 120 degrees) and turns on to a north bound expressway (I-44).  Just by the state fairgrounds. 

You've got to trail brake it as it descends.   I had apexed and might've been gassing, perhaps going 40.  The bike scrapes the ground and I fly off and roll around a couple of times.   It's like, what's going on.  When we get the bike, I up a pull a roll plastic stuff on the caliper and in the front fender.  I can't remember seeing anything like it on the road.  I didn't consider it the cause until I got to the shop and was looking at the bike and then it occurred to me. 

The bike is in OK shape.  it's just the trim and windshield that took the brunt of it.  The only mark I saw on the paint was boot mark on the tank.