As some of you may or may not know, I was involved in a motorcycle accident several months ago in Tucson. The long story made short is just that a driver decided at the last minute to make a sharp turn into a median turn around without the use of her turn signal, and ultimatly left the rear 3/4 of her car stopped in the flow of traffic. I was moving at about 35 miles per hour in the same lane, and jumped on the brakes which caused me to loose traction on the road and when I clipped her rear bumper my bike launched me into the air and then it went down hard. Amazingly the driver didn't even know that she had been the cause of an accident until she looked in her rear view mirror and saw a bike down without a rider.

I stood up, and thanks to wearing a full face helmet, armored coat, and armored gloves, I only had a skinned knee from where my jeans ripped (like when you were 5 and crashed on your bicycle). As I looked around and saw all of stopped traffic and located my bike, I realized that it was on its side and facing the opposite direction and at least a good 10-15 feet away from where I impacted the ground.

Ultimatly, my beautiful motorcycle was sadly damaged, but since I was ok, I was able to slowly and carfully ride it back to my apartment which was less than a mile away from where the accident occured.

The feeling from having an accident was rather strange. It was my first, and I was supprised that I was totally and completly calm. I didn't freak out, I wasn't angry, I was in complete control of my faculties, but everything seemed very quiet in my view of the world at that moment. I can even recall now that at the moment of ejection from my bike, that I was calm and all that I heard was the sound of my helmet cracking as it made contact with the pavement - 95% of my impact occured on the lower front area of my helmet - from the chin guard up to visor - 95% - wow!

Several days after the accident and after having had time to have jaw, kneck, and spine X-rays done (all of which were fine!), I recalled a day back in March of 2007 shortly after I had taken the MSF course but before buying my motorcycle, a day on which I accepted the fact that it wasn't a question of if an accident would happen, but when. I accepted that fact on that day, and belive that it was because of that fact that I remained calm and collected during my accident.

Anyway, getting to the point of this post, it's really important to me to say thanks to all those who took the time to lend me the help that not only got my bike back on the road, but also back to pristien condition.

The parts that took damage were the handle bars, the gas tank, the brake master cylander, the front brake lever, the electronics that worked the tail light, the foot brake, the chain, the headlight...basically from front to back my bike took damage. But fellow DMF'rs from across the country chipped in to help; beit through knowledge, parts, or allocating thier free time to helping me repair parts.

Dietrich, since I'm sure you'll read this post, I want to single you out for your help - it is very much appreicated and I couldn't have gotten back on the road without your engeneering skills - thank you very much.

I also want to thank my new "bro" Chad from NY who hooked me up with a new brake lever, master cylander and electronics for the tail light - they work perfect - thanks Chad!

Alright, now for a few before and after pics (I actually only took a before picture of the tank!):

This is a recent shot - the last part to fix


And here's my bike all beautiful again as of this morning:











My new tank was installed at a brand new shop that just opened called On Any Moto. The owners are really sincere and very friendly, they are also all lead members (including the president of) the DesmoSouthwest website. So if you're looking for a new shop in Tucson, I would suggest looking them up. The shop is on Grant, just west of I-10 - across from the IHop.

Thanks again to everyone especially Maureen for her love and support in my epic quest to rebuild a bike that I love so much. I am very happy to have my bike back to 100% again!

Ride safe and ALWAYS wear your gear!

Dave.


 

What a great experience Except the crash itself, of course!

I guess the love for your bike just got a lot stronger?

Mod Q: is that turn signals I see just behind the side covers? If so, tell me more?

Dave, granted I don't jump online very often and meet up even less for rides etc but geez....a crash...and I'm just hearing about it now? Sorry. Glad you were OK. I can relate to the "calmness" you speak of too. I feel really out of touch but the fact that you are rolling again is what matters most. Take care. DG

Good work getting your bike fixed back up!  Glad to see you back in action & and in style to boot!

Quote from: stopintime on October 24, 2008, 12:47:54 PM
Mod Q: is that turn signals I see just behind the side covers? If so, tell me more?

Yes they are, I have a Clear Alternatives integrated rear brake light/turn signal but I like having the extra ones on the lower sides - they really increase visability from the back and sides!

Quote from: DG on October 25, 2008, 01:05:56 AM
Dave, granted I don't jump online very often and meet up even less for rides etc but geez....a crash...and I'm just hearing about it now? Sorry. Glad you were OK. I can relate to the "calmness" you speak of too. I feel really out of touch but the fact that you are rolling again is what matters most. Take care. DG

Thanks! I know, the crash was a real bummer - but now that things are back together and actually better than before, I'm really happy! We took my Monster for a ride up Mt. Lemmon yesterday and it was really a blast. I'm so proud again to be back on my Monster. I'll post pics of my helmet when I figure out where I saved them!!!!

Quote from: Dietrich on October 25, 2008, 07:16:30 AM
Good work getting your bike fixed back up!  Glad to see you back in action & and in style to boot!

Thanks Dietrich, your help was invaluable. 

Quote from: Monster Dave on October 27, 2008, 12:12:57 PM
Yes they are, I have a Clear Alternatives integrated rear brake light/turn signal but I like having the extra ones on the lower sides - they really increase visability from the back and sides!

I'm curious of all things Ducati - especially mods - if you have the time; small write-up and pictures?

It's about time! Seriously though, good work. It looks nice

Quote from: NAKID on October 27, 2008, 04:51:48 PM
It's about time! Seriously though, good work. It looks nice

Thanks Chris! I know it took some time, but I am really pleased to have my Monster back!

The last 2 things that I really want to do are: 1) get a new set of grips, and 2) replace my stock exhaust with the Leo Vince CF cans:



I've wanted these for a really long time and I think that with my carbon fiber seat cowl and tank protector, that the cans will look really nice. Too much CF doesn't appeal to me a whole lot, so I think that this would be just enough to compliment the dark on silver color scheme that my bike has. I know a lot of people like the high mount pipes (or just cutting them off altogether - Chris  ), but I like the "old school" look of the low mount pipes.

Here's a the first shot that I took of my tank the day after the accident and my helmet that took so much of the impact:



You can see where it almost went through the visor:


Check out the primary impact zone on the lower chin bar:


Every time that I look at my old helmet, I think that had I not been wearing a full faced helmet that I would have needed reconstructive surgery on my face - it would have been aweful - my helmet saved my life.

I've got 3 that look really similar....now you can start your own "Wall of Shame".
Helmets ARE a brains best friend!

Quote from: DG on October 29, 2008, 03:07:41 PM
I've got 3 that look really similar....now you can start your own "Wall of Shame".
Helmets ARE a brains best friend!

Blows my mind though that so many people 1) don't wear a helmet, and 2) many who do only wear skid lids....

To each his own, but wow - this really showed me why it's so important (not that I doubted it at all, but still).

Here's one that just happened this morning! Young guy (22 or so) that works with me rides a GSXR with a helmet.........
hooked to the side of his bike?? Well he ate a pretty good sized stone on the I10.  He didn't crash but now can eat fishsticks and fries without opening his mouth!  No lifeguard at his gene pool I suspect.

Quote from: DG on October 30, 2008, 03:06:40 PM
Here's one that just happened this morning! Young guy (22 or so) that works with me rides a GSXR with a helmet.........
hooked to the side of his bike?? Well he ate a pretty good sized stone on the I10.  He didn't crash but now can eat fishsticks and fries without opening his mouth!  No lifeguard at his gene pool I suspect.

Super-high cringe factor post, Doug!