| Author | Message | ||
     Arvel L. Williams (S2no1) |
Hi, Arvel "The Squid" Williams here. Don't ask and I won't tell. Anyone know what the wait time is on a S2 faring, mount, signals, grips? Forever, or Forever and a Day? Also have slightly used helmet for sale, only touched the ground once. Very soft head inside so no internal damage to the helmet. Outside looks like a sandblaster with BB steel shot was used on the front. Leathers now have abrasions, I don't. Buellie Dan may be able to provide additional information. Remember soft head. By the way, I reiterate my opinon about safety gear. Don't wear it at you peril. I know all about your freedom, just sign your donor card. Also, if you have a wife and kids, they are the first thing you think of when you pick yourself off the ground. Oh yeah, after the laydown, I rode the Buell 140 miles back home, total of 340 miles round trip today. Tough Bike. Could of done without the laydown but had a good day anyway. Dan was behind me, picked up the bike, put the parts in the saddle bags, and made sure I was OK. Thank you, Dan. For those of you who need to know, this is what I did wrong, (Dan I remember up to the bump and rear end slide) 1. Never leave you wife and kids without a kiss. 2. Never go back to try a curve again, you will alway be too aggressive. 3. Remember to down shift before the curve and never shift when the rear tire hits a bump. 4. Ride at the skill of the slowest member of the pack so you stay together. 5. Always be on time. If you are hurrying at the begining of the day you are always hurrying. Dan, My apologies to You and the Colonel. I'm not normally that SQUIDISH. You can ride with me anytime, anywhere. Actually, can I ride with you? Rocket, I worry about you son. Arvel Helmet Good, Leathers Good, Buells Tough (grunt emphasis)Rider not so smart, but learning. | ||
| Carl M. Reichenbach (S2carl) |
Arvel, I ordered a tank cover and rear tail section from Manchester HD, took about 3 months. Quality was fantastic. I think Buell might have farmed out the production of S2 body parts. HTH, glad to hear you made it out alright. Carl | ||
| Daniel Dunn (Buelliedan) |
Arvel, Quit beating yourself up over this. I imagine almost everyone here who rides agressively has dropped a bike. To the rest, Please heed Arvel's advice. Having witnessed a friend go down right in front of you and finding him unconscious is no fun! If he hadn't been wearing a helmet I can gurantee he would have busted his head open. Hit so hard that he ripped the shield right off his helmet. Helmets work!! Dan 99S3 00X1 | ||
| Fidel (Doncasto) |
Arvel: I am very sorry to hear you got bit by the 'ol Gravity/Inertia/Traction Monster. There is an old saying that goes with all incidents like yours that ( with apologies to those that have seen it dozens of time before) says, "There are two types of riders. Those that have crashed and those that will crash." In my opinion you passed two critical tests. First, you survived to tell the tale. Second, you had the forsight, intelligence and common sense to be prepared for the innevitible. As you already know, the second has a huge influence upon the first. Your caution about "going back and trying a curve again" brings to mind an experience I had while doing demo rides. I took the same demo ride route every time I lead the dealership "demo days." The ride only had two decent Buell built turns in it, and I usually took them with a heavy lean in order to get out ahead of the demo crowd so they could let their bikes accellerate along the long straight section that followed the curves without passing me. On one of these "demo daze" a college aged kid rolled up on a 1200 Sportster and expressed an interest in trying the Buells. He was soon to graduate and wanted to a new motorcycle as his "grad gift." He tried out the X-1 on the his first ride and the S3 on his second. By the time he was ready to try the M-2 he had figured out that I liked to run hot through the two turns. He decided he was through letting an overweight, gray haired retiree pull away from him. The kid was #2 in line, right behind me on the last ride of the day. He was right up on my tail until we reached the turns. When I stopped at the next intersection to gather the group up, he was riding last. It turns out he had misjudged the entry to the first turn, drifted out onto the shoulder and done some "agricultural riding" through a field. He didn't drop the demo M-2, but methinks he soiled his drawers some. His case illustrates your point about repeating a curve until you finally get it wrong. Glad you are OK, my friend. I hope all the parts arrive so quickly they seem carried on the wings of angels, or UPS, whichever has better service in your area. Fidel | ||
| Dusty Rhoades (Dustykat) |
Arvel-- Think of it this way.... you didnt highside it in front of a LARGE crowd at Donner. before you made even one lap of the battle trax course. and embarased yourself for the rest of the weekend. Embarasment between friends build caracter, Embarasement in front of a big crowd of bullies you do not know is just friggin scary. as a famous motorcycle journelist say: Kepp the rubber side down and your feet on the pegs! Glad your OK! Dustykat 00 X1 red/white stripe | ||
| mikej (Mikej) |
Arvel & BuellieDan, Concussions can have a delayed reaction, so make sure someone is aware of this for the next few days in case Arvel starts acting funny or irregular. If you were unconcious, then there is some cause for concern. | ||
| Sean Pepper (Rocketman) |
Arvel acting funny or irregular ? Isn't that normal ? Rocket in England | ||
| Arvel L. Williams (S2no1) |
Rocket, I resemble that remark. However, I never throw bricks or use hammers. I prefer something subtle, like say, a Howitzer. Mikej, No problems and it's been about 24 hours. Sore muscles, couple of bruises and one fabric burn. Arvel | ||
| Jim Armstrong (Jima4media) |
Fidel, Thanks for putting this discussion back on-line. Here is a "walked away to tell the story" story. I test drove my new SuperTrapp Saturday, then came back and check all the bolts, and everything was fine. 24 hours, and 89 miles later, I was turning around a cloverleaf and I hear the muffler split apart and start making noise, I go another couple of blocks and turn into Cycle Gear where I bought the muffler, and just as I turn into the driveway, I'm catapulted in the air as the muffler breaks away in front, catches a concrete crack, pole vaults me and the bike 2 feet in the air, rips the Z-bracket apart at the bolt hole, and bends my PM rear wheel. Then I'm almost hit by a truck that is pulling in behind me. Luckily, a sales guy a Cycle Gear, helped me out buy reinstalling the muffler. What if it had come loose while I was testing it at 80 mph on Skyline blvd., or going through the twisties on Highway 9, instead of going 10mph in a parking lot? Time to buy some decent leathers. SuperTrapp needs to rethink the exhaust mounting system. I've broken it three times now. Jim Armstrong X-2.5 | ||
| Rickie Morrison (Rickie) |
Arvel, I can relate to some of the things you experienced after your accident. Maybe the following will make you laugh a bit. There I was minding my own business, traveling sideways northbound in the southbound lane of a major metropolitan freeway. I was calmly thinking I have this counter steering thing down pat as I negotiated traffic. When all of the sudden, as everyone else is loosing his or her composure as they try to get the hell out of the way, traffic splits and there is a Peterbilt coming straight at me. He was obviously oblivious to the program that the rest of us had choreographed before he came along. So he tried with halfhearted effort to get with the program and promptly locked up all eighteen of his tires. What a show off! He only managed to scrub off five to ten miles per hour before totally screwing up and hitting me. Everyone else did a much better job of improvisation and with fourteen or so fewer tires. And another thing, you would have thought he could have seen it coming at his altitude and all. Now that I think of It, I bet he was on the phone or eating a big fat burrito. To top it off he got real flamboyant and into that sideways trailer thing. Can you believe it; he totally blocked everyone’s view behind him. Kind of like in the theater when the biggest guy in town has to sit right in front of your date. Then you have to narrate the whole show. Oops I digress. So anyway this clown and I are doing fifty or sixty miles an hour in opposite directions and he tried to drive through the cab of my full size Buick Regal. Well he only made it two thirds of the way into the car before I gave him the “WHAT FOR”. That’s right, just before I got caught up in his inertia, I tore the nose and front axle out of his truck. He got a big “time out” for that stunt. One week in a hotel room watching reruns of Ren & Stimpy on Nickelodeon. When his truck was put back together, he must have been in a big hurry to get on with his life because in the spring his grille and radiator were still in the ditch. Think the inter-cooler was there to. Damn, I should have grabbed it. Cap you could probably use it about now for the turbo. Although, you may need a side hack to work it in, but then again, you would have room for a Jado rocket to help with the turbo lag (kind of a Red Green thing going there for a moment). You know what they say about hindsight being 20/20, Que Sera’ Sera’. I bet the Girl Scout troop that sponsored that stretch of highway had a hell of a time getting that into a garbage bag and up to the shoulder for pickup. I did not get a chance to talk to the Idiot that drove the truck for a month or so, something about, “I” was not cognitive and drooling. I bet it was more likely he was trying to clean the load out his shorts, and refried beans off his kisser, and diamond tuck interior. My wife and the Insurance Company were also in some big ••• hurry. They totaled my car before I could articulate that I wanted it as a lawn ornament and place it around the fifty-foot maple in the back yard. Any way, after I head butted the truck, apparently there is quite a “Hub Bub” over what to do with me, so some snitch calls the authorities, the lights start flashing and the party is over. I totally missed the strip search, probing of every orifice in my body, and I was not smiling in any of the pictures they took. I guess the situation was somewhat somber and they did not allow gregarious, outlandish facial expressions in the emergency room. I really think those doctors need to lighten up, they are far too serious. It must have something to do with spending double or triple the time I did educating myself. What a dufass I am. I coulda been a contenda, I coulda been somebody, STELLAAAAAAAA, Stellaaaaaaa. OOPS, BACK TO THE STORY (or novel for those I am boring the •••• out of). So there I am strapped into a bed conscious but, obviously under the influence (narcotics I suspect), and feeling like I was hit by a truck. When all of a sudden I realize that I don’t know who the hell I am. An unnerving revelation to say the least. What do do, What to do. Then it occurred to me. I got this brilliant Idea to I.D myself. Don’t ask me how I new what an I.D. was, a billfold, or where and why you carry them, I just did. It must be the kind of instinctual or programmed in your adolescence. I could not find my billfold, I found out the hospital confiscated it. They must have been hell bent to find out who I was also. It must have been a control issue, can you believe it, and they did this to a guy that could not find his ••• with both hands. I was later given the lame excuse that I was uncooperative at registration. I was gonna sue them for undue stress but realized at the time I was not aware of what that was. Damn, another missed opportunity. At any rate I am all of a sudden frantic and a little agitated when this woman in the corner of the room inquires as to how I am feeling and what the problem is. I explained that I could not remember much other than I had a cat named Honey and we were quite fond of one another, but who am I? She was sooo courteous despite my aggravated state and politely answered all the questions I could handle. I was thinking, WOW, she is well informed! Then I asked what she does for the hospital and she said she did not work there. What the hell is the deal then, I said why are you here! She said I am your wife and you really screwed up this time. My response, I thought, man I have good taste, DUUUHHHH, and then I cried. It was such a good feeling to belong to someone and have her there, even though I did not remember her. Now, truthfully and with all kidding a side, unless you experience it, you have no idea what an absolute terror it is to regain consciousness, and be cognizant of the fact that your memory has been erased even for a short period of time. And think of your families’ anxiety, if you are lucky enough to wake up, but you do not realize that your memory is missing. Or a worst case, you never wake up! My wife and kids to this day will sometimes make fun of the hugs and kisses before I venturing out into the world (like 200 feet to the shop). I say you never know when your ticket will get punched, so indulge me. Take care of yourself, think about your vulnerability, ability, and control in any given situation. If not for yourself then for those who love you. Especially when you here yourself say, “He Guys Watch This”. Never leave home angry, always give hugs, kisses, and say I LOVE YOU before going, because even though, through no fault of your own, you may not come back. Wow, it got quiet out there all of a sudden. Hello, Is any one out there? HELLOoo, Is this thing on? Crashing Sucks, Rickie | ||
| Peter Moltmann (Peter) |
Rickie, You know I'm now not going to feel comfortable lane splitting on the back wheel this morning. PPiA | ||
| Sean Pepper (Rocketman) |
Nor me Rickie, when I'm doing 234 MPH, sat on the bars facing rearwards ! Rocket in England | ||
| Dave Tripp (Tripper) |
Now we know why the server was down. It was hugging it's owner and saying goodbye. Seriously though: Good writing Rick, Thanx for stopping the room for a moment of thought. | ||
| H. Michael Falconer (H_man) |
Good one Rickie. Clever, informative and poignant. H-man Black '00 M2 | ||
| Arvel L. Williams (S2no1) |
Hi, Can anyone suggest a good place to get a set of Fieldsheers patched? Arvel | ||
| Mike Stevens (Iamike) |
After seeing a guy do a similar SuperTrapp dropsie I put these safety cables on mine. Let's see if I made these small enough.  IA Mike | ||
| Mike Stevens (Iamike) |
I forgot, it had to be a jpeg.  | ||
| Mike Stevens (Iamike) |
Here's the front one, a little bigger view.  IA Mike | ||
| Rickie Morrison (Rickie) |
Mike, Is that a factory Supertrap front mount? If so, I certainly can see why they are breaking and falling off. Rickie | ||
| Idzerda (Hans) |
Today a child was killed by a car. The car made way for uncoming heavy traffic and rode through a heap of leaves along the way in wich a playing child had found a hiding place. Just a warning to mistrust plastic bags, carton boxes and all what can hide something, even a child. Hans. | ||
| Jose E. Martinez (Jmartz) |
Tuesday I was on my way to work, the sun had not risen completeley yet. Rolling down my street with cars parked on either side I was charged head on by a driver leaving his spot. He/she was parked facing the wrong way, an illegal act in most states. I braked fiercely and with no where to go braced for the impact. Driver finally saw me and stopped in time to lightly bump my front tire. In this hobby one never knows when it will be time to get it. | ||
| Jasonl (Jasonl) |
WHOA! Man, you got lucky on that one Jose. Glad to hear you're ok though. | ||
| Kevin Coffield (44time) |
Earlier this summer I was taking a leasurely cruise doing about 65 on a 2 lane highway when this idiot cager decided to test the theory of two objects in the same place at the same time. It was interesting the closer he got. I had resolved myself to taking the final ride when he decided to try the shoulder on my side of the highway out. The air sure smelled sweeter after he passed me! | ||
| Rob Hanz (Rhanz) |
re: Fieldsheer Patching one ain't gonna happen at the factory as they're out of business. I'm currently using a Fieldsheer jacket that was 'lent' to me by a friend who used to work for them. The jacket was a prototype that was given to him in lieu of wages as they were going under. | ||
| Arvel L. Williams (S2no1) |
Rob, That explains why they haven't responded to my e-mail. There web site looks great and is still up. Arvel | ||
| Philip A. Brewer (Fastback69) |
First things first, I am OK although a little sore. Yesterday, while returning from the BattleTrax at Murfreesboro, I low-sided on a VERY slow 90o corner. I was doing around 5 mph. The road surface looked almost like black glass and my dad (who was behind me) slipped a little right before I went down. Buells do crash quite well, though. I cracked my airbox cover, bent my brake pedal, and bent my foot peg a little. Be careful on wet roads and especially roads with poor surfaces. | ||
| Arvel L. Williams (S2no1) |
fastback, Glad your ok. Lets all be careful out there. Arvel | ||
| Ed Thacker (Edthack1) |
Funny thing I kept thinking about the thread last week about not if you have an accident , but, when. My time was up . . . Accident happened Sunday afternoon (11/5) as I was stopped behind traffic waiting for a car ahead to turn left. (I know, I know - always give your self a way out!) I heard screeching tires from behind & saw in my mirror a small car swerve to my left with pick-up right behind. Thought to my self he's going to hit me and then thought -he stopped in time, . . BANG.. I'm propelled into van ahead of me (I think) and landing/sliding on road. Funny thing when I landed I thought "gee that did not hurt at all". I'm on ground in oncoming traffic lane gasping for air as wind was knocked out of me, trying to avoid getting run over by oncoming traffic. Guy in van ahead of me was a Columbus Paramedic & took great care of me until the meatwagon arrived in short order. After numerous X-rays , diagnosis was compression fracture of 5th vertebra, bruised ribs etc. Scrape about the size of a dime on left knuckle. . One lucky boy! Pick-up driver hauled off to jail- DUI. Have not seen bike yet. Bike totaled -I'm sure. Feeling really sore today, but am lucky to be alive and as injury free as I am! Aerostitch worked like a champ! I do wish I had sprung for the spine protector. ER people were all amazed with my lack of road rash. I had to fight them off from cutting stitch off from me. What is it with firemen they all want to smash windows & cut off clothing. CAT scan tomorrow & meeting with my Lawyer! Drunk driving will not pay! - for him. Soon in the market for a new Buell. Ed Thacker 99 S3T for sale cheap! slightly used. | ||
| Fidel (Doncasto) |
Ed: Glad (and more than a little amazed) to hear you are OK, but sorry hear you got crunched. Being clobbered from behind while stopped in traffic is one of my worst nightmares. I hope the medical end is minor and the DUI gets slammed so hard he only sees daylight when it arrives in small packages from UPS. Fidel | ||
| Ed Thacker (Edthack1) |
opps file too big. .  Van was my target. Dodge was "Ram" pun intended. |
