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So, at the end of September, I crashed my bike. It hit a wall and took quite a wallop! The white paper connector tabs are broken. My question is, has anyone tried gluing these? The cluster is absurdly expensive used and all I actually need is the white backing plate. Any ideas? I don't know what kind of plastic it is, so I don't know which glue to use, or which kind of plastic to try welding it with. Thanks.

So last year I crashed my 2001, low-sided it in a corner causing it to flip. Crash caused a bent rear subframe and slightly bent front fairing stay (amongst other things). New subframe was installed, and bike was on the road again. Ever since then I've noticed a slight wobble at speed when there's a bump in the road. Also seems to happen on sharp deceleration. Doesn't cause a tank slapper or anything, but it feels a bit unstable. It doesn't seem to happen at low speed as far as I can tell, but it might be that I'm just used to it now. Researching this kind of thing, it looks like there are a few things that could be wrong: Head bearings (replaced last year with tapered). I haven't checked the torque on these recently, possibly could be loose? Forks bent. No, checked with run-out gauge. Wheel bearings. Doesn't seem to be any play. Tire pressures. At spec, PR3s installed. Frame bent. Don't think this is the case, measured the wheel alignment as per haynes manual and found no difference, but wasn't particularly accurate. I'm not sure if this is all in my head, or if there's actually a problem. Am I missing something basic?

I recently installed the T-Rex frame slider kit on my VFR. As far as I know T-Rex is the only company making frame sliders for the 8th gen. Overall I'm very happy with the kit, and the installation couldn't have been easier. T-Rex says the upper fairings don't need to be fully removed, but I found it easier to pull the full fairing rather than risk damaging them during the install. If there's one negative it's that the pucks need to be removed to pull the lower fairings, so oil changes will require an extra step. The full kit was $290 shipped which is a bit much for frame sliders, but then again these are of the highest quality and far cheaper than a new set of fairings. Edit: Here is the link to the kit: http://t-rex-racing.com/catalog.php?item=559 The primary sliders are beefy (2lbs each) and mount with three bolts. Also, the pucks are easily replaceable in the event of a slow speed crash. When installing put the fairings back on before installing the pucks. The rear slider easily attaches to the sprocket, just be sure to put the factory washers on the outside of the slider. The front axle sliders are super easy to install. No need to remove the wheel, just remove the front axle bolt and bolt the slider into place.

On the way home from work yesterday, a car refused priority / did not give way to me in a corner, the person coming from a small side road to the right where it is clearly indicated that 'they' must give way to the motorists on the principle route, tried to miss car, just missed the car, abs worked on back, couldn't put much on the front with the angle i was at and the wet road, unfortunately no road left luckly i had slowed significantely ( only needed another 20 odd cm of tar to swing it back, damb it !!!! ) trajectory was all wrong by now . and the road soaked did not help probably, PR4's held well on the tar. id started to love these tyres. bike laid down on left side in the split second the front wheel touched the soaked grass, i slid a bit under/with the bike, first one leg, then both under the bike, not sure how . Rear peg must have caught in the dirt, fliped the bike off me. this is when i thought, shit, im done for, its gonna fall down on me.... noooooo........... but it didn't happen. her butt was in the ditch with the nose up, i kindly asked a passer by to switch the ignition off, which he gladly did, i wasn't able to walk. damage to bike seems minimal, could only have a quick look today . expert will be taking a look next week. the cops had it taken to a local garage. got breathalyzied too, had not drank anything though as usual . ( right knee could be damaged internally, awaiting further tests ) spidi leather jackets armour saved my arm/shoulder, back protector did good too for the short time the bike was on me. forma boots kept my feet/lower shins safe too. other knee is just scraped a bit. firemen cut off my all weather winter pants and favourite jeans. Scorpion exo 1000 helmet hit the road once, did a good job , necks a bit stiff but otherwise okay. the person did not stop, luckly witnesses were present, cops and firemen took good care of me. if i had hit the car i would not have anything to pay or any responsibitly in the matter. Because i missed the car, even with witnesses i have to pay 340€ of the damages and am responsible if they do not find the person. i prefer this solution, because if i had hit the car, i do not think id be typing this right now, i feel very lucky, and humbled ...... i miss my bike already ........... :unsure2: the french rescue services are ACE , and all the people who stopped by and helped out by holding my head in the ditch, and protecting me from the rain/hail mix in 2-4 degree celsius winds while awaiting the rescue people were amazing. it happened so fast i never even got to thank any of them............... as i said i feel very humbled . keep safe to all, hugs rob .

Today will be a day to remember in my life as a man and motorcycle rider. They say the decisions we make now can affect us immensely in the future. I think the most important decision I have made regarding riding a motorcycle is actually taking a Motorcycle Safety Foundation class. Just plain PRICELESS!!! I was going to play soccer, so I had my soccer cleats, shin guard, warm up pants, warm up jacket, and my textile riding jacket, and of course my helmet. I hopped on my bike and hit the road keeping to every safety rule I have practiced over and over and making sure I was not in blind spots etc. Three cars in from of me slowed down and, as I was taught in MSF class, I slowed down and moved over to the faster lane so I could see ahead, accelerating but staying within speed limit. As I caught up with the first car (farthest from me) of the row of three, a woman driving a Mazda pulled out! I pull in my front brake and I knew I wasn't going to make it, so I lay the bike on its right while I slid along...on my butt. It was surreal! I remember sliding and trying to maintain composure as the motorcycle hit the front driver side of the Mazda. I and stopped. I stopped about two yards from the bike. Got up and looked around. All the cars had stopped. I walked to the side of the road and removed my helmet. My upper body had no contact with the ground. The rest were just normal protocol as cars stopped to see what was going on, cops came, blah, blah blah. The woman received a citation from "failure to yield." I have a few questions for those of you who have been through this, and those who know this process. 1. The wrecker took my bike to his yard. I let him do it without thinking, especially after he said the insurance will pay the fees etc. At that point in time, I was just glad that all I had were bruises and skin scrapes that were no worse than what I could get from a very physical soccer game. Was this the wiser choice? I am hoping that I can purchase the bike from the insurance company and possibly put it back together....it's totaled. 2. The cops got the insurance info, although I took a snapshot with my phone. And upon getting home, I noticed the insurance only showed that it was valid for only one month (ended July). What would happen if the lady driving really wasn't insured? (she is on her bf insurance, she told the cop) 3. The cop found her at fault from the statements I, she, her bf, her bf's son (he said he saw me and she shouldn't have pulled out), and a witness (I laid my bike right next to her car). How does that play into insurance dealing, usually? I'm sure I would have more questions, but for now. Tire side down! Thanks guys I thank the Creator for sparing me. I shall ride again....sooon!!!

Sucky first post in a while, this wil be disjointed, I am on a vicoden type pill, only have use of one hand. (this right spot?) ================================================================================ Just now getting to a computer. Sunday evening I was taking the long, relaxing way home when about the exact time i saw a blur, Ifound myself tumbling along the ground to a stop in a gravel drive. All I remember thinking was that it should hurt, but it wasn't. Figured that it was going to hurt a lot more later, that I was in shock. Came to rest, visor popped open, glasses gone. Only left arm was sore, slowly removed lid, right glove, stood up. Less than a minite later a white sedan drove towards me. Single female was cautious about stopping in middle nowhere for a stranger. Had motorcycle suit, no bike in sight, and my terrible humor, so she offered to drive me the city, about an hour away. She lived near the military hospital I prefered to go to. Put gear in her trunk, she talked to me the whole way back, making sure I knew what to do inside hospital. She works in medical field. I owe her big time. Walked into ER, mentioned 50 mph deer collision on motorcycle, staff freaked and put me through trauma. Bottom line, mild roadrash on right shoulder, left knee, shattered left wrist. Home on good painkillers, awaiting surgery next week. Bike recovered by friend and her family inside of 24 hours, they live about 30 minutes from accident site. Have not gotten my eyes on it yet, but the one photo I have does not look like the forks survived. May just drag it ino my garage and part it out, time will tell. Friend coming over to try and get my car running. If not, I will have to rent or buy a car to drive until I can get full use of clutch hand, and put my ST3 back together. Photos: https://picasaweb.google.com/102123385082478318799/VFRVsDeer?authuser=0&authkey=Gv1sRgCJCXhpXi3buZjAE&feat=directlink Did learn some usefull stuff I will elaborate on as I have time.

Well, time for another entry and its not a good one. I hit the road again. This time I can only really put it down to my own fault. On my normal commute to work, was following a line of cars who were passing a tractor driving along the verge. The guy was going steadily and keeping as far left as he could. Mostly the cars ahead were filing past easily, but I slowed some as the car in front had its turn. Moments later he braked hard and so did I. I guess it's been too long since my last emergency practice and I presume I grabbed too much. Bike is quickly down and I hit the road next to it. We both slide a few metres to a stop. Distinctly remember my head hitting the ground and being very concerned about the very full lane of traffic (including large trucks) headed the other way, that I was kind of sliding towards. Came to a halt and stood up, getting myself of fhte road as quick as I could. Can see a car pulling up behind me on the verge. The car and tractor carried on, but in all honesty, they may not have seen anything until well down the road. I didn't hit either so they didn't need to get details etc. Pulled off the gloves and helmet and headed for the bike, lying silently on its right side on the road. The guy from the car is asking if I'm alright, and to be honest I'm not sure. I know I'm walking and thinking so it can't be all bad. We lift the bike and push it off the road. He's still asking if I'm ok and amazing a couple of other cars have stopped. My pants are torn , but my BDUs (fatigue pants, cammo pants) have done a pretty good job as the knee has a double layer. Wrist is sore, knee, head a little bit too. Bike is scrathed a lot. No pegs, no levers broken or bent, indicators etc all working order. It starts and runs ok. No leaks. Yay I can ride out of here, so no police report (and likely ticket too). The other bloke offered to give me a lift, but I decide to ride on to the base as there's a hospital there anyway. He does follow along behind as far as he's going, in case I change my mind. Really nice of him to do that. Next day I'm fairly sore, but I've really escaped again. Got a couple of grazes on my knee, that the medics cleaned out and dressed. Wrist and head ached a bit, but that's gone now. So nothing broken (I have a habit of not noticing broken limbs for few days - no idea why, but on two occasions I've had broken limbs only to think them sprained (once arm, once leg)) The bike will be off the road for a few weeks I guess, for insurance and repair. Back to bus/train for a while. Gotta kill my resale - this is my advertisement if I was to sell :) 2004 VFR, Over 100,000km. Crashed twice, dropped once more, some minor scratching. Ridden in all weathers and left out in the rain several times. Always serviced. Comes with very scratched topbox. But I love it (and all realtionships have ups and downs) and won't be getting rid of it. Has got the Mrs nagging a little though.