My first "wreck"

[93Bandit]

I had my first stupid today with my 83 850. Technically it wasn't a wreck, maybe, because I wasn't on it a and didn't hit anything.

I usually put the bike in neutral before starting it so that I can immediately let the clutch out and let it warm up while I get my gear on. Well I'm sure you know where this is going... I was in a hurry leaving a store and didn't double check to make sure it was in neutral. The sun was shining directly on to the cluster, making the "1" gear light too dim to catch my eye. I had the choke on, it fired and revved up to 3k and I let go of the clutch. Before I could react to pull the clutch lever, she was already gone. It lurched forward out of my reach and laid over on the right side. Bent my highway peg against the side of the motor, broke my right mirror, broke the throttle grip, bent the handle bar, and broke the ball end off the front brake lever. When it lurched forward the left rear foot peg caught my leg and scratched it up pretty good as well.

Needless to say, I felt like an idiot and two guys watched it happen. When they walked by me they looked kinda like they felt bad for me. I walked a few parking stalls over to pick up my helmet and then picked the bike up to assess the damage. Fortunately she fired back up fine and I was able to ride home. So now that I finally got it running well and everything fixed, my stupidity broke more things. I'm going to see if I can rob some parts off my 81 to fix it so it isn't down for long.

Morale of the story; don't get in a hurry and do something stupid. Take a second to make sure what you're doing is safe to you, your bike and surroundings. I was in a stall between two cars and fortunately my bike didn't hit either of them, or a bystander.

Anyone have some GL handle bars for sale??? Mine could probably be bent back but I don't think I'd be able to get them perfectly straight again.

[Steve]

Anyone have some GL handle bars for sale??? Mine could probably be bent back but I don't think I'd be able to get them perfectly straight again.

Spoken like a true masochist.

L bars were never straight to start with, and the bends that they did make made them some of the most UNcomfortable bars on the planet.

Unless you are the ONE person that those bars actually happen to fit, you would do yourself a BUNCH of favors by looking for something else. The stock G bar is very comfortable, it is my preferred bar.

The comfort of the bend in the bar will depend on your size (especially height) and whether you have a windshield. A taller bar, like your L bar, sets you up into the wind, making you hang on, which gets you more tired. A windshield takes the wind pressure off, but still leaves you sitting bolt upright, which introduces its own level of discomfort.

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[LAB3]

It's a pain in the butt to have to pull in the clutch lever to start sometimes but I keep my safety switch connected for the scenario that you described, there are times when situational awareness isn't my strong suit.

[cowboyup3371]

I have just gotten into the routine of shifting into Neutral before I turn the bike off when I get to where I'm going.

[93Bandit]

Spoken like a true masochist.

L bars were never straight to start with, and the bends that they did make made them some of the most UNcomfortable bars on the planet.

Unless you are the ONE person that those bars actually happen to fit, you would do yourself a BUNCH of favors by looking for something else. The stock G bar is very comfortable, it is my preferred bar.

The comfort of the bend in the bar will depend on your size (especially height) and whether you have a windshield. A taller bar, like your L bar, sets you up into the wind, making you hang on, which gets you more tired. A windshield takes the wind pressure off, but still leaves you sitting bolt upright, which introduces its own level of discomfort.

.

Call me crazy, but I was comparing the L bar and the bar on my 81 (G) and the G bar appears to be much taller. I liked the bar that's on my L, I thought it was a good height. I plan on purchasing clip on bars for my 81 cafe build so I'll swap the 81 bar to my 83 and see what I think. Maybe the bars on both bikes were replaced at some point in their past? The 83 doesn't look like it's ever been messed with though...

I have just gotten into the routine of shifting into Neutral before I turn the bike off when I get to where I'm going.

I always do the same thing, but this time for whatever reason I didn't. And it would be the time I was in a hurry and didn't double check.

[Rob S.]

I have just gotten into the routine of shifting into Neutral before I turn the bike off when I get to where I'm going.

I have the opposite habit. Unless it's on a perfectly level ground and I'll only be gone a minute, I leave it in gear. Paranoia.

Of course when I come back out and want to look real cool by starting her without mounting, there's that awkward nudging.

But welcome to the club, 93Bandit. Don't feel too bad - stuff like that happens to EVERYONE. If it's your first, I'm guessing your quite young.

[Rust_to_Redemption]

Bandit I think I have some L bars off my 82 850GL somewhere in the shop. I can dig them out for you if you want them?

[Deuce]

I have the opposite habit. Unless it's on a perfectly level ground and I'll only be gone a minute, I leave it in gear. Paranoia.

Of course when I come back out and want to look real cool by starting her without mounting, there's that awkward nudging.

But welcome to the club, 93Bandit. Don't feel too bad - stuff like that happens to EVERYONE. If it's your first, I'm guessing your quite young.

Several months ago, I had my Honda sitting in the driveway, in neutral. My driveway has a decent decline to the street. I was in my cluttered garage standing behind my Suzuki when I watched helplessly as the Honda started rolling backwards down the driveway. Thank God it was close enough to my company car and the bars were turned such a way that the left grip caught the window of my Escape, and it stopped short of toppling over. I never park in my driveway in neutral anymore.

[dorkburger]

Sorry to hear of your tip over. I have found long ago that using the bike for errands is never quicker then taking the car. As you noted donning of gear, etc, takes up time so if I use the bike for that purpose, I take it easy and enjoy the opportunity to be able to make the mundane less so.

[93Bandit]

I have the opposite habit. Unless it's on a perfectly level ground and I'll only be gone a minute, I leave it in gear. Paranoia.

Of course when I come back out and want to look real cool by starting her without mounting, there's that awkward nudging.

But welcome to the club, 93Bandit. Don't feel too bad - stuff like that happens to EVERYONE. If it's your first, I'm guessing your quite young.

Thanks for the kind words. When I got my first bike I was told by most people it's a matter of when it happens, not if. However it's still frustrating that happened because I was in a rush, not by conditions I could not control. Oh well, live and learn. I'm mid twenties, so yes, I'm young.

Bandit I think I have some L bars off my 82 850GL somewhere in the shop. I can dig them out for you if you want them?

I would be interested depending on condition/price? If you don't mind sending me a picture or two and some info via PM I would appreciate it!

Several months ago, I had my Honda sitting in the driveway, in neutral. My driveway has a decent decline to the street. I was in my cluttered garage standing behind my Suzuki when I watched helplessly as the Honda started rolling backwards down the driveway. Thank God it was close enough to my company car and the bars were turned such a way that the left grip caught the window of my Escape, and it stopped short of toppling over. I never park in my driveway in neutral anymore.

That's one of my fears. I try to park on level ground anytime I can, even if it's a little inconvenient.

Sorry to hear of your tip over. I have found long ago that using the bike for errands is never quicker then taking the car. As you noted donning of gear, etc, takes up time so if I use the bike for that purpose, I take it easy and enjoy the opportunity to be able to make the mundane less so.

I agree. Anytime I take the bike out I tried to be sure I'm not on a time limit and can enjoy the ride.

[Gorminrider]

but I don't think I'd be able to get them perfectly straight again.

It's awfully hard to do. I've used loaded boat trailers to hold them down between wood blocks with long strong pipes as levers but I've never got it quite right...
I'm glad you didn't hit other cars! So after a few fixes, it'll make a funny story. It's all ready reminding me of some goofy movie as your bike runs amok by itself through the mall. Can you expand it to knock a clown over? I hate clowns.

[93Bandit]

Unless you are the ONE person that those bars actually happen to fit, you would do yourself a BUNCH of favors by looking for something else. The stock G bar is very comfortable, it is my preferred bar.

The comfort of the bend in the bar will depend on your size (especially height) and whether you have a windshield. A taller bar, like your L bar, sets you up into the wind, making you hang on, which gets you more tired. A windshield takes the wind pressure off, but still leaves you sitting bolt upright, which introduces its own level of discomfort.

.

So I measured the bars I have. The bent ones are approximately 6.5" from the mounting point to the top side of handle where the grip goes, measured vertically. The bar on my 81 is approximately 10.5". I believe the bar on my 83 has been replaced at some point with a G bar according to what you've told me. Do these measurements sound like G and L bars?

[93Bandit]

So yesterday I got the bar straightened out as best as I could. It's still not quite right but good enough to get my by until I can get a new bar. Also robbed parts from my 81 to fix the 83. I took the brake lever, mirrors, and a bolt. The 83 is good now, except for the tweaked bar. It was PERFECT weather yesterday so I had to get it fixed and go for a ride. I just wish there was less traffic around here...