Uh Oh
Back in '98, I pulled over to the right side of I-70 (Utah) to admire the view and found that my right foot was supporting my '96 Nighthawk 750 on the downward sloping gravel area. I had no choice but to help it down onto its right side after discovering that I didn't have a right leg long enough to right it back up and my left leg couldn't touch the ground.
Having laid the bike down on the slope and stepping away I then discovered that I didn't have the strength to lift it back up either, after setting it down onto the sloping edge of the highway. It would have taken a walking step motion to right it back up straight but the slope kept me lower than the leverage needed and the gravel was slippery. The passing cars and trucks sent shockwaves of wind past me while I watched the gasoline drain out of the top of the tank vent as the bike was still on its side, 125 miles from a town.
After 5 minutes of anguish (every minute was an eon) a trucker passed then stopped up ahead for me. We righted it and he got tools out of the cab to form the footbrake away from the casing and to break off the remaining right brake handle after it got bent outward. I got the bungied items back onto the rear of the seat again then had engine starting problems from being tipped over but eventually got on my way. I bought these two truckers breakfast in the next town.
Thanks to Brown Trucking, Sterling Colorado for the help.
Now, when I have to pull over for any reason, I judge the slope better and 'leave an out' so I don't get trapped again.
Footbrake lever - $34. Right brake handle - $22. Breakfast for 3 at Mom's Cafe - $26. 5,500 mile ride - priceless.
My K3 Burgman hasn't had a scratch.
Back in '98, I pulled over to the right side of I-70 (Utah) to admire the view and found that my right foot was supporting my '96 Nighthawk 750 on the downward sloping gravel area. I had no choice but to help it down onto its right side after discovering that I didn't have a right leg long enough to right it back up and my left leg couldn't touch the ground.
Having laid the bike down on the slope and stepping away I then discovered that I didn't have the strength to lift it back up either, after setting it down onto the sloping edge of the highway. It would have taken a walking step motion to right it back up straight but the slope kept me lower than the leverage needed and the gravel was slippery. The passing cars and trucks sent shockwaves of wind past me while I watched the gasoline drain out of the top of the tank vent as the bike was still on its side, 125 miles from a town.
After 5 minutes of anguish (every minute was an eon) a trucker passed then stopped up ahead for me. We righted it and he got tools out of the cab to form the footbrake away from the casing and to break off the remaining right brake handle after it got bent outward. I got the bungied items back onto the rear of the seat again then had engine starting problems from being tipped over but eventually got on my way. I bought these two truckers breakfast in the next town.
Thanks to Brown Trucking, Sterling Colorado for the help.
Now, when I have to pull over for any reason, I judge the slope better and 'leave an out' so I don't get trapped again.
Footbrake lever - $34. Right brake handle - $22. Breakfast for 3 at Mom's Cafe - $26. 5,500 mile ride - priceless.
My K3 Burgman hasn't had a scratch.