| Author | Message | ||
     Vicenzajay |
After a few months of waiting (while I was healing), I was able to ride the Buell down to Statesville and spend yesterday afternoon and early evening with Kevin Drum of Drummer fame. It was an honor to meet him. Kevin is a class act - a true gentleman who also just happens to be a genius when it comes to being able to "design things in his head" and then execute them on the spot. I was fortunate enough that the bike I bought earlier this year had a Drummer SS already on it - that was a stroke of luck for which I'm super grateful. The guy I bought the bike from still had the chin fairing bracket for the right side, but he had lost the left one. Kevin made up a left side bracket yesterday morning and painted it so that it would be ready to go when I got there. We worked together (mainly I watched :-) ) and put both brackets on the bike, mounted the chin cowl, and also put another rear strap on the muffler (that I brought down with me). He did some amazing dremel work and hand-cutting on the spot to make everything fit perfectly. Despite the fairly cold and very dark 2.5 hour drive home, it was a great day all around. I was already a fan of the muffler - turns out he's just as awesome of a man. I took some pictures (below) to include a couple of Drummer's race bike (1125) as well as some this morning of the completed project:          | ||
| Submax |
Awesome! I've only had the chance to talk with Kevin over the phone and email. Great, great, guy. Glad you were able to spend the day with him. I haven't ready what you were healing from, but I hope you are fully recovered. Beautiful bike! Love all the details and highlights that are added.  | ||
| Vicenzajay |
Thank you, Submax! It's been a labor of love this summer. About two months after buying the bike, a thin, hidden circle of sand caused me to high side to the left (early August). I suppose I should be happy that even the sheriff and the insurance judged it to not be my fault. I was super frustrated as I didn't even get a "vote" - felt the front start to wash out, and the next thing I knew I was on the ground rolling. Apparently the front tire slid to the left and then corrected itself very smartly - throwing me to the left in the process. Even though it was a low speed affair - about 30 mph in a turn - I landed on my head (on the visor, to be exact). We think this forced the helmet down sharply which smashed my clavicle. It took surgery, a plate and 8 screws to get it to heal properly. I'm riding again as of about 2-3 weeks ago, but I'm still doing physical therapy, etc. They say it will be a year until I'm completely healed (speaking of the bone). Anyway - the axle and case sliders saved the bike (and the bar ends/frame puck, of course). I fixed the damage myself (mostly one-handed - a bit of a painful chore), and took the opportunity to do a few other things as well (spark plug change, a few carbon pieces, new footpegs/shifter/brake pedal, red shift lever, etc.) I'm glad you like it! I think it looks absolutely beautiful. | ||
| Submax |
Hi Vicenzajay, Wow...glad to hear that you came out of that with just a broken clavicle and that you are already back in the saddle! Could have been way worse. And that story just makes how great the bike looks that much more amazing! Hope the recovery continues to go well!  | ||
| Vicenzajay |
Thank you very much! |
